Ford vans trial new speed limit technology

Ford is using its new commercial vans to test a revolutionary Geofencing Speed Limit Control system. Find out what this means for your Ford van driving.

Ford vans are being used to trail revolutionary technology that will prevent drivers from accidentally going over the speed limit. Ford has recently announced an entirely new range of electrified vans including the all-new Tourneo Custom and Transit Custom. This trial gives us a look even further into the future of Ford commercial driving.

Using the all-electric Ford E-Transit to test a brand new Geofencing Speed Limit Control system, researchers around Europe have been measuring how much speed limiting impacts traffic flow and the risk of accidents. Testing the technology in a range of speed limits, Ford hopes to make driving safer for all commercial vehicle owners.

With their new Geofencing Speed Limit Control system, Ford aims to make the roads of Europe safer for everyone. This technology will alert drivers when they are speeding and help them ‌slow down. Not only is this a safety consideration, but it will also help you ‌avoid speeding tickets.

Ford believes that this technology could improve the appearance of the roadsides. In a news statement, Ford said that their Geofencing Speed Limit Control system “could one day do away with the need for speed limit signs completely”. It is an exciting time for Ford commercial owners, with their van range leading the way for new vehicle technology.

Geofencing will create a virtual geographical boundary on the road that communicates with your vehicle and lets it know what the current speed limit is. You will have the upcoming speed limit displayed on your dashboard. The vehicle will then automatically change its speed to that of the geofenced zone.

The Ford press release explains that drivers can manually override the system and that “Ford’s Geofencing Speed Limit Control system could enable drivers to set their own geofencing zones at speeds as low as 20 km/h, including at depots and private facilities”. This allows fleet owners to manage speed limits on all their work sites.

The Geofencing Speed Limit Control system is the future of Ford driving technology. It will offer a flexible and reliable way for commercial van owners to make their driving safer. Ford stated that “speed limits could also be set dynamically, to take into account local hazards, temporary road works and the time of day”.

“Geofencing can ensure speeds are reduced were – and even when – necessary to help improve safety and create a more pleasant environment,” explained Michael Huynh, manager of City Engagement Germany at Ford of Europe. It will also lead to a more relaxing drive, with your speed management already taken care of.

This isn’t the only futuristic technology ford is employing. Ford Pass Pro is already in effect to make managing your business vehicles more convenient than ever. With Ford Pass Pro you will receive updates about your vehicle directly to your phone. This makes your driving safer, as you are alerted to potential problems before they develop into hazardous issues.

“Connected vehicle technology has the proven potential to help make everyday driving easier and safer to benefit everyone, not just the person behind the wheel,” explained Michael Huynh. A great example of this technology at work is the Ford Local Hazard Information.

Ford Local Hazard Information was introduced in 2020 with the release of the Ford Puma and now features in over 500,000 Ford vehicles in Europe. Ford estimates that this technology warned drivers of over 100,000 hazards every month in 2021. They also alerted drivers about more than 35,000 broken down vehicles in their path.

Using the new Ford E-Transit to conduct these tests is also helping Ford to improve air quality in European cities. Ford intends to use its geofencing technology to make its electric and hybrid vehicles run more effectively. When your hybrid vehicle detects a low-emission driving zone, it will automatically enter electric-driving mode.

These tests will last until 2023 and the results will be used to design the next generation of Ford commercial vehicles. To discover more about what Ford vans have to offer, visit your local Sandicliffe FordStore and browse our collection. Or, contact our specialist team today. We are always happy to answer your questions.