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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • App taps into world’s largest and most complex real time passenger info system
    July 11, 2012
    Transport for London’s (TfL) award winning Countdown System delivers bus real time information for every one of the 19,000 bus stops and 700 routes in London is claimed to be the largest and most technically complex real time passenger information system of its kind in the world. In 2009 Telent was awarded the contract by TfL to develop the Countdown software to deliver web and mobile content.
  • Measuring alertness to avert drowsy driver incidents
    December 21, 2015
    Falling asleep at the wheel is the primary cause in thousands of deaths on American and other roads, with truck drivers the most at-risk group. David Crawford investigates measures to counter drowsy driving.
  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: a solution or another problem?
    November 27, 2013
    Do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems represent a positive step forward for safety, or something of a safety risk? Jason Barnes discusses the issue with leading industry figures. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are already common. Anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control are well understood and are either fitted as standard or frequently requested by new vehicle buyers. More advanced ADAS features are appearing on many top-end vehicles and the trickle-down has already started. Adaptive
  • NTSB calls for immediate action on collision avoidance systems for vehicles
    June 12, 2015
    A report by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) outlines the life-saving benefits of currently available collision avoidance systems and recommends that the technology become standard on all new passenger and commercial vehicles. The report, The Use of Forward Collision Avoidance Systems to Prevent and Mitigate Rear-End Crashes, stresses that collision avoidance systems can prevent or lessen the severity of rear-end crashes, thus saving lives and reducing injuries. According to statistics fro