LAPV December 2017

Local Authority Plant & Vehicles

www.lapv.co.uk

December 2017

Make it happen, make it Streets ahead in outdoor cleaning

Hako supply a range of professional street cleansing Citymaster sweepers which have been engineered specifically with the cleaning of streets and pavements in mind.

TERBERG MATEC.

WASTE HANDLING SPECIALISTS. BIN LIFTS From domestic to heavy duty trade – Terberg offer a family of innovative and proven products for all of your domestic and trade waste collection requirements – Including hydraulic and electric automatic split lifts along with manual heavy duty bar lifts – we’ve got your lifting requirements covered…

RECYCLING PRODUCTS We’ve got recycling sorted. As well as the popular Kerbloader® for multi-fraction kerbside collection, our extensive portfolio includes food and kitchen, bio-waste and recycling collection vehicles with sizes ranging from compact to high capacity.

BIN WEIGHING Our fully certifiable Dynamic Integrated Weighing and RFID Solution has no impact on bin hoist cycle times and integrates seamlessly with our range of products offering the perfect choice for accurate and reliable weighing and collection data.

Terberg Matec UK. Leacroft Road, Birchwood, Warrington WA3 6PJ 01925 283905

info@terberg.com

@Terberg_Matec

www.terbergmatec.co.uk

CONTENTS

Local Authority Plant & Vehicles is published by

Inside this issue: 4

HEMMING M E DIA

Hemming Information Services Ltd, a division of Hemming Group Ltd. 32, Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 2SS www.lapv.co.uk

News and events

The latest news on industry, contracts won, and new product developments.

10 Clifford Comments

Phil Clifford on the realities for local authorities when adopting the latest technologies.

16 Platooning

A two-year project into platooning trucks on UK roads will investigate the potential impact of the practice and whether it can benefit the country’s economy and road system.

22 Electra is coming

A new battery-powered RCV will make its debut a Future Fleet Forum.

12 A sweep ahead

24 Future Fleet Forum preview

Features 38 Grounds care

46

Transmission systems

50

EV procurement

52

Compliance

54

Terrorism prevention

57

Benchmarking

Legislation, cost, and environmental concerns are three of the key factors currently driving the future direction of the sweeper industry.

Editor Ann-Marie Knegt T 01935 374001 E am.knegt@hgluk.com

LAPV reviews the highlights of the exhibition that will run alongside the conference at Future Fleet Forum on 24-25 January 2018 in the Guildhall in London.

Commercial Manager Jason Pidgeon T 020 7973 4645 E j.pidgeon@hgluk.com Production Manager Sue Taylor T 020 7973 6604 E s.taylor@hgluk.com Production Tim Malone T 01935 374014 E t.malone@hgluk.com Subscriptions Maggie Spillane T 020 7973 6679 E m.spillane@hgluk.com Managing Director Bill Butler T 020 7973 6645 E b.butler@hgluk.com

Maidstone Council in Kent has kept on top of the increased demands of Mote Park’s 1.6 million annual with the help of a Kubota RTV-X900 utility vehicle.

ISSN 1472-2607 @ 2017 Hemming Group Printed by Buxton Press Limited, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AE

Take out a subscription at www.lapv.co.uk

Cover: Hako Local Authority Plant & Vehicles

www.lapv.co.uk

December 2017

40

42

Safety specifications for large vehicles are once again up for debate following the introduction of the Mayor of London’s new Direct Vision Standard.

Vehicle stabilisation

Prevent vehicle rollover and reduce the risk of damage to equipment and personnel with a new digital vehicle stabilisation device.

43

Emissions control

44

The value of sludge

Make it happen, make it Streets ahead in outdoor cleaning

Hako supply a range of professional street cleansing Citymaster sweepers which have been engineered specifically with the cleaning of streets and pavements in mind.

Direct Vision Standard

Balfour Beatty has retrofitted diesel particulate filters to existing machines to comply with the London Non-Road Mobile Machinery Low Emission Zone requirements.

Vehicle technology can provide a ‘double indemnity’ against risks by building on the recommendations of CLOCS. The UK electric vehicle market is growing at an exponential rate with profound implications for public sector purchasing.

How compliance management solutions can streamline fleet operations.

What can councils do to protect public sector vehicles from use by terrorists?

The core initiatives of FORS and its synergies with safety campaigns.

Sludge management privatisation could see this waste product become a valuable resource.

December 2017 LAPV 3

NEWS

COMMENT

Future Fleet Forum 2018 - breaking boundaries These are tumultuous times for the fleet management industry. We are on the brink of a new era and fossil-fuelled vehicles may soon be a thing of the past. Equally, autonomous vehicles may be here sooner than we think, following a number of regulatory and funding announcements from the Government in support of the development of this technology (page 8).

One current project that has attracted a lot of attention is a test of platooning trucks that is due to be completed in the next two years (page 16). Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) carried out the initial feasibility study and will take the lead on the project, which aims to carry out a holistic impact assessment that will look at potential benefits for the UK. Key questions to answer include whether platooning can improve congestion or deliver fuel savings, and the project will also address issues of safety and interaction with other road users.

LAPV will try to answer similar questions at Future Fleet Forum on 24-25 January 2018. Together with the City of London, the City of New York, and CILT, we have created a truly outstanding programme that will tackle alternative propulsion systems, procurement, emissions, sustainability, safety, change management and innovation, and much more. However, we will not just be looking at these issues from a UK perspective. Instead, we will be taking an international approach, discussing and networking with fleet and transport managers from all over the world. We are all on this planet together and are all facing the same problems.

The Chancellor in his November budget clearly signalled the future direction of consumer vehicles in the UK when he made it clear that diesel is out and EVs are in. Is this the answer for our industry? Future Fleet Forum will address this and other issues, and our speakers will deliver evocative arguments for and against popular and political opinions. All in all, it promises to be a fantastic event and one that will move our industry forward with discussions that go where no man has gone before.

Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor LAPV

CYCLE RIDE RAISES £25,000

SCOTLAND TESTS COMBI FLEX

Cyclists from the waste management industry have raised more than £25,000 for charity in their annual fundraising challenge.

The waste management Cycle Heroes completed a 300km bike ride from Ghent to Amsterdam to raise money for multiple charities, including Donor Family Network, Kidney Research UK, ADDUP, Leukaemia Care, Little Princess Trust, and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The 23 cyclists came from companies across the waste sector including Vehicle Weighing Solutions, CMS Supatrak, Vision Techniques, City of London, Dennis Eagle, Biffa, Epic Media Group, Charlton Bodies, Leeds Commercial, M6 Vehicle Hire, Miles Smith, Muni Hire, JB Riney and Scarab Sweepers.

Many of the cyclists were raising money for the British Liver Trust in honour of Brett Baker who died from liver disease in May 2016. Brett was the son of Keith Baker, who works for the Sparrshatts of Kent Mercedes dealership.

The event was generously supported by companies in the waste and recycling sector. Miles Smith covered the travel costs for the team; Dennis Eagle, Leeds Commercial, and Sparshatts all provided support vehicles; Biffa, Dennis Eagle and Refuse Vehicle Solutions sponsored a day each, providing cycle wear; and Faun Zoeller sponsored the minibuses and water bottles for the riders.

The 2017 ride was the third Cycle Heroes event. The first charity cycle ride took place in 2015 with a London to Paris event, which raised £25,000 for charity, and this was followed in 2016 with a Kent to Ghent ride that raised more than £40,000.

Together with the 2017 ride, the cyclists have raised £90,000 so far for charity and hope to break £100,000 as donations continue to come in.

Transport Scotland is trialling an innovative new spreader in its 2017/18 winter service programme that it hopes will add a greater degree of flexibility to its winter maintenance.

The Combi Flex spreader from Aebi Schmidt has already been involved in a series of successful trials in Scandinavia. The Transport Scotland trial, which will run from November 2017 to April 2018, will be the first time the spreader has been in operation in the UK. The spreader is twinned with a 32-tonne DAF 8x4 truck and fitted with a 5m³ hopper and 13,750 litre brine-filled tanks. This enables the vehicle to provide a flexible range of winter spreading options from pure salt to pure brine to handle most winter conditions.

David Harvey, technical sales manager at Aebi Schmidt, is optimistic about the trials, and believes that the versatile approach afforded by the Combi Flex represents a significant step forward in the winter treatment arena. ‘While there has been a trend in the European winter market towards greater levels of brine spraying in recent years, the new Combi Flex combines all aspects of spreading dry and pre-wet salt, with the ability to adjust brine percentages upwards of 30%, through to pure spraying.

‘Under certain conditions pre-wet salt with increased brine percentages performs better where road and weather conditions play an important role. The Combi Flex allows for rapid changing between dry substances and brine, without the need for conversion.’

Using the Combi Flex, Transport Scotland will be able to make greater use of brine spraying in various concentrations. For example, salt levels can be increased should the conditions dictate by using solid materials from the hopper and mixing them with the brine to increase the concentration. Alternatively, pure brine can be used if the weather is not too severe. By reducing the levels of salt involved, operators can not only reduce costs – by up to 30% in certain cases – but they can also lessen their environmental impact.

4 LAPV December 2017

NEWS

CONTRACTS Electric-bodied Mercedes-Benz Econic for Lewisham A Mercedes-Benz Econic refuse vehicle with a Geesinknorba plug-in electric body has gone into service in the London borough of Lewisham for use at the Lewisham Market. The 18-tonne chassis truck was supplied by Dealer Marshall Truck & Van on contract hire from NRG Fleet Services.

Lewisham now has 40 Econic 26-tonne models with rear-steer axles for enhanced manoeuvrability that handle mainstream waste collection and recycling.

The latest 4x2 Econic 1830 has been acquired specifically for use at the local market, which operates six days a week. It compacts and removes waste that would otherwise accumulate around the traders’ stalls.

The Econic is powered by a 299 hp engine. Where conventional refuse vehicles rely on their diesel engines to provide the power for bin-lifting, crushing and compaction, Geesinknorba’s electric body fulfils these tasks almost silently and with the potential for zero carbon emissions.

Noel Everest, Lewisham’s service group manager for passenger and fleet services, said the vehicle’s reliability, performance and whole-life costs were key factors in its selection. ‘The vehicle’s safety credentials and the likelihood that it will get a five-star rating under the Mayor of London’s new Direct Vision Standard proposals add significantly to its appeal,’ he added.

Urbaser wins North and East Hertfordshire contract North Hertfordshire and East Herts District Councils have awarded a seven-year contract for waste collection and street cleansing services to Cheltenham-based Urbaser.

The contract will see Urbaser provide services for 280,000 residents, including refuse and recycling collection and street cleansing, including litter picking, street sweeping, graffiti removal, fly-tip removal, street washing, litter bin management and maintenance, and reactive cleansing services. The company will also manage the cleaning and maintenance of public conveniences and the operation of a transfer station.

The contract begins in May 2018 with an option to extend for a further seven years. It includes a number of service improvements. In North Herts, Urbaser will collect batteries alongside other kerbside recycling services, and an in-cab waste management system will transform collection services with vehicle-mounted hand-held PCs that integrate with back-office systems enabling frontline staff to view the latest service information. Residents will also be able to access services more easily online.

Somerset waste reforms to increase recycling rates Somerset Waste Partnership plans to align its collection, disposal and vehicle procurement arrangements by March 2020. The aim is to increase recycling rates to above 60% and cut waste costs by millions of pounds Unifying these three deals will require the harmonisation of a range of changes and to accelerate the process, SWP and current waste collections contractor Kier have agreed to end their contract 18 months early, on 27 March 2020. This agreement triggers a procurement process for kerbside collection services covering Somerset’s 256,000 households, and a Prior Information Notice was published on Monday 20 November. This will be predicated on delivering the new Recycle More long-term kerbside waste collections contract, with extra recycling materials taken every week and three-weekly rubbish collections.

Recycle More will be phased in from 2020. It is closely aligned with Somerset’s switch from reliance on landfill to generating energy from waste at a facility being built in Avonmouth by contractor Viridor.

Fife Council awarded ECO Star recognition

Fife Council has been awarded a five-star operator rating from the ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme. It is the first council in Scotland to achieve this status.

Fife Council joined the ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme in 2014, pledging to improve its vehicles and operational practices as part of a roadmap to more efficient and cleaner operations. The council was initially awarded four stars and went on to implement a number of initiatives to improve its environmental credentials.

These initiatives include appointing a dedicated fuel champion to monitor and report on fuel usage and spend; conducting extensive driver training and skills development; replacing older vehicles with Euro VI diesel, electric or hydrogen engines; and implementing support systems to inform drivers of potentially inefficient driving practices.

As a result, of these initiatives, the council has been awarded its five-star rating.

Commenting on the award, Mark Cavers, ECO Stars manager for Scotland, said: ‘This is a testament to the Council’s dedication to ECO Stars and their emphasis on fleet efficiency improvements. This award recognises Fife Council’s real commitment to improving air quality and they are setting the standard for other fleet operators in Fife.’

Northampton Partnership Homes saves on new fleet Northampton Partnership Homes has awarded a five-year contract to Specialist Fleet Services for the replacement of its current fleet.

NPH is responsible for managing Northampton Borough Council’s housing services. It has purchased 52 new vehicles to service more than 11,800 properties. The new vehicles include new model Citroen Despatch vans and Fuso Canter caged tippers.

The contract was awarded to incumbent supplier Specialist Fleet Services which has just completed a four-year contract with NPH, following a tender procurement exercise.

As part of the tender specification, NPH required bidding parties to include the utilisation of existing vehicle-racking systems from System Edström within the new fleet.

Lee Burdett, property maintenance manager for Northampton Partnership Homes said: ‘We invested in really good quality vehicle racking as part of our previous vehicle procurement and it has really paid off. The equipment is still in excellent condition and has been successfully retrofitted into the new vehicles, saving us a considerable amount of money.’

December 2017 LAPV 5

NEWS

URM boosts business performance with ERP System Glass recycling business URM (UK) has implemented an enterprise resource planning system from VWS. Founded in 1922, URM is the UK’s largest purchaser and recycler of waste glass, with a network of bottle banks, collection depots and treatment plants throughout UK. The company went out to tender for an ERP system and invited shortlisted companies to present their products. The winning bidder was VWS Software Solutions with its Purgo waste management.

