Everything on the all-new Volvo VNL has been purposefully designed to advance Volvo’s boundary-pushing innovations in driver protection and driver assistance, inside and all around the truck. The new VNL raises the bar and sets new industry standards on safeguarding drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The proprietary Volvo Active Safety Platform serves as the backbone and infrastructure for safety across the VNL, without the need for third party solutions. It enables next-generation safety technologies to seamlessly interact—where everything works together to help protect drivers and avoid accidents.

“At Volvo Trucks, we still view the drivers as the most important safety system. However, our new safety features are devised to support them on today’s busy roads to help reduce the risk of collisions. Through new technology, continued accident research, and a holistic view of truck safety, we can move closer to our vision of zero accidents,” says Anna Wrige Berling, traffic & product safety director at Volvo Trucks.

Driver protection

Volvo’s commitment to driver protection began with the introduction of the three-point safety belt, invented in 1959 and credited with saving more than one million lives, and it continues today. Beyond the belt is a veritable arsenal of 21st-century protective features. It starts with High-Strength Steel (reinforced with additional Ultra High-Strength Steel) which protects the occupants and deflects the energy of a crash.

At the ready are a standard driver airbag, along with optional driver and passenger side curtain-style airbags in the event of a rollover. Moreover, an industry-first intelligent E-Call system will automatically alert emergency services should a rollover or airbag deployment occur.

E-Call connects to the closest public safety answering point automatically (where cell coverage is available) and no driver initiation is required. Furthermore, an optional manual SOS switch is available for the cab, providing enhanced driver protection. This feature empowers drivers to directly connect with 911 in case of emergency situations.

Deepening the layers of protection, the VNL features Volvo’s unique flared frame rail design, which allows the engine and transmission to drop in a frontal collision. Industry-leading door hinges can withstand even the most severe impact. They stay securely shut during a crash yet allow drivers to exit when needed. Plus, an impact absorbing dash and steering column are designed to protect the driver from serious injury or bodily harm.

“Drivers face unbelievable challenges on the road. That’s why choosing the all-new VNL, with our leading safety technologies, makes so much sense,” shares Maddie Sullivan, product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks. “Our customers feel they are putting their drivers in the safest truck possible.”

Every best-in-class innovation on the new VNL has been rigorously tested to meet or exceed the world’s highest safety standards, including the Swedish Cab Impact Test.

Driver assistance

Volvo Trucks is constantly looking for new ways to help drivers avoid potential issues before they occur. To that end, the new VNL comes standard with Volvo’s most advanced forward collision technologies as part of the Volvo Active Driver Assist (VADA) package.

VADA aids drivers with features like forward collision warning and automatic braking; long-range pedestrian warning, which is particularly beneficial in congested urban areas; lane departure warning to protect the truck as well as neighboring traffic; and adaptive cruise control featuring automatic stop-and-go functionality.

“Sixty-four percent of all commercial vehicle accidents are forward collision events according to the DOT. These can involve fatalities and are often some of the most expensive accidents in our industry. So, we’ve made significant improvements in the offerings of our now standard Volvo Active Driver Assist package,” shares Nico Delagey, director of product strategy, Volvo Trucks Vehicle electronics and soft products.

The Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus (VADA Plus) package goes a step further, warning of potential side collision events. VADA Plus offers cutting-edge features such as side detection for pedestrians and cyclists and new Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) with Oversteer Guidance. In addition to delivering greater steering control in crosswinds and during low-speed maneuvers, this edition of VDS continuously assists drivers with proactive steering adjustments to keep the vehicle from leaving the lane or risk tipping.

“We’re introducing additional safety systems that can enhance the driver’s capabilities, helping to protect them and the people they share the road with. By utilizing the latest technical advances, we can predict potential collisions and help mitigate collisions,” adds Berling.

Exceeding expectations

Beyond driver protection and driver assistance, the VNL doubles down on safety with even more advancements designed to boost visibility and driver awareness, minimize blind spots, improve lane changes, and enable easier operation and maneuvering.

On the new VNL, automatic high beams deliver optimal driver visibility and reduce the mental fatigue and distraction of constantly turning them on and off. Cornering lights provide improved visibility when entering and exiting turns or curves at low speeds and when reversing. A forward-looking camera recognizes multiple road signs and displays up to three in sequence across the instrument panel, giving drivers ample time to make safer driving decisions. A panoramic windshield provides a clear and unobstructed view of the road and is designed to reduce glass shatter in the event of an accident thanks to a unique slope and curvature.

An innovative and fully integrated Camera Monitoring System (CMS) will also be available soon on the VNL. CMS can replace traditional side mirrors for superior visibility in low light conditions, thanks to infrared technology that creates sharper views at night. Plus, a back-up camera delivers a clean view of the back of chassis and fifth wheel, making trailer connection significantly simpler and safer.

Looking ahead

In classic Volvo fashion, even with the introduction of so many new safety technologies in the VNL, the drive for innovation hasn’t slowed.

“We are proud to say this is the safest Volvo ever built for North America. But I believe our engineers and designers are just as excited about the possibilities that the VNL and our active safety platform hold for the future,” according to Sullivan. “These are the tools that will help us move closer to that vision of zero accidents.”