Kier Environmental boosts security across refuse collection fleet

Kier Environmental has introduced two new security systems to protect its municipal fleet from theft and damage.

The first system, Ident, was designed by MT Innovation Award winner Vision Techniques and helps prevent the firm’s refuse collection vehicles being driven away by an unauthorised user.

Kier environmental director Darren Judd, who is responsible for a national fleet of 750 HGVs, approached the technology firm for a security system after two incidents highlighted a need to boost safety measures.

“One of these involved a member of the public entering a vehicle by force and trying to drive our vehicle,” he said. “We needed something to safeguard staff and property from the threat of vehicle theft, but ultimately public safety was the decisive reason for Ident."

Judd required technology that prevented the ability to drive the vehicle without authorised access, while keeping the rear machinery operational, even when the cab is unattended.

“We looked at systems that use proximity detection, but if tags are left in the vehicle they circumvent the security,” Judd said.

“Ident was the only security system that guarantees vehicle lockdown when the driver is away from the cab. This was the major factor in choosing this system.”

How does it work?

VT Ident requires drivers to present an RFID tag, which is worn on their wrist, to a reader in the cab before the vehicle can be driven.

The system uses passive RFID alongside sensors that recognise seat pressure and door position.

Once a driver leaves the seat for three seconds, the pressure sensor recognises they have left and Ident locks down the vehicle.

Even if the driver leaves the tag in the vehicle (for example, under a seat) it would still be immobilised as it does not allow the system to be accessed via a Wi-Fi signal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ibta3_7yk

As well as protecting Kier against the potential for large insurance claims and replacement vehicle costs, the company said it was key to reducing road risk for staff and the public.

“It was an easy decision to make,” said Judd, “because if unauthorised access to our vehicles does occur, there’s a significant liability for us.

“Our ultimate goal is public and staff safety and Ident is a genuinely viable control system that does what it’s supposed to do.”

The system will be fitted to all new municipal fleet purchases and across the company’s entire Bridgend fleet.

Round-the-clock cameras

Kier has also partnered with Brigade Electronics to install CCTV security systems to its 40-strong fleet of 18-26-tonne RCVs Walthamstow, London.

The company holds a waste and recycling contract with the London borough and, following vehicle damage on the routes, the decision was made to boost security.

Brigade Electronics, alongside approved fitter TNK Engineering, installed four-camera digital recording systems to the fleet.

The MDR systems will record after the vehicle ignition has been switched off, effectively creating a 24-hour CCTV security for the depot.

Two of the systems have also been set to record on-motion detection so that if a vehicle or person is near the vehicle, the MDR will record for up to 30 minutes. The other systems are set to post record so that there is coverage between shifts.

Simon Whitelock, transport manager for Kier Environmental, said: “For us to manage a London Borough contract, installing added security measures protects all parties; from our frontline fleet, to cyclists.”

“The installation of the equipment was effective and we are already seeing the benefits.”