The company has fitted its entire fleet with the entire suite of Brigade Electronics’ products. That includes Backeye 360 for a birds-eye view around the vehicle, in addition to a four-way camera system that is recorded by Brigade’s MDR. The nearside of the vehicle is fitted with Sidescan sensor system which is ideal for detecting cyclists in the blind spot when a vehicle is turning left and then alerting the driver with an audible warning to look at his monitor. Backchat provides a real speech warning to the cyclist or vulnerable road user that says: “Caution, this truck is turning.”
Going one step further than silver FORS requirements, RTS Waste also have Sidescan and Backchat fitted to the right hand side of the vehicle for the ultimate safety specification. Finally Brigade’s bbs-tek white sound reversing alarms are fitted to the rear of the vehicle to warn pedestrians that the vehicle is manoeuvring without causing a noise nuisance.
Matt Jeffrey, Transport Manager at RTS Waste said: “Brigade’s products are excellent quality but what really cemented the relationship for us was the service we received from one of Brigade’s fitting and supply partners, Advanced Vehicle Alarms based in Lee High Road, southeast London.”
According to Jeffrey, the drivers also appreciate the safety systems. He added: “The drivers love it. If they haven’t done anything wrong, it protects them, and even if they have done something wrong, it helps them to learn not to do it again. We review the recordings for driver training purposes and the cameras have witnessed a theft from the vehicle, proving that this system is invaluable.”
RTS Waste has also reaped huge benefits from costs savings associated with fitting Brigade’s products. Three years ago its insurance premiums were excessively high, and it was paying out for disputed claims. Now the premiums are down and pay-outs have been reduced.