Safety and assistance systems: part of Daimler Buses’ DNA

• An integral safety concept
• Active Brake Assist: emergency braking assistance
• Preventive Brake Assist 2: protecting vulnerable road users in urban and interurban traffic
• Sideguard Assist 2: lateral monitoring and support when turning and changing lanes
• Frontguard Assist: monitoring the area immediately in front of the vehicle
• Traffic Sign Assist: supporting compliance with speed limits
• Lane Assist and lane-keeping systems
• Attention Assist: against fatigue and distraction
• MirrorCam and surround-view systems
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring, ESP, ABS, EBS and ASR
• Passive safety: protection when prevention is not enough
• Safety in electric vehicles
• Safety as a process of continuous development

Safety is part of Daimler Buses’ DNA. In Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses and coaches, safety is not understood as a collection of isolated systems, but as an integral concept that accompanies the vehicle from development through to everyday operation.

This approach combines active safety, passive safety, driver’s workplace ergonomics, visibility, stability, electronic assistance, specialist maintenance and training. The aim is to support the driver, protect passengers and contribute to the safety of other road users.

The development of Daimler Buses safety systems is based on a clear principle: many accidents begin before the actual collision with poor visibility, distraction, a complex manoeuvre or a risk that suddenly emerges. For this reason, Daimler Buses vehicles are equipped, depending on the model and configuration, with systems designed to warn, assist and, within the limits of the system, intervene in critical situations.

An integral safety concept

The Daimler Buses safety concept begins at the driver’s workplace. An ergonomic environment, good visibility, a clear arrangement of controls and reduced distractions help the driver remain focused during operation.

Building on this foundation, electronic safety and assistance systems support the driver in a wide range of situations: driving on the road, approaching obstacles, turning, changing lanes, manoeuvring, speed control, vehicle stability and fatigue detection. These are complemented by passive safety features such as body strength and specific protection systems in the event of a collision.

Daimler Buses has historically played a pioneering role in introducing safety technologies for buses and coaches. Systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, emergency braking assistants and turning assistants form part of a continuous evolution towards the vision of accident-free driving.

Active Brake Assist: emergency braking assistance

Active Brake Assist is one of the most representative systems within the Daimler Buses safety strategy. In its latest generations, the assistant supports the driver when there is a risk of a rear-end collision with vehicles ahead or stationary obstacles and can automatically initiate partial braking or emergency braking.

Depending on the version and vehicle, Active Brake Assist can also detect moving or stationary pedestrians and cyclists in front of the vehicle. In the case of ABA 6 Plus, the system can react to pedestrians and cyclists at speeds of up to 60 km/h and covers the vehicle’s entire speed range, remaining active in the background.

Its purpose is to support the driver in critical situations, warn of a potential collision and reduce the severity of a possible accident or, under optimum conditions and within the system limits, help to prevent it.

Preventive Brake Assist 2: protecting vulnerable road users in urban and interurban traffic

Preventive Brake Assist 2 is the second generation of the active braking assistant developed by Daimler Buses for city and interurban buses. The system is designed to support the driver in potential collision situations involving moving pedestrians and cyclists, as well as stationary or moving objects.

When it detects an imminent risk of collision, Preventive Brake Assist 2 warns the driver with visual and acoustic signals. It also automatically initiates partial braking within the limits of the system. In this way, it helps reduce the risk of an accident or mitigate its consequences, particularly in environments with a high presence of vulnerable road users.

In combination with other systems such as Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist, MirrorCam and camera systems, Preventive Brake Assist 2 reinforces the integral Daimler Buses safety concept in urban and interurban applications.

Sideguard Assist 2: lateral monitoring and support when turning and changing lanes

Sideguard Assist 2 is designed to support the driver when turning or changing lanes in situations where visibility is limited. The system monitors the areas alongside the vehicle and, within the system limits, can detect vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists in the blind spot.

The second generation of the assistant extends its operating range. It is no longer limited to the door side of the vehicle, but can also monitor the driver’s side. In addition, at speeds above approximately 40 km/h, Sideguard Assist 2 assumes the function of a lane-change assistant.

If a risk is detected, the system warns the driver with visual signals and, depending on the configuration, haptic warnings. It therefore helps enhance safety during particularly sensitive manoeuvres such as overtaking, merging into traffic or turning in urban and interurban environments.

Frontguard Assist: monitoring the area immediately in front of the vehicle

Frontguard Assist monitors the area directly in front of the vehicle. Its purpose is to warn the driver of people or obstacles in the immediate front area, particularly when pulling away or travelling at low speed.

