2017 Yearbook

Safety
Trialing equipment and vehicles
Sheeting Systems - unobscured views
to provide the best in safety
Earlier this year we trialled a new remote control sheeting
system which has been designed to allow a driver to see
everything down the side of a vehicle.
Transcover’s UnderCover sheeting system was fitted to one of
our hookloaders. Unlike other sheeting systems this sits under
the body of the vehicle when covered or uncovered and adds no
extra width as it travels.
Paul Neal, our Logistics Supervisor said “Other sheeting systems
can obscure the drivers’ views down the side of the vehicle
when using their mirrors, yet the storage of the arms in this new
design allows the driver to see everything down the sides of the
container.”
These types of trials are part of our continued strategy to make HGV driving in London safer for drivers and vulnerable road
users.
New vehicle trials
We’ve also trialled a range of latest direct vision HGVs for our fleet this year.
As part of our close working relationships with vehicle manufacturers we constantly look
to utilise the best in class vehicles in terms of safety and efficiency.
We’ve evaluated the Dennis Eagle Elite 6 which offers the latest in unbeatable direct
vision standards. In our case the Elite 6 chassis has been developed into a grab loader. It’s purpose-built for urban
operations, the panoramic cab gives our drivers an unparalleled standard of visibility and cyclist safety, while the low
driving position and narrowed ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts aid peripheral vision for an unobscured view.
The other vehicle was the Scania Urban Tipper which has been specified to allow for
up to 90% of its driving time being on public highways. Specifically this vehicle has
full air suspension meaning the chassis height can be lowered in urban areas, thereby
improving the driver’s direct vision of vulnerable road users. The suspension can then
be raised to increase ground clearance when working on site.
Designed in response to the need to reduce risk to cyclists and pedestrians, the
Urban Tipper is also equipped with a large glass panel in the passenger door, to give
the driver direct line of sight to the front nearside of the vehicle.
Lastly we also trialled the Volvo FM500, an 8x4 low-ride grab which has a lowered cab
and full air suspension. All lorries have undergone extensive trials within our dayto-day
operations and we look forward to seeing what’s next from the manufacturers, particularly in relation to the Direct
Vision Standard.
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O'Donovan Yearbook WEDNESDAY.indd 10 14/12/2017 17:09:17