Amey puts first Iveco Daily 7-tonners on the road for Highways Agency26 August 2014

Infrastructure services provider Amey has taken delivery of six 7-tonne Iveco Daily LCVs for traffic management duties on its contracts with the Highways Agency.

The vehicles have been specially designed and, says Amey, are a "game changer" for this type of work.

Amey and Iveco worked with bodybuilder Aklea and Strongs Plastic Products to come up with a body design that uses plastic and galvanised steel to deliver higher payload and durability.

A prototype was tested and modified before the final design was achieved.

"This vehicle is a game-changer for traffic management applications and highlights just what can be achieved when you apply fresh-thinking to an existing solution, and work closely with suppliers in the industry to make it happen," says Michael Wilmshurst, Amey's HGV and plant procurement and asset development manager.

Key to the vehicle's enhanced efficiency is Iveco's Daily 70C17 chassis, which comes in at 500kg lower gvw than a traditional 7.5 tonner and offers an increase of 250kg in payload capacity.

The Daily has been specified with rear air-suspension to maintain ground clearance levels, ensuring suitability for use on tight or hilly roads. An ECU pre-set also allows speed to be restricted to 15mph when deploying traffic management assets.

The sub frame and body are constructed primarily from plastic, supplemented by galvanised steel, to reduce weight. This is also expected to increase vehicle longevity and maintain a rust-free appearance throughout the vehicles' projected nine-year service.

Safety features include bespoke guard rails and push bar systems, as well as a 'D' gate to allow an operative to close off 50% of the cone well, enabling them to secure themselves and pass cones from the vehicle bed on to the road through the other half of the well.

Operator safety has also been enhanced with an audible alarm which can be activated from the cone well to alert the driver in the event of an incident, while a camera also allows the driver to see the vehicle bed from the cab.

An LP13 light arrow on the back of the vehicle directs other road users to either side of the Daily when on deployment.

Amey operates 6,000 commercial vehicles in the UK and this is the first time it has specified the Daily for a traffic management application.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Iveco
Strongs Plastic Products Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.