TfL will hold its third and final public consultation for its Direct Vision Standard (DVS) in January 2019.
Speaking in a slot at the Knowledge Zone, hosted at Freight in the City Expo this week (6 November), Alina Tuerk, delivery planning manager at TfL, told delegates the consultation would take place early next year, likely from 8 January.
A component of the consultation will be how best to provide hauliers with information on qualifying equipment for the proposed Safe System, essentially the indirect aids such as cameras and sensors, required to keep trucks that TfL deems to have poorer visibility on the road past 2020.
The consultation will also cover how the DVS permits, which will be issued free of charge by TfL from October 2019, will be administered – an online, paperless system is mooted at present.
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Tuerk confirmed to MT that the DVS is set to be implemented on 26 October 2020, which will tie it in to the extension of the Low Emission Zone to cover HGVs London wide (mandating Euro-6).
Permits
The permit scheme is designed to recognise efforts already made by hauliers in regards to fitting additional safety equipment to their vehicles.
DVS itself will rate HGVs depending on the level of a driver’s direct vision from their cab. HGVs will be given a rating between zero-star (lowest) and five-star (highest). Zero-rated vehicles will be banned from 2020, and three-stars will be required to drive on London’s streets from 2024.
However, the permit would allow HGVs to continue operating in London past 2020 if they have the required safety equipment fitted - requirements beyond this will be updated via a review in 2024.
Regardless, all HGVs over 12 tonnes will need to hold a permit from the DVS start date. For those meeting the vision requirement, a permit will be granted one automatically. Those that don't will have to fit the equipment mandated by the Safe System and apply to TfL.
