Volvo Trucks North America celebrated the success of Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology with the delivery of the 50,000th VEST-equipped truck to Shamrock Foods of Phoenix.
VEST is a full electronic stability program that assists the driver in maintaining control during emergency maneuvers and braking events, dramatically reducing the likelihood of a rollover or jackknife. It was made standard on all Volvo highway tractors in 2005.
To commemorate the 50,000th VEST-equipped truck assembled at Volvo’s New River Valley plant, company officials recently presented a plaque to Mark Engdahl, enterprise director for Shamrock Foods and Matt Miller, Shamrock’s enterprise operations manager, during a driver event in Phoenix, .
“VEST represents an enormous advancement in truck safety,” said Ron Huibers, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Volvo Trucks North America. “We’re part of the first heavy-duty truck manufacturing group to make the technology standard in our products – and we did it because it’s so important for the safety of truck drivers and the motoring public.”
“In just five years, VEST has become the dominant system of its type in the market,” Huibers said. “Volvo is proud to have played a leadership role in spreading the use of this technology out on the road.”
Like other customers, Shamrock Foods expects Volvo trucks to be built with safety as a top priority. A nationally-ranked foodservice distributor, Shamrock sends refrigerated trucks to 10 states from distribution centers in Phoenix, Commerce City (Denver) and Albuquerque, N.M.
“VEST is something no driver should be without,” said Miller. “It provides improved safety and peace of mind. Volvo’s commitment to safety is one of the reasons we ordered 105 Volvo trucks this year. It means a lot to us that we are putting our drivers in trucks that are designed for safety as well as comfort and drivability.”
The VEST system was developed by Volvo in partnership with Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC.
VEST uses a steering angle sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, and algorithms to determine not only driver intent, but also vehicle response, in rapidly changing situations. It works by selectively applying the brakes on individual wheel ends if sensors detect a dangerous driving situation. This assists the driver in reducing speed, keeping the vehicle in proper alignment, and significantly decreasing the possibility of the truck and trailer sliding or jackknifing. The system also automatically lowers engine torque and applies the engine brake more rapidly than a driver can do, dramatically reducing rollover potential – even on wet or snowy roads, black ice and exit ramps.
