A safety system to flag up potential collision hotspots between HGVs and vulnerable road users is to be independently tested in a three-month trial across Europe.

The new ‘My Alert’ incident prevention software forms part of the Cycle Safety Shield system - a collision avoidance technology already fitted on a number of UK fleets.

It is expected to be of keen interest to local authorities and city transport bodies, such as TfL and Spanish equivalent EMT Madrid, who could use the data to make urban roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

My Alert works by identifying places with a large concentration of vulnerable road user hazard alerts as generated by the Cycle Safety Shield device fitted to vehicles.

It brings up an instant Google Street View image so transport planners and road safety officials can view the problem zones, which might be caused by a large pothole for example, so they can rectify the issue before an incident occurs.

The system will also collect and record all of the data produced by the system and produce detailed reports for the end user.

cyclesafetyshield

Fleet operators involved in the trial include civil engineering contractors Murrill Construction and Amey Group and supermarket Sainsbury’s, alongside local councils, bus companies and TfL.

Richmond Council is one such local authority keen to find out the potential road safety benefits of the system and is taking delivery of a new fleet lorry later this week to be fitted with Cycle Safety Shield.

Cllr Peter Buckwell, cabinet member for highways and streetscene, said: “Through this trial we will be able to see if we can help to reduce the risks to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

"If the trial is successful and cost effective, we can look to roll out the system, or similar systems, further.”

The trial commences on 20 August and will be run by an independent company that will also collate and summarise the findings to be published in December.

The report will also take into account honest feedback from drivers as to how they found driving a vehicle fitted with Cycle Safety Shield.

Collision detection

Cycle Safety Shield is designed to only detect pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles when a collision is imminent, giving the driver up to 2.7 seconds to react to a potential collision warning. The system includes:

  • Detection and collision avoidance for front and left hand side of the vehicle that only recognises pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles.
  • Lane departure warning.
  • Speed monitor and warning.
  • My Alert – an application that will help recognise places with a large concentration of pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle alerts.
  • Headway monitoring for the vehicle in front which monitors a safe distance through artificial vision technology and speed.
  • Full 360 degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle eliminating blind spots.