WABCO debuts Technology Showcase Trailer at MATS 2017; Launches U.S. Road Show

WABCO, a global supplier of technologies designed to improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, will exhibit its Technology Showcase Trailer for the first time at the 2017 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS). The trade show will take place from March 23-25 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Technology Showcase Trailer highlights WABCO innovations through hands-on, interactive displays and demonstrations of safety and efficiency technologies, as well as wheel-end solutions, including:

Air Disc Brakes (ADB)

WABCO heavy-duty ADB for trucks, No.MAXXUSTM, and ADB for trailers, No. MAXX22TTM, deliver high-performance braking power fueled by its single-piston design. With 25 percent fewer parts, WABCO ADB feature "superior reliability, faster serviceability and expanded service intervals of up to twice that of traditional drum brakes," according to the company. In addition, WABCO MAXXUS ADB reduces stopping distances up to 10 percent compared to today’s average drum brakes.

The system combines WABCO’s leading braking technologies with Hendrickson’s INTRAAX and VANTRAAX integrated suspension systems. WABCO’s MAXX22T contributes to WABCO and Hendrickson’s system offering overall weight reduction of up to 100 lbs. on tandem axle trailers, thereby helping to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and enable an increase in transport payload.

Aerodynamic tail

The first aerodynamic tail in the U.S. to feature automatic deployment and retraction, WABCO’s OptiFlow AutoTail delivers fuel savings of up to 4.3 percent at highway speeds, according to the company. WABCO’s OptiFlow AutoTail deploys and retracts tail panels based on driving speed as determined by sensors linked to WABCO’s Trailer Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS). The device automatically deploys at vehicle speeds of 45 mph ensuring it is consistently used at speeds that maximize aerodynamic fuel savings. The tail panels automatically retract at a vehicle speed of 10 mph.

Brake Chambers

WABCO’s brake chambers for air disc and drum brakes feature an Internal Breathing Valve (IBV). This technology allows only clean, dry air from the braking system to enter the braking chamber, protecting against contamination and corrosion and thereby improving vehicle uptime and reducing service costs, the company says.

Integrated Vehicle Tire Monitoring (IVTM) System

WABCO’s IVTM system continuously monitors and displays tire pressure data, enabling commercial vehicle operators to maintain optimal tire pressure. This helps extend tire life, improves safety and reduces downtime, says the company. In addition, optimizing tire pressure helps avoid under-inflation, a major contributor to increased fuel consumption. Leveraging telematics, tire pressure data is shared with fleet managers and dispatchers, helping to optimize scheduled maintenance.

Automatic Slack Adjuster

WABCO EasyFit is a maintenance-free brake adjuster with clearance sensing. It maintains a constant clearance between brake lining and drum even under extreme temperature conditions and features best-in-class corrosion protection. WABCO EasyFit significantly reduces service costs as it eliminates the need for quarterly brake service, according to the company.

Visitors to the Technology Showcase Trailer will also have access to an advanced digital display featuring WABCO’s complete product portfolio available in North America and worldwide.

“We are excited to debut WABCO’s Technology Showcase Trailer here at MATS 2017, and to embark on a hands-on exploration of WABCO innovations with commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators alike from across the United States,” said Jon Morrison, WABCO President, Americas. “As the road show crisscrosses the U.S., we’ll further differentiate how WABCO leads the industry in technology that helps make commercial vehicles safer and more efficient.”

Technology Showcase Trailer

Following MATS 2017, WABCO’s Technology Showcase Trailer will travel across the United States over the course of the next eight months. Staffed by WABCO product experts and industry veterans, the trailer will visit dealerships and commercial vehicle fleet operators in cities throughout the nation. The first leg of the tour runs through May and currently includes the following 2017 sites:

April 10-14