Meritor WABCO Enhances OnLane, its Innovative Lane Departure Warning System; New Video-Capturing Safety Feature Now Available

TROY, Mich., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Meritor WABCO, a leader in the integration of safety and efficiency technology for the North American commercial vehicle industry, today announced a new option for OnLane™, its innovative lane departure warning system, that enhances OnLane with the ability to record and save videos of critical safety events. The new video safety option is available now.

"This additional and robust safety feature responds to specific needs of fleet customers that utilize the most advanced, integrated safety components, including stability control, traction control, collision mitigation and lane departure warning," said Carsten Duevell, senior director, Vehicle Control Systems, Meritor WABCO. "Critical event video-capturing is a valuable enhancement to our Integrated Safety Systems product line."

Meritor WABCO's OnLane, powered with SafeTraK technology by Takata, is a vision-based lane departure warning system. It is designed to monitor road markings and the vehicle's position in the lane. The system delivers distinct audible warnings to the driver encouraging the use of turn signals, if the vehicle leaves its lane unintentionally. In addition, OnLane is equipped with the industry's only driver alertness warning (DAW) feature, which detects erratic or degraded driving based on lane weaving and provides a warning to the driver. This unique DAW safety innovation helps drivers stay aware of dangerous driving situations caused by fatigue or distraction.

Meritor WABCO's new video-capturing feature is triggered by critical events, such as sudden deceleration. When a critical safety event occurs, the system will capture forward-looking color video of the scene ahead for the 10 seconds before – and five seconds after – the start of the event. The enhanced OnLane system automatically stores the 20 most recent videos. The videos can be downloaded manually using Meritor WABCO's TOOLBOX™ 11.0 diagnostic software. The video download function is included with the purchase of TOOLBOX 11.0.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) is promoting voluntary adoption of lane departure warning systems to trucking fleets to encourage safe driving behaviors, mitigate accidents and reduce the number of crashes. Commercial vehicle collisions involving property damage can cost fleets up to $197,000 per occurrence, while those resulting in fatalities can cost up to $1.2 million. FMCSA has estimated that the payback for lane departure warning systems can be nearly sevenfold in nine months or less.

As reported by the American Trucking Associations, 80 to 90 percent of truck-related accidents with cars are attributed to the other vehicle, and as a result, video documentation can strongly support potential related litigation.

OnLane's industry-exclusive one-box solution allows for quick and simple installation coupled with outstanding reliability. Vehicle alerts and warnings can be transmitted to fleet management systems through a telematics system. OnLane also can be equipped as a retrofit solution to existing fleet vehicles, in addition to OEM line build.

OnLane sales, service and technical support is available from DriveForce™ and OnTrac, Meritor WABCO's industry-leading organization of 110 dedicated support professionals. For additional product information or to order, contact Meritor WABCO in the United States or Canada by calling 866-OnTrac1 (866-668-7221).

About Meritor WABCO
Meritor WABCO is a North American joint venture focused on the development and delivery of proven, integrated safety technology and efficiency-smart components. These include braking systems and controls, active safety systems, and suspension and control systems for commercial vehicles in North America. Two leading global suppliers back Meritor WABCO, each with more than 100-year legacies. Meritor, Inc. (NYSE:MTOR), a supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets, provides the JV the industry's most extensive service and support network; while WABCO Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:WBC), provides breakthrough technologies and control systems for the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles. For more information, visit http://www.meritorwabco.com.

SOURCE Meritor WABCO