Purgo is designed for waste management and recycling operators and materials processing facilities. It streamlines processes, standardises procedures, and provides monitoring and reporting across departments. It is highly automated, intuitive and user-friendly, and integrate with other business systems and software packages.

URM introduced Purgo department by department, starting with transport and logistics. Drivers now use PDAs to log on, conduct vehicle checks, and send data from weigh bridges, as well as recording weight and location data. The company’s workshop uses the software to facilitate vehicle management, including repairs, servicing, and inspection schedules.

The production module is currently being phased in and will integrate four glass processing sites. Once fully implemented, it will enable the control and measurement of material flow from feedstock through sorting equipment to end products and waste. It will also monitor the speed, efficiency, profitability and performance of processing.

Cherwell implements strategies to improve fleet efficiency Cherwell District Council has approved recommendations to improve the cost-efficiency and environmental profile of its fleet, including the adoption of telematics and alternative fuels.

The council’s vehicles cover waste and recycling collection, street sweeping, emptying glass banks, bulky waste collections, delivery work at election time and some staff transport. Trials have indicated that the adoption of telematics could cut CO2 emissions by 64 tonnes per year and lead to an annual saving of £24,000.

The report also covers a range of improvements designed to extend the operational life of future vehicles, including reduced tyre usage and changes to cage materials on certain vehicles.

Cllr Debbie Pickford, Cherwell's lead member for clean and green, explained that the strategy will see the council replace old vehicles with more efficient versions, with additional electric vehicles to be acquired next year. ‘Our fleet is all about keeping the district clean, so it goes without saying that we want to minimise its impact on air quality as much as possible. We already run a really clean fleet but we’re constantly looking to improve, and eco-friendly measures like telematics are a chance to do just that.’

6 LAPV December 2017

PRODUCTS Flintec launches range of legal-for-trade dynamic load cells

Flintec has launched a range of legal-for-trade, dynamic load cells for use in waste collection and agricultural on-board vehicle weighing applications.

The three new dynamic load cells complement the company’s existing PC2H and PC3H load cells and are designed for use in vehicle and machine-mounted lifting hoists. The PC5H, PC6H and PC7H have been created to help installers fit load cells to new or existing applications where space is a limiting factor.

Flintec has also redeveloped the conventional PC3H variant, replacing the potted seal with a welded hermetic seal.

All the load cells have OIML and NTEP certifications, and have the ability for corner correction to measure off-centre loads. They ensure that installers can achieve legal-for-trade approval quickly and efficiently. Current matching (mV/V/) is an additional feature that allows for damaged or defective load cells to be replaced easily.

Dynamic weighing ability means operators can weigh on the move, making the process more efficient and enabling vehicle operators to improve productivity and profitability.

Made from stainless steel and hermetically sealed to IP68, the range has a variant designed to fit most dynamic onboard weighing application, and can be ordered in a choice of capacities from 1,000kg to 5,000kg.

They can be fitted to waste truck rear-ends, front-end loaders, single operator side-loaders and agricultural lifters, and the range forms part of a complete weighing system. Users can extract weight information for each load while lifting, allowing for enhanced planning, reporting and pay-by-weight.

Cawleys invests in new Reditruck off-the-shelf vehicle Family-run recycling business Cawleys has invested £3.5 million in a new fleet, including a new truck from Refuse Vehicle Solutions’ new Reditruck offthe-shelf vehicle supply service.

Cawleys collects, sorts, treats and recycles the complete spectrum of waste and industry by-products. It provides sustainable waste solutions and the latest eco-technologies for its clients, including materials recycling facilities, waste-toenergy and anaerobic digestion.

The company is experiencing rapid growth, and has expanded its sales force, introduced a pay-by-weight system and invested more than £3.5 million in its fleet in the last three years. Cawleys now has more than 76 vehicles, and its fast pace of growth means that it needs new vehicles quickly to meet demand.

The Reditruck service from RVS offers new chassis and new bodies equipped with the latest technology and ready for work. The service means operators can have a vehicle when they need it, instead of with a six-to-nine-month lead time.

And the company takes care of the body and chassis specifications and equips the vehicle with the required ancillary equipment, such as weighing systems, cameras or safety technology.

Phil Gudgeon, head of waste collection at Cawleys, said: ‘We needed a new truck quickly to meet new demand and RVS could provide a ready-for-work vehicle at short notice. We were going to order direct from a manufacturer but we would have had to wait until June next year. RVS put the vehicle together so we don’t have to shop around separately for a chassis and body. They have an extensive list of ancillaries and extras to choose from so we can tailor the vehicle to our requirements.’

NEWS

NEWS

Government backs driverless future The UK Government has signalled its support for driverless and electric vehicles with a series of announcements. In addition to the measures in last month's budget, Transport Minister John Hayes unveiled new plans to support the development of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology.

The new Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill introduced in October will increase the access and availability of chargepoints for electric cars and enable drivers of automated cars to be insured on UK roads.

‘We want the UK to be the best place in the world to do business as a leading hub for modern transport technology; that is why we are introducing the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill in Parliament and investing more than £1.2 billion in the industry,’ said Hayes. ‘This bill will aid the construction of greater infrastructure to support the growing demand for automated and electric vehicles as we embrace this technology and shape the future.’

Official research estimates that the CAV market will be worth £50 billion to the UK economy by 2035. Automated vehicles could also have a major impact on road safety as automated vehicles can regulate the speed at which they travel and do not make human errors. Under the new bill, all drivers of automated vehicles will be required to be insured and victims of collisions involving an automated vehicle will have quick and easy access to compensation, in line with existing insurance practices.

Investment in testing

As part of its support for CAV, the Government has set aside a £100 million CAV test bed fund. Four consortia have secured funding from the initial £51 million funding round and their projects will test the speed, safety and potential opportunities for delivering CAV innovation.

All the projects will be fully operational and advancing technology development in this sector within the next 18 to 24 months.

The first consortia, led by Horiba Mira, will build a new test site where automated vehicles can be tested at the limits of their speed and handling to ensure they are safe. The second project will see Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire and Remote Applications in Challenging Environments in Oxfordshire set up a range of test areas mimicking realistic city driving environments, where vehicles can be tested before going on public roads.

The other two projects will adapt real-world locations for the testing of automated vehicles in live traffic. Warwick Manufacturing Group will set up real-world test environments in Coventry and Birmingham, while Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) will lead a project to set up live test environments in Greenwich and Stratford’s Olympic Park in London.

Smart Mobility Living Lab

The Smart Mobility Living Lab in Greenwich has been awarded £13.4m from the test bed fund. The TRL-led consortium includes DG Cities, Cisco, Costain, Cubic, Loughborough University, Transport for London and the London Legacy Development Corporation. Delivery partners include Millbrook Proving Ground and the University of Surrey’s 5G Innovation Centre.

The SMLL will provide a real-world urban test bed capable of demonstrating and evaluating the use, performance and benefits of CAV technology and mobility services in an accessible and recognisable context.

It will operate as an open innovation environment where companies, government and research institutions can come together to exchange ideas

REACTION TO THE BUDGET The Chancellor’s support for autonomous and electric vehicles in last month’s the budget has been welcomed by many involved in CAV and EV development.

Mr Hammond wants to see driverless cars on UK roads by 2021, and announced financial support and regulatory changes to speed up the development and testing of autonomous technology. This includes removing legal barriers to on-road testing.

‘Autonomous and electric vehicles will form the backbone of future mobility in the UK and, if integrated successfully, will prevent thousands of road casualties and significantly reduce air pollution and congestion,’ commented Richard Cuerden, academy director at TRL. ‘The measures announced today will help bring this vision a significant step closer and position the UK alongside other leading nations that are at the forefront of the electric and autonomous vehicle revolution.’

He added that with support from Government, TRL is confident that fully-driverless cars will be tested on UK roads in 2019, with commercial vehicles available in 2021.

‘The first vehicles may be limited to certain roads and environments, but the rate of progress could surprise many in the industry.’

The announcements have also been welcomed by the Driven Consortium, which is working to develop and operate a fleet of fully-autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads within the next two and half years. Oxbotica CEO and consortium leader Graeme Smith said: ‘Government support here has the potential to be repaid many times over as well, in terms of new, high-skilled jobs, enormous export potential, and improved productivity. By announcing these new measures and getting behind the drive towards autonomy, the UK government is showing it is not afraid of what the future holds, and that it wants to see Britain leading us into it.’

The budget also contained support for electric vehicles, with a £400m charging infrastructure fund, a £100 million Plug-In-Car Grant, and £40 million for charging R&D. This coincides with higher taxes for diesel cars from April 2018 that will apply to any cars that don’t meet Euro 6. The levy will fund a new £220 million Clean Air Fund to provide support for the implementation of local air quality plans. and develop technical and business solutions for smart mobility. Users will be able to test ideas and technology in a real-world environment against a background of continuous public engagement to encourage greater understanding of CAV in what will be a huge transition for urban mobility.

Move_UK completes real-world testing

Another TRL project, Move_UK, has completed the first phase of real-world testing to establish a validation method for automated driving technologies.

The three-year research project is designed to accelerate the development of automated driving systems and make them intelligent and safe enough for the UK’s roads. The new validation method will reduce the introduction time of highly automated driving technologies and help shape new safety requirements and insurance products for autonomous driving.

The project is based in Greenwich, London, where sensors on council Land Rovers have been gathering data over the course of 30,000 road miles. Data is selected and recorded intelligently, helping to speed up validation of the automated driving functions in the real world. It is then transferred to a central cloud, allowing consortium partners to analyse how automated driving functions respond in the real world, helping to ensure that these vehicles drive in a natural way by retaining positive driving characteristics.

Additional sensors will be added in the next two phases so that the project gathers data from full 360-degree surround sensing.

The volume of real-world data is also helping insurers develop more accurate insurance models for driverless cars. At the same time, TRL is using the Big Data resource to develop a UK framework for regulatory and type approval safety requirements for automated driving technologies.

‘The completion of the first phase brings us another step closer to seeing autonomous vehicles on UK roads,’ said Richard Cuerden, academy director at TRL. ‘Through Move_UK we are able to compare the behaviour of the automated driving systems with the behaviour of human drivers, which, in turn, will help to improve the safety and validation of automation systems.’

8 LAPV December 2017

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19/10/2017 10:16

It CLIFFORD COMMENTS

Clean, green and costly IT IS ALL VERY WELL EXPECTING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO LEAD THE WAY IN THE ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES, BUT IT WON'T HAPPEN WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN COSTS, SAYS PHIL CLIFFORD. HE ARGUES THAT THE ROI FOR ALTERNATIVE POWER OPTIONS SIMPLY IS NOT THERE YET FOR MANY COUNCILS.

A

utonomous vehicles are almost upon us, as we are told daily by the press. And we should also be swapping our dirty diesels for nice clean electric vehicles. Mainstream car manufacturers are falling over themselves to announce that their entire offering will soon have some degree of electrification. One manufacturer has even promised a flying car.

Truck manufacturers, not to be outdone, are also investing heavily in electric technology, although they are being a bit more realistic in their promises. Some existing vehicles are already using hybrid technology and alternative fuels such as CNG, LNG and bio-methane.

Even fuel companies are rising to the challenge by promising rapid electric chargers on every forecourt in the land.

So, in short, the future for transport looks rosy and all of our environmental issues are about to be solved – or are they? I doubt I am the only one experiencing a sense of déjà vu about all this.

I have been around long enough to have seen alternative fuels being pushed before, not as a reaction to poor air quality but as the result of the widespread view that the world is running out of fossil fuels. In the early 1970s, LPG was lauded as the answer to our problems and local authorities were expected to lead the way in LPG adoption. If only the fuel companies had installed LPG fuelling points at every petrol station back in the 1980s.

Sometime in the early 1980s, I attended an outdoor ‘ride and drive’ type exhibition in Birmingham (it may even have been organised by LAPV) and had the chance to drive around the arena in a battery-powered Bedford CF van. Gas-powered heavy trucks started to appear (and disappear) in the 1990s, although gas power is finally seeing a resurgence with at least one notable high street brand adopting it for its heavy truck distribution fleet.

Diesel, on the other hand, has been demonised by the media. Some local authorities are now applying increased parking charges for ALL diesel vehicles – even the Euro 6 cars, which are arguably the ‘cleanest’ in terms of emission levels. Their purchase has also been encouraged by successive governments via tax incentives.

Those same governments have always looked to local councils to lead the way in the adoption of new technologies, but at the same time they expect them to reduce their running costs. Grant funding (so called pump-priming) is often available to ease the pain of adoption, but the need for such funding proves, in many cases, that the technology is not yet financially viable. Much of the funding is also targeted at van fleets (vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes) and, to date, very little assistance has been available to enable investment in new technologies on specialist heavy trucks.

10 LAPV December 2017

My authority is an urban/rural district council and the average annual mileage of most of my light commercial fleet is around 6,000 miles. All of them are diesel-powered, but that is because manufacturers have largely dropped petrol variants from their specifications. This means that the potential for return on investment through the adoption of more expensive power options (EV, PHEV, LPG etc) is simply not there, even given the extended life cycle of around eight years plus.

Taking my fleet as an example, 20% of vehicles account for around 80% of the annual diesel fuel used. No prizes for guessing that the 20% are my refuse trucks. Given the inevitable high spend on diesel for these vehicles, it is clear to me that my attention should be firmly focused on the heavy truck side of the fleet.

Fortunately, many manufacturers and suppliers are looking at designs and devices that will reduce fuel use for specialist vehicles. It is even possible to buy an electric refuse truck. But, and it is a big but, the cost implications mean that these new technologies could well increase the cost of the vehicles by as much as 50%. We must also not lose sight of payload loss as a result of fitting the technology, whether this is battery packs or gas receivers, etc. This payload loss could result in putting more trucks on the road.

Technology is undoubtedly advancing rapidly. However, history tells us that the adoption of new, financially viable, fuel/power technology takes decades to filter through and can only succeed if there is an adequate fuelling infrastructure in place.

