Truck Blind Spot: Reduce Risks with BSD423TR Sensors

Where Are the Blind Spots on a Truck?

The blind spot of a truck is an area around the vehicle that the driver cannot see directly or through the rearview mirrors. The most critical areas are generally along the sides, especially on the right side, at the rear, and near the cabin.

Drivers who operate trucks daily know how important it is to understand their vehicle's dimensions. During urban deliveries, tight turns, or yard maneuvers, even a few centimeters can make a difference.

The size of heavy vehicles makes monitoring the surrounding environment particularly challenging. The driver's elevated position, vehicle length, and presence of trailers or semi-trailers can create zones that are difficult to see, even with properly adjusted mirrors.

Which Blind Spots Are the Most Dangerous?

The main areas to monitor are:

• Right side: especially critical during turns, when pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists may be close to the truck's side.
• Left side: requires attention during lane changes, merges, and maneuvers in tight spaces.
• Front area: the elevated driving position can make it difficult to spot people or obstacles very close to the cabin.
• Rear zone: especially for vehicles with a box or semi-trailer, direct visibility can be severely limited.

The extent of each truck blind spot depends on the vehicle's configuration, mirror placement, and presence of assistance systems.

Therefore, besides properly adjusting mirrors, it is useful to consider technologies that can detect obstacles in the hardest-to-monitor areas.

Why Are Blind Spots a Risk for Truck Drivers and Transport Companies?

Truck blind spots pose a risk especially during turns and low-speed maneuvers, when people or other vehicles may be very close to the bodywork.

Imagine a truck making a delivery in a city center. The driver slows down to turn right, checks the mirrors, and looks for other vehicles. Meanwhile, a cyclist might approach the truck's side, entering a hard-to-see area.

In situations like these, the ability to promptly detect an obstacle is particularly important.

This issue concerns various operational contexts:

• Urban distribution and deliveries: commercial vehicles frequently navigate busy streets with many stops, starts, and turns.
• Logistics yard maneuvers: during loading and unloading, the driver must watch for people, other vehicles, and equipment.
• Crossing intersections and roundabouts: the truck's size may require wider trajectories, making lateral space monitoring crucial.
• Circulation near cyclists and pedestrians: vulnerable road users may be in positions difficult to spot from the cabin.

For a transport company, improving control over these situations means enhancing the safety of drivers and road users sharing the road with fleet vehicles. A blind spot detection system can provide an extra layer of assistance without replacing the driver's attention.

How Do Truck Blind Spot Sensors Work?

Truck blind spot sensors are devices designed to detect obstacles in specific zones around the vehicle and, when applicable, alert the driver via visual or audible signals.

Different technologies exist for obstacle detection, each with specific features and applications.

Ultrasonic Sensors

Ultrasonic sensors emit high-frequency sound waves and analyze the echoes from objects within monitored areas. They are mainly used for detecting nearby obstacles and can be employed in maneuver and low-speed turn assistance systems.

Radar Systems

Radar systems use electromagnetic waves to detect objects within their coverage area. Depending on the model, they may monitor lateral or rear zones and operate under various conditions.

Side Cameras

Cameras allow direct visualization of the monitored area through a screen. Unlike a sensor that generates an alert, a traditional camera requires the driver to observe and interpret the image. Some advanced systems may also include obstacle recognition features.

The choice of technology depends on the vehicle’s characteristics and type of assistance needed. For maneuvers and low-speed turns, ultrasonic sensor solutions can be particularly beneficial.

Macrom BSD423TR: The 4-Sensor Kit for Trucks and Heavy Vehicles

The Macrom BSD423TR is a blind spot detection system designed for commercial vehicles and heavy trucks, featuring four ultrasonic sensors and visual and audible alerts to assist the driver during maneuvers and low-speed turns.

For a truck driver frequently navigating urban traffic or a company managing a fleet of commercial vehicles, having extra information about nearby obstacles can be a valuable support.

The BSD423TR is meant precisely for these situations. The system detects obstacles in the monitored zones and, under the predefined operating conditions, alerts the driver to their presence.

What Are the BSD423TR Features?

• Four ultrasonic sensors: paintable sensors with mounts and adapters for installation on various body configurations.
• Visual and audible alerts: LED display with three colors—green, yellow, and red—and an internal buzzer with adjustable volume.

The system also offers features particularly interesting for professional transport:

• Low-speed operation: obstacle detection up to 30 km/h, according to device conditions.
• Alerts during turns: activation related to turn signal indicators.
• Adjustable sensitivity: configurable detection according to installation needs.
• Configurable range: manual settings allow detection up to about 1.99 meters, as well as shorter distances.
• 12 V and 24 V power supply: compatible with electrical systems commonly used on commercial and heavy vehicles.
• Optional accessories: possibility to add the external buzzer Macrom SIR423.

How Does It Work During a Turn?

Imagine a truck preparing to turn right at a city intersection. The driver activates the turn indicator and slows down. If an obstacle is detected in the monitored area and activation conditions are met, the BSD423TR can alert the driver through the indicated signals.

