TROY, Mich. — Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has released its “next generation” anti-lock braking system with enhanced electronic control unit (ECU). The new system incorporates platform flexibilities which are designed to enable advanced technology applications on a wide range of commercial vehicles.

“This ‘next generation’ incorporates the proven performance of the previous platform and adds enhancements in ABS, stability control and collision safety for bus, coach, military, tractor and straight-truck applications,” said Jon Morrison, president and general manager of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems. “We continue to evolve our vehicle control systems to offer our customers added features and flexibility as well as enhanced performance.”

Morrison calls the anti-lock braking system the foundation for the company’s pyramid of safety systems, which include the OnGuard Collision Safety System, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), and advanced diagnostics and communications capabilities.

The new ABS system offers several features including hill-start aid for added functionality of automated manual transmissions, brake performance monitoring, and integrated tire pressure monitoring.

This new system is available in both ESC and RSC versions, which tailor to the customers’ individual needs. Building upon the current Electronic Stability Control, the new generation ABS incorporates features such as a more powerful micro controller with additional capabilities, all-wheel drive ESC applications, steerable tag axle applications, and two modulated trailer control functions. Officials say Roll Stability Control offers “the highest level of vehicle rollover stability in the marketplace today with the fewest components, maintenance requirements and lowest cost.”

Utilizing the ABS controller, another layer of vehicle control can be added through OnGuard, a radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking. OnGuard’s radar sensor is designed to detect multiple moving objects at distances up to 500 ft. away. “It quickly and reliably coordinates responses from the radar, engine and anti-lock braking systems to alert the driver and decelerate the vehicle when a safe vehicle following distance is compromised,” officials said.

Communicating over the tractor’s data bus, status messages can be relayed to an onboard computer with telematics capabilities. Officials say fleet managers at home base can correlate stability and braking events with precise time and location data, or use exception-based reporting to determine whether a vehicle requires maintenance.

The new system also allows for the capture of data about braking and stability events, creating a record of information that fleet managers can use to identify trends and build more effective driver training programs.

As with all Meritor WABCO products, the new system will be supported by ArvinMeritor’s sales and support systems.