Don’t get me wrong – I am no Luddite, and I welcome the current advances – but don’t blame fleet operators if costs inevitably rise as a result.

Phil Clifford is fleet manager for Forest Heath District and St Edmundsbury Borough councils, operating under the West Suffolk brand.

His specialisms include fleet procurement, use of vehicle telematics, and the development and use of fleet management software systems.

He is an advocate for sharing best practice and benchmarking. He is also the founder and board manager of the Public Authority Transport Network, a member of the Freight Transport Association and East of England Freight Council, and a committee member of BSI working group B/508/01(Waste containers and associated lifting devices on refuse collection vehicles). Contact him at philip.clifford4@btinternet. com or follow him on Twitter @thefleetman.

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STREET CLEANING

A sweep ahead LEGISLATION, COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ARE THREE OF THE KEY FACTORS DRIVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SWEEPER INDUSTRY. ALISON CONROY FROM HAKO MACHINES UK EXPLAINS HOW THE COMPANY IS ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS CUSTOMERS.

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Top right and left: The Citymaster 600 won the CIWM 2014 Sustainability and Resource Award. Above left: The Citymaster 2200 has been equipped with an intelligent anti-collision system.

nvironmental factors are set to influence sweeper design in a major way. That's the view of Alison Conroy, strategic business development director at Hako Machines UK, who explains that the company is working to translate these into practical applications that can help customers achieve their environmental performance in order to stay one step ahead.

She adds that when you consider environmental impact and cost, it is easy to get bogged down in the fine detail and not see the bigger picture. For Hako, that means maintaining a focus on the versatility of its machines that make them so popular with customers.

'The simple truth is that the flexibility of Hako machines is the most compelling reason to buy one for many customers,' says Alison.

Hako takes great pride in the fact that its range of multifunctional sweepers can be put to efficient use in a variety roles all year round, from street cleaning and grounds maintenance to winter snow clearance and de-icing.

And Alison believes that it is the high performance of the machines in each specific role that has made Hako one of the leading suppliers in the commercial, industrial, and municipal sectors.

‘From a cost point of view, this makes perfect sense. Instead of buying a specialist machine for snow clearance and de-icing, which sits in the depot gathering dust for ten months of the year, customers can instead buy a high quality, multifunctional street sweeper that can quickly switch roles and perform the winter jobs just as efficiently. This reduces downtime and saves the entire cost of a machine.’

Alison cites the Citymaster 2200 as an example. ‘Customers can choose from a two-brush system, a three-brush system and/or a scrubbing deck. The brush systems have intelligent anti-collision protection systems and the brush pressure is easy to adjust. The specification can even be adapted for weed clearance without the use of chemicals. The 2.2m3 hopper is designed for easy cleaning

and the vacuum nozzle is designed to clean difficult surfaces, such as natural stone pavements with sanded-joints, without damaging them. It is a truly versatile sweeper.’

When it comes to winter, the Citymaster 2200 has a heater, a multi-stage fan, heated windscreen, wing mirrors, and a differential lock on the rear axle for vital winter traction. All these features come as standard. Customers can fit three different sorts of gritters and spreaders – it carries up to 400 litres of grit – and there is also the option of attaching snow ploughs and snow brushes. All the attachments are quick and easy to mount without the need for tools.

‘This is not a sweeper pretending to do another job. It is the real deal. And it is ideal for winter maintenance of footpaths, cycle paths, car parks, and pedestrian shopping areas. The same principles apply to all our outdoor cleaning machines.’

Hako has applied a similar philosophy to its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its machines. The company has placed sourcing sustainable materials, implementing logistical efficiency, and recycling parts at the heart of everything it does, and has been doing so even before this became a major issue for the industry.

‘A Hako machine does two jobs,’ says Alison. ‘Therefore, in buying one, you are halving the material and energy required for its construction as well as ongoing fuel requirements. With sustainability in mind, we also ensure the use of the highest quality components.

We build our machines to last and we believe they can offer considerable savings to customers in terms of whole-life costs.’

When it comes down to the fine detail, Hako machines are designed for lower emissions including particulates, lower fuel consumption without power loss, and low noise to avoid disturbance.

They are even suitable for use at night as they comply with Machine Noise Prevention Regulations. These efforts have been recognised by industry, with the Citymaster 600 winning the CIWM 2014 Sustainability and Resource Industry Award.

12 LAPV December 2017

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STREET CLEANING

Hako's Citymaster 600 is suitable for use at night because it complies with the Machine Noise Prevention Regulations.

‘The reason we clean our streets and other places is to improve these environments by making them safer, healthier and better for the people who occupy them,’ says Alison. ‘So it follows that the machines we manufacture to do the cleaning shouldn’t disrupt the environment in other ways.’

This principle has been central to Hako’s philosophy for a very long time, which is why the company is ahead of the curve. And that’s important, because although some specialist vehicles will be exempt from regulations in some Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZs), the rules are going to get tighter and the number of ULEZs is only going to grow – both in the UK and the rest of Europe.

‘We are already seeing sweepers with alternatives to diesel power, including hydrogen, electric, and hybrid models. But, generally speaking, this technology still has some way to go before it can truly replace diesel. We are working on an alternative solution at Hako, but we will only launch it once we’re totally satisfied with not only its low environmental impact but also its reliability and performance.’

14 LAPV December 2017

Finally, there’s safety, an area in which sweepers have developed rapidly in recent years. And when it comes to safety, Hako doesn’t just mean for other road users but also for the drivers and operators of the machines themselves.

‘We have learned a lot in the industry in the last ten years about the health implications for users, and we have really focused on ergonomics. Operator comfort is a key selling point for sweepers these days, and we encourage our customers’ operators to test out Hako machines wherever possible. We have worked hard to make our cabs comfortable work spaces to maximise productivity.’

Hako cabs are designed with the operator’s ease, safety and wellbeing in mind. They feature adjustable steering columns and ergonomically-designed seats to cut vibration and help with posture.

They are also fitted with hot water heating and air conditioning.

Robust doors have sliding windows and folding exterior mirrors can be adjusted from inside the cab. Operating panels are set into the arm rest to allow one-handed operation of all sweeping functions.

‘Safety systems for other people in the vicinity of the street cleaning operation are also vital,’ says Alison. ‘There are a host of systems out there and different customers have their favourites, but whichever one they chose, we can easily fit and integrate the system with our machines and this is usually done before they leave our factory in Northamptonshire.’

Behind the scenes, of course, is the support network. Hako’s engineers ensure the equipment they supply is maintained and serviced throughout its lifetime. Hako-approved parts are stocked at the company’s depots at both Crick and Wakefield as well as on service vans for rapid delivery. Additional and more substantial stock is held at the company’s German factory to ensure parts levels are always maintained.

Hako also offers a range of maintenance options with various payment plans including lease, contract hire and outright purchase.

Once again, flexibility is the key word.

‘We’re positioning ourselves to provide customers with all the flexibility they require in today’s climate,’ says Alison. ‘Overall, this means we’re giving our municipal customers what they want: reliability, performance and value for money.’

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PLATOONING

A TWO-YEAR PROJECT INTO PLATOONING TRUCKS ON UK ROADS WILL INVESTIGATE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT AND BENEFITS OF THE PRACTICE FOR COUNTRY’S ECONOMY AND ROAD SYSTEM, INCLUDING ITS EFFECTS ON SAFETY, FUEL EFFICIENCY, AND CONGESTION. LOTTE DEBELL REPORTS.

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All the work that has been done until now on platooning has been fixed and predictable, but in the real world platoons have to fit around other road users so they need to be dynamic.

ichard Cuerden is the project director in charge of delivering the UK's platooning trial. He works at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), the independent organisation responsible for putting together the initial feasibility study on platooning as well as the methodology for the current trial. TRL will take the lead on the project working together with a number of partners.

Richard explains that the objective is to run ‘a holistic impact assessment’ that will look at the potential benefits to the UK. ‘Could platooning reduce congestion? Can it deliver fuel savings to truck operators? There is talk of savings of fuel savings of up to 10%, but will this hold up in real-world trials? That’s what we want to find out.'

He adds that all the evidence so far for platooning has come from demonstration projects in platoons of up to two trucks. 'These are projects run by engineers in ideal conditions. The technology has not yet reached the point where we can hand it over to operators to test over a period of months to assess the impact of its use in realworld conditions.’

This impact assessment will help the various stakeholders, such as road and vehicle operators, understand what the likely future benefits will be – if indeed there are any. And, while this is primarily a trial of platooning rather than driverless technology – the trucks will be controlled by drivers at all times – there will be a degree of automation involved and the testing of this technology will also provide insights into how autonomous vehicles can be safely and systematically introduced onto the road.

It is an ambitious aim and an expensive project, but as Richard points out, this is vital research. Automation is coming, whether we want it to or not – a recent study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers showed that 66% of people would feel uncomfortable travelling in a driverless car at 70mph, and 50% believe humans

16 LAPV December 2017

make better drivers than computers – and technology in the automotive industry is accelerating at a pace akin to the communications world a decade ago on the eve of the launch of the first iPhone.

‘Ten years ago none of us had iPhones, none of us had tablets, and none of us had any idea that we could be as connected as we are today,’ says Richard. ‘Just imagine what might happen to the vehicle industry in the same time period. So, given that this is going to happen, this trial will start to answer some of the questions about how this kind of technology will work to ensure that it happens in a safe and coordinated way. And we also want to make sure that the UK’s engineers and scientists are in a good position in the early stages to learn and gain from it as much as possible.’

The project requires a significant degree of multidisciplinary working so TRL has put together a team of partner companies with a focus on exploiting and enhancing the skills and knowledge available in the UK to cement the country’s skills base in this area.

‘Our partners include DAF trucks, which are made in the UK, while another British company, Ricardo, is providing some of the technology to allow the trucks to platoon. We are also involved with DHL, because we need a big operator willing to work with us to run the trial on the operational side.’

Other project partners include Transport Systems Catapult, the UK’s technology and innovation centre for intelligent mobility, which will bring additional understanding on the safety side; the Millbrook test track, where the vehicles will be tested; TNO, which is currently leading the Dutch platooning trials and will provide reciprocal representation to the UK and Dutch advisory groups; Costain, a strategic partner to Highways England, bringing an in-depth knowledge of the UK’s strategic road network; and Apollo Vehicle

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PLATOONING

Autonomous vehicle technology still far from accepted by the public Two new studies have shed light on public attitudes towards driverless cars, revealing that this technology still has a long way to go to achieve widespread acceptance.

A recent study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers found that 66% of people would be uncomfortable travelling in a driverless car at 70mph, and that age is a significant factor. While 45% of those aged 25-36 reported that they would be comfortable in a driverless car at this speed, this figure falls to just 8% of people over the age of 75. And women are more wary than men.

An attitudinal survey by Direct Line Group found similar results.

Reporting that safety continues to be the main concern, the group’s survey found that only 32% of respondents believe driverless technology will make roads safer, and 67% would prefer to be in direct control of the vehicle except in an emergency situation.

Both surveys found that the majority of people believe that humans make better drivers than computers. In the IME survey, 50% of people said they think humans are safer drivers, while only 18% of respondents in the Direct Line survey believe that computers make better decisions.

This lack of trust in the safety of driverless technology runs contrary to the evidence. As pointed out by the IME, 90% of UK road accidents are caused by driver error.

These results highlight the need for public education and raising awareness of the safety benefits of driverless technology. Paul Oldham, head of transport at the IME, believes it is vital for Government and manufacturers to build trust in the technology by conducting more

A 3d image of a platooning situation. ©Shutterstock

demonstrations and user trials, including demonstrations on city roads that would allow the public to experience these vehicles first hand.

Paul Geddes, the CEO of Direct Line Group, agrees. ‘Advances in driverless technology will cause seismic shifts for the motoring and insurance industry, and we need to understand what people’s attitudes, emotions and behaviours to this new technology will be. Our research illustrates the importance of communicating the benefits on road safety and supporting the public in the transition to driverless technology. We also understand the importance of educating the public on how to correctly use this technology so that the safety benefits can be realised.’

There are those who are more ready to embrace driverless cars, however. While early adopters of technology will be at the forefront of take up, both families and those who do not enjoy driving are more enthusiastic about the coming driverless revolution, according to Direct Line. Car enthusiasts and people who love driving are less excited.

The IME survey also found that, despite its potential to improve accessibility, public attitudes are currently lagging in this area. Just 23% of respondents said that people who are sight-impaired should be allowed in sole charge of a driverless car. This dropped to 12% for people who are intoxicated.

‘The benefits of driverless technology are huge. Not only could it help save hundreds of lives, but there are estimates that the overall UK economic benefit could be as much as £51 billion a year due to fewer accidents, improved productivity and increased trade,’ says Paul Oldham.

‘However, there is still a long way to go in terms of public approval.’

Safety, for its knowledge and expertise on safety.

The project client is the UK Department for Transport and Highways England.

There are four distinct phases to the project, and each one will have to be successfully completed before moving on to the next.

Phase one is to build the trucks that will take part in the trial.

These will have all the systems currently installed on HGVs, such as front cameras, auto braking, and radars to help them stay in lane and

maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, plus additional integrated systems, including wifi technology, that will enable them to platoon.

‘Then the trucks go onto the test track and we can start to build up our experience and knowledge of how these vehicles work,’ says Richard. ‘We will start with a platoon of two and move up to three and observe how the trucks perform. Once we have this information, we will work with DHL to find routes that are suitable for platooning based on what we have discovered on the test track and our own knowledge of the motorway system, looking at statistics such as junctions, congestion, and incident rates.’

Alongside the test track trials, TRL will conduct extensive off-road trials based on the training required for drivers of platooning vehicles.

‘We will also carry out simulations to observe how other road users such as car drivers interact with platoons. The whole study is grounded in taking our time and there are lots of checks and balances in place to ensure we can proceed safely to the road trials.’

Building a comprehensive safety case is the other key element of phase one, as the project cannot proceed to the next phase unless safety concerns are satisfied. This will assessed by an independent safety panel, which will look at evidence gathered in the initial phase to determine whether the safety case is good enough to proceed to road trials. If it isn’t, the project goes no further.