This system is particularly relevant for buses and coaches due to their dimensions and the complexity of certain manoeuvres at stations, bus stops, terminals, in urban areas or in locations with large numbers of pedestrians. Together with Sideguard Assist 2, it helps provide a more comprehensive warning system around the vehicle.

Traffic Sign Assist: supporting compliance with speed limits

Traffic Sign Assist continuously compares the vehicle’s current speed with the permitted speed, combining information from the camera with navigation data. If the authorised limit is exceeded, the system warns the driver with visual and acoustic signals.

The assistant enhances safety and comfort on the road, particularly on routes with frequent changes in speed limits, when entering or leaving towns and cities, or on interruban sections with varying traffic conditions.

Lane Assist and lane-keeping systems

Lane Assist, also known as SPA, supports the driver if the vehicle unintentionally leaves the marked lane. Using a camera positioned behind the windscreen, the system detects lane markings and issues a warning if the vehicle crosses them without the turn indicator being activated.

In premium coaches, systems such as Active Drive Assist 2 combine different assistance functions to support the driver with acceleration, braking, maintaining distance, steering and lane keeping. Under certain conditions, the system enables semi-automated driving across all speed ranges and incorporates an emergency stop function if the driver stops responding.

Attention Assist: support against fatigue and distraction

Attention Assist is designed to detect possible signs of driver fatigue or distraction. Depending on the version of the system, it can analyse driving parameters or use a discreetly installed camera to detect indications related to the driver’s gaze or eyelid behaviour.

If the system identifies signs consistent with fatigue or lack of attention, it issues an acoustic warning and displays a message on the instrument panel. Its purpose is to remind the driver to refocus or take a break, thereby contributing to safety on long journeys or demanding services.

MirrorCam surround-view systems

Visibility is an essential factor in safety. MirrorCam replaces conventional exterior mirrors with high-resolution cameras and monitors inside the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, the images can be displayed on 7- or 15-inch monitors.

The system extends the driver’s field of vision, improves visibility in low-light conditions and helps reduce blind spots. Guide lines assist in estimating distances and the rear end of the vehicle, as well as during overtaking or turning manoeuvres. In addition, by reducing the frontal area compared with conventional mirrors, MirrorCam can also contribute to improved aerodynamic efficiency.

The 360° camera systems, 270° in the case of articulated vehicles, complement this view of the surroundings. Cameras positioned around the vehicle provide an overall view that facilitates manoeuvring in tight spaces, terminals, stations, depots or complex urban environments.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring, ESP, ABS, EBS and ASR

Safety also relies on fundamental systems for controlling vehicle dynamics. The Tyre Pressure Monitoring system continuously monitors tyre inflation pressure and warns of pressure loss within the limits of the system. Correct tyre pressure contributes both to driving safety and vehicle efficiency.

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) reduces the risk of the wheels locking under braking. The Electronic Braking System (EBS) enables faster and more precise brake actuation. Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) helps prevent the drive wheels from spinning during acceleration. Building on these systems, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) can intervene by selectively braking individual wheels or the vehicle to reduce the risk of skidding or overturning within the physical limits.

Passive safety: protection when prevention is not enough

Although the bus is one of the safest forms of transport, passive safety remains essential. In Mercedes-Benz and Setra coaches, body strength and structural robustness form part of the occupant protection concept.

Superstructure strength in accordance with UN ECE-R 66.02 helps preserve the survival space in the event of a rollover. In addition, the Front Collision Guard provides additional protection in a frontal collision through an energy-absorbing structure and a concept designed to better preserve the driver’s protection space.

Safety in electric vehicles

In Daimler Buses electric vehicles, safety also extends to high-voltage technology. In the eCitaro, the battery modules are installed with impact protection and the charging cables are particularly well protected. The batteries are tested and certified in accordance with the regulations applicable to the transport of dangerous goods, with tests carried out at cell, cell-block, battery-pack and vehicle battery-group level.

This is complemented by specific monitoring, thermal management and battery-system surveillance functions designed to enhance operational safety while driving, charging and during periods when the vehicle is parked.

Safety as a process of continuous development

At Daimler Buses, safety is not static. Each new generation of vehicles introduces more advanced systems, greater integration between assistance systems and new functions designed to support the driver and protect road users.

From battery-electric city buses to interurban vehicles, long-distance coaches and bus chassis, Daimler Buses develops its solutions according to a common vision: to provide safe, efficient vehicles adapted to real-world operating conditions.

Assistance systems do not replace the driver’s responsibility. Their role is to assist and support within the limits of the system. The driver must remain attentive at all times, adapt their driving to traffic, road and weather conditions, and always retain responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle.