Truck safety, Volvo Trucks launches new system that activates speed limitation in given areas

Volvo Trucks has launched a new service which enables the activation of automatic speed limitation in predefined geographical areas. The main objective, as stated by the truck maker, is increased safety. Volvo Trucks as called the aforementioned system Safety Zones.

Indeed, using Safety Zones, transport companies can set speed limits for each truck as it enters a predefined geographical area, a technology often referred to as “geofencing”. When the truck is operated within the area, acceleration above the zone speed limit is restricted by the engine. The truck actively brakes to reach the zone speed limit if it enters the zone with a higher speed.

Volvo Trucks for safety in trucking

Practically speaking, fleet managers can define the geographical zones on a digital map, configure the allowed speed limit and take full control of which zone should be used for each truck. The driver will see in the instrument display that he or she is in a speed-limited zone and what the maximum speed is. Safety Zones is a subscription service and part of Volvo Connect, Volvo Trucks’ interface for digital services for all customers.

“With this service, a transport company can secure that the speed of the vehicle is kept low. For example, in a harbor or at a logistics center, or in areas with a lot of people and traffic moving about like busy city centers and around schools,” explained Johan Rundberg, product manager at Volvo Trucks. “The aim of the service is to make the traffic environment safer and to reduce stress for the driver. At Volvo, we continuously develop our safety systems with the purpose of taking steps towards our long-term vision of zero accidents with Volvo trucks.”