Safety & Security

Brigade Electronics has launched a predictive collision detection system, called Sidescan Predict, that can discriminate potential collisions and warn the driver in time to prevent the accident. Using artificial intelligence, Sidescan Predict constantly gathers data, such as speed and distance of a cyclist from the vehicle. This data feeds an algorithm that calculates the risk of a collision.

Designed for rigid chassis vehicles with a minimum length of 5.2m, the system has six sensors with a detection area of 2.5m. When compared to the industry standard 1-1.5m sensor, Brigade claims that these help to reduce the risk of an accident by an additional 84%.

The system is always on at speeds below 22mph and works with or without the vehicle indicators being on. An auto brightness feature adapts to varying lighting conditions within the cabin, so the warning signal is not lost among other warning lights, Sidescan Predict can be fitted to existing vehicles in around six hours and the system can be integrated with other Brigade systems for a more comprehensive overall set-up.

“Unlike existing systems, which simply register the presence of a potential obstacle, Sidescan Predict is constantly gathering data in a vehicle’s vicinity,” said Emily Hardy, marketing manager at Brigade.

“This provides additional benefits to operators, by significantly reducing false alarms and increasing confidence in the accuracy of warning alerts.”

Driver’s licence validation service Licence Bureau has launched a digital licence scanning solution, through its Continuum platform. The system allows companies to scan a driver’s licence through the camera on a laptop, smartphone or tablet, with the data being auto-populated onto the D906 e-declaration form and sent to the DVLA. The driver agrees a mandate for three years, allowing driver detail checks whenever the company requests.

“By speeding up the process, drivers are able to get back on the roads quicker and not have to worry about e-mail addresses or wet signatures,” said Jim Kirkwood, CEO of the Licence Bureau’s parent company TTC. Locks 4 Vans has created the L4V Hook Lock and Anti-Peel Kit, for Ford’s Transit Custom. Developed from the standard Hook Lock, the company has added the anti-peel element to reduce the chance of door peeling. Fitted to the rear barn door, the Anti-Peel plate reinforces the inside edge of the door, while the built-in Hook Lock provides added security. The combination should also keep the barn door secure in the event of the central locking being disabled.

“Peel and steel attacks are a perpetual problem and, while our Hook Lock works hard to mitigate this issue, the development team is always proactively looking at how we can improve our offering,” said Jason Fletcher, technical manager at Locks 4 Vans.

The combined lock and anti-peel system should also reduce the need for fleet managers to have to replace damaged door panels, which are currently causing delays and downtime for fleets, due to supply chain issues.

Van Guard Accessories has launched the ULTI Lock hooklock, a Sold Secure Gold Standard locking system suitable for all types of light commercial. The company claims that a van is broken into in the UK every 23 minutes, with an average of £1,692 of tools and goods stolen per van.

“With every product we manufacture, we start by listening to the customers, which ensures our new products will meet their precise requirements head on,” said Emlyn Harris, Van Guard’s commercial finance director.

“We have focused on an all-encompassing process from product quality to fitting instructions and service delivery. The ULTI Lock hooklock delivers on all fronts and gives our fitting partners the ability to fit a truly exceptional product with market-leading accreditation to back it up.”

Associated British Ports has awarded a telematics contract to Teletrac Navman, to safeguard operations at the Port of Southampton. The deal follows a trial of Teletrac Navman’s fleet telematics, tracking and connected camera system, which will now be rolled out across a fleet of more than 80 vehicles, including 30 EVs.

“As a transport and logistics business with a significant spread across the UK, it is our responsibility to ensure that our practices and operations are as safe and sustainable as possible,” said Craig Barbour, general manager at Associated British Ports

“We have worked hard to increase the sustainability of our Southampton site to great success and have been really impressed with Teletrac Navman’s platform during our recent trial. Having access to real-time data has enabled us to respond quickly to insights and helped us to work smarter and safer. We’re delighted to be able to equip more of our vehicles with this technology and we’re also aiming to roll it out across our remaining regions.”

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Ctrack has entered into a strategic partnership with Humn, to provide insurance for commercial fleets. The two companies will use contextual risk data, fleet telematics and dynamic insurance pricing to help operators reduce premiums by as much as 20%. As part of the agreement, web-based tracking solution Ctrack Online will be integrated with Humn’s data-driven insurance management system Rideshur. This will create a use-based premium, priced per trip in real-time required to drive for optimum safety, including adhering to an on-site speed limit. To provide drivers and vessel stevedores with improved visibility, all vehicles will be equipped with front-facing cameras, while larger vans will also have rear-facing cameras.

“Optimising safety was a significant area of focus for ABP. Our fleet management platform provides insights into vehicle safety based on key performance metrics and recorded events, such as speeding and harsh braking and provides platform users with a measurable safety score for each driver,” said Peter Millichap, marketing drector at Teletrac Navman UK.

“During the trial, ABP has been able to utilise fleet performance data and link it back into company benchmarks, to significantly improve safety, sustainability and cost efficiency.”

Ford has collaborated with DP World London Gateway to demonstrate how autonomous deliveries could work in a large site such as a port location. The trial, part of Ford’s Self-Driving Research Programme, monitored DP World employees as they loaded and accessed parcels from a simulated autonomous Transit, without any assistance from the driver.

The intention behind the research was to see how recipients could access their goods from an autonomous delivery vehicle. Employees at the company’s reception building loaded packages into a secure locker within the van. Then, at set delivery times, the Transit travelled to a different building 3.5km away, where other employees were able to retrieve the packages themselves.

Normally staff would have to travel to the main reception building themselves to retrieve parcels, which is time consuming, but not enough to warrant a driver and delivery vehicle.

“Having what appeared to be a self-driving vehicle on site created a real buzz. Everyone wanted to use it. Popping in the car to pick up a package from elsewhere on site might not seem like it takes that long, but across multiple journeys over weeks, months and years, this can add up to a lot of time and money,” said Ernst Schulze, UK chief executive of DP World.