Protecting VRUs with SCC Voice Alerts
Transport safety systems provider SCC has launched Turn Alert, a device which combines both left and right turn alarms, as part of a wider range of Voice Alerts such as a handbrake warning system.
Left turn alarms have quickly become a standard component of even the most basic of vehicle safety system packs, says SCC, warning pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users (VRUs) that a vehicle is performing a left turn manoeuvre.
“This is particularly important as the near side blind-spot on right hand drive vehicles is one of the greatest areas of risk to VRUs, especially cyclists, so this audible warning informing that a vehicle is turning can go a long way towards preventing accidents,” said the company.
“The same is true for left-hand drive vehicles, except this is of course a blind-spot on the off side when they are performing a left turn manoeuvre, and here a right turn alarm is used instead.
“Moreover, as is increasingly becoming the case with operators in the UK, drivers are spending more time travelling between the UK and the European mainland, meaning there is now often a requirement for both left and right turn alarms on the same vehicle. Simple enough, but this means that two alarms are needed every time this is a requirement, one for the left alert and one for the right.
“As we have seen the requirement for both left and right turn alarms increase over the last few years amongst our customer base, this has never quite sat right with us at SCC, as it seems unfair for our customers to have to buy two separate devices that are essentially performing the same function.
“After looking into this for a good deal of time, our research and development division have been able to combine the two alarms into one, meaning we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Turn Alert.”
Unlike other conventional turn alarms, SCC’s Turn Alert has been designed to be installed in the cab, with only the external speaker being fitted on the outside, which the company says enables a much simpler install and also ensures that the most important parts are protected from the elements.
“The same alert can be a left turn alarm, right turn alarm or both, depending on a customer’s requirements, and this is done simply by the technician during installation, though it is also easy enough to alter this should any requirements change in the future,” the firm continued.
“As far as the driver is concerned, they just continue to operate their vehicle as normal; they have to do nothing to change between the two alerts as this is all pre-set up in advance.
“Noise abatement laws mean these alarms need to be mutable during certain hours, so our Alert comes with a simple push switch as standard, rather than a toggle switch. This is because whenever ignition is turned off and on again, the system automatically defaults to on, meaning safety can never be compromised due to human error. And so with the switch, it isn’t flicked on or off with a toggle, simply muted with a push that will then always default to on.
“When muted, the Alert will also give an audible warning to the driver every four hours if the ignition hasn’t been turned off during that time, to act as a reminder. This warning will only sound on the internal speaker in the cab, thereby only alerting the driver as it is only them who need to know.”
This inclusion of an internal speaker led SCC to explore other uses for Voice Alerts, and it quickly developed a new Handbrake Alert.
“As the name suggests, this device emits a warning should a driver ever open the door of their cab without the handbrake engaged, and it will continue sounding until the handbrake is on. This means a driver can never get out of their cab and forget to engage the handbrake again, which is of course a huge safety benefit.”
SCC added: “As these Voice Alerts are produced and manufactured in our facility in the UK, the applications are more or less endless; for example, we’ve also developed systems to alert drivers that a trailer door is open, or that their tipper has been left up.”
