Spanning over five million kilometres, Indian roads comprise one of the largest transportation networks in the world, carrying 90% of India’s passenger traffic and 60% of its goods. Heavy-duty segments, logistics and construction, form their backbone. Enabling safe and smooth transit of people and the materials functioning within these segments, comprise pivotal concerns for an industry pioneer like Tata Motors.
The 2020 report of the Ministry of Roads, Transportation and Highways point to the grave threat posed by accidents. In 2020 alone, India recorded over 3.6 lakh road accidents, claiming nearly 1.3 lakh lives. The journey towards expanding on-road safety, guided by the Indian government’s “4-Es” strategy, entails exerting emphasis on 4 core areas, namely Education, Engineering (of both roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency care. As India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Tata Motors has consistently strived to engineer advanced mobility solutions for safer trucking, taking a cue from these precepts and its extensive industry experience.
Safety, tailor-made for Indian conditions
The Tata Motors Prima and Signa range of trucks all come with crash-tested cabins and first-in-the-country, sophisticated safety systems. The new Prima range of trucks is equipped with India’s first advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), designed to provide world-class safety and comfort to drivers. The intent is not only to extend advanced safety to drivers who often have tenuous working hours and need to travel long distances but also to allow fleet owners to attract and retain them.
The CV industry functions in heavy-duty sectors that often involve the transportation of sensitive, hazardous or high-value goods that, if met with an accident, can cause considerable losses while claiming lives, or in some cases, harming the environment. Each of the features embedded in Tata Motors’ trucks actively works to prevent such mishaps through integrated and advanced safety features. Passive safety features are driven by technological interventions in materials and in-house digital optimization. Active safety encompasses ADAS features that embed safety holistically and aid in post-crash situations.
State-of-the-art technology for safer roads
Tata Prima’s ADAS comes equipped with several advanced components. The Collision Monitoring System (CMS) is a device that apprises the driver of a potential collision in two ways: firstly, by alerting the driver of the risk through visual and audio warnings of obstacles, and secondly, by implementing collision avoidance when necessary. This means the ADAS can override the driver’s actions seconds before a potential collision. The Driver Monitoring System (DMS), in contrast, alerts the driver if it detects drowsiness or distraction in the driver, thus enhancing focus and productivity while preventing accidents.
The Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) helps drivers stay in the right lane by detecting when the vehicle goes off-course, while Electronic Stability Control (ESC) plays a very important role in stabilising the truck, helping prevent the most serious loss of control during crashes. Finally, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps provide real-time alerts to the driver, improving tyre runout, minimizing irregular wear and tear, and heightening safety.
Tata Construck range of vehicles on the Signa and Prima platforms offer wide array of technologies and safety features suited both for mining and construction applications, as well as for surface logistics. Its engine brake supports driver and vehicle safety with efficient braking. It reduces the chances of fatal accidents, affording better braking in downhill operations. The Hill Start Assist (HSA) feature works complementarily, increasing slope safety by enabling easy driving even on gradients. The tilt switch feature provides enhanced tipping safety by insuring the vehicle during tilts. The latest Signa models come with sleeper cabins, suited for driving long distances, and day cabins for shorter distance travel.
The safety mechanisms integrated into all of Tata Motors’ vehicles ultimately seek to fulfil the core goal of assuring the uncompromised safety of the driver, the vehicle and the cargo. Additionally, these mechanisms also help fleet owners leverage their revenue and profitability by minimizing unforeseen losses. At the heart of the pursuit of building some of the country’s safest CVs, is Tata Motors’ commitment to standing behind the needs of its customers, to connect their aspirations—sealed with the promise of safety.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are the author’s own and the article is not an Outlook Money editorial feature