London HGVs get cyclist protection for the first time 13 February 2015

Following independent trials of camera-based vulnerable road user protection technology for HGVs, buses and coaches, Ealing Council will be the first to fit the system to its entire HGV fleet.

The equipment – dubbed Cycle Safety Shield and powered by Mobileye – is also being installed by Ealing Council's highway and civil engineering contractor Murrill Construction across its fleet of works vehicles.

The Ealing trials, which began in 2013 and lasted for six months, showed positive results, according to the council.

No fewer than 15 potentially serious collisions with vulnerable road users were avoided, and driver behaviour improved by 20%, resulting in a fuel saving worth £1,000 per vehicle per year.

Ealing Council says that the decision to select Cycle Safety Shield was based on its ability not only to protects cyclists, but also to improve driver behaviour.

"We are committed to reducing LGV danger because we know they are involved in approximately two thirds of cyclist deaths in London," states Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing cabinet member for transport and environment.

"This technology can save lives and prevent more families having to experience the heartbreak of losing their loved ones in road accidents."

And Charlie Lloyd, road danger reduction campaigner from the London Cycling Campaign, adds: "The trial results we have seen suggest that the Cycle Safety Shield system will produce a step change in reducing this danger to cyclists. Providing drivers with a warning system they can trust is one of our Safer Lorry Campaign objectives."

Cycle Safety Shield is designed to only recognise pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, and warns the driver if a collision is about to occur.

The system – which was also trialled on London bus routes by Transport for London throughout 2014 – has proved so successful it has been short listed for three 2015 London Transport Awards.

Other facilities available on the system include: lane departure warning; intelligent high beam control; forward collision warning; speed monitoring; a 360 degree bird's eye view camera; audio reverse warning; and an LED display to warn cyclists that the vehicle is turning left.


Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Mobileye

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