The vehicle – soon to be trialled by operators as part of Transport for London’s CLOCS project – features the company’s low-entry Elite 6 4x2 chassis fitted with skiploading equipment. Other body options are planned for the future.
Dennis Eagle introduced the UK’s first low-entry cab in 1992; the Elite 6 is its latest design and, in a study of 13 manufacturers’ vehicles by Loughborough Design School last year, it is reported to have outperformed all others on visibility and safety.
Peripheral vision is improved thanks to narrow A and B pillars, while longer panoramic windows give better over-the-shoulder visibility at junctions. In addition, the cab’s lower position gives drivers a better view of cyclists.
The vehicle is also fitted with other technology designed to boost safety for vulnerable road users, including: Dawes Highway Safety’s DawesGuard, which prevents underrun accidents; and a four-way camera CCTV safety system with the Cyclear warning display system, from Innovative Safety Systems, to alert the driver to the presence of cyclists when the left indicator is activated.
The demonstration vehicle will be displayed at the Totalkare stand at next month’s Commercial Vehicle Show (NEC, Birmingham; 26-28 April), as well as next week at the CLOCS event at ExCeL (23 March).