Richard is keen to stress the emphasis on safety because a project like this will always give rise to safety worries. Organisations such as the AA and the RAC, for example, have expressed concern that platooning vehicles will obstruct the visibility of other road users at critical points such as junctions. And there have also been concerns over automation. However, these are largely based on a misunderstanding of how the project and platooning itself will work.

‘Initial media coverage billed this as test-driving autonomous vehicles, but that’s not what this trial is about,’ says Richard.

‘Platooning trucks are very dynamic. All the work that has been done

18 LAPV December 2017

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PLATOONING

From left to right: Nick Harris, commercial operations director, Highways England; Ron Borsboom, director of product development, DAF Trucks; Paul Maynard, Under Secretary of State for Transport; Richard Cuerden, chief scientist, TRL.

until now on platooning has been very fixed, very predictable, but in the real world platoons have to fit around other road users so they need to be dynamic.’

When in a platoon, the decisions are made by the driver of lead truck. This driver is steering and accelerating. Drivers two and three are just steering. ‘Trucks two and three will know what truck one is doing at all times, and the drivers will see the road ahead as truck one’s driver sees it. However, each of them can decouple from the platoon at any time.

When the platoon comes to a junction, for example, the drivers will make a decision based on numerous factors, including time of day and congestion, about whether to stay in the platoon or to decouple. What the technology does is give them all the information they need to help them make that decision.

‘In the future it may well be the case that the technology does it all for them,’ says Richard, ‘but we are not there yet. And it could be that we don’t see the kind of savings we expect in terms of fuel, etc, because the trucks are not in platoons the whole time.’

If the safety requirements are satisfied, the project moves into phase two and the trucks take to the road. When this is complete, TRL hands over to DHL to run the trial, and it is during this third phase that data will be collected on factors such as fuel savings and safety.

Phase four will see the team write up the results, and Richard says that the project will be deemed a success if it is delivered on time – by the end of 2019 – and the evidence is good. But that

20 LAPV December 2017

evidence could be for or against platooning. ‘This is a completely independent trial and if it reveals no benefits, that’s what we will report. However, if we find that platooning could be good for the UK economy, that’s when things will start to progress.’

What the future of platooning might look like is another question, but it will certainly require a degree of cooperation between technology companies and operators to coordinate and link up vehicles. ‘We could conceivably end up with a system whereby operators enter the details of their vehicles and their destination, and the system digitally maps out routes and introduces trucks to platoons along their journey. I believe that the goods and haulage industry will start to become much more about information and connectivity than the vehicles themselves.’

What this trial might mean for other types of vehicles is not clear at this stage, but a successful platooning trial and the oncoming automation of vehicles certainly poses some interesting questions for local authorities and their fleets.

As Richard points out, a number of automation projects are already underway, all the major vehicle manufacturers are investing in this area, and vehicles like RCVs are ripe for automation. At the current pace of change, by the time this trial ends, some of this technology might already be in use. Just like the communications industry on the eve of the smartphone revolution, there are big and exciting things ahead of transport. It’s very much a case of if, not when, these changes are coming, and how companies and operators can best take advantage.

Mercedes-Benz Unimogs conquer ice and fire in Cumbria.

The versatile Unimog can do the work of many different specialist vehicles. From gritting in winter to mowing in summer, plus dozens of applications in construction, cleaning and transportation, Unimog earns its keep, 365 days a year.

The Unimogs are superbly capable and are really the only viable option for the type of terrain we have to deal with.

Throughout winter they are right at home on Cumbria’s high fell routes, whatever the weather, and in summer they are perfectly capable of accessing fires which could be miles from the nearest road.

The Unimog’s relatively compact footprint is also a useful attribute when working on the narrowest county roads, many of which have high banks or stone walls at either side.

Cumbria County Council’s Transport Services Senior Manager, David Jenkinson

The Challenge Cumbria can justly claim to have the highest, most challenging terrain and the worst winter weather conditions of all England’s counties. With a territory that takes in the rugged fells of the Lake District and a chunk of the wild and remote North Pennines, Cumbria County Council needs the toughest, most capable vehicles to clear snow and ice for motorists.

Spring brings no respite for the versatile off-road trucks – rather than parking them up and waiting for the temperatures to plummet again, the Council removes their gritting and snow-clearing equipment and replaces it with 2,000 litre demountable water tanks, pumps and hoses. The trucks are then ready to tackle moorland and forest fires in the most hard-to-reach locations.

An all year round 2- in -1 solution Faced with a job of this magnitude, it should be no surprise that highways and fire chiefs rely on a pair of 4x4 Unimogs to spearhead their campaign to keep the county moving.

When the going gets tough, the crews responsible for keeping the hill roads open and tackling dangerous wildfires know they can depend on their trusty Mercedes-Benz Unimogs.

Visit mercedes-benz.co.uk/unimog to find out more.

Or to speak to a Unimog advisor for more information please call 0333 4141 906.

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

A push for electric trucks COME ALONG TO FUTURE FLEET FORUM 2018 TO SEE THE NEW FULLY-ELECTRIC 26-TONNE REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE CALLED ELECTRA. ELECTRA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WAS SET UP BY NRG'S SID SADIQUE AND RUSSSELL MARKSTEIN. THEY TELL ANN-MARIE KNEGT ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS NEW LAUNCH.

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Electra has its own on-board charger, so it is simply a case of plugging it into any three-phase socket.

n 7 November 2017 in a quiet corner at the Freight in the City Expo one of the most significant yet understated new vehicle launches took place. There was no fanfare, no swishing of curtains, no dry ice, no announcement and no prepublicity, just a chassis cab and a couple of familiar faces – Sid Sadique and Russell Markstein, the chairman and commercial director at NRG Fleet Services.

The chassis on display was a 26-tonne Mercedes Econic (with a different badge on the grill). The significance? It was 100% electrically powered. No engine, no gearbox, no AdBlue tank, no exhaust and no fuel tank. Just an electric motor and a bank of batteries neatly fitted to either side of the chassis rails.

Where did this vehicle come from? The company behind it is called Electra Commercial Vehicles and it is the brainchild of Sid Sadique and his colleagues at NRG. It was formed specifically to push electric vehicle products into the market, all with the backup of the NRG group of companies.

Electra has opened doors with manufacturers to collaborate in the development of EV technology, and this has proved invaluable – this kind of support is something that many other EV companies have struggled with. As Sid points out, the fact that NRG is a key partner to all the big truck manufacturers has given the new company access to decision makers and made Electra’s journey so much easier.

LAPV spoke to Sid early in 2017 and he stated then that he was looking at a battery-powered project. A few months later, the finished product has had its first public viewing and will also be on display at Future Fleet Forum in London in January 2018. Sid explains that Electra has concentrated its efforts on bringing to market electric versions of vehicles that work in city centres and have the highest environmental impact. Emissions and noise pollution are top of the list of issues for transport managers and vehicle operators, and in the long run, diesel will be banned from city centres.

Electra has prioritised low-entry chassis units such as the Econic from Mercedes Benz and the Dennis Eagle Elite, as these are usually the chassis of choice for delivery operators in the city, particularly with the additional challenges of the Direct Vision Standard in London.

The chassis on display at the Freight in the City Expo will be fitted with a Geesinknorba refuse body. A Dennis Elite narrow chassis is

22 LAPV December 2017

currently being converted and this will have an Olympus narrow body. Both will be fitted with Terberg bin lifts.

NRG commercial director Russell Markstein explains that a refuse collection application is a power-hungry and battery-demanding process, with the stop/start drive, a sweep plate cycling, a packer plate moving, and a bin lift lifting up to 1,500 bins. The 26-tonne Electra in this configuration will provide nine hours of operation or a range of 250km on a single charge. Depending on the power available at a depot, charging from empty to full can take as little as four hours and can certainly be completed overnight.

There is no need for special charging points, however, as the Electra has its own on-board charger, so it is simply a case of plugging it into any three-phase socket. The in-built Battery Management System is a computer-controlled charging and discharge system. It uses telemetry to monitor and control each battery cell, array and cassette, making sure the cell is working to its optimal capacity. The system incorporates solid state, liquid-cooled controllers and switch gear. The on-board battery charging system allows variable power inputs and controls each battery cell, ensuring optimal charging.

The Electra drive system uses the proven heavy-duty technology of permanent magnet motors. These motors have years of endurance work on trams and trains behind them. The vehicle application uses standard gearbox mounts and connections to the prop shaft. The permanent magnet drive motors are liquid-cooled,

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

ensuring they can withstand stop/start environments where high torque is utilised by the vehicle.

As there is no internal combustion engine, the auxiliary systems for air compressors, alternators, and air-conditioning are driven by specially-designed electric motor packs. These auxiliary motor packs also provide power to electric motors to drive hydraulic pumps, refrigeration packs and anything that traditionally requires a power take off.

This means there is no requirement to make modifications to the vehicle bodies. For example, a standard refuse collection body and bin lift can be fitted, and there is no requirement to use plug-in technology or electric bin lifts or tail lifts – they are all driven by the auxiliary motor packs.

Although unveiled as a refuse application, Electra is currently building a 26-tonne refrigeration truck with underslung tail lift, a builders’ merchant truck with a crane, and a tipper grab application.

Final plans are being drawn up for a car transporter as well, allowing car manufacturers to deliver their electric cars on an electric truck.

The technology is available on DAF, Iveco, Man and Isuzu chassis, with the latter already in operation as a 7.5t box van with tail lift.

‘In addition to the new trucks under build by Electra, we also recognise the opportunity to re-power existing vehicles that may not meet future exhaust emissions legislation or city requirements for clean air,’ says Russell. ‘All Electra technology and knowhow can be fitted to existing vehicles ranging from Euro 3 to Euro 6 technology.’

He explains that the retrofitting process for these vehicles is simple. ‘We remove the engine, gearbox, exhaust system, fuel tanks, and AdBlue systems and replace them with our technology. Battery packs are custom made, allowing for short or long-range operations.

All body work and power requirements can be catered for with electric drive.’

The Mercedes Econic chassis and Dennis Elite electric chassis will be on show at Future Fleet Forum on 24-25 January 2018, complete with Dennis and Geesinknorba bodies. The vehicles will be going out on customer trials straight after the event. Complete Electra refuse vehicles will be available for delivery in spring 2018.

Sid Sadique and Russell Markstein from NRG Fleet Services and Electra Commercial Vehicles. NRG is one of the main sponsors of Future Fleet Forum, where the Electra will be on show.

December 2017 LAPV 23

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

Future Fleet Forum 2018 AN EXHIBITION OF THE LATEST VEHICLES AND TECHNOLOGIES WILL RUN ALONGSIDE FUTURE FLEET FORUM ON 24-25 JANUARY 2018 IN LONDON. HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS. Advanced Vehicle Alarms, stand 1 The 2018 edition of Future Fleet Forum will see the first appearance by Advanced Vehicle Alarms, a supplier and business service partner of Brigade Electronics. The company will be featuring Brigade products such as Backeye360, bbs-tek, camera monitor systems, mobile digital recording, Sidescan ultrasonic sensors, and Backsense, and staff will be on hand to talk visitors through the installation of these systems and offer advice on meeting industry safety standards.

‘High quality vehicle safety devices such as those offered by Brigade are only effective if fitted by trained auto electricians,’ explains AVA managing director Samuel Scott. ‘AVA provides installation on commercial vehicles from cars to refuse vehicles and mobile plant equipment, and we are well known in the industry for our commitment to service and efficiency.’

Visitors can talk to AVA about meeting FORS, CLOCS, and Skanska specifications as well as the Mayor of London’s proposed new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for vehicles operating in the capital from 2020. The company can also advise on reducing insurance premiums for fleet operators, noise and safety issues, vehicle security, alarms, locks, and tracking systems.

‘We also offer Brigade’s lease scheme package, which can save vast sums in corporation tax for those struggling to equip fleets with all the new safety measures required,’ adds Samuel.

Aebi Schmidt, stand 2

Aebi’s Katerine Daunt. ‘It was launched last September and we have already had a number of orders from customers impressed by its array of special features, faster working times, and lower operating costs.’

Katerine adds that the company will use the event as a showcase for its newest technology and says visitors will have an opportunity to see the very latest machines. ‘Future Fleet Forum is very much in line with our company ethos of being innovative and forward looking, and our latest machines have been designed with the future in mind. This includes our new Evolution Smart (ES) control panel, our top-of-the-range control system that is found in the majority of Aebi Schmidt equipment, including the Street King 660.’

The Street King 660’s main functions are all controlled through the ES control system, either with the click-turn-push knobs, soft-key buttons or a capacitive 7-inch colour touchscreen. The system is also compatible with many new and exciting technologies like the Schmidt DMi telematics package.

Aebi Schimdt UK managing director Richard Bryant and local area sales manager David Strachan will be on hand to answer questions from visitors.

Allison Transmission, stand 15 A software package that improves fuel economy while maintaining performance and reliability will be on show at the Allison Transmission stand.

Fuel Sense 2.0 was launched in 2017 and has demonstrated the highest potential fuel savings in the most demanding, heavy start/stop-duty cycles, particularly those with vehicles operating in cities and congested urban areas.

The latest Euro 6-compliant Swingo 200+ street sweeper will be on display on the Aebi Schimdt UK stand at this year’s Future Fleet Forum. Combining powerful telematics and fleet monitoring technology with lower fuel consumption, lower emissions, lower noise, and improved operator comfort, the new Swingo is designed to be as environmentally and user friendly as possible.

The Peterborough-based winter maintenance and sweeping specialist will also have its Street King 660 large-sized sweeper on show. ‘This has been attracting a lot of attention from public sector fleet and plant managers,’ says

24 LAPV December 2017

In keeping with Future Fleet Forum’s focus on the technologies of tomorrow, Allison will also be previewing its first nine-speed transmission that is set to launch in 2020. ‘With a deep first gear ratio and excellent ratio coverage, the Allison nine-speed transmission provides significant fuel savings as the highly-efficient gear train allows the torque converter to lock up early in first gear,’ explains market development manager Nathan Wilson. ‘It also includes an integral engine stop/start system that provides immediate transmission engagement and vehicle hold while the engine is restarted.’

