Thomas Built Buses has teamed up with Meritor WABCO to offer new factory-installed SmartTrac™ electronic stability control (ESC) on its diesel and compressed natural gas-fueled Saf-T-Liner® C2 school buses. SmartTrac ESC is a vehicle safety system that intervenes automatically when it senses instability that could lead to a rollover or loss of bus control.

“When faced with rollovers and loss-of-control accidents, drivers usually are not aware that vehicle dynamics are about to become critically unstable until the point of no return is already reached,” explains Stephen Hampson, president and general manager for Meritor WABCO. “Meritor WABCO’s SmartTrac ESC intervenes by comparing the vehicle’s actual movement to performance models, using various vehicle sensors. If the vehicle shows a tendency to leave the driver’s intended path or exceeds a critical acceleration threshold, SmartTrac ESC helps the driver maintain control. The system applies the appropriate brakes selectively and better aligns the vehicle with the driver’s intended path of travel.”

The SmartTrac ESC system works with the Saf-T-Liner C2’s air disc and air drum brakes and supports a driver in difficult road conditions. However, the driver maintains responsibility for safe driving practices in all road conditions.

In addition to SmartTrac ESC, Thomas Built Buses is also pleased to announce the introduction of Bendix® ADB22X air disc brakes for Type D Saf-T-Liner® EFX school buses. Coming in Q4 2015, this introduction will complement Thomas Built’s Saf-T-Liner® C2 and Saf-T-Liner® HDX school buses, which already offer the Bendix air disc brakes. The ABD22X air disc brakes offer enhanced control, shorter and safer stopping distances, a longer life and improved performance over standard brakes.

Coming in early 2016, Thomas Built Buses also will introduce the severe duty chassis harness protection for the Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX. This new severe duty harness, which is already an option for the Saf-T-Liner C2, is an upgrade for the main chassis electrical harness that protects the electrical system from water and debris that could cause service concerns. The new severe duty harness is made of durable braided nylon that allows water and debris to pass through instead of becoming trapped.

“All three of these innovations are testaments to our commitment to continuous improvement,” explains Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “We are dedicated to building and designing buses that are safe, efficient and provide our customers the lowest total cost of ownership possible. These innovations help us do just that.”

For more information about SmartTrac, ADB22X air disc brakes or the new severe duty harness, customers can speak with their dealer.