Construction company McGee is challenging students at Nottingham Trent University to design a cycle safe system for a tipper truck.
McGee’s brief invites the university’s BSc Product Design students to design a system which is aerodynamic, commercially viable and suitable for both off-road and urban conditions.
John McGee, director, said: “We're excited to be embarking on this project with Nottingham Trent University as we look to further enhance our fleet of tippers above and beyond minimum compliance.
“We are proud to be Fors Gold accredited and a Clocs Champion, but we know there’s still more that can be done to protect vulnerable road users as we play a key role for many major projects in London.
“By working with the BSc Product Design students it is our goal to seek fresh new ideas and lead the way with construction vehicle safety in London.”
Dr Matthew Watkins, course leader and senior lecturer, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for students to engage on a genuine real life project that has such potential to improve the lives of road users across the UK through innovative technological design solutions.”
Thomas James, one of the students working on the brief, has chosen to make it his final year dissertation module. James will develop a working prototype of his chosen concept which will be fully funded by McGee.
He said: “The project aims to solve a very real issue and I am looking forward to the design challenges presented by the brief as well as my partnership with McGee.”
Another 45 students who are in their second year will also work on McGee’s brief. Working in teams of four they must develop an idea to concept stage. The winning team will receive a total of £2,000 in cash.
John McGee added: “We’re very much looking forward to seeing the concepts that Thomas and the second year students come up with.”