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

Nathan will be present at the event to meet with public sector fleet managers and discuss the transmission specification decisions facing fleets in fire, construction, refuse, road maintenance and distribution. ‘In these lines of work, vehicle failure is not an option, which is why Allison continues to develop fully-automatic transmissions that can handle difficult conditions and perform at peak level, every single day, while delivering fuel efficiency, superior performance and outstanding vehicle safety,’ he says.

Main sponsor: Assetworks, stand 6 Visitors to the exhibition can learn more about integrated and customisable solutions, including Capital Asset Management (CAM) and the Smartapps suite of mobile applications, at the Assetworks stand.

CAM is an integrated asset management solution that can support the common tasks and decisions that asset managers need to make on a daily basis. The software is designed to help determine the optimal life cycle for an asset, plan and budget for new and replacement assets, manage the process of requesting, ordering and receiving assets, and manage the disposal processes at the end-of-life. Capital Asset Management is the first asset management solution that can be integrated with any fleet maintenance application.

‘Our Smartapps suite of mobile applications offers fleets convenience, ease-of-use and integration of each application with the Fleetfocus fleet management solution,‘ says Nick Hill, director of new business and sales at Assetworks. 'Each application in the suite was designed with fleet professionals in mind, so they can go about their daily tasks with the convenience of mobile technology and the power of Fleetfocus.‘

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, stand 22 ‘Electric vehicles have a positive role to play in reducing transport emissions,’ says Emma Stutz, marketing manager for Bradshaw Electric Vehicles. ‘Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen first-hand how they can help our local authority customers to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Future Fleet Forum is a great opportunity to meet with fleet managers to showcase our new range of Goupil electric road vehicles, share our knowledge, and understand future needs.’

Goupil electric road vehicles are designed especially for fleet last mile delivery and service operations and come in 11 models. They have N1 and L7e road approval and are compact and manoeuvrable, with a maximum speed of 31 mph, a range of 50 miles, and a payload of up to 1,200 kg.

They are also silent, have zero emissions, and come with a lithium-ion battery option for a faster recharge.

‘We introduced the range in the UK earlier this year,’ says Emma. ‘The vehicles are designed from the ground up as 100% electric vehicles and are made by Goupil, part of the Polaris Group. These are innovative Europeanmanufactured commercial vehicles with a modular design that allows a multitude of body types to be fitted. It means there’s a huge range of options, including a pick-up, tipper, pressure washer, leaf collector, waste collector, cage body, van body, and more.’

CMS Supatrak, stand 16 CMS Supatrak will be showcasing its partnerships with manufacturers alongside its latest technological developments, including telematics systems that can be either standalone or manufacturer-fitted to major brands.

KINGS OF THE STREET A combination of fuel efficient engines, large hoppers and outstanding driver comfort provide greater operational efficiency to keep the Schmidt Swingo and the Street King 660 range sweeping for longer.

Every detail has been engineered to make the operator’s environment as beneficial as possible to achieving an efficient and productive sweeping operation.

For advice on how to improve the safety and efficiency of your sweeping operations, contact us now on 01733 363393.

DESIGNED BY YOU | ENGINEERED BY SCHMIDT

Sales 01733 363393 | Service 01733 363400 | Parts 01733 363363

www.aebi-schmidt.co.uk December 2017 LAPV 25

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

Software modules that C-trace will demonstrate at Future Fleet Forum include bin management; calculation and billing; collection scheduling; tracking and identification; route optimisation; Internet portals for admin; mapping tools; and apps. The company will also showcase its certified dynamic weighing system.

In addition, visitors can find out about RFID container identification services and mobile order management device.

Ian Martin adds: ‘We are not only providing everything UK operators want now but also the groundwork for the future. We are already successfully providing many new concepts such as domestic pay-by-weight collections in other countries. We believe Future Fleet Forum is the right place to introduce new ideas to the UK so they can become tomorrow’s reality.’

Main sponsor: Dennis Eagle/Terberg Matec, stand 8 ‘We’ll be focusing on technology and devices that help public sector fleet managers save money and sleep at night,’ says MD Jason Airey. ‘We can help fleet managers improve safety for staff and ensure both vehicle and driver compliance, as well as reducing operating costs and meeting emission targets.’

CMS recently partnered with Garmin to develop a range of connected navigation devices that integrate CMS telematics technology with Garmin’s range of vehicle navigation devices. ‘This is helping to reduce driver distraction by providing one in-cab screen for all vehicle telematics, navigation and workforce management,’ says Jason.

‘Visitors to the show will be able to talk directly to our experts and hear about other local authorities we’re already working with. We will have devices on hand to demonstrate how our technology works so you can see first-hand the ease and adaptability of our systems and we will be able to show you the savings and improvements that have been achieved.’

Dennis Eagle and Terberg are hoping to use Future Fleet Forum 2018 as an opportunity to gain feedback from customers and discuss current and future issues for the industry.

‘The exhibition provides us with a platform to discuss these issues with participants from a wide cross sector of industry, ranging from academics and industry bodies to the authorities and individuals who use our products and services on a daily basis,’ says sales and marketing director Richard Taylor. ‘This helps us to better understand the challenges facing the market so we can continue developing solutions to meet and overcome these.’

C-trace, stand 17 The C-trace stand will major on the future of waste management operations and efficiency savings. The company combines some of the industry’s most advanced software with top quality hardware and full support services to optimise operational efficiency.

From its UK base in Cambridge, C-trace already provides customers with a comprehensive range of products and services covering every aspect of waste and recycling collections. However, from its headquarters in Germany, it operates across Europe and beyond, providing innovations not yet adopted by the UK for further operational efficiencies.

‘Our software is available as individual modules so you can simply use what you need,’ says UK sales director Ian Martin. ‘It integrates seamlessly with other financial management software so is quick and easy to set up.’

26 LAPV December 2017

An understanding of the issues facing operators transporting heavy-duty construction materials in and around London informed the development of the latest addition to Dennis Eagle’s Urban Safety Vehicle range, which will be on show at the event.

The 6x2 rear-steer tractor unit is capable of carrying up to 44 tonnes. It was developed in partnership with Explore Transport and features Dennis Eagle’s Elite 6 cab, which offers excellent direct visibility. Narrowed ‘A’ and ‘B’ pillars aid peripheral vision to give an unobscured view and prevent traffic disappearing from sight, while longer, panoramic windows give enhanced over-the-shoulder visibility at junctions. The cab is also positioned closer to the road, giving drivers a better sense of the vehicle’s proportions and improved visibility of cyclists.

Visitors to the stand can find out more about the Urban Safety Vehicle range as well as other technologies such as the Dennisconnect telematics system. ‘Our offering is continually evolving to help our customers adapt in the face of changing legislation and more stringent targets,’ says Richard. ‘Our expertise in the waste and recycling sector can offer significant benefits across other industries and we are keen to engage with any businesses looking to improve fleet safety.’

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

Epic Media, stand 11 Visitors to Epic Media Group's stand will be able to see live demonstrations of just how quickly fleet graphics can be changed using the company’s graphics system. Epic will also have sample graphics available to show to visitors.

‘We will be showcasing our full range of fleet graphics,’ says owner Kevin Murton. ‘From our changeable graphic system to our full and partial vehicle wraps, we have a solution for every requirement. We also offer cab kits, depot signage and a range of bespoke printed rear-safety curtains for RCVs.’ Delegates at the event will be able to book a free vehicle audit. ‘Trained staff will go out to the client’s depots and offer further advice on how we can

work with them to ensure their fleet carries the best graphics and messaging to reach their chosen audience.’

The company is also looking for feedback on how it can continue to improve the standard of vehicle livery, while taking into account cost pressures and new legislation. ‘We are also looking forward to celebrating innovation at the awards event,’ adds Kevin.

Faun Zoeller, stand 3 Visitors interested in alternative fuels should visit the Faun Zoeller stand, where the company is taking advantage of the forward-looking Future Fleet Forum

Call FDI on 020 8641 5601 or email: sales@fdi-european.com www.fdi-european.com

Fully automated systems, fast and safe with potential for revenue generation We design, supply, install, maintain and service all vehicle washing equipment including: • • •

Three brush rollovers Pressure & steam cleaners Under chassis washers

• •

Water reclamation systems Rain water harvesting

FDI-European, 140 Brighton Road, Burgh Heath, Surrey KT20 6AQ December 2017 LAPV 27

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

platform to highlight its work in this sector. The company’s first hydrogenpowered Rotopress RCV is currently on trial in Berlin, and it will be focusing on the latest innovations and technologies at the event. ‘We want to lead the way in alternative fuel options,’ explains the company’s Stewart Gregory. ‘The team will be on hand to talk to visitors about what the future of waste management will look like.’

FDI European and WNV, stand 5 Find out more about vehicle cleaning solutions on the FDI-European and WNV-systems stand. The company manufactures, installs and maintains all types of manual and automatic wash systems and water reclamation equipment, and is offering a number of money-saving concepts specifically to visitors with vehicle fleets that need to meet mandatory cleaning requirements for local authority vehicles.

‘We have an automatic cold-water, low-pressure, vehicle under-chassis wash, which currently cleans six-wheeled RCVs ready for MoT inspection in 40 minutes,’ says FDI’s Alex Elbrow. ‘Or, we have a soft brush-enabled thorough clean of all vehicle body shapes via a gantry that can clean any size with reclaimed water and approved biodegradable detergents, with a fresh water rinse within five minutes for the largest vehicle.’

FDI also offers an automatic vehicle wash programme selection system for each individual vehicle in the fleet. ‘This enables the selection of the exact programme for that vehicle only,’ explains Alex. ‘It eliminates operator selection problems, vehicle and/or machine damage and can provide regular management information.’

Main sponsor: Geesinknorba, stand 4 Future Fleet Forum will see the UK unveiling of the world’s first fully-electric, rear-loading RCV, the Li-On Power Pro from Geesinknorba.

‘The Li-On Power Pro represents a true landmark on the timeline of the waste and recycling,’ says UK business director Mick Hill. ‘Our Li-On technology is tried, tested and proven. It has been successfully powering the lifting, compacting and packing mechanisms of our hybrid vehicles since 2013. And the body is our best-selling GPM IV, developed and launched in 2015. Now we have combined the two to produce a very practical all-electric vehicle.’

The vehicle is the result of a collaboration with Dutch electric vehicle specialists Emoss and has been designed for urban environments that typically feature short journeys between collections and short overall routes.

Operational trials began in Spain in spring 2017.

The Li-On Power Pro emits no CO2, NOx or particulates, so it can be used in low emission zones. It is also very quiet, and therefore ideal for early morning and late night collections, which can extend fleet working hours.

‘The limiting factor, of course, is the amount of energy a heavily-laden RCV needs to drive around routes. But several aspects of the Li-On Power Pro ensure the sums add up,’ says Mick. ‘Firstly, while the weight and volume of batteries is significant, there’s no diesel engine. That also means less wear and tear, fewer parts to go wrong and no diesel or Adblue to pay for and haul around. And the GPM IV body was designed with energy efficiency in mind.’

Johnston Sweepers, stand 9

The company also has a wash water collection and recycling system that will accept rain water catchment and has its own 24/7 dosing system, regardless of use or shut down, treating and eliminating bacteria including Legionellosis.

FDI and WNV offer systems for purchase, rental, lease and operating lease, and visitors to Future Fleet Forum can find out more about all the options, as well as booking a free-of-charge site survey.

FORS, stand 10 The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) will also be present at Future Fleet Forum to speak to delegates about how they can improve their company's safety performance. This voluntary accreditation scheme for commercial fleets promotes best practice to improve safety, efficiency and environmental performance in the sector, and will be using its presence at Future Fleet Forum to meet existing members and talk to new members or specifiers. Visitors can find out more about the scheme, get advice on their accreditation, or find out about new products and services for members.

28 LAPV December 2017

Johnston Sweepers has focused heavily on the development of alternative fuels and will be bringing all its latest innovations in this area to show customers at Future Fleet Forum. The company is committed to producing equipment that incorporates the latest technological advances in performance, efficiency, running costs and impact on the environment, and believes that sustainable sweepers are the way forward.

‘Our brand new world-class manufacturing plant in Surrey embodies our commitment to sustainable sweeper production in the UK,’ says sales and marketing manager Graham Howlett, ‘and it incorporates all the latest energysaving equipment, processes and technologies.’

As part of the company’s continued focus on new fuel technologies, the Johnston engineering team has worked with engine and chassis manufacturers to develop solutions for the future of cleaner sweeping, culminating in the launch of three alternative fuel options in 2016/17.

‘We believe that CNG is the way forward for truck sweepers, as it is the cheapest and cleanest burning transportation fuel available,’ says Graham.

‘CNG contains significantly less CO2, NOx and particulate matter than diesel at around 60% of the cost. In September, we launched our brand new CNGpowered VS651 hydrostatic sweeper to the market.’

Graham adds that as the electric option is favoured for small machines, Johnston also launched last year a fully-electric compact sweeper, capable of

FUTURE FLEET FORUM

eight hours of driving time while producing zero emissions. ‘We were also the first UK sweeper company to be granted approval to use hydrotreated vegetable oil as a fuel across our sweeper range. This requires no engine modifications and reduces hydrocarbons and NOx by almost a third.’

M6 Group, stand 12 The M6 Group is exhibiting for the first time at Future Fleet Forum in 2018, following its acquisition of the KNS brand earlier this year. The group will be exhibiting a KNS 26-tonne Demo at the event, which is based on the Mercedes Econic chassis with the Terberg Omni-Del Split Lift fitted to the rear.

The group doesn’t just supply new refuse vehicles, however. ‘We can also offer repair and maintenance packages, full vehicle refurbishments, parts supply, new bespoke body build and vehicle hire,’ says Dave Prince, sales and marketing director. ‘For those customers located close to our premises, we can even MOT your vehicles at our DVSA-approved testing facility, which is also approved for IVA testing. Come and have a chat at Future Fleet Forum and we can see how we can help you.’

