New cab concept ‘could save hundreds of lives’

Academics at Loughborough University’s Design School have proposed a longer, more aerodynamic truck cab design, which they say could save hundreds of cyclist and pedestrian lives.

The study, by Dr Steve Summerskill and Dr Russell Marshall, was commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) and the campaigning organisation Transport & Environment (T&E).

The proposed cab, known as the ‘Direct Vision’ concept, could drastically reduce blind spots around the lorry. It is 80cm longer than standard designs, and features a rounder nose, smaller dashboard, larger glazed areas and a slightly lower driver position.

The driver’s field of view in front and at the sides of the vehicle would increase by 50 per cent compared to contemporary lorry designs, the researchers say.

Project lead Dr Summerskill said: ““Blind spots can be a significant factor in fatal accidents. The study shows that the size of these blind spots can be minimised through improved cab design, the reduction of cab height and the addition of extra windows.

“This is a key moment in the definition of truck design legislation at the European level. Our work is being used to demonstrate that improvements to vehicle aerodynamics must go hand in hand with improvements that allow HGV drivers to have improved vision of vulnerable road users around the vehicle.”

William Todts, senior policy officer at T&E, said: “Not only drivers, but politicians too need vision.

“It’s incomprehensible that we allow huge 40 ton mammoths on our roads without making sure the people behind the wheel can actually see what’s going on.

“After decades of tinkering with mirrors, we need to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity and make direct vision compulsory for new lorry designs.”

The European Transport Safety Council has said that lorries are involved in around 4,200 fatal accidents every year in Europe. Almost 1,000 of these involve vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

European Union institutions have already approved changes to the law which are expected to encourage safer and more aerodynamic lorry designs, but it could be eight years before the new rules come into force.