AsphaltPro’s 15 Top Products: SAKAI Echelon Mode: Enhanced Safety for Tandem Asphalt Rolling

This product was selected for the inaugural AsphaltPro’s 15 Top Products Feature.

SAKAI America, Inc., Adairsville, Georgia, specializes in asphalt rollers, soil compactors, and light compaction equipment for the paving and construction site prep markets. March 10, 2025, the company released its new Echelon Mode for the Guardman® Automatic Brake Assist System. While the Echelon Mode can be considered an update, it still deserves a mention in the top products list due to its contributions to safety in the work zone.

The manufacturer states: “Guardman…utilizes millimeter-wave radar or 3D LiDAR (depending on the model) to detect potential collisions with personnel or equipment, warn the operator progressively, and automatically brake to prevent accidents if needed. The new Echelon Mode builds upon this foundation by specifically addressing the unique challenges of echelon rolling, a common technique used in highway-class paving.”

Echelon Mode allows two SAKAI asphalt rollers, equipped with Guardman, to operate in close proximity without generating false alarms but still protecting against collisions, according to the manufacturer. The system intelligently monitors distance to the lead roller, ensuring that both operator warning and braking is only initiated when an imminent collision risk is detected.

Learn more at www.SakaiAmerica.com.