Takata's Innovative SafeTraK System Improves Driver Alertness

PONTIAC, Mich., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Typically lane departure warning (LDW) systems are used in the commercial truck industry to alert drivers when they have drifted out of their traffic lane.  Now, Takata's SafeTraK system has added an exclusive driver alertness feature that detects and monitors erratic driving or weaving within the lanes. The Takata system has two unique alerts, one for indicating drivers may need rest and one for inadvertent lane departures.  

The driver alertness feature is available on the SafeTraK 3 product; it includes vehicle monitoring software that tracks the time of day, number of alerts, and variability in driving performance.  Companies can use the SafeTraK 3 system to help their drivers better understand their own driving patterns and make adjustments to improve overall road safety.  Increasing alertness and reducing fatigue are two important evaluation points in the new Federal Motor Carrier's Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) report card; SafeTraK can help drivers perform better against these critical measures.  

"Commercial truck drivers face many distractions while on the road for long hours, this includes drowsiness," says Kirk Morris, vice president, product management and business development for Takata Electronics.  "Our system's unique algorithms help operators better manage their driving so they know when to stop for rest breaks, what time of day they generally require breaks, as well as measure their driving performance real time. Our ultimate objective is to improve road safety for everyone, and this unique SafeTraK feature takes a giant step in meeting that goal."

With more than 3.2 million jobs in the U.S. provided by the commercial truck-driving industry, driver safety has been an area of concern for many years.  The Takata SafeTraK system can help drivers better prepare for their long haul trips and react to their real time driving performance.  SafeTraK system test results have demonstrated a good correlation between the driver alertness index and the driver's actual performance within the lane.                                  

Distracted drivers, whether due to fatigue, cell phone usage, or other circumstances, will generally weave within a lane far more than a rested driver whose full attention is on the driving task. The driver alertness feature can diagnose the driver's inattention by monitoring the vehicle's performance within the lane and provides a unique warning so the driver may get rest or better focus on the driving task.

"Simply put, the SafeTraK system saves lives, improves efficiencies and cuts costs," says Morris.  "The SafeTraK system is currently available on many North American truck platforms. Manufacturers that offer SafeTraK include Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Volvo, and Mack.  That is good news for everyone traveling the roads."

For more information about SafeTraK, go to www.safetrak.takata.com

SafeTraK

The SafeTraK family of products are produced and serviced by Takata Electronics, a division of Takata Corporation.  Takata Electronics is a world leader in innovative, advanced electronic safety equipment for the automotive and commercial truck industries.  Takata's products include lane departure warning systems with driver alertness feature, steering wheels, seat belts, airbags and airbag control units.

SOURCE Takata Electronics