Banking on the Banksman Auto Braking system by Vision Techniques

UK contractor Eurovia Surfacing and Sims Milling, based near London, are trialling an automatic braking system that could save the lives of workers and pedestrians. The Banksman Auto Braking radar system is designed to remove the risk of accidents while a vehicle is reversing, with 100% accuracy at detecting objects. The system - provided by Vision Techniques – emits low-energy microwaves from a unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle. If an obstruction or hazard is detected then the system will automatica
January 8, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Give me a brake: Banksman Auto Braking from Vision Techniques will stop the vehicle in time

UK contractor 3281 Eurovia Surfacing and Sims Milling, based near London, are trialling an automatic braking system that could save the lives of workers and pedestrians. The Banksman Auto Braking radar system is designed to remove the risk of accidents while a vehicle is reversing, with 100% accuracy at detecting objects.

The system - provided by Vision Techniques – emits low-energy microwaves from a unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle. If an obstruction or hazard is detected then the system will automatically activate the vehicle’s braking system.

 Banksman Auto Braking radar was recently trialled on a Eurovia Surfacing site in Essex and is now being deployed on Sims Milling Sweepers operating in Hertfordshire, explained Neil Huntington, Eurovia’s contracting regional director.

“Initial feedback from site has been very positive,” he said.

“While this system must be used in conjunction with other Safe Systems of

Work (SSOW) and site-specific risk assessments, it is very clear that the Banksman Auto Braking radar system will further help eliminate the potential risk of collisions on our sites.”

The system’s frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology transmits a radar signal with a frequency increasing over time to create a signal sweep. The signal is reflected by an obstacle’s surface; this reflected, or echo, signal is picked up by the antenna.

As the transmitted signal is constantly varying in frequency, the echo has a slightly different frequency compared to the signal being transmitted at that moment. This frequency difference can be translated in a linear distance. This makes FMCW microwave technology much more effective than an ordinary reversing radar.

The system will warn the driver audibly and also visually with an in-cab display. The brake is automatically applied if the driver fails to react to the danger within the final “red danger zone”.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Defective eyesight, a road safety concern?
    February 16, 2012
    Failing eyesight presents safety problems for Europe's older drivers. A new report highlights substantial variation in the assessment of drivers' vision across Europe, and recommends that Member States make moves to better assess drivers' vision. Checking the vision of drivers plays a valuable role in the EU's target of halving road deaths across the EU by 2020. The aim is to achieve this road safety improvement by legislative means that change driver behaviour, raise the technical standards of vehicles and
    Read More
  • EU missing target of halving road deaths by 2020, says ETSC
    April 12, 2018
    Halving the number of deaths on Europe’s roads by 2020 is not likely to be achieved, according to the European Transport Safety Council. The 28 members of the European Union reduced the number of road deaths by 20% from 2010-2017, far less than the 38% cut needed to stay on course to meet the 2020 target. The European Commission has just published data showing that deaths on EU roads fell by only 2% last year, following a similar decrease in 2016 and a 1% increase in 2015. “For four years in a row, the
    Read More
  • Cat’s wider range
    May 20, 2019
    Caterpillar is offering new machine control packages for use with dozers Caterpillar is widening its range of solutions for dozers with the introduction of the GRADE with 3D system for its D3K2, D4K2 and D5K2 models. This package is an automated grade control system using GNSS technology to position the machine's blade, without operator input, from first rough cut to finish grade. In addition, GRADE with 3D incorporates the Cat AccuGrade Ready Option. This system allows the use of universal-total-stati
    Read More
  • Volvo CE’s new asphalt compactors
    April 30, 2021
    Volvo CE is now offering new 10tonne asphalt compactors
    Read More

Highlighted Content