Transport for London has embarked on a concerted drive to stop bus-related deaths and injuries in the capital with the unveiling of its new Bus Safety Standard. But could it become a standard for buses outside London and the UK
The new Bus Safety Standard being introduced by Transport for London (TfL) was variously described as world and industry-leading, ground-breaking and revolutionary at its launch last week.
A key part of the recently-published London Mayor’s Vision Zero action plan and aimed at seeing no-one is killed on or by a London bus by 2030, the new evidence-led standard details the safety requirements that all the capital’s bus network must meet by 2024. The measures will apply to all new-build London buses from 2019, when the first phase is introduced, although TfL is examining retrofitting possibilities for certain measures.
“I want London to be known for having the safest bus fleet in the world,” says Heidi Alexander, London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, launching the Bus Safety Standard at a Bus Safety Summit held at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire.
There are 6.5m bus journeys undertaken on London’s roads daily, she explains.
“If we want to make our roads safer, it is critically important that we make our buses safer.”
Phasing in
Under TfL’s Bus Safety Roadmap, Bus Safety Standard measures required in all new-build London buses from 2019 include:
Intelligent Speed Assistance
An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System for electric and other quiet-running buses to warn pedestrians and other road users of their presence. TfL wants buses to use the same sound
More blindspot mirrors and reversing cameras
Warning pedal indicator lights for drivers
Slip reducing measures inside vehicles, including high-grip flooring.
Full implementation by 2024 will require further measures on new build buses, including: Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB); an interlock system for runaway bus prevention; pedal standardisation and pedal acoustic feedback; specially designed bus fronts that reduce collision impacts; and bus interior improvements for protecting passengers. Some will be required by 2021.
Tougher standards or not enough?
“We have set tougher standards for safety on buses than for any other vehicle,” Heidi Alexander explains.
But she stresses that technology isn’t the whole answer. TfL is rolling out a “comprehensive” bus safety programme. It is working with Loughborough University and the Swedish Road Safety Institute on a driver fatigue study, and has improved how it investigates collisions.
Claire Mann, TfL’s Director of Bus Operations, describes the Bus Safety Standard as “ground breaking” and “industry-leading”. Estimates indicate the first phase measures will reduce bus-related fatalities and seriously injured casualties in London by up to 75% and up to 66% respectively, she says.
“This is phenomenal. Imagine what we could do if this goes UK- and Europe-wide.”
But Caroline Pidgeon, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, says the measures “simply do not go far enough. These proposals TfL have put forward are not only a year late but they only apply to new buses.”
She adds: “We recognise how crucial technology is to improving bus safety in the capital and that is why the London Assembly Transport Committee is renewing its call for TfL and the Mayor to ensure there are no further delays to the introduction of this technology but most of all to roll out the BSS to the whole bus fleet in London.”
Industry collaboration
The new standard was three years in the making, being developed with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) evaluating safety issues and testing proposed measures. TfL and TRL applauded the collaboration with bus manufacturers and operators, including in creating prototype solutions and loaning buses and drivers for trials and help from engineers and safety managers.
“It has been really important to work with all the stakeholders, to make sure what has been proposed has to work and can be delivered,” says Richard Cuerden, TRL’s Academy Director.
“The manufacturers and operators have been involved in this process from the moment we set out what we were trying to achieve,” says Jane Lupson, TfL’s Senior Bus Safety Development Manager.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director at Abellio London Bus, said the company welcomes the Bus Safety Standard’s introduction.
“As one of the operators who has been trialling innovative solutions as part of the project, we have seen that technology can help to reduce incidents and improve the safety and quality provided on London’s Buses.”
On display
Representatives of bus operators, bus manufacturers and road safety organisations attended the Bus Safety Summit. They saw one bus demonstrating AEB, two electric buses showing the difference between non-fitted and fitted test audio warnings, and vehicles highlighting methods of improving driver visibility and vehicle interiors for passenger safety.
For the future
So, what lies ahead for London’s Bus Safety Standard package of measures?
TRL’s Richard Cuerden, says it is “revolutionary” and shouldn’t just be about saving lives in London but also anywhere else in the UK or the world.
“Nobody else is doing this on public transport vehicles on the road in the world. This is an opportunity for us in the UK to export this know-how and help other regional authorities.”
Claire Mann says the new standard’s requirements would be introduced in stages from 2019, 2021 and three-yearly afterwards.
“We know that technology and innovation have the potential to further improve safety in the future so our standard evolves and tightens over time, requiring features that aren’t yet available commercially but which will be with the industry’s energy and investment.”
TfL will work with the Department for Transport and at Europe level to ensure introduction of these safety measures is done in the most affordable way, she explains.
“We really want to reach out to the industry to say: ‘Come with us on the journey’.”
