A DRIVER ALERT and perimeter-safety sensor system is to be rolled out across London bus operator Abellio’s full fleet after the company’s win in the Most Innovative Transport Project category, at the 2019 London Transport Awards, recently.
Abellio worked with Transport for London (TfL) and Mobileye to install 10 per cent of its fleet with the Mobileye collision-avoidance system (CAS). The six-month double-decker trial was funded by TfL as part of its innovation fund, with the buses being fitted in (European) autumn 2017.
The project delivered excellent results in reducing the level of incidents and on board injuries, it’s claimed.
As a result, Abellio London will now fit the remainder of its fleet with the system to further improve the safety for passengers, the company states.
.jpg)
In total 66 buses were installed with the system and the buses ran on three routes from Abellio’s Battersea depot in Central London. The three routes were all double-deck services, Abellio confirms.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
At the time of the trial’s announcement, Tony Wilson, managing director at Abellio London, said: “Safety and driving standards are our top priority and we’re delighted to be trialling Mobileye’s technology on three of our London routes.”
“The Mobileye system gives aural and visual alerts to drivers that allow them to react – reducing incidents and keeping everyone safe in the communities we are proud to serve.
“It is imperative that bus companies pursue investment in this kind of innovative safety technology. We are grateful to TfL for supporting this important trial.”
Tom Cunnington, head of Bus Business Development at TfL said: “London’s bus network is one of the safest in the world, with fewer than three injuries for every million passenger journeys.”
“We recognise that any passenger injury is one too many and are always looking at innovative ways to improve bus safety. We welcome Abellio’s trial of Mobileye as part of TfL’s Bus Safety Innovation Fund, and look forward to sharing their early findings at the Bus Safety Summit in October.”
Gil Ayalon, director of EMEA at Mobileye, said: “All over the world bus companies are investing in Mobileye technology to improve safety standards, ensuring that drivers can take prompt action when danger is detected.”
“Abellio takes safety very seriously and they’ve been a superb partner, helping their drivers get the very best out of the system.”
.jpg)
HOW IT WORKS
The Mobileye device is a proximity sensor fitted to the front windscreen that provides alerts to the bus driver if it predicts the vehicle is getting too close to another vehicle, or if it senses vulnerable road users. It provides audio and visual alerts to assist the driver in preventing or mitigating a collision.
Overall, Mobileye technology alerts bus drivers to possible collisions with cyclists, motorcycles, pedestrians and other vehicles, the company states.
ABOUT THE TRIAL
Buses on three Abellio bus routes in London were installed with the innovative safety system and the trial was supported by TfL’s Safety Innovation Fund.
A camera unit was installed on the inside of the windshield, and a display is placed in the driver’s cab.
Provisional findings to date showed a 29 per cent reduction in avoidable collisions (those in the driver’s control to prevent) and a 60 per cent reduction in injuries from avoidable collisions, it’s reported.
Abellio London operates 48 bus routes across London and runs more than 740 vehicles. It operates one of the cleanest fleets, with Euro 6 and diesel/electric hybrid buses, the company states.
Abellio London installed Mobileye collision avoidance technology on a total of 66 buses on three of its London routes: 49, 345 and 414.
Route 49 runs between White City and Clapham Junction; Route 345 operates between Peckham and South Kensington; Route 414 runs between Putney Bridge and Maida Hill.
.jpg)
ABOUT MOBILEYE
Mobileye’s aftermarket collision avoidance technology is provided by the same team developing some of the world’s most sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle technology and can be retrofitted to almost any vehicle.
Photography: courtesy Abellio + Mobileye