Amey pilots cyclist-friendly vehicle
A new refuse collection vehicle featuring ‘state-of-the-art’ safety features is being piloted by Amey on its Cambridgeshire trade waste collection routes.
The vehicle features multiple pieces of equipment to protect the safety of cyclists and pedestrians including:
- A 360° camera which works in conjunction with a cab mounted monitor for total visibility around the vehicle including blindspots;
- Nearside and front facial recognition sensors to detect cyclists and pedestrians;
- Cycle safety shield with forward and side facing cameras to identify cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists;
- High intensity LED lighting fitted on all sides of the vehicle, helping to provide 360° visibility for cyclists and motorcyclists;
- A reversing radar system that automatically applies the handbrake if an object is detected.
The vehicle is being piloted in Cambridgeshire due to the high number of cyclists on its roads, and if successful, the safety specification will be included in all of Amey’s new orders of this type of vehicle.
Paul Kirkup, principal business manager for Amey, said: “What’s unique about the vehicle is the number of safety features being used together. Visibility of cyclists and pedestrians can be an issue for large vehicles, so this combination of technology gives drivers improved awareness of what’s happening around their vehicle, as well as automatically detecting road users in the near vicinity. This is an important step towards making the roads a safer place for everyone.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Teignbridge renews fleet contract with SFS
Specialist Fleet Services (SFS) has announced that it has retained its contract to provide and maintain the vehicle fleet for Teignbridge district council for the third time in a row.
The new seven-year contract hire agreement commenced on 1 April 2015 and involves the provision and maintenance of 65 vehicles from over eight different manufacturers, including refuse collection and recycling vehicles, sweepers and light commercial vehicles. The fleet comprises vehicles for the authority’s waste collection service as well as for recycling, cleansing, environmental enforcement and animal welfare services.
Councillor Kevin Lake, Teingbridge’s executive portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with SFS over the years and this new contract looks set to deliver even greater benefits. We are in the process of improving our recycling services by introducing weekly food and recycling collections of more materials than ever before. Getting the new vehicle specifications right for the changes has been crucial and SFS have been top class every step of the way.”
Bob Sweetland, managing director of SFS said: “Retaining our customers is a high priority and a good gauge of how well we are doing our job. We have worked with Teignbridge for over 10 years and this is the third time that they have awarded us the contract to supply and manage their fleet. We are delighted that they have chosen us again and we look forward to continuing to deliver our high standards of service.”
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Countrystyle awards tyre contract
Kent-based recycling company Countrystyle has awarded a contract for the supply and management of types for its vehicle fleet to Grantham-based Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres.
Countrystyle Recycling operates an extensive commercial waste recyclable collection service in Kent and manages a mixed fleet of vehicles.
The tyres specified by Countrystyle are Vacu-Lug, Pirelli, Formula and Westlake, depending on the vehicle type involved. They are managed through Vacu-Lug’s tyre fleet management system, VMS, while all fitments and breakdowns are supplied and covered by ATS Euromaster.
The VMS system is designed to ensure that operators get the most out of their tyres and that the best practice is adhered to, as a way of helping with cost control and boosting operational efficiency, according to Vacu-Lug.
Vacu-Lug business development manager, David Fowler, said: “The Vacu-Lug product, combined with the service delivery of ATS and the experience both companies have in this type of operation, fits like a hand in a glove.”
Drew Crouch, group transport manager (compliance) for Countrystyle Recycling, said: “As the company has grown, the necessity to have a more structured approach to the tyre procurement in relation to the standardisation and visibility of the products and services fitted has increased. It was decided that the combination of the Vacu-Lug product combined with Vacu-Lug’s fleet management system, with the coverage of ATS Euromaster, and the many benefits that they can offer, will allow Countrystyle to move forward in a more controlled manner.”
Subscribe for free