New technology trials to transform bus safety in London

Transport for London has announced plans to test new safety technology on London buses. Automatic braking and audible warning systems will be trialled alongside measures including new mirrors to improve the driver’s vision. All the new technology will receive a completely independent trial at the Transport Research Laboratory, whose engineers and technical specialists have been appointed to work with TfL, bus manufacturers and operators to trial a range of innovative safety measures.
August 16, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
1466 Transport for London has announced plans to test new safety technology on London buses. Automatic braking and audible warning systems will be trialled alongside measures including new mirrors to improve the driver’s vision.


All the new technology will receive a completely independent trial at the Transport Research Laboratory, whose engineers and technical specialists have been appointed to work with TfL, bus manufacturers and operators to trial a range of innovative safety measures.

These include autonomous emergency braking systems that allow the vehicle to detect its surroundings and automatically apply the brakes and features to alert pedestrians and other road users of the presence of buses, such as lights or audible warnings. The front of buses will be re-designed, which could reduce the impact of a collision, while changes to bus interiors will aim to improve passenger safety, such as higher-grip flooring and softening sharp corners. Improvements will also be made to drivers’ vision, including improved mirror design.

The results of the trials will feed into a new Bus Safety Standard that will be incorporated into bus operator contracts from the end of 2018. Transport for London has also published a report on Intelligent Speed Assistance today (16 August) following a successful trial in 2016. Bus operators are required to fit the technology, which limits the speed at which buses are able to travel, from later this year.

Location Based Systems Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The future of in-vehicle navigation systems
    February 3, 2012
    TRL's Alan Stevens looks at the evolution and future prospects of in-vehicle navigation devices. Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) plays a crucial role in the safety of vehicles on our roads. Until we achieve full automation (and that's a debatable prospect anyway) a driver's interaction with the vehicle - all the controls, information and systems - holds a pivotal role in safe driving.
    Read More
  • Driverless vehicles will cause changes in society
    May 31, 2013
    Paul Godsmark gives his views on what the advent of autonomous vehicles would mean for the wider society. Further to your article ‘Driver not required…’ in the Jan/Feb edition of ITS International which gave some great background to autonomous road vehicle (ARVs), I feel that the bigger picture is needed to aid understanding. There is a ‘technology freight train’ heading our way that is going to transform our roadways but we don’t seem to be aware of it and, therefore, are in no hurry to react.
    Read More
  • Transport for London awards EQM contract
    October 15, 2013
    Passengerfta is to supply Transport for London (TfL) with engineering quality monitoring (EQM) and will carry out quality monitoring inspections and audits on London’s 8,500-strong bus fleet. As part of the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Passengerfta offers a range of services designed for passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) operators and carries out thousands of PSV inspections throughout the United Kingdom and Eire every year.
    Read More
  • Kenya to introduce microchip-fitted number plates
    November 17, 2014
    Shem Oirere looks at Kenya’s plans to introduce a new generation of vehicle registration plates fitted with microchip technology by the end of this year. In a move to improve driving standards and prevent fraud, the authorities in Kenya are planning the introduction of a new numberplate system which will incorporate microchip technology.
    Read More

Highlighted Content