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September 15, 1999 8:02 AM, EDT

Long gone are the days when a truck cab consisted mainly of a small compartment with a steering wheel, a brake pedal and a gear shift lever mounted on top of a frame connected to six wheels.

Today’s vehicles have evolved to the point where “technologies in trucks far exceed what we had going to the moon in 1969,” said Keith Brandis, director of product strategy at Volvo Truck North America. And it appears that the trend will only accelerate, based on what manufacturers have in the wings and what fleets are installing in their trucks.

While there is still no such thing as an “accident-proof” truck, it is possible, using active and passive components now available to manufacturers and customers, to outfit a truck with features that help drivers avoid crashes or minimize the danger to drivers when there is an accident.

An example of an “active” safety feature is antilock brakes, which help a driver maintain control while stopping, even on slick or otherwise dangerous roads. A “passive” safety feature protects occupants, such as a webbed safety harness for the sleeper cab.

For the full story, see the Sept. 13 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.