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SAFETY EQUIPMENT alerts the driver when a cyclist or pedestrian is approaching. Vehicle operators can use one or both elements of Cyclear installed on their fleet depending on specific requirements and budget. London Borough of Sutton fleet operations manager Barry Perkins says: "The crews welcomed the Cyclear technology because they are reas- sured that vulnerable road users such as cyclists are more protected. We are extremely lucky in this Borough that we haven't had any accidents between our vehicles and members of the public, but it's better to be safe than sorry." The council has signed up to a London cycling safety campaign called 'Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling' and claims that it has "taken every possible step to ensure that we are protecting vulnerable road users". Eye-to-eye contact Councils are not the only ones promoting road safety. RCV giants Dennis Eagle and O'Donovan Waste Disposal are two companies working closely with Transport for London to adapt their fleets to make them safe for crews and other road users. In a statement, Dennis Eagle says that RCVs traditionally had high- raised cabs with three windows. This provided limited visibility and meant that cyclists were easily lost in driver's blind spots. A Dennis Eagle spokesman says: "Upgraded side guards, blind spot mir- rors and cameras, proximity sensors can all help mitigate the problem. But there's a balance to be struck: it's important to keep the vehicle as simple as possible for the driver to operate safely." By contrast, a lower cab gives drivers an intuitively better understand- ing of the space around the truck, Dennis Eagle says. Sitting at cyclist height, mirrors need less distortion to show surrounding traffic and dis- tances are easier to judge. Over-the-shoulder visibility is far better and the low height means cycles won't be lost below the door or dash lines, according to the firm. Panoramic cabs at eye-height mean cyclists can make eye contact more easily, assuring the driver and cyclist that they are aware of one another. Dennis Eagle says that it is currently planning to introduce trial vehicles which offer standard configuration chassis adaptable to multiple roles. Elsewhere, O'Donovan Waste Disposal has agreed with Transport for London (TFL) to be one of the first cycling safety champions in the UK. The Construction Logistics and Cycling Safety (CLOCS) Champions, run by TFL, must meet rigorous standards to protect cyclists and vulner- able road users. The firm has a fleet of 75 vehicles in its fleet and to date has spent over £5,000 per vehicle on safety enhancements and invested a further £80,000 on bespoke telematics equipment. O'Donovan Waste Disposal managing director Jacqueline O'Donovan says: "We have been involved with CLOCS from the very beginning, forming part of the working group that developed the very standard by which CLOCS now operates and are proud to be leading the way in mak- ing London safer for all 36 Local Authority Waste & Recycling September 2014 brigade-electronics.com Call 01322 420300 or visit your stockist Driving Global Safety 4 Cameras 1 Image 0 Blind Spots Backeye ® 360 NEW, intelligent, 360° camera monitor systems Actual Backeye® 360 image. Backeye® 360 eliminates problem blind spots; potential dangers for anyone or anything in a vehicle's path. Digital images from four ultra wide-angle cameras are combined to create a 360°, bird's-eye view of the vehicle, delivering a clear, real-time picture on the driver's monitor, preventing accidents, saving money and lives. Backeye 360 LAWR.indd 1 07/02/2014 16:06 brigade-electronics.com Call 01322 420300 or visit your stockist Driving Global Safety 4 Cameras 1 Image 0 Blind Spots Backeye ® 360 NEW, intelligent, 360° camera monitor systems Backeye® 360 eliminates problem blind spots; potential dangers for anyone or anything in a vehicle's path. Digital images from four ultra wide-angle cameras are combined to create a 360°, bird's-eye view of the vehicle, delivering a clear, real-time picture on the driver's monitor, preventing accidents, saving money and lives. Actual Backeye® 360 images. Elite system Select system Visit us at PAWRS Backeye 360 LAWR PAWRS.indd 1 03/04/2014 17:26 Councils and RCV industry are using sensor technology to keep cyclists safe

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