The driver thus receives additional information to assess the situation before proceeding.

It is important to note that the BSD423TR is not designed to monitor vehicles during high-speed overtaking. Its function concerns detecting obstacles at low speed within sensor-covered areas.

Blind Spot Sensor Installation: What Should a Transport Company Check?

Installing blind spot sensors on a truck requires verifying electrical compatibility, proper device placement, and alert configuration.

For a transport company, especially when equipping multiple vehicles, it is important to plan the installation to select a configuration suitable for the fleet's characteristics.

A road tractor, a rigid truck, and a commercial vehicle for urban distribution can have very different shapes and sizes. Before installing the BSD423TR, it is necessary to check the body type, available mounting surfaces, and wiring routes.

Compatibility with 12 V and 24 V Systems

The BSD423TR supports 12 V and 24 V power supplies, a useful feature for use on various categories of professional vehicles.

Electrical compatibility, however, is not the only factor to consider: proper integration with vehicle signals and sensor placement must also be verified.

Sensor Positioning and Configuration

The kit includes mounts and adapters that allow orienting the sensors depending on the installation. The position must follow the manufacturer's technical guidelines, avoiding setups that could impair detection or cause unwanted alerts.

The system also allows adjusting the detection distance and alarm modes according to the manual procedures.

Truck Blind Spot Sensors: What Obligations and Regulations Should Be Considered?

Transport companies must distinguish between European vehicle safety requirements and local regulations governing the access of trucks and heavy vehicles to certain urban areas.

In recent years, vulnerable road user safety has become increasingly important from a regulatory standpoint.

The EU Regulation 2019/2144 introduced new safety requirements for vehicles, including systems aimed at improving pedestrian and cyclist detection. This includes specific assistance technologies for heavy vehicles, with different deadlines for certification and registration of new vehicles.

It is important to clarify that these obligations do not automatically mean all already circulating trucks must install the same aftermarket device.

Truck Blind Spot and Milan Area B: What Does the Municipality Provide?

Milan is a particularly relevant case for companies transporting and delivering in the city. The Municipality sets specific conditions for access and circulation in the Area B ZTL for vehicles in categories N2, N3, M2, and M3.

Provisions concern the presence of systems capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists in the front and side zones and alerting the driver via acoustic, visual, or tactile signals.

There are also requirements related to blind spot signaling stickers and registration of required access documentation.

Is the Macrom BSD423TR Compliant with Milan’s Regulations?

Macrom states that the BSD423TR is certified and complies with the Municipality of Milan's regulations concerning blind spot detection.

For transport companies, this is particularly important when considering devices for vehicles operating in Milan’s area. Before proceeding, it is still necessary to check compliance documentation, proper vehicle configuration, and applicable administrative requirements.

Installing the device does not automatically grant authorization to circulate in any restricted zones.

For updated information, the official Municipality of Milan page on blind spot signaling systems can be consulted.

Why Should a Transport Company Consider the BSD423TR?

For a transport company, the BSD423TR represents a solution to consider for adding an obstacle detection assistance system to compatible vehicles, especially during maneuvers and low-speed turns.

Fleet managers must consider various aspects: driver safety, vehicle features, daily operations, and regulatory compliance. Installing blind spot sensors can be part of a broader safety improvement strategy.

Greater Support for Drivers

The BSD423TR’s visual and audible alerts can draw the driver’s attention to obstacles in monitored zones. This support is especially useful for truck drivers who frequently make urban deliveries with continuous turns and maneuvers throughout the day.

A Solution for Commercial Vehicles Already in Service

The BSD423TR is a kit installable on compatible vehicles without necessarily replacing the vehicle. For companies with trucks and rigid trucks of different types, compatibility with 12 V and 24 V power supplies and configuration options are valuable technical considerations.

Each installation must be individually verified.

An Investment in Operational Safety

Road safety concerns drivers, road users, and the entire organizational structure.

Complementing proper driving behavior with adequate assistance devices can help manage the most delicate situations better.

While it is not possible to guarantee total elimination of accidents through a detection system, it is possible to provide drivers with an additional tool to recognize certain risk conditions.

More Awareness Around the Truck, More Safety in Daily Work

Driving a heavy vehicle is a great daily responsibility. In city traffic, logistics yards, and during deliveries, controlling what happens around the vehicle is essential.

Blind spots are a real challenge, but technologies now exist that help drivers manage some of the trickiest situations.

The Macrom BSD423TR, with its four ultrasonic sensors, visual and audible alerts, and compatibility with 12 V and 24 V systems, offers a dedicated solution for detecting obstacles at low speed.

For truck drivers, transport companies, and fleet managers, choosing appropriate devices means prioritizing safety in daily operations and the operational needs of their vehicles.

Want to improve blind spot control on your vehicles? Discover all the features of the Macrom BSD423TR blind spot sensor kit and review the technical documentation to evaluate installation on your vehicles.