s p e c ia l se c ti o n SUMMER SAFETY SERIES - PART TWO {Vehicular Safety Technology}
Safety set in steel Prevost outlines its commitment to safe passenger transport
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revost, St. Claire, QB, Canada, says its commitment to product safety evolves naturally from its commitment to build structural strength and integrity into its coaches. As such, the company views safety in two equally important dimensions. Dynamic safety comprises those systems and features that specifically help Prevost operators and drivers avoid accidents. Passive safety comprises those systems and features that help protect coach passengers in the event of an accident. The Prevost safety philosophy is set in steel, beginning with the integrated stainless steel chassis. Prevost says its rigorous stress simulations and shakedown testing have proven that the basic framework provides a very strong and durable foundation to house the many other safety components. Fire suppression
By David Hubbard
To protect passengers, drivers and the equipment, and prevent a singular incident from becoming more devastating, the Prevost Fire Suppression System features linear and optical infrared detectors that monitor the engine compartment. The system carries 25 pounds of dry fire suppression chemical released through five nozzles in 10- to 15-second discharges. In the event of an incident, the driver receives both audible and visual warnings.
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Tire pressure monitoring
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Correct air pressure in all tires is critical to motorcoach safety. Improper inflation is one of the leading contributors to tire failures. Pressure monitoring guards against heat buildup that only magnifies in an underinflated tire — the leading cause of dangerous blowouts and tread separation. Prevost says it incorporates a system originally developed for the high-end luxury automotive industry, which samples both air temperature and pressure. The tire-pressure monitoring system warns drivers about sudden or gradual loss of tire pressure, as well as inner-tire failures that are difficult to inspect. Real-time conditions are integrated into an easy-to-read dashboard display so drivers can see essential tire information within a minute of coach start-up, including spare tire information. Electronic stability program The electronic stability program on a Prevost coach compares driver intentions to the actual movement of the vehicle. Prevost says this is the first such system to incorporate rollover and under/over steer protection, which the company says greatly improves stability. The program selectively applies the brakes on individual 1. Prevost puts its chassis through rigorous stress simulations and shakedown testing, providing a strong framework. 2. The Prevost Swap and Plug Wheelchair Lift is strategically placed in the middle of the coach, in front of the drive axle.
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BUSRIDE | J U LY. 2013
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