Human Factors and Safety Features of the 2013 Ford Escape
The new Ford Escape 2013 has recently got into dealer showrooms. It has been advertised as a complete makeover compared to the old model in both body style and interior comforts and safety features. The safety features in vehicles today are quite impressive as they try to prevent human error and if error occurs, protect the occupants of the vehicle. I took a test drive of the 2013 Escape which had a few features that got my attention.
The first feature is what Ford calls BLISS which is their blind spot sensing system. There are sensors on the side of the Escape that sense when another vehicle is in the blind spot. A yellow light appears in the side mirror when there is a vehicle in the blind spot. The light goes off when the vehicle clears. This BLISS system is designed to overcome the blind spot that occurs with every vehicle due to the back pillars. It should prevent accidents that occur when drivers don’t see blind spot vehicles and turn into them such as when changing lanes.
Another feature is the backup camera. There are several vehicle models that have backup cameras to prevent drivers from backing up into objects or people. The unique thing about this camera is that is shows two different sets of lines on the screen. One line extends straight behind the Escape so it outlines for the driver what is directly in back. The second line corresponds to the steering wheel position, i.e. it curves or straightens in the direction that Escape is moving. This shows the driver the area where it will be backing up into. In addition to the camera there are also audible sensors that sound warning the driver when they detect an object coming either side. The cadence of the sound increases as the object gets closer. The effect of the camera combined with the audible warning system should result in preventing accidents that occur when backing up.
The Escape also has parallel park assist. Other vehicles have this feature as well. This wasn’t tested during the test drive. The Escape also has front sensors that produce an audible sound when coming too close to an object. The sounded when parking as it detected the curb. This sensor is not the type that is used during the course of driving and senses when the vehicle is traveling too close the one in front of it.
These safety features take human factors into account to attempt to prevent the driver from making errors that produce accidents. Other vehicles have similar features all of which I welcome as a driver. I hope car companies continue to develop and improve technology that will keep me and others safe on the road.