Toyota demonstrates new safety features in exciting Clark test drive

When it comes to passenger welfare on the road, having passive safety features like an impact-absorbing structure, seatbelts, and airbags in the car is not nearly enough.

While no amount of safety features can replace or supersede the wits of a responsible driver, some added active safety features could mean the difference between life and death in an unfortunate case of a vehicular accident.

In August, Toyota Motor Philippines introduced to the local market its proprietary Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), designed to “identify factors that may cause accidents and aid the driver in eliminating these factors.”

Four systems make up TSS: Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

But while these safety features are just as important as any of the many advanced functional technologies found in a Toyota vehicle, reading about them may not be enough to grasp the whole concept.

This is why Toyota recently invited select members of the motoring press in a Technology Test Driving Event held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga to explain and demonstrate—and let the media people themselves experience—the different TSS features found in many Toyota cars today.

Pre-collision System

Among the TSS features that were demonstrated is the Pre-collision System (PCS), which detects the possibility of a collision using various sensors. But more than just reacting accordingly, this feature takes into consideration the countermeasures taken by the driver.

Using a Corolla Altis (1.8V variant), an expert driver showcased how the PCS warns the driver with visual warnings and beeps that sound more urgent as the vehicle comes closer to a possible crash with a vehicle in front.

When the possibility of a collision is higher and the driver applies brakes, the brake assist system will apply additional pressure to the brakes as needed. When an even greater possibility of collision is detected and the driver does not apply brakes, automatic brakes will be activated to prevent the collision.

The Toyota expert who demonstrated the feature was quick to mention that because this feature uses a camera (mounted on the windshield), that looks for certain elements of a car (such as break lights), the PCS may not work if the vehicle is about to crash with a jeepney or tricycle, or a stray animal.

Keep the car in its lane

A couple other interesting features of the TSS are the Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and the Lane Tracing Assist (LTA).

The LDA is a feature that detects driving lanes and alerts the driver when the vehicle departs from its designated lane. This feature operates at a vehicle speed of more than 50km/h, with a road width of more than approximately 3 meters.

The author (seated rightmost) listens to an expert explaining the various aspects of TMP’s proprietary Toyota Safety Sense before the actual test sessions (above)

The LTA, on the other hand, is a function that applies force on the steering to assist the driver in instances where the car tends to get too close to either lane. In other words, this feature helps keep the vehicle in the center of the lane.

As a word of caution, though, the Toyota expert driver who demonstrated the feature to the Motoring press reiterated that these functions require clear lines (preferably in white or yellow) that contrast well with the road. In cases where there are no lines (but instead have grass or a body of water on the sides), the features would activate so long as the colors contrast with that of the road.

Constant preset speed

Yet another impressive item in the TSS is the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), a function that allows the driver to set a constant preset speed (which adjusts within the set cruise speed upon detection of another vehicle in front to maintain appropriate distance). Full speed range following function enables the vehicle to decelerate to zero km/h when the vehicle in front comes to a full stop.

Lastly, the Automatic High Beam (AHB) completes the set of TSS features. This one automatically switches to low beam upon detection of vehicles at a certain distance in front or incoming vehicles on the opposite lane, while the headlight’s high beam setting is in use. The system returns to the high beam setting once the vehicle in front is at an appropriate distance or the incoming vehicle has passed.

During a short classroom session before the demonstrations, Toyota executives also touched on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the modular unibody automobile platforms that underpin various Toyota and Lexus models starting with the fourth generation Prius in late 2015.

A Corolla Altis 1.8V variant was used to demonstrate the TSS’ various active safety features

With the TNGA, vehicles have lower center of gravity, which provides more ride stability, less roll, and sharper vehicle response; as well as a new and improved suspension. TNGA cars also has a much stronger ring structure around door openings and behind back seats for more stability; as well as improved visibility with reduced cowl height, thinner instrument panel, thinner front pillars, and repositioned mirrors.

Toyota car models in the TMP lineup under TNGA include the Altis, the Prius, the all-new Camry, and the all-new RAV4.

All in all, what Toyota wants to impart to motorists is that while the additional active safety features greatly help drivers avoid any untoward accidents, no one should fully rely on them. After all, they are there to assist, not to replace the drivers.