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We visit the Arctic Circle to see Wabco put its electronic stability systems to the test.

3rd April 2008, Page 38
3rd April 2008
Page 38
Page 39
Page 38, 3rd April 2008 — We visit the Arctic Circle to see Wabco put its electronic stability systems to the test.
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Words / Images: Colin Barnett

The Finnish town of Rovaniemi, in the Arctic Circle. is best known as Santa's home. Today Santa is a major local industry, with Santa Park and the Santa College both nearby. The town's other claim to fame is as the home of Eurovision horror rock phenomenon Lordi, whose restaurant is in the main street next to the Santa Hair Center.

Generations of kids of all ages have visited Rovaniemi to meet the mythical bringer of Christmas presents, including those lucky enough to have enjoyed a day trip on Concorde to the small, impressive, local airport. The reason for CM'S visit to Rovaniemi is behind the airport, a small facility on a mission to make safer trucks. For 20 years it has been home during the winter months to Wabco's extreme proving ground, testing the company's products in temperatures down to -30'C.

That's the plan, but like our last visit to Finland a year ago to investigate plywood production, the effects of climate change were apparent. While the beginning of March should still be seeing temperatures of -20°C, the thermometer was hovering just above the zero line. At this temperature, conditions are at their most dangerous, as the surface constantly thaws and freezes again. Even locals were struggling to stay upright in the town centre.

Since inventor George Westinghouse witnessed an under-braked train collide with a horse and cart in 1869 and invented the air brake, Wabco has become a global player in (mostly heavy) vehicle compressed-air systems and related equipment — much of it incorporating sophisticated electronics. The firm's refreshingly bull-free management structure is formed, where possible, of locals.

Taking control, As well as the established ABS, EBS and ECAS systems, Wabco is at the forefront of further developing adaptive cruise control (ACC) and electronic stability control (ESC), and moving forward to the next step, autonomous engine braking (AEB), which will actively take control from the driver to avoid collisions.

Developing all this technology requires plenty of practical testing. Wabco has permanent year-round test tracks at Hanover and Chennai, in India, and since 1988 it has also had its own winter track at Rovaniemi. Having watched Channel 5's Ice Road Truckers, we were relieved to hear that it is built on solid ground rather than a temporarily frozen lake.

As well as office and workshop facilities, the track has two main parts. A straight-line braking section has five lanes including a 100m electrically heated section that can be kept permanently dry. This is used for dry braking and split-friction testing with wheels on one side on ice and the other side on the dry. The second section is a wide expanse of ice with a large turning circle at the end. This can be used for higher-speed manoeuvres such as slaloms and lane-change simulations.

The 2008 vehicle fleet includes Renault Premium, lveco Stralis, Freightliner Colorado and Mercedes-Benz Actros tractors, an Atego 6-plus-6 drawbar combination and Daf and Freightliner rigids. All trailers are securely tethered to limit jack-knifing to non-damaging amounts. A tight schedule meant we spent most of our time watching the company's test drivers demonstrating their art, but we did manage a spell behind the wheel. With the pick of the fleet, we eschewed the familiar European products and chose the Freightliner Colorado 6x4 tractor with its short tandem trailer.

With the rather incongruous combination of Recaro racing seat and full harness teamed with the massive steering wheel and Eaton Fuller gcarstick, we set off, resigned to the fact that 20 minutes wouldn't be long enough to make friends with the constantmesh box. After half a dozen circuits to try out the ABS in various situations, with the ESC keeping the outfit between the trees on the treacherous link roads, it was off to the track for the big test.

Flying colours

With cones laid out to form a double change from one 3m-wide lane to the next and back again, this is meant to simulate taking action to avoid an elk or similar immovable object. Miraculously, with just 200mm to spare on each side, we managed to drive through at a steady 50km/h in a shower of snow but with no slide and not even a dislodged cone.

Statistics suggest that road deaths could be reduced by 10% through the universal use of electronic stability systems. and our latest demo reminded us of just how believable this figure is. •


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