Brigade - Helping Cemex to Cement a Safer Future.
The Company
Cemex is a global buildings solutions company and leading supplier of cement, ready mixed concrete and aggregates. The company generates over £1 billion in annual sales and has a UK supply network with over 500 locations.
The Situation
With the increase in congestion, many people are choosing alternative methods of travel. However, the alarmingly high statistics for collisions of trucks with pedestrians or cyclists has caused firms such as Cemex to seek out better safety solutions to protect the public.
The Solution
Cemex has fitted a range of Brigade’s safety systems to its tippers and mixers to improve driver’s field of vision and make their vehicles more visible to pedestrians and cyclists. The combination systems include movement sensors, talking alarms and reversing cameras to alert both parties to the potential danger.
Other safety measures which have been implemented include; fitting signs to the near side corner of haulage vehicles to warn cyclists of the danger of passing in the driver’s blind spot and caution keep clear signs to new vehicles operating in London. This has improved their reputation within the community and marked them as leaders in the field of vehicle safety.
Product Fitted
‘Sidescan’ is a dual function system that has ultrasonic sensors, fitted along the near side of the truck, linked to the truck’s left indicator, providing an audible warning to alert the driver when anything is in the danger zone to the left of the vehicle.
It also incorporates a speaking alarm, with a bespoke message warning pedestrians and cyclists that the vehicle is about to turn. The combination systems alert both parties to the dangers.
Brigade reversing cameras have also been fitted on the back of ready-mixed concrete trucks and tippers and linked to a monitor in the cab. The camera is activated when reverse gear is selected, providing the driver with an unprecedented view of people and objects in the blindspot to the rear of the vehicle.
Feedback
During his presentation at a recent FTA Seminar, Paul Clarke, Logistics Fleet Engineering Manager at Cemex said “Between 2000 and 2004 vehicles operating on our behalf were involved in 6 road traffic accidents involving cyclists on the nearside, 2 of which sadly resulted in fatalities, however since fitting the Brigade Sidescan Systems as part of a wider programme of road safety initiatives we have not experienced any blameworthy road traffic incidents involving cyclists on the nearside.”
