Brigade: DVS understates importance of safety tech

Transport for London (TfL) has misjudged the importance of technology when developing its forthcoming Direct Vision Standard (DVS) scheme, Brigade Electronics has argued.

DVS will see all goods vehicles over 12 tonnes require a permit to enter Greater London, with enforcement of the scheme set to begin next year. It is based on a ‘star rating’ indicating how much a driver can see from the cab in relation to other road users.

But Brigade contends that TfL has focused too much on direct vision – where the driver sees through unimpeded line of sight – at the expense of indirect vision, where drivers have an awareness of their surroundings through camera monitor systems and ultrasonic obstacle detection.

TfL claims drivers using indirect vision have a slower response time than those using direct vision alone.

But direct vision has its limitations, according to Brigade vehicle safety expert Emily Hardy, who says cameras, sensors and reversing alarms are vital tools to prevent accidents.

“While direct vision is of course important, the TfL’s research is flawed and simplistic when it comes to technology,” she said.

“Direct vision is not perfect because if you are not looking in the right place at the right time, you will not see the potential danger.

“And safety technology is more than just indirect vision. It includes passive and active systems that alert the driver to something in his blind spot – which encourages him to look.

“Meanwhile, cameras provide a wider angle of view than mirrors.

“The TfL guidelines create an impression that if you have direct vision you don’t need to fit sensors and other tech. This is a backwards step and diminishes the good work of schemes like CLOCS and FORS that have raised industry standards.”

She added: “HGV drivers need a combination of direct and indirect vision for optimal safety.”

Brigade has developed a range of DVS safety systems to ensure vehicles meet the minimum requirements for the legislation.

HGVs that do not meet the minimum requirement of one star need to comply with the Safe System which requires the installation of extra devices for indirect vision (similar to FORS and CLOCS specifications).

Complying with the Safe System will not alter the vehicle’s star rating, but will permit trucks to drive into Greater London.

By 2024, DVS minimum star requirements increases to three stars; and Brigade warns that many fleet operators and logistics businesses could fall foul of the star-rating regulations when one- and two-star rated vehicles are banned from October 2024 unless they are fitted with certain safety equipment.

The firm says its DVS star rating service, which is free of charge to use, will help fleet operators to avoid any confusion and quickly determine whether their vehicles are compliant and if any additional safety devices will need to be fitted.

Emily Hardy also raised concerns regarding the disparity between the planned enforcement start date, which TfL says will be “1 March 2021 at the earliest”, and the fact that the DVS scheme was still due to come into legal force on 26 October this year. The discrepancy came about because enforcement of the scheme, originally planned for October in line with the legislation, has been postponed due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This means that in the event of an incident, the operator could still be faced with civil damages,” said Emily.

“Insurers may also fail to pay out if an operator has not met legislative requirements. Natalie Chapman, FTA’s head of south of England and urban policy, raised this in our recent webinar. FTA is putting pressure on TfL to clarify their statement. At the moment our stance is clear. DVS compliance must be met by 26 October this year or operators must weigh up the risk.”

Transport Operator put this point to TfL, whose spokesperson told us: “The DVS will play a vital role in eliminating death and serious injuries from London’s streets, and as such, suspending or deferring the legal start date is not possible, as it would delay the introduction of the scheme.

“Not complying with the scheme wouldn’t automatically lead to liability in the event of a collision. Whether freight operators would be liable in civil or criminal proceedings would primarily depend on the circumstances. However, compliance with best practice safety standards would be relevant.”

The spokesperson also reiterated that enforcement would be introduced on 1 March at the earliest, and that the exact date would be confirmed by this October and communicated to the industry.

“TfL is mindful of the need for flexibility around the start of scheme enforcement given the significant impacts on the freight and logistics sector of the Covid-19 crisis,” she said.

“We are keeping the DVS under active review and are engaging with the industry not only on this scheme, but also as part of our wider re-start and recovery programme.”