Bendix Intellipark now factory-install option for Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks

Bendix Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) System, which prevents rollaways by automaticaly engagign the parking brake, is now available as a factory-installed option on Kenworth heavy- and medium-duty trucks, as well as all Peterbilt Motors Company heavy-duty, medium-duty, and 520 Models.

“The Electronic Parking Brake system brings a new level of redundancy, simplicity, and assurance to our customers,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “With EPB, drivers can count on an added layer of protection that helps to mitigate rollaway incidents. While this technology is beneficial for any customer, it’s particularly useful in vocational, P&D, and other applications that require drivers to enter and exit the cab numerous times per day.”

Bendix Intellipark features

Intellipark’s features are supported by interlock sensors that verify a vehicle’s door position, seat belt status, and vehicle movement, helping it decide if a truck is ready to park or unpark. 

It also comes with safety features such as Rollaway Mitigation, Smart Unpark, and Auto Trailer Brake Release on towing models. Smart Unpark refers to Intellipark’s parking brake functionality, while Rollaway Mitigation allows the vehicle to engage its parking brakes automatically if it thinks an unintentional rollaway is about to happen. Auto Trailer Brake Release automatically releases the trailer parking brakes when a driver forgets to do so while pulling away.

Intellipark also automaticly disengages the trailer brake on towing models, which Bendix said helps reduce tire wear, wheel-end issues, and downtime.

Other Intellipark features include Exhaust-at-Speed, which can help the driver slow down when service brakes aren’t available, and a user-friendly display that lets drivers see the system’s status, messages, alerts, and the interlock status.

The system replaces the typical red and yellow push-pull brake knob with electronic switches, while still maintaining the familiar colors, symbols, and text. Additionally, the switches include built-in LEDs that show if the brakes are engaged or not, and it's compatible with Kenworth's advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) packages.

However, Bendix has emphasized that its technology is not meant to replace an engaged, focused driver.