1.

Air bags:

It is a safety restraint system of an automobile. It consists of air bags, sensors, inflation system /
air bag module unit. The purpose of using an air bag is to cushion occupants during a crash,
reduce their speed in collision without getting injured and provide protection to their bodies
when they strike interior objects such as the steering wheel or window in passenger
compartment. Air bag is made of thin nylon fabric, folded into a steering wheel or dashboard or
the door or seat. Sensors are used to trigger the inflation of air bag.

Working of Air bags: During collision a mechanical switch is flipped and an electrical contact
takes place. Sensors send an electric current to the air bag module. The impact sensor senses
impacts. The sensors are set to a sensitivity level where they will only deploy in an accident that
is equal to or greater than a 20 kmph crash into a concrete wall. The sensor functions by
detecting automobile deceleration.

When the automobile decelerates at a rapid rate, the sensors are tripped. This deceleration
detecting is the job of two or more deceleration sensors, placed at the front of the car. When the
sensors go off, they send an electrical current to the inflation system, causing it to deploy the
airbag. The air bag module unit consists of an inflator assembly, a nylon bag and a breakaway
cover. Inflation system contains sodium azide and potassium nitrate. The electrical current from
the sensors travels to the inflator assembly, where it causes a tiny initiator to be fired. This
initiator creates a spark which ignites a propellant, which is generally sodium oxide. The reaction
creates nitrogen gas. The gas expands quickly and inflation of air bags takes place, which
literally bursts from its storage site like the steering wheel.

Side air bags are also offered in certain vehicles. It provides protection during side collisions.
This prevents the air bag on the undamaged side of the car from inflating. Curtain airbags inflate
in front of windows to provide passengers better head and neck protection. It is more efficient at
tipping and side impacts. Door air bag has more space, allowing for a bigger bag that provides
more coverage. Door mounted side air bags deploy in just 5 to 6 milliseconds. Cinders are
removed and the gas is cooled through a filtration screen also inside the assembly. The nitrogen
gas is what causes the air bag to inflate. This inflation occurs in a average of only 30
milliseconds. When an occupant plunges into the air bag, the gas if forced backwards through
vents, a process which takes another 45 milliseconds. The whole sequence from initial detection
of a crash, until the air bag is fully deployed, happens very quickly. This is to protect those inside
of the vehicle. Once an air bag is used, it needs replacement.
2. Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is a computerized technology that improves a vehicle’s

stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction (known as skidding). Some ESP systems also
reduce engine power until control is regained. ESP system is designed to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering maneuvers.

Electronic stability control works in conjunction with a vehicle’s anti-lock braking system
(ABS), traction control and electronic power steering system. Components of ESP include
steering wheel angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, lateral acceleration sensor, wheel speed sensor, roll
rate sensor and longitudinal acceleration sensor. ESP checks where you are steering and where
the vehicle is actually going. If there is difference in the direction of steering and vehicle
direction of movement, the ESP will intervene in a number of ways. Typically, the vehicle ESP
will communicate with Traction control system (TCS) and engine control unit (ECU) to reduce
power, if the driver is applying throttle. This helps keep the vehicle from worsening its situation.

ESP decides what wheel to brake applies the brake at individual wheels with varying degrees of
pressure and duration. ESP also decides whether to reduce engine torque to stabilize the vehicle.
By doing so, the system can help the vehicle correct its path and prevent it from leaving the
roadway, straying across a divided highway, or even rolling over. It allows for higher speeds at
cornering with reduced skidding or better traction.

Working of ESP: ESP is always active. A microcomputer monitors the signals from the ESP
sensors and checks 25 times a second, whether the driver’s steering input corresponds to the
actual direction in which the vehicle is moving. If the vehicle moves in a different direction ESP
detects the critical situation and reacts immediately independently of the driver. It uses the
vehicle’s braking system to “steer” the vehicle back on track. With these selective braking
interventions ESP generates the desired counteracting force, so that the car reacts as the driver
intends. ESP not only initiates braking intervention, but can also intervene on the engine side to
accelerate the driven wheels. So, within the limits of physics, the car is kept safely on the desired
track.
3. Anti-collision System

Today’s vehicles have high speed and high performance. Due to reasons like human error,
misjudging, driving dynamics, weather, distraction, inexperience, tiredness and alcohol – road
accidents are increasing. As a result, various anti-collision systems are designed for safety. These
systems reduce severity of an accident that may result in loss of lives and/ or severe property
damages.

Traffic collisions can be classified as follows.

• Head-on

Road departure

Rear end

Side collision

Rollovers

So, anti-collision systems are designed to avoid all relevant collisions. An anti-collision system
generally has camera sensors and radars or laser to detect and warn the driver of any danger
lying ahead on the road. The danger could be a car, a pedestrian, an animal, a stationary object
such as a pole or tree. Several advanced features like audio warning the driver, pre-charging of
brakes, automatic partial or full braking are available to avoid any fatalities.

Following are major emerging anti-collision systems and their purpose.

• Forward collision warning system: uses an electronic system with sensors- cameras, radar or
Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to detect a vehicle or object in the front and warn the
driver of possible collision.

• Lane departure warning system: has a camera that tracks the vehicle’s position on the land and
alerts the driver via warning signal such as steering wheel or seat vibration, when the vehicle
steers off its lane.

• Adaptive cruise control: that allows the driver to drive vehicle at the desired speed, in which the
system will control vehicle speed as per traffic and maintain safe distance with the leading
vehicle.

• Automatic braking system: avoids collision by automatically applying a brake on sensing an

immediate collision with a nearby vehicle.

• Electronic Stability Program: featuring sensors and a microcomputer, it detects and reduces the
loss of traction (skidding) of a vehicle, while also applying brake automatically to stabilize the
vehicle and help steer the vehicle on the desired path.

• Blind spot monitor system: integrates sensors that monitor vehicle sides for approaching blind
spots and warns the driver of any dangers during lane changes or turning.