Romaquip, stand 21 Kerb-sort recycling and winter maintenance is the focus of the Romaquip stand. The company currently has around 600 kerb-sort vehicles operating in the UK, and in 2017 announced new fleet roll outs to customers including Gloucester City, North Somerset, South Gloucester, Bath and NE Somerset,

East Devon, Cheltenham and Gloucester and East Ayrshire.

Romaquip is known for its stainless steel vehicle bodies. ‘These ensure our vehicles have a long life span and the lowest maintenance costs in the industry,’ says UK sales manager Matt Patanden. ‘In addition, our high payloads, low total life costs and long warranties and aftersales care means that operating our vehicles is an excellent investment.’

Visitors to the company’s stand at Future Fleet Forum can find out more about Romaquip’s vehicles as well the latest safety features.

Future Fleet Forum 2018 will take place from 24-25 January in London. A full list of exhibitors plus details of the conference and workshop programme is available on pages 30-37.

Day one will see a high-profile fleet management conference and panel discussion with the awards ceremony taking place in the evening. Day two features a series of interactive workshops covering everything from safety to skills and interoperability to procurement.

If you are a public sector fleet management professional and you have not already done so, don't forget to sign up to attend Future Fleet Forum 2018 at www.futurefleetforum.co.uk. The event is FREE to attend for public sector professionals and by attending both days you could gain up to 8.5 CPD hours certified by CILT.

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December 2017 LAPV 29

Future Fleet Forum 2018

Regis t Todayer

Brought to you by LAPV, CILT, the City of London, and the City of New York 24 January 2018

25 January 2018

High-profile fleet management conference and awards Guildhall, City of London

Interactive workshop day City of London Corporation Offices, City of London

Brought to you by

Raising international standards for public sector fleet managers The LAPV Future Fleet Forum will bring together fleet and transport managers from the public sector and its contracting organisations to address key challenges faced by our industry, including procurement issues, compliance, safety, and sustainability.

The Future Fleet Forum is the only international public sector fleet management event that offers new ways of thinking, examples of global best practice, and solutions to overcome the challenges of managing a fleet in a constantly changing political environment.

The event will be delivered by senior fleet management officials from two of the leading cities in the world, London and New York, as well as a range of international experts.

The welcome address will be delivered by Valerie Shawcross CBE, Deputy Mayor of Transport for London, and confirmed speakers include representatives from UPS, Vision Zero, the City of London Corporation, City of New York, CILT, City of London Police, London Borough of Hackney, University of Hull, King’s College London and more.

Attend both days and you can gain up to 8.5 CPD hours certified by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

Future Fleet Forum 2018 will offer a unique platform to network across the industry, and provides the opportunity to: • Learn about changes in legislation and fleet

procurement processes and procedures • Achieve a greater understanding about how local

authority fleet management works in different types of councils • Identify new ways to improve the efficiency of operations and reduce costs • See live vehicle demonstrations and meet with exhibitors from the industry • Gain CPD points, certified by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Make sure you don’t miss out on this unique event by registering your interest at www.futurefleetforum.co.uk.

Sponsors

FLEET SERVICES LTD

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

PROGRAMME DAY 1 Those attending day one of the conference can apply for up to five hours of CPD points awarded by CILT Opening and Introduction Christopher M Hayward, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Member for the Ward of Broad Street, City of London Ann Marie Knegt, Editor, LAPV Welcome Valerie Shawcross, CBE , Deputy Mayor of London for Transport Large-scale advanced-propulsion vehicle deployments • • • •

Learn how to create a world-class sustainable fleet operation Find out about best practices for strategic deployment of advanced-propulsion vehicles Learn about creating pathways to Government agencies and assistance programmes Find out how to make a return on investment for sustainable fleet operations

Michael G Britt Sr, Director of Maintenance and Engineering, UPS The impact of Brexit on fleet procurement: best practice and lessons learned from USA trade relations • Gain insightful detail on the possible trade procurement relations between the UK and the EU • Become up-to-date with significant best practice from established procurement systems in USA • Benefit from listening to an international authority on business and trade law and gain a high-level appreciation of the

changing demands and requirements in UK fleet procurement post Brexit Professor Christopher Bovis, Professor of International and European Business Law, University of Hull Electric technology for RCVs Alun Williams, Applications Manager, Geesinknorba Colin McMorine, Regional Business Manager, Geesinknorba Creating an innovation culture and achieving better recruitment practice • Find out how the RAF’s ‘Thinking to Win’ programme can work for your organisation • Find out how to double your innovation journey • Learn about the three key ingredients to focus brainpower on challenges and opportunities for success

Richard Atkinson, Director of Marketing and Communications, CILT Biofuel trials and creating a zero-carbon fleet • Gain an insight to the benefits of renewable biofuel • Learn about the successes and challenges of implementing electric vehicles and supporting charging infrastructure • Find out about potential developments for EVs and their infrastructure

Norman Harding, Corporate Fleet Manager, London Borough of Hackney Council Urban air pollution from road transport – good news and bad news • • • •

Learn about air pollution in comparison to legal limits, as well as the health impact Find out about progress on improving air pollution from road traffic Gain an understanding about non-tailpipe particle sources See evidence on the variable performance of selective catalytic converters to clean up NOX and NO2 from diesels

Dr Gary Fuller, Air Pollution Scientist, King’s College London How Vision Zero can contribute to safety and sustainability for vehicle fleets • Learn what Vision Zero tells us about our current vehicles and what can be achieved by a holistic approach • Find out what Vision Zero has meant so far and what it has achieved for public sector fleets worldwide • Find out how Vision Zero can help your fleet and authority and how it will affect the future of fleet management

Professor Claes Tingvall, Professor and Senior Consultant, ÅF Consulting, Sweden Understand your cradle-to-grave fleet data. Make smarter decisions • Learn how single-system integration with CAM (Capital Asset Management), Fleet Focus and Fuel Focus, or maintenance and

fuel systems can benefit you

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

PROGRAMME DAY 1 • Learn how to achieve compliance and how to remove single points of failure • Find out how to use life-cycle modelling by category and create the ability to build strategic replacement plans up to 20 years

out Nick Bridle, Professional Services Consultant – Fleet Management, Assetworks Implementing a responsible procurement strategy • Learn how to implement a responsible procurement programme • Find out how highlighting issues such as social value, environmental sustainability, and ethical sourcing at an appropriate level

can help achieve a better return on investment • Find out how responsible procurement of vehicles can significantly improve core local authority services, and lead to better

future contracts Christopher Bell FCIPS, Commercial Director, City of London The future of New York City’s fleet • Learn how the New York City Clean Fleet initiative has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50% • Find out what New York City’s Vision Zero programme has done for safety, and how the fleet is playing a leading part • Find out how innovations in fleet procurement for the largest municipal fleet in the world can work for your fleet as well

Keith Kerman, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fleet Officer, City of New York Final panel debate: Changes in Government administration, how policy changes will affect your operation, and how to steer your department through tumultuous times Christopher M Hayward, City of London Panellists: Michael G Britt, UPS Keith Kerman, City of New York Dr Gary Fuller, King’s College London

Professor Chris Bovis, University of Hull Richard Atkinson, CILT Norman Harding, London Borough of Hackney Christopher Bell, City of London

Claes Tingvall, ÅF Consulting, Sweden Close of conference Christopher M Hayward, City of London Ann Marie Knegt, Editor, LAPV Drinks reception and dinner followed by LAPV Future Fleet Awards

DAY 2 Those attending day two of the conference can apply for up to 3.5 hours of CPD points awarded by CILT Fleet and road safety workshop • • • •

Learn about the importance of driver training, education, and messaging Find out about tracking collisions in a global fashion to review issues and trends Learn about the development and implementation of the New York City Safe Fleet Transition Plan Find out how to use vehicle telematics to monitor overall driver behaviour and significant events

Eric Richardson DCFMO, Deputy Chief Fleet Officer, New York City Sheila Moules, Behaviour Change and Campaigns Officer, City of London Driver and mechanic shortage workshop, plus how to champion our industry and attract new talent / NYC education initiative at schools.

Find out about the barriers for entry for new drivers and mechanics Find out what ‘Championing the Industry’ looks like Find out how to attract new talent, and what works and what does not Find out how the New York City Fleet has a successful partnership with the public high schools and colleges to promote automotive education including paid internships, equipment and support • Learn how New York City is growing partnerships and efforts to establish pathways to employment in the fleet industry, public and private • • • •

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

PROGRAMME DAY 2 • Learn how London’s City Mark aims to influence the level of Work Related Road Safety (WRRS) compliance on construction

sites in the City of London, helping to reduce risks for vulnerable road users Austin Birks FCILT, Chair – Bus & Coach Forum Chair/CILT Transport & Logistics Safety Forum Vice Chair, CILT Eric Richardson, Deputy Fleet Manager, City of New York Fleet consolidation, interoperability between departments, and procurement strategies • Learn how New York City completed a major consolidation of fleet services involving light and heavy-duty repair, auto parts,

and auction • Find out how New York City implemented a culture of sharing across agencies for daily fleet servicing, pool cars, and contract

specifications • Learn how the City of London’s experience of reducing fleet and working collaboratively across departments to utilise vehicles

and plant • Find out how the City of London procured contracts and how other departments benefited for their vehicle repairs and

services from the contractor • Find out how the City of London reviewed its fleet and maximised the sale of the vehicles and plant at auction with a job lot

Keith Kerman, Chief Fleet Officer, City of New York Arend Mouton, Fleet Manager, City of London Police Vince Dignam, Business Performance Manager, City of London Final discussion and close Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor, LAPV

Apply for an invite to our brand new and exhilarating hosted event. . .

To discuss how you can receive an exclusive invitation to take part, please call: Jason Pidgeon on +44 (0)20 7973 4645 email j.pidgeon@hgluk.com

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

Speaker biographies Richard Atkinson

CBE MA FCILT FRSA MIoD MCIPR MA Director of Marketing and Communications CILT Richard Atkinson served in the RAF, joining as a fighter pilot in 1982. In January 2012, he was posted as Head of RAF Media and Communications and was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as a Commander. Most recently he served as RAF Corporate Development Officer to redouble the RAF’s innovation culture.

Michael G Britt Sr

Director of Maintenance and Engineering UPS Michael Britt has spent 31 years at UPS, working in capacities including operations, industrial engineering and automotive engineering. Michael has led efforts in alternative fuel projects and technology development for the US and international fleets, including compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, electric technology, hydrogen fuel cells, and hybrid vehicle development, including both hybrid and electric.

Christopher Bell FCIPS Commercial Director City of London

Christopher Bell has over 20 years of experience in leading procurement and commercial functions specialising in business transformation, outsourcing, and category management development. He currently leads a 60-person department at City of London. The transformation of City procurement led to him being named as the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s Management Professional of the year in 2016.

Vince Dignam

Business Performance Manager City of London Vince Dignam has been in the transport industry for over 30 years. His main duties involve coordinating the cleansing, waste and transport contracts for the City of London. He is the ‘O’ licence holder for the City of London and responsible for the implementation of the Corporate Transport Policy.

Vince is a member of CILT, a member of CIWM, a Carmen Liveryman and Freeman of the City of London. In 2017, Vince became Chairman of the FORS Executive Group. He is also a CLOCS Champion promoting work-related Road Risk Strategy.

Austin Birks

FCILT Bus & Coach Forum Chair / CILT Transport & Logistics Safety Forum Vice Chair CILT In addition to his roles at the CILT, Austin Birks is Head of Business Development for uTrack Software Solutions, a multiple award-winning company that makes apps for transport companies (including National Express Coach UK and Greyhound across North America). In 2006, Austin won an award from the EU for ground-breaking recruitment innovations.

Dr Gary Fuller

Air Pollution Scientist King’s College London

Professor Christopher Bovis JD, MPhil, LLM, FRSA Professor of International and European Business Law University of Hull

Dr Gary Fuller is an air pollution scientist at King’s College London. He led the development of the London Air Quality Network and has pursued network data analysis techniques to characterise trends in the sources of urban air pollution and, importantly, the impact of policies to clean the air that we breathe. He also works closely with toxicologists and epidemiologists to investigate the impact of urban air pollution on our health.

Professor Christopher Bovis is a leading authority in public procurement and public-private partnerships, specialising in all areas of European business law, antitrust law and policy, with particular emphasis on public sector management.

He advises national governments in public sector reforms and has acted on behalf of public sector industries on numerous high-profile projects.

Norman Harding

Nick Bridle

MIRTE SOE, MICFM CMILT Assetworks Nick Bridle is a Professional Services Consultant – Fleet Management Systems for Assetworks. Before that, he was Plant Manager at the Royal Mail Operations in the Dorset Mail Centre. He also worked as the Area Transport Manager for Hampshire and Dorset, where he was responsible for a £8.5m budget, and 1,122 vehicles based at 67 offices.

MIRTE MSOE Corporate Fleet Manager London Borough of Hackney Council Norman Harding provides cost effective fleet and services support for Hackney Council’s internal customers, and is responsible for 460 vehicles. He coordinates asset and service contract procurement to maximise value, with an emphasis on legal compliance, cost efficiency, safety, continuous improvement and environmental sustainability. Norman has considerable experience of implementing alternative fuel technology including LPG, electric and hybrid vehicles, and high-blend UCO biodiesel. He also chairs ALTO, a voluntary network of senior transport managers from the 33 London authorities.

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

Speaker biographies Christopher M Hayward

Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Member for the Ward of Broad Street City of London Corporation Christopher Hayward is a former Deputy Leader of Hertfordshire County Council and was elected to the Common Council of the Corporation of the City of London for Broad Street Ward in March 2013. He serves as Chairman of the City’s Planning and Transportation Committee. Chris has also been Churchwarden at St Margaret Pattens and Chairman of The Trustees of the Friends of St Margaret Pattens. He is a former chairman of the Broad Street Ward Club, a member of the Candlewick Ward Club, Life and Council member of the City Branch of the Royal Society of Saint George and a Life and Court member of The Guild of Freemen.

In addition, he is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers.

