Safety
At the core of WABCO’s existence is our focus on Safety. "Safety Drives Us" has been a philosophy of ours for many years now. Before George Westinghouse invented the air brake in 1868 it was impossible to stop a train in an emergency. Since 1869, WABCO has been a leader in developing advanced safety technology. We have come a long way: WABCO, in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler, pioneered the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for commercial vehicles in 1981.
Today, two out of three commercial vehicles with advanced braking systems are equipped with WABCO products. Our systems and products play a quiet but vital role in enabling the safe, reliable and efficient daily transport of goods and people around the world. The list of WABCO’s innovations in our industry is long and still growing, including Electronically Controlled Air Suspension, Automatic Temperature Control, Adaptive Cruise Control and Electronic Braking System. WABCO is the one of the world’s leading suppliers of the air suspension technology that enables a bus to ‘kneel’, and we also supply a new generation of air disc brakes that weigh less than traditional brakes and provide higher performance.
Our products and systems have a single focus – to help reduce traffic and vehicle accidents by increasing vehicle safety related performance, operational efficiency and individual driving comfort to help keep drivers more focused on the road.
But we don’t just stop there, for us Safety is a mindset. We don’t just make products that enhance safety, we also educate. WABCO, worldwide, employs more than 30 specialized trainers and our aftermarket technical training centers have trained more than 12,000 workshop and fleet specialists in advanced technology systems and diagnostics for commercial vehicles.
WABCO is the only commercial vehicle industry supplier that, today, operates three privately-owned test tracks in Finland, Germany and India. Our test tracks provide optimal conditions to test and refine new vehicle control systems so they meet demanding customer and regulatory requirements.
WABCO products make important contributions to preventing accidents and also to protecting the environment. WABCO's automated gear shifting systems help commercial vehicles use less fuel and produce fewer oil fumes.
Some of our latest systems that help improve vehicle performance and safety include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Integrated Vehicle Tire Pressure Monitoring (IVTM)
- New Generation Air Disc Brake
- New Generation Electronic Braking System (EBS)
- Vario Compact ABS II (VCS II)
INSET: Emergency vehicles, like fire trucks, save lives by traveling quickly and safely to incidents. They are often equipped with WABCO braking, stability, transmission and suspension control systems.
Workplace safety
A safe facility is more productive and more enjoyable to work in. Our goal is to achieve zero accidents and lost workdays at our facilities. Through training, prevention operating procedures and protective equipment, we work to constantly reduce the risk of employee injuries and lost workday accidents every year.
Creating and maintaining a safe workplace for all employees is a clear expression of two of our business values – striving for excellence; and recognizing the importance of our people. Our management teams accept this challenge and demonstrate the leadership and commitment needed to make safety a priority at all WABCO facilities.
But, it takes the participation and dedication of every single employee focusing on safety improvements and accident prevention to create a safe working environment. Keeping our facilities safe and accident-free requires continual commitment, awareness and diligence. We continue to work as a team to raise safety standards even higher by continuously improving processes, using appropriate protective equipment and clothing and implementing good ergonomics for better health and to ensure safety.
Automotive safety
WABCO is a member of various trade bodies and associations all over the world. Through these associations, we work to ensure our innovations and technologies support government regulations and are guided by the technical regulations and standards linked to the commercial vehicles and passenger car industries.
With a focus on Safety, we work closely with, and provide technical expertise to industry associations and national governments worldwide in the development of programs and regulations that improve road and vehicle safety.
WABCO is proud to be a member of the following associations:
Americas
Our joint venture business Meritor WABCO, based in the USA is involved in the following major industry and government organizations:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
Tractor Maintenance Council (TMC)
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)
Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council (HDBMC)
Europe
Motor Vehicle Technology Committee (Fachausschuß Kraftfahrzeugtechnik)
Multi-sector Federation for the Technology Industry Agoria, Belgium
National Association of Automobile Industry ANFIA, Italy
European Aftermarket Forum EAF
European Forging Association EUROFORGE
French Vehicle Equipment Industries FIEV
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association MEMA
Spanish Association of Automotive Equipment and Components Suppliers SERNAUTO
German Association of Automotive Industry (Verband der Automobilindustrie) VDA
Asia
National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee NTCAS