SIG steers new Urban Delivery Vehicle to advanced level of safety
SIG - one of Europe’s leading specialist suppliers to the construction, building and industrial markets - has taken the safety of Urban Delivery Vehicles (UDV) to a whole new level with the launch of its new vehicle.
The new vehicle scheduled to be unveiled at the Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) progress event in London on 26th February 2015, boasts a unique panoramic window and new low-level entry cab that provides an unparalleled view of the critical nearside front of the vehicle, giving maximum visibility of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. It is set to be on the road by mid-2015.
Stuart Mitchell, SIG CEO said. “We’re very proud to introduce this new vehicle into our fleet. As a responsible leading market supplier of materials to the construction industry, our commitment to health and safety is always our top priority.”
For over three years, SIG has been specifying its vehicles with vulnerable road users in mind. Initial efforts were mainly focused on secondary vision aids, proximity sensors and warning signage, but in a bid to overcome the issue of primary vision for the driver, we have taken these new and innovative steps to design and build an urban delivery vehicle that provides the ultimate in visibility.
Replicating the mainstay of SIG’s current fleet that comprises of circa 1,000 vehicles; the new advanced vehicle features a 26 tonne rigid curtainside with a truck-mounted forklift and comes complete with Mercedes Benz Econic 6x2 chasis.
To further reduce blindspots, the vehicle will be also be fitted with SIG’s other standard safety features that include nearside proximity sensors, and side, rear and forward facing cameras that can display onto a monitor in the cab. The in-cab display also shows a directional view when the indicator or reverse gear is selected.
Ian Wainwright, Head of Fleet and Freight at TfL, said: “HGVs, in their current designs, are disproportionately represented in cyclists fatalities but thankfully SIG’s innovation is a step towards safer roads. This demonstration of the industry’s appetite for increased fleet and freight road safety shows that by supporting other manufacturers and operators to follow suit, real progress can be made on London’s roads.”
This latest development goes one step further in demonstrating SIG’s commitment to the company’s Zero-Harm policy that extends to employees, the industry and communities. Plus, with an ongoing partnership with CLOCS - the construction industry-led initiative set up to protect vulnerable road users - the new vehicle design fully supports their goal of improving vehicle safety, addressing the safety imbalance, and encouraging wider adoption of best practice.
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For further information visit www.sigdistribution.co.uk or www.sigplc.com
Image: Pictured below; the new urban delivery vehicle from SIG that takes safety for vulnerable road users to a whole new level. The 26 tonne rigid curtainside with a truck-mounted forklift comes complete with Mercedes Benz Econic 6x2 chasis. For improved vision to the immediate front of the cab and the glass nearside door, a unique panoramic window that provides maximum visibility of the nearside front is featured in the low-level entry cab.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Julie Garrido - Wentworth PR
T: 0161 973 6763
Naomi Chatterley - SIG Distribution
T: 0114 2856032 M: 07711 418344
E: naomichatterley@sigplc.com
About us:
SIG plc
SIG plc is the leading European specialist supplier to the construction, building and industrial markets. SIG operates across Europe and has 680 trading sites in 15 countries across UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe – serving a wide range of trades in the building and construction markets. SIG believes that by focus and specialisation it can provide a superior service offering to its customers and thereby satisfy the aspirations of its shareholders, suppliers and employees.
For further information visit: www.sigplc.com
SIG Distribution
SIG Distribution is the distribution division of SIG plc. It incorporates six separate businesses:
- SIG Insulation
- SIG Technical Insulation
- SIG Interiors
- SIG Construction Accessories
- SIG Fixings
- SIG Commercial Drainage
SIG Distribution itself is not a trading business.
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