To improve safety for vulnerable road users, Metroline have partnered with Jimmy Beam Downlights Limited (JBDL) to trial a light safety system on 24 buses in February.
The Vehicle Avoidance Lateral Lights (VALLs) create an “illuminated footprint” around the vehicle to highlight to other road users that they are in proximity.
Each VALL unit has a downlight with four LEDs, which warns other road users of the lateral clearance area around the vehicle.
The units have three features: The ‘slow speed’ light facility, which turns on automatically when the bus starts, and turns off when it reaches 9mph; synchronous flashing with indicator, to help warn other road users when the bus is turning; and constant lateral clearance area, which is manually activated so the lights are kept illuminated over 9mph.
Head of Transport Safety for Metroline, Sinead Maguire, says: “We are excited to lead this innovative pilot which marks an important step for the project and reinforces our commitment to Vision Zero and making London’s roads safer for all.”
