Peterbilt has added a new tool to its Class 8 and medium-duty lineup, giving drivers access to the Bendix Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake System. For anyone who spends long hours behind the wheel or at busy docks, this technology is designed to cut down on preventable rollaways, simplify unhooking, and reduce strain during daily tasks.
Erik Johnson, Peterbilt assistant general manager for sales and marketing, put it plainly. “Safety is a core value and part of Peterbilt’s culture. The Electronic Parking Brake advanced functions and custom interlocks are the latest in several Peterbilt standard and optional driver assistance features available to assist our customers in mitigating potential driving risks.”
What This Brake Actually Does for Drivers
The system replaces the traditional manual setup with electronic controls that respond to real-time conditions. Drivers who work tight yards or heavy traffic clusters will recognize the value right away.
The primary functions include:
- Rollaway mitigation. The truck and trailer brakes apply automatically if the driver exits the cab without setting the brake. This feature was built to stop one of the most common yard accidents, especially during fast-paced drops and quick walk-around checks.
- Auto trailer brake disengagement. When the tractor starts moving, the trailer brakes release on their own. This takes some coordination out of the launching process and keeps the flow smooth when pulling away from the docks.
- Smart Unpark. The system checks door position, seat belt status, and basic movement to confirm the vehicle is actually ready before releasing the brake.
According to Peterbilt, “With ergonomic, easy-to-actuate switches and clear status indication, the new EPB offers an intuitive operation. Other core features include quieter valve operation due to electronic activation, less parts complexity for ease of maintenance, as well as the availability of actionable information for analysis and future driver training.”
What Bendix Wants Drivers to Know
The company stresses that this system is not meant to replace a driver’s awareness or judgment. Their message stays consistent across all of their safety releases.
“No commercial vehicle safety technology, including Bendix safety technologies, replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driving training,” the release said. “Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times. Never wait for the system to intervene. Every driver should carefully review the operator’s manual and be trained by the fleet or vehicle owner on the proper operation and limitations of the ADAS system during operation.”
Why Drivers Will Notice the Difference
Electronic parking systems have been common in passenger vehicles for years, but they have only recently gained traction in heavy-duty trucking. The shift is driven by rollaway incident data and the need for safer yard operations across national fleets.
The Intellipark system brings three immediate benefits for everyday driving. It reduces simple errors when exiting the cab. It speeds up trailer movement and departure. It removes the constant noise and vibration of older pneumatic valves.
For drivers who operate in cold weather, night shifts, or fast-turn locations, those three changes make a noticeable difference.
What This Means for Fleets and Owner Operators
Fleets adopting advanced safety systems often see fewer preventable incidents during drops and hooks. Peterbilt’s EPB system also reduces mechanical complexity, which means easier shop work and quicker diagnostics. Owner operators may see lower wear on components tied to repeated manual brake use, although real savings will depend on driving habits and routes.
Regardless of the setup, the core goal stays the same. The new brake assists the driver without interrupting their normal workflow.
Source: The Trucker