Eric Richardson

Deputy Chief Fleet Management Officer City of New York Eric Richardson first entered the world of fleet in 2002 via the information technology side managing NYC’s first citywide fleet management system. He coordinated special projects including working on the upgrade of the citywide fleet management system, the citywide replacement of fuel cards for over 12,000 vehicles and 24/7 fueling with the National Guard after superstorm Sandy. As a member of the Vision Zero Task Force, Eric is continuing work on the largest municipal roll-out of truck side guards, a robust vehicle telematics program, and ensuring that all of the city’s non-emergency authorised drivers have taken the New York State-authorised defensive-driving programme.

Keith Kerman

Chief Fleet Officer City of New York Keith Kerman is a Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and New York City’s first Chief Fleet Officer. Keith is an agency lead for Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities in NYC and is currently spearheading a series of safety initiatives for the city’s fleet. New York City has the largest municipal fleet in the United States with over 30,000 vehicles, 80,000 fleet operators, and more than 2,000 staff engaged in fleet operations and servicing. It also has one of the greenest fleets in the USA, with more than 17,000 vehicles operating on some type of alternative fuel including hybrids, electric, compressed natural gas, and biodiesel.

Chris Ruane

Public Authority Development Officer CILT Chris Ruane MILT is the Public Authority Development Officer for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Chris’ role is to support individuals and organisations working within the public sector, in particular membership, training, and the Institute’s Public Sector Benchmarking Club: Palmark.

Prior to joining the CILT, Chris was with the Freight Transport Association for 14 years, again working with the public sector, and has also worked for the Road Haulage Association and the National Bus Company.

Sheila Moules

CMILT Behaviour Change and Campaigns Officer City of London Sheila Moules started her career as a Class 1 HGV driver in the armed forces, and has since worked in the transport and logistics industry for over 25 years.

Since 2014, Sheila has led on the delivery of work related road risk to improve the overall levels of safety, efficiency and environmental protection within the construction and haulage industry. Most recently she has been leading on the development of City Mark; a new initiative that seeks to understand the level of Work Related Road Safety compliance (CLOCS and FORS) within the City of London. In 2016, she was granted the Honorary Freedom of the City for her continued achievements and contributions to Road Safety at the City of London Corporation.

Graham Sheen

Business Services Secretary (Benchmarking) CILT Graham Sheen is the Business Services Secretary (Benchmarking) for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Graham’s role is to facilitate the day-to-day running of the Logmark, Busmark and Palmark benchmarking clubs, annual surveys, results analysis and meetings.

Prior to joining the CILT, Graham worked as a Prisoner Activity Management Officer for the Ministry of Justice, through HMP Gartree, and has also worked with RS Components and the Chartered Management Institute.

Arend Mouton

Vehicle Fleet Manager City of London Police Arend Mouton started work at City of London Police in 2002 and became the Fleet Manager in November 2006. He is a chartered member of CILT and recently became a Freeman of The City of London. Arend is also Secretary for the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) and involved in its Strategic Development Group. He has been at the forefront of emergency vehicle engineering and procurement: exchanging specifications and best value outcomes to standardise vehicle specifications and aggregating buying volumes. Arend also heads up two purchasing groups using innovative procurement methodology, such as life cycle based e-auctions and a whole life cost assessment ,whilst reducing the maximum permissible CO2 emissions from those vehicles considered for procurement.

Claes Tingvall

Professor and Senior Consultant ÅF Consulting, Sweden Claes Tingvall is Professor and Senior Consultant at ÅF in Sweden. He was former Director of Traffic Safety at the Swedish Transport Administration and was involved from day one in the development of Vision Zero. Claes Tingvall is an epidemiologist with a PhD from Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. He also has a Doctor of Science degree hc from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was Director and Professor of Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Claes Tingvall has been Chairman of the Board of Euro NCAP and Chairman of ISO PC 241 responsible for the development of ISO 39001, the management system for traffic safety.

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

Future Fleet Awards 2018 Have you got what it takes to be the best in the industry?

Wednesday 24 January 2018 | Guildhall, City of London, UK

The most innovative strategic, safety, and sustainability initiatives in the UK fleet management sector will be recognised at a lavish awards ceremony at LAPV’s Future Fleet Forum in January 2018.

Sponsored by NRG Fleet Services, the awards ceremony in hosted by Sir Richard Noble, the world’s landspeed-record holder.

Held at London’s Guildhall on 24 January 2018, the event will hand out awards to public sector organisations in three categories: • Best fleet/road safety initiative • Most innovative fleet management strategy • Most sustainable fleet management department.

A high-profile judging panel has been put together that combines knowledge and expertise in fleet management from London to New York.

The Judging Panel: Keith Kerman Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fleet Officer, City of New York Eric Richardson Deputy Fleet Officer, City of New York Vince Dignam Business Performance Manager, City of London Arend Mouton Vehicle Fleet Manager, City of London Police Chris Ruane Public Authority Development Officer, CILT Graham Sheen Business Services Secretary (benchmarking), CILT Ann-Marie Knegt Editor of LAPV and Fire & Rescue magazines

Public sector organisations and contractors can enter by submitting a 750-1,000 word case study on their project, which should include the challenge that was addressed, the situation prior to the implementation of the new strategy, how the solution was implemented and which service providers were involved. The case study can include pictures, videos, and hyperlinks to relevant news coverage.

Submit your entries: A submissions portal is available on www.futurefleetforum.co.uk. Submissions can also be sent to LAPV editor Ann-Marie Knegt: am.knegt@hgluk.com In selecting the winners, the judges will score submissions on the following criteria: innovation; use of technology; management of staff; public engagement; savings made; improvement of service to the public; improvement for internal organisation; staff engagement; sustainability; and safety.

The winners in each category will receive a two-page write up on their project in LAPV, a Future Fleet awards statue, and the right to display the Future Fleet winners’ badge on their literature.

The deadline for submissions is 20 December 2017 and the shortlist will be revealed on 6 January 2018.

To reserve your place at the awards dinner contact Jason Pidgeon for more information: j.pidgeon@hgluk.com +44 (0)20 7973 4645

www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

Future Fleet Forum 2018 3 easy ways to register Register online at www.futurefleetforum.co.uk

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Exhibiting and Sponsorship Opportunities Please contact Jason Pidgeon today at +44 (0)20 7973 4645 j.pidgeon@hgluk.com

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CASE STUDY

Winning streak T

The RTV-X900’s variable hydraulic transmission offers improved operator control, featuring speed ranges that are selected while stationary.

he history of Mote Park in Kent stretches back to the early 13th century. Today, the 180-hectare park is open the public with its grassland, woodland, rivers and 30-acre lake attracting over 1.6 million visitors per year following a massive redevelopment project that got underway in 2011. That project not only improved the green space for public use, but its success – by attracting far greater visitor numbers – put extra strain on the grounds maintenance team, which required the latest equipment to stay on top of the increased workload.

The park’s investment came about as a result of a £1.8-million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which was added to by the local council to bring the total investment up to £2.5 million. The redevelopment programme means that the park now offers visitors a wide range of sporting activities including football, rugby, and water sports. For a more relaxing experience, individuals can complete forest walks, take a ride on the model railway, or partake in other events at the Maidstone leisure centre.

Yearly visitors have more than doubled since the redevelopment of Mote Park’s three improved visitor hubs as people flock to the park for after-work and weekend activities.

In addition to the renovation of the vast site, Maidstone Borough Council employed an audience development officer to support its daily activities and operations. The increased footfall has required greater maintenance, a responsibility led by park supervisor Christopher Wilding, and his team of 12 grounds maintenance professionals.

To ensure the park is kept in a pristine condition, Christopher’s team required equipment that enabled them to manage the vast, busy, and ever-changing site at all times with ease. To meet this need, Maidstone Borough Council purchased Kubota’s RTV-X900 utility vehicle, acquired from Lister Wilder’s Ashford depot. The utility vehicle completes a range of tasks, including helping to move people, tools and materials efficiently, along with navigating tight and sometimes inaccessible areas.

With its a 21.6 hp three-cylinder diesel engine, Kubota’s RTVX900 offers the team exceptional power on demand, resulting in dependable performance even on the harshest terrains. Paired with an improved variable hydraulic transmission with oil cooler, its wide torque band and large oil coolers make for a machine that offers improved performance, particularly for prolonged periods of time, ideal for use across such a huge area.

38 LAPV December 2017

THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TEAM AT MAIDSTONE COUNCIL IN KENT HAS KEPT ON TOP OF THE INCREASED DEMANDS OF MOTE PARK’S 1.6 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS – AND EVEN WON GREEN FLAG AWARDS – WITH THE HELP OF A KUBOTA RTV-X900 UTILITY VEHICLE.

The RTV-X900’s variable hydraulic transmission also offers improved operator control, featuring speed ranges that are selected while stationary, reducing the need for Christopher Wilding and his team to change gear so often.

‘The RTV-X900 is a huge help with everything from the everyday maintenance of sports pitches to tending shrub beds and gathering litter,’ says Christopher. ‘Having experienced such a dramatic increase in visitors, the time we have available in which to get jobs done has decreased significantly. With the Kubota RTV-X900 at the forefront of our fleet, we’ve been able to raise our levels of operation and tackle the challenge head on.’

He adds: ‘With such a large area to cover, it is essential that we have a machine that we can rely on. I had used a Kubota RTV previously at the council’s crematorium, so I knew that the RTV-X900 would be perfect for Mote Park. The machine is compact, which means that while it is fairly small, its load-carrying capacity is excellent, helping us move people, equipment and waste across the park with ease. Plus, as a 4x4, the RTV is incredibly useful to us as we go off-road frequently throughout the day.’

For off-road use, the RTV-X900’s limited-slip front differential on the front axle increases traction for a more controlled, smoother ride on rough or muddy terrain.

‘The ergonomic design and comfort of the machine also makes it a pleasure to operate,’ says Christopher. ‘It is rare to find a machine like this that is so easy to control but so strong in performance. With a wide variety of activities going on at the park, the RTV is a great asset, simply because of how versatile it is.’

The machine’s strength allows for an impressive 1,000 kg towing capacity, while its all-round independent suspension system delivers a comfortable ride over the most rugged terrain. In addition, the machine’s maximum ground clearance of 263mm gives the team enough belly room to deal with the deep ruts that can be found throughout the woodland areas.

‘What’s great about Kubota is the aftersales support and our strong relationship with our dealer, Lister Wilder,' adds Christopher.

'Our continued communications mean that they are always there if we need them, so our operations are very rarely disrupted.’

The team are understandably proud of the park’s success, having come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Their efforts have already won two Green Flag Awards from Keep Britain Tidy, a winning streak they are determined to continue.

Apply for an invite to our brand new and exhilarating hosted event. . .

To discuss how you can receive an exclusive invitation to take part, please call: Jason Pidgeon on +44 (0)20 7973 4645 email j.pidgeon@hgluk.com

SAFETY SYSTEMS

A direct vision on safety SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS FOR LARGE VEHICLES ARE ONCE AGAIN UP FOR DEBATE FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MAYOR OF LONDON’S NEW DIRECT VISION STANDARD. TOM BRETT FROM BRIGADE ELECTRONICS TELLS LAPV WHY THE FUTURE OF VEHICLE SAFETY MUST INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY.

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The Direct Vision Standard, implemented by Sadiq Khan, uses a star rating to assess vehicle safety based on how much the driver can see directly from their cab.

he Mayor of London’s proposal to incorporate technology into the Direct Vision Standard for HGVs finally recognises the role that technology has to play in vehicle safety and brings the standard into line with industry trends. So says Tom Brett, managing director of Brigade Electronics, who has long believed that design must work together with technology to bring the safety improvements operators are looking to achieve.

The Direct Vision Standard was launched by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in 2016 to improve the safety of road users, particularly vulnerable road users, and rates HGVs using a star system from zero (lowest) to five (highest), based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab windows, as opposed to indirectly through cameras or mirrors. However, from 2020, the standard will recognise the use of safety devices on vehicles, including cameras and sensors, in addition to the visibility standards.

The addition of the technology element has been welcomed by Brigade and others as a recognition of where the vehicle safety sector is heading, and because it helps to provide further clarity on an issue that has a complex history.

Five years ago there were around ten different safety specifications for various sites, and fleet operators were understandably confused.

The introduction of CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety) and FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) created joined up thinking across multiple industry sectors and replaced previous specifications. Then the two standards were aligned at silver FORS level and everyone understood the requirements, safety was improved and the schemes were hailed a success.

‘However, then different cities started discussing their own specifications, while many local authorities signed up to FORS, albeit mainly those in London,’ says Tom. ‘And the Mayor of London announced that there were still too many accidents with vulnerable road users and heavy vehicles and in 2016 launched the DVS for HGVs, rating them according to visibility from the cab windows.’

What the standard did not include was any provision for sensors or camera monitor systems or schemes such as FORS and CLOCS. Instead, it concentrated purely on vehicle design and encouraged use of concepts like the new Mercedes Econic with lower cabs, more glass, and fewer blind spots.

‘The changes to vehicle design to improve driver visibility were a great idea but cannot replace vehicle safety devices and in some cases have created their own problems,’ says Tom. ‘For instance, the glass panel door on the nearside helps to improve visibility until someone sits in the passenger seat or a bag is placed there. A dirty glass panel or severe weather conditions may also affect visibility. For

40 LAPV December 2017

all these reasons, 360° cameras systems and ultrasonic proximity sensors are essential to provide the driver with full vision around the vehicle and alert him in the event that he has not seen an obstacle.

After all if you are not looking, you will not see.’

It seems that these arguments have been heard, as in October 2017 the Mayor announced an updated version of the DVS which would include the use of cameras and sensors. Under the updated standard, vehicles with a DVS rating of one star and above will be granted a permit but those rated at zero will require additional vehicle safety devices.

Samuel Scott is managing director of Advanced Vehicle Alarms, a Brigade service partner based in south east London. He agrees that there are still some issues with the new vehicle designs. ‘We have started fitting forward-facing cameras to the mirror arm on the Mercedes Econic vehicles. Customers couldn’t understand why, until the sun glared and they had to pull down their large sun visors and realised they could no longer see the class six mirrors. The new vehicle designs have improved visibility but not to the extent that they can replace cameras.’

The Freight Transport Association also campaigned for the use of technology to be included in the Direct Vision Standard and has warned that the final specification is still uncertain.

