The competition was aimed at inspiring ambitious new designers from schools and universities to revolutionise existing trucks and transform them into vehicle that are safer and smarter specifically for urban operations.
Winning designs focused on novel concepts to mitigate the challenges inherent with existing truck deigns, particularly in terms of visibility of vulnerable road users.
Finalists developed concepts ranging from cabs with rotating seats to others designed with all-round glass cabins and others again suggesting revised cab positions.
They also reviewed ways of keeping drivers informed in terms of situational awareness without risking data overload.
Technology concepts included computerised cyclist tracking that delivers tactile feedback through the steering wheel, and a communication system linked to the driver’s satnav to provide advance warning of manoeuvres to following road users.
“Our first Future Truck Design Awards have been an incredible success,” comments Ian Wainwright, head of TfL’s freight and fleet team.
“We‘ve been overwhelmed by the quality, originality and innovation of the entries. I would like to thank all the entrants for their hard work, commitment and contribution to the safety debate,” he continues.
“The Future Truck Design Awards have generated ideas that challenge the traditional look of the HGV, help inform future vehicle design and accelerate the process of building trucks specifically for safe, urban use.”
The winners are:
16-18 years
Whole Vehicle Design - One Engineering, Suffolk One
Undergraduate
Whole Vehicle Design - Ruari Kirwan-Taylor
System of Operation - James Ayre
Postgraduate
Whole Vehicle Design - Po Yuan Huang and Ting Tian Li
Safety Feature Innovation - Sam Philpott and Kalle Keituri
The winners collect prizes, including work experience at Mercedes-Benz Trucks Special Projects Design Studio in Germany, a truck experience with Volvo design experts, a tour of the factory in the Sweden.
There are also truck driving opportunities, cash prizes and trophies.
The winning entries can be seen at the CV Show, 26—28 April, NEC, Birmingham) and will be exhibited at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden, London, this summer.