DAF demonstrates commitment to road safety at CLOCS* display
DAF Trucks is unveiling two construction vehicles optimised to give maximum protection to vulnerable road users at the annual CLOCS Progress event being held at ExCeL London today.
Accidents involving heavy goods vehicles and vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists, are disproportionately high for construction vehicles and all parties – vehicle makers and operators as well as cyclist organisations – are now focused on measures to promote higher safety standards.
In DAF’s case this work is focused on making practical enhancements to trucks, using existing options for cab and chassis as well as a number of aftermarket camera, sensor and warning systems. At ExCeL today DAF is showing two optimised vehicles which demonstrate what can be achieved by intelligently specifying vehicle features.
The first is a DAF FA LF220 skip loader vehicle fitted with Hyva skip equipment. Although designed for 16 tonne gross vehicle weight operation, thanks to the low weight of the DAF Chassis and Hyva body the vehicle can achieve a payload and carrying capacity close to that of many 18 tonne competitors. Due to smaller wheels (19.5 inch versus 22.5 inch) the truck is 120mm lower than the standard 18 tonne truck yet still carries a full 8 tonne payload. By lowering the driving position the driver’s direct vision around the truck is improved making it easier to spot vulnerable road users.
In addition the 16t LF and the Hyva bodywork is 2.35m wide instead of 2.50m, making the vehicle more suitable for operation in an urban environment.
The LF is fitted with following special safety features:
- N3 16t with 19.5” wheels giving 120mm lower driving position– original equipment
- Class V & Class VI mirrors – original equipment
- VRU warning signage – operator fitment
- Side under-run protection – bodybuilder fitment
- Intelligent Telematics proximity sensor & left turn audible warning - aftermarket
- Intelligent Telematics camera system including hard disc recording - aftermarket
- Intelligent Telematics 3/4G Forward Facing Vehicle Camera - aftermarket
- Intelligent Telematics Nearside passenger door camera and monitor - aftermarket
The second truck on the DAF stand is a DAF FAD CF440 8x4 32 tonne tipper with a Wilcox insulated tipper body This truck is built on a ‘haulage’ chassis rather than the more normal ’Construction’ one which offers a useful 147mm lower overall height due to the use of drop rather than straight beam front axles. It also has front under-run protection which is possible thanks to its classification as an on-highway rather on-off road machine.
The most noticeable safety feature is the provision of a window in the nearside door. The additional window has been added in order to assess its potential to provide a direct view of cyclists in the ‘left turn blind spot’ which has resulted in many cyclist injuries and fatalities.
The vehicle’s safety features include:
- N3 with ‘drop beam’ axles – original equipment
- Class V & Class VI mirrors – original equipment
- VRU warning signage – bodybuilder fitment
- Side under-run protection – bodybuilder fitment
- Nearside passenger door window – aftermarket conversion
- Brigade side scan left manoeuvre audible warning - aftermarket
- VUE four camera system including hard disc recording - aftermarket
- VUE Nearside passenger door camera and monitor – aftermarket
“Enhancing safer operating standards is constantly evolving and, in our CLOCS exhibit, we are not saying we have found a complete solution but are demonstrating what careful choice of specifications can achieve today with a limited compromise to operational flexibility”, said Phil Moon, DAF Trucks Marketing Manager.
“More radical solutions may come in time but – unless they are legislated for – safer trucks will need to appeal to the economic good sense of their owners to be adopted widely. The ability to serve in a wide range of roles is important to both first use and resale values and we believe our two trucks on show today demonstrate that well”, he said.
*CLOCS - Construction Logistics & Cycle Safety – is a Transport for London sponsored initiative which is promoting safer working practices by the operators of trucks serving the construction industry.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Belle Moss, Torque Agency Group - 020 952 1070 or bmoss@torqueagencygroup.com
