Depending on the vehicle, the images are displayed on 7" and 15" monitors. The two high-resolution displays show the different fields of vision. The photodiodes integrated in the monitors detect the incident light and adjust the brightness of the respective monitor individually. To make it easier for the driver to evaluate the images, the 15" variants have three different guide lines. Together with the permanently calibrated vehicle end line, the distance line assists the driver in assessing approaching objects. The Overtaking Assist overlay is activated from a speed of 10 km/h with flashing, in order to safely assist overtaking or turning. In addition, the display for Blind Spot Assist is installed in the monitor.

The modern MirrorCam system provides a clear and full view of the road traffic. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, the driving safety is improved and the risk of accidents is minimised. The extended field of vision enables the driver to see pedestrians, cyclists and other road users in the surrounding area. This eliminates the blind spot when turning right.

The function can be activated or deactivated. It is active from a speed of approximately 20 mph (35 km/h) and is automatically deactivated below a speed of approximately 15 mph (27 km/h). The function adapts to the illumination/brightness of the surroundings (no automatic switching on if there is sufficient street lighting).

The high beam assistant automatically switches the high beam on or off depending on traffic, so that optimum illumination of the road is always ensured. In this way, it contributes to greater safety through improved lighting conditions and optimized illumination, and increases driving comfort and safety.

The innovative Traffic Sign Assist offers maximum safety and comfort on the road. Thanks to GPS and camera support, the vehicle speed is constantly compared with the current traffic regulations.

The system is designed to provide dedicated and appropriate feedback if the permitted speed is exceeded. Thanks to the state-of-the-art instrument cluster, the driver receives both visual and audible signals that immediately draw attention to the speed.

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) supports driving stability during critical braking operations and ensures that the vehicle remains steerable. The braking forces acting on the individual wheels are distributed by the ABS so that even in an emergency braking situation no wheel is blocked for any length of time, and the steerability of the bus is largely maintained.

The control unit of the brake electronics records the current wheel speed via the pole wheels and wheel sensors. When braking, the system controls the brake pressure at the individual wheel brake cylinders via the control valves. During emergency braking and braking with locking wheels, the system opens and closes the control valves of the wheel brake cylinders fully automatically at very short intervals, thus preventing locking and keeping the vehicle steerable.

During emergency braking and braking with locking wheels, the system opens and closes the control valves of the wheel brake cylinders fully automatically at very short intervals, thus preventing locking and keeping the vehicle steerable.

The cornering light function provides even more safety through better visibility conditions at night-time when cornering at intersections and roundabouts and when manoeuvring in forward driving and backing up.

The cornering light function is activated automatically at speeds of up to approx. 35 km/h if the main headlamps are on, the turn indicator is actuated or the steering wheel is turned. One of the two front fog lamps then cuts in to illuminate an area on the side in front of the vehicle that is not being illuminated by the main headlamps.

The intelligent electronic system switches the cornering lights on or off progressively in the same way as a dimmer switch. This gives the driver's eyes a chance to adapt to the change in light.

With Preventive Brake Assist 2, Daimler Buses offers the second generation of Active Brake Assist. The system warns of collisions with moving pedestrians and cyclists as well as stationary and moving objects. In the event of a serious risk of collision, the driver is alerted by a visual and acoustic warning and partial braking is initiated automatically.

Warning cascade and braking intervention are specifically designed for use in urban traffic. In the event of an impending collision with pedestrians or cyclists as well as with moving or stationary objects, Preventive Brake Assist 2 issues a warning. The driver is warned both visually by a flashing red triangle in the central display and acoustically, and simultaneously initiates partial braking. This braking intervention is maintained either until the driver intervenes, the situation is no longer critical, or the bus comes to a stop.

Thanks to the interaction of front radar, short-range radar and the front camera, the area up to 250 metres in front of the bus is constantly scanned. This assistance is ensured up to a speed of 60 km/h. In snow, rain, fog, heavy spray, glare/dazzling conditions, direct sunlight or constantly changing light conditions, the system range and detection of vehicles and people may be impaired.