'The FTA has always argued that, in the long term, the really significant road safety improvements we want will be delivered through technology and we are glad that this point, which we have made repeatedly to the Mayor and TfL, is now being listened to,’ says Natalie Chapman, FTA’s head of policy for London.

'However, to ensure that the capital’s businesses are able to plan and function effectively, it is imperative we have clarity as soon as possible about what the final DVS scheme is going to require.’

‘Most vehicle specifications including FORS, CLOCS, Skanska and HS2 require members to fit cameras, sensors and reversing alarms,’ adds Tom Brett. ‘The Mayor’s latest proposals it seems, are only just recognising that trend and bringing the Direct Vision Standard in line with what is already widely accepted as the norm.’

The latest safety systems for RTS Waste RTS Waste is a provider of integrated waste management and skip hire that services London, Kent and Somerset. With a mixed fleet of 40 vehicles ranging from 3.5-tonne caged vehicles up to 44-tonne roll-ons, skip lorries and articulated vehicles, safety is a serious concern.

RTS Waste’s entire fleet is fitted to the highest safety specification with a full suite of Brigade Electronics systems including Backeye360 for a birds-eye view around the vehicle and a four-way camera system recorded by Brigade’s MDR. The vehicle's nearside is fitted with Sidescan, which is ideal for detecting cyclists in the blind spot when a vehicle is turning left and then alerting the driver to look at his monitor, while Backchat provides a real speech warning system to the cyclist or vulnerable road user to alert them to the truck turning.

The company has even gone one step further than its silver FORS requirements by having Sidescan and Backchat fitted to the right hand side of its vehicle. Finally, Brigade’s bbs-tek white sound reversing alarms are fitted to the rear of the vehicles to warn that the vehicle is manoeuvring without causing a noise nuisance.

For Matt Jeffry, transport manager at RTS Waste, the changes to the DVS are very welcome. ‘Any measures to improve safety for vulnerable road users are a good idea, and extra glass and better vision will help. However, low-cab vehicles are not ideal in construction or landfill. With properly installed kit including double Sidescan and Backey360, vehicle blind spots are greatly reduced.’

According to Matt, the drivers also appreciate the use of the safety systems. ‘The driver’s love it. If they haven’t done anything wrong, it protects them and if they have done something wrong, it helps them to learn not to do it again. We review the recordings for driver training purposes and the cameras have also proven their worth by recording an incident of theft.’

RTS Waste has realised cost savings by fitting Brigade’s products.

Three years ago the company’s insurance premiums were excessively high and it was paying out for disputed claims. Now its premiums are down and pay outs have been reduced. ‘The Brigade systems have more than covered their costs,’ says Matt.

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PRODUCT NEWS

Safe and stable PREVENT VEHICLE ROLLOVER AND REDUCE THE RISK OF DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL WITH THE NEW DIGITAL VEHICLE STABILISATION DEVICE FROM INCLISAFE.

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The Vext Inclisafe has already been implemented in Spain, in Madrid and Burgos, and in the forestry and rural firefighting sectors.

digital stabilometer originally developed for the military is now available for use in municipal, agricultural and forestry vehicles.

The Vext Inclisafe provides the driver with a visible and acoustic warning when the vehicle becomes unstable, which allows for corrective action to take place.

Municipal vehicles and machines are at risk of rollover because of their increased weight and high gravity and load centres when in motion. The risk of turnover depends on the design of the vehicle and the equipment that it is carrying – tractors, for example, are particularly at risk – and also the terrain that is being covered.

These incidents are fortunately rare, but when they do occur the impact can be considerable. Not only is there the obvious risk to the vehicle operator and damage to the vehicle itself, but the collateral damage in the immediate environment, especially in a densely populated urban environment. For this reason, Inclisafe is already being employed to stabilise working vehicles all over the world.

Use of the device can also reduce vehicle downtime in case of a rollover incident, and the cost of repairs.

The Vext Inclisafe technology has already been implemented in Spain, in Madrid and Burgos, and in the country's forestry and rural firefighting sectors. In fact, the Spanish Ministry of Work recommends the use of the device for vehicles involved in agricultural work such as grounds care. In total, some 450 units are currently deployed around the world.

The equipment works by processing the signals from a series of internal sensors, which in turn provide a series of dynamic parameters (speed, acceleration, angular velocity, and inclination, etc). By using this information, along with the inertial dimensions and properties of the vehicle, the device calculates stability at a rate of ten times per second, which is quantified as a percentage of the maximum stability the vehicle could attain.

Based on the calculated stability at each instant – where 100% stability refers to a standing horizontal vehicle and 0% implies the potential risk of immediate turnover – the device emits a lighted and acoustic signal of increasing frequency that is proportional to the decrease in stability. A display consisting of two contrasting LED bars indicates the direction and magnitude of the instability of the vehicle to the driver, and there are four levels of audible alarm.

Inclisafe is universal and can be configured for any kind of municipal vehicle or machine at risk of rollover, and the stability percentages can be adjusted based on experience and knowledge of a particular vehicle. This means that not only is the risk of rollover reduced but that drivers can also use the feedback provided by the unit to improve their understanding of the vehicle’s stability and therefore their own driving skills An internal memory, with a recording capacity of up to six months, stores all the data related to the vehicle. This information can be extracted and analysed using the Inclinsoft software to provide analysis of driver behaviour for use both in training and, in the case of an incident, to establish what went wrong.

42 LAPV December 2017

PRODUCT NEWS

Caught in a trap BALFOUR BEATTY HAS RETROFITTED DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTERS TO EXISTING MACHINES TO COMPLY WITH THE LONDON NON-ROAD MOBILE MACHINERY LOW EMISSION ZONE REQUIREMENTS.

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Balfour Beatty chose to retrofit Eminox's CRT system, which has reduced the company's emissions and vehicle downtime.

he Non-Road Mobile Machinery Low Emission Zone requirements came into force in September 2015 following research by the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. This estimated that diesel-powered NRMM used on construction sites in Greater London are responsible for 15% of Particulate Matter (PM10) emissions.

The London NRMM LEZ requires equipment from 37kW and 560kW used on construction sites to meet strict emissions standards.

Machines on sites in Greater London must meet Stage IIIA emissions regulations as a minimum, or retrofit best available technology, while those on sites within the Central Activity Zone or Canary Wharf must meet Stage IIIB as a minimum.

Balfour Beatty selected the Eminox Continuously Regenerating Trap (CRT) diesel particulate filter to retrofit to its machines. The Eminox CRT system has been specifically developed for use on NRMM. It is approved by the Energy Savings Trust and is VERT (Verification of Emission Reduction Technologies) certified.

The company opted to go down the route of retrofitting rather than purchasing new equipment as this has been demonstrated to be the most effective way of complying with the requirements of the London NRMM LEZ. It is also a significantly more cost-effective

solution than buying new equipment.

Balfour Beatty has so far fitted the CRT particulate filter to 13 machines including Kobelco piling rigs, Klem mini piling rigs, Pennine power packs and a Bauer crane. The CRT systems were fitted by Eminox’s installation team in conjunction with Balfour Beatty’s mobile mechanics.

‘We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and complying with the London NRMM LEZ is part of that,’ explained Brian Maxwell from Balfour Beatty. He said that the company had been looking for an alternative to replacing the machines, and chose the Eminox CRT system as it would enable the business to reduce its emissions and achieve compliance.

The solution also reduced downtime, with some machines back in operation within hours.

The Eminox CRT is a modular system and provides easy access to the filter for servicing. Balfour Beatty has been supplied with additional filters to avoid downtime when the original filters require cleaning.

NRMM that are retrofitted with Eminox CRT means that they are compliant for use anywhere within Greater London, including the Central Activity Zone and Canary Wharf.

Cenex conducts electric vehicle charge point feasibility study in Wrexham The feasibility of installing electric charging points across the county of Wrexham is to be assessed by Cenex. The not-for-profit transport and energy consultancy has been appointed by rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd and Wrexham County Borough Council to explore options for charge point locations and network specifications.

The study will take place from October to December 2017. It is being funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Cenex has been appointed to identify the most suitable locations for charging points and the most suitable type of charging point per location. It will also establish the suitability of using renewable technology for powering and charging of the charge points, consider options for public access, and recommend the most cost-effective and

most suitable charging points for areas across Wrexham County.

Donna Hughes, business partnerships officer for Cadwyn Clwyd, explained that rising demand for electric vehicles in Wrexham County has necessitated the provision of greener infrastructure. ‘This feasibility study is the first step in addressing the need for public use charging points, giving visitors and residents the confidence that they can travel to and within the county.’

‘Cenex has conducted many infrastructure feasibility assessments for local authorities and has various tools to support this, for both the technical and economic sides of infrastructure assessment,’ added Adrian Vinsome, head of energy systems at Cenex. ‘We are pleased to be working with Cadwyn Clwyd and WCBC to help them identify the requirements of EV charging in the area, as well as identify the sites for these to be installed.’

December 2017 LAPV 43

TOPPER

A market for sludge AS CURRENT METHODS OF SLUDGE MANAGEMENT COME UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE, PRIVATISATION COULD SEE THIS WASTE PRODUCT BECOME A VALUABLE RESOURCE, PETER HAYES FROM CDENVIRO TELLS LAPV.

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CDEnviro's S:Max system can help processors eliminate blockages and minimise downtime.

he sludge produced when treating wastewater may seem like one of the least desirable or valuable materials around, but with diminishing land available for disposal and authorities working to remove the regulatory red tape, that could be about to change, according to Peter Hayes from waste management specialist CDEnviro.

The UK’s population is expected to grow over the next 50 years with an associated increased demand on infrastructure. This will place enormous strain on the current methods of sludge management. Water UK reports that around 80% of sludge is currently recycled, 18% disposed of through thermal destruction, and 0.7% goes to landfill.

However, continued urbanisation and increasing city sizes mean that the cost of transporting sludge to suitable land for recycling will rise to unsustainable levels in the near future. As a consequence, demand for suitable land will increase dramatically and landowners will be able to charge significant disposal fees.

44 LAPV December 2017

‘Simply turning to landfill for disposal is not a viable option as the costs per tonne will quickly become prohibitive – especially in the sludge’s untreated semi-liquid state,’ explains Peter Hayes. ‘Managing sludge will, therefore, be a key driver in the wastewater industry, especially when planning new-build treatment works or refurbishing plants.’

The need to find new ways to deal with sludge could lead to large-scale privatisation, along with an increase in cost to the taxpayer, as private operators invest in sludge management facilities and take on the process of sludge management.

‘Despite its unpromising origins and semi-liquid state, sludge can be used as fuel for energy generation or to fertilise fields,’ Peter explains. ‘With the right treatment, rather than being seen as a costly waste product, sludge should, in fact, be seen as a potentially valuable resource. A market for sludge trading is predicted to be in place before 2020.’

If the sludge trading market is to become a feasible reality, however, cost-effective treatment options are essential.

‘Typically, sludge is collected at satellite sites and transported to a central facility for processing in tankers,’ says Peter. ‘This imported sludge needs screening to remove rag and grit. Rag varies from organic matter to solid plastic, all of which needs to be removed otherwise it clogs systems downstream. Removing this material early in the process is the best method to protect plant and equipment further down the line.’

Grit also collects in the sludge, largely as the result of runoff from road surfaces. ‘The grit will be screened throughout the process, but it is the 75-300µm particles that typically get through and cause

ROAD WASTE RECYCLING

damage downstream. In imported material, this grit will be suspended in the sludge and will pass through unless action is taken to remove it.’

Peter adds that cost savings typically occur in the downstream processes. The imported sludge will pass through numerous different pumps and stages before it reaches its end destination. If the grit remains it causes damage throughout, with high associated operational costs. The implementation of a screen eliminates the need for holding tanks.

To help resolve this issue, CDEnviro has developed a wet screening system for efficient liquid/solid separation – the S:Max. ‘This system can help processors eliminate blockages. Whatever is in the sludge is pumped onto screens, so processing downtime is minimised.’

The system works by operating two feed inlets, hosting an onboard booster pump and operating a unique backwash system. By discharging directly onto the S:Max screen, a buffer tank is no longer required.

‘The S:Max screens have high processing rates, which means that high-frequency vibrations break the surface tension of the sludge and allow it to be processed through the apertures very quickly,’ Peter explains. ‘They can also comfortably work on high thickness sludge.’

This means a faster, more efficient way to process the sludge, removing rag and grit and recovering water. The rag and grit have no residual value but removing them ensures cost savings on other processes.

CDEnviro has developed a wet screening system for efficient liquid/solid separation.

The efficiency of the S:Max is enhanced through polyurethane splash guards, rubber spring mounts and the ability to continuously process indigenous and imported sludge. Guards maximise material and water retention, resulting in a safer and more efficient site.

‘By processing at the fastest rate possible, tanker assets are optimised and transportation costs minimised,’ adds Peter. ‘The S:Max comes with a high discharge rate (75 l/s) and has a low power requirement. It is also self-cleaning.’

Sludge may never be glamorous, but with constraints on disposal increasing, legislation loosening, and technology in place to effectively process it, the conditions for a successful trading market are falling into place.

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Print & record weights per customer ID and/or per delivery/ collection.

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www.flintec.com/uk/ft30m 16/05/2017 December 2017 LAPV16:19 45

TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS

Double indemnity TRUCKS COLLIDING WITH VULNERABLE ROAD USERS ARE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES AND REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE. NATHAN WILSON FROM ALLISON TRANSMISSION TELLS LAPV HOW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY CAN PROVIDE A ‘DOUBLE INDEMNITY’ AGAINST THESE RISKS BY BUILDING ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF CLOCS.

L Since TRL identified that blind spots are significantly larger on some trucks than others, CLOCS is asking fleets to address this with safety equipment such as blindspot and proximity cameras.

ocal authorities everywhere dread the day they find themselves involved in a fatal accident, but the risk exists every time tippers, refuse trucks, road sweepers, and road maintenance vehicles go out onto the public highway.

Facing up to this fact, a pioneering safety initiative is now encouraging fleet operators to think differently about the way they specