Mack has announced availability of a new adaptive cruise control (ACC) system that helps drivers maintain a safe following distance and intervenes when necessary by applying the service brakes when a rear-end collision is imminent.

The system, developed by Bendix, has been fully-integrated into Mack Trucks and dubbed Mack Road Stability Advantage by Bendix with Adaptive Cruise Control.

“Cruise control is a great feature for highway driving, since it can reduce driver fatigue and improve fuel economy,” said Jerry Warmkessel, Mack marketing product manager of highway products. “But traffic conditions can change quickly from slowing vehicles or close cut-ins by other vehicles. Mack RSA with ACC not only alerts the driver when the distance to the vehicle in front changes, it also takes action to maintain a safe following distance at the new speed.”

The system uses a radar sensor mounted behind the front bumper to identify moving objects in front of the truck, explained Warmkessel. When a pre-determined following distance is compromised (the default value is 2.8 seconds), the system alerts the driver and then if necessary it dethrottles the engine, applies the engine brake and if necessary, applies up to 30% of the foundation

brakes. The driver still has the ability to fully apply the brakes.

When a safe following distance is re-established, the cruise control will automatically return the truck to its previous speed.

The system will be available beginning April 1 with production beginning in the third quarter, Mack announced. It will also be available with an optional side sensor that identifies vehicles travelling in the right-side blind spot of a truck.