Amey is investing over £12million in new, safety-equipped vehicles for use across its UK environmental services accounts.
Already 74 new vehicles have been introduced, with another eight due for delivery and plans for further investment during 2017.
The new vehicles have been designed with safety as a top feature, including lower emissions, cycle risk technology and 360 degree cameras and lighting technology for improved visibility.
Amey’s Environmental Services Managing Director, Rob Edmondson, said: “We transport over 1.8million tonnes of waste and recycling every year from homes and businesses across the country, which means we have a large fleet on the roads every day.
“Safety is a top priority and we’re always looking at new ways to improve how we both deliver our services and keep our employees and local communities as safe as possible.
“The £12.5million investment in the new vehicles allows us to bring in a host of safety features which assist with this and which help our drivers as they carry out their duties.”
The vehicles have been introduced in locations as far afield as Ealing, Solihull, Dartford, Trafford and Cambridgeshire and feature:
- Euro 6 configuration, which includes lane departure warning and improved emissions standards, as well as brake assist in some vehicles if a hazard is detected
- Cycle Safety Shield, which uses facial recognition (rather than radar) to warn the driver of any potential risks to oncoming pedestrians/cyclists.
- Verbal warning when the vehicle is turning left, with rear illumination to warn cyclists
- Reverse radar system to assist the driver when reversing
- 360 degree camera system with recorder, which allows drivers to have a bird’s eye view of the vehicle, eliminates blind spots, allows for better control of the vehicle and collates evidence should an insurance claim arise
- Additional amber flashing beacons to ensure the vehicle is seen in all weathers and poor daylight
The investment includes a range of vehicle types, from 26t capacity to 7.5t and with single and twin chambers.
In addition to the new fleet, Amey is also ensuring any existing vehicles are retrofitted with Cycle Safety Shield systems.