Skip to main content

FTA launches cycle-friendly HGV sat-nav

As part of its continuing efforts to raises safety standards in the logistics industry, the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) launched what it says is the world’s first satellite navigation system incorporating an HGV Cyclist Alert system. Currently only available in London, the Pro Nav 420’s HGV Cyclist Alert warns the truck driver when approaching a section of road that has been designated by Transport for London (TfL) as a “HGV/Cyclist convergence area”, such as junctions where large numbers of HG
May 28, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
As part of its continuing efforts to raises safety standards in the logistics industry, the UK’s 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA) launched what it says is the world’s first satellite navigation system incorporating an HGV Cyclist Alert system.

Currently only available in London, the Pro Nav 420’s HGV Cyclist Alert warns the truck driver when approaching a section of road that has been designated by 1466 Transport for London (TfL) as a “HGV/Cyclist convergence area”, such as junctions where large numbers of HGVs and cyclists are present on the roads. Pro Nav 420 notifies drivers with both a visual map overlay displaying a fifty-metre radius hotspot zone, and an audible alert when entering this zone to remind them to take extra care.

FTA’s head of Urban Logistics Policy Christopher Snelling commented “The majority of incidents between cyclists and lorries happen at junctions, so something that draws the drivers’ attention to the issue at the most significant locations is potentially highly useful.  We urge our members to consider fitting these new sat navs when they upgrade their systems.

Mr Snelling added: “Many of these kind technological fixes are being added to vehicles all the time as operators continue to work to improve the industry’s safety record.  But they will only ever be part of the solution to making our roads a safer place for all users.  For the road haulage industry, driver vigilance at all times will always remain the most important factor.  Cyclists also have an important role to play in improving road safety.”

If successful in London, the FTA hopes to roll the system out across the UK and beyond.

Related Content

  • November 4, 2014
    FTA highlights work of logistics companies for vulnerable road user safety
    As part of its Logistics for Cycling campaign, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has today published Shared Vision, a document setting out examples of the work logistics companies are doing to improve safety on the roads for vulnerable road users – pedestrians, motorcyclists and especially cyclists. The FTA document provides a flavour of the wide range of initiatives that companies are implementing which they and the Association believe will result in improved safety on the roads. Action includes
  • June 29, 2016
    Are truck bans the wrong move in the battle for air quality
    Low emission zones and heavy goods vehicles’ access to city centres may at first glance appear attractive but how effective are such controls? Jon Masters reviews emerging trends across Europe. Around 1,700 European cities have implemented low emission zones (LEZs) and in addition some have restricted city centre access for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Even those that restrict HGV access, such as Paris and Rome, allow exemptions at certain times and for particular classes of vehicle. But with what effect?
  • October 26, 2017
    Lorries hitting rail bridges peak in October causing hours of delays and cancellations, Network Rail
    Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers will suffer hours of delays and cancellations this month as figures for oversized lorries hitting low bridges (bridge-strikes) peaked in October/ November to around ten reported incidents every day, according to a new campaign by Network Rail. In addition, there are 2,000 bridge strikes every year costing the taxpayer some £23 million ($30 million) in damages and delays.
  • July 13, 2016
    FTA says consultation on driverless vehicle regulations is a positive step
    The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says this week’s announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) of a consultation on driverless cars is a positive step. As well as setting out regulatory changes to better facilitate the use of driverless vehicles in the future, the document also restates the potential positives from HGV platooning. The document notes that platooning should allow HGVs ‘to benefit from reduced aerodynamic drag and therefore increased fuel efficiency. Platooning could also free