Sideguard Assist 2 is a safety assistance system that supports the driver in critical situations when turning right or turning left when visibility is possibly restricted. The system is designed to help detect moving obstacles within the system limits, and warns the driver so as to avoid critical situations or reduce the consequences of accidents when turning off or changing lanes.

The side areas of the vehicle are constantly monitored. As a result, vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists who may be in the blind spot are detected on both the front passenger side and the driver’s side. The radar system precisely detects the movements and warns the driver of possible collisions. The intuitive user interface and clear warnings allow the driver to drive safely and relaxed.

The CapaCity is the best example of how vehicle size need not conflict with manoeuvrability. Both models, the CapaCity and the even longer CapaCity L, are easy to manoeuvre. Of course, Mercedes-Benz includes safety as a standard feature.

The dynamic articulation angle control system, the Articulation Turntable Controller (ATC), affords optimal steering ability, high stability and agility. With the aid of the ATC, the articulated bus is then very quickly stabilised within the limits of physical possibility and pivoting or even breaking out of the rear section avoided. In this way, the ATC articulation angle control system comes to approximate the effect of electronic stability control (ESP®). The result is an even higher safety level for articulated buses. The steering ability of the CapaCity thus comes close to that of a solo vehicle.

The dynamic ATC regulates the hydraulic dampening of the articulation joint quickly and above all when and where it is needed, depending on the steering angle, the angle of the articulation joint, the speed and the load, among other factors. To this end the ATC falls back on the data from the CAN bus.

The otherwise usual high damping of the joint leads to a strong tendency to understeer in curves and increased tire wear on the front axle, this vehicle’s joint runs freely under normal running conditions and is attenuated only by the friction of the elements.

The CapaCity has video cameras mounted at the rear on the left and right. The driver can accordingly monitor the pivoting area when leaving a bus stop and in the middle of traffic. Two other side-mounted cameras positioned directly behind the articulation joint allow monitoring of the rear section.

For additional safety during manoeuvring, Mercedes-Benz also offers reversing cameras as a supplement to the external rear cameras. A continuous warning tone sounds while backing up. Manoeuvring as well as backing up can therefore be comfortably mastered.

A concentrated driver significantly contributes to safety on the road. Electronic aids support the driver in the best possible way. On the CapaCity all doors come with a reversing device as well as horizontal door area monitoring. The third and fourth doors are fully automatic. And the double-wing doors one through four allow a fast passenger throughflow. For additional relief of the driver, the interior spaces of these doors can also be video-monitored as an optional extra.

Installed video monitoring cameras can monitor events in the bus. A video monitoring system can not only improve the perceived safety for the bus driver and passengers, it can also deter hooligans committing acts of vandalism in the vehicle and record acts of violence.

The data is transmitted to the monitor in the bus driver's workstation. The bus driver can then better discern and assess certain situations and events occurring in the passenger compartment and if necessary react to any threat. The vehicle is labelled with pictograms to inform passengers that the vehicle is video-monitored. Together with the video monitoring, they increase the perceived safety for your driver and the passengers and thereby enhance the attractiveness of public transport. The video monitoring system is optional equipment.

For more information on the functioning of the video monitoring and data storage, contact our bus sales advisor.

The low beam and high beam benefit from the outstanding luminous efficacy of the integral LED headlights, which also use significantly less energy than standard lights. They provide broad and precise illumination of the road. Another safety benefit is the temperature of the light, which is similar to that of daylight and makes the eyes tire less quickly. The LED lights assure a long service life and low degradation (decrease in luminosity).

The light cone of the LED headlights is precisely defined. More brightness and longer range provide additional safety. LED lamps are about two to three times more efficient than conventional incandescent lamps.

The headlights reach their full luminous intensity immediately after being switched on and provide wide-ranging and precise illumination of the road. They have a soft cut-off line and a subjectively larger reach. And LED headlights increase economic efficiency through their low power consumption and long service life. They have low degradation, i.e. the light output remains largely consistant over their service life.