Recycling and waste management business Veolia is investing £1 million in cyclist safety equipment for its fleet of refuse vehicles.
The TurnAlarm system, from Vision Techniques, will be fitted to all refuse vehicles, in a bid to improve cyclist safety. Veolia is also specifying the system for all new vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
TurnAlarm delivers an audible and visual warning to approaching cyclists, with high-intensity LEDs flashing from the side of the vehicle and an audible warning that the 'vehicle is turning'.
Veolia's system also includes a module to measure speed, preventing the alarm from activating if the vehicle is travelling at more than 10mph. Blind spot signs will also be displayed on the rear and near side of each vehicle.
The company is also rolling out cyclist awareness training for its drivers, which will be completed by September 2015.
John Matthews, fleet director of Veolia, says the company is putting the onus on accident prevention: "We believe there will be an enforcement of a minimum cyclist standard for fleet operators in London and around the UK, and these measures reflect the need to promote safety in a demanding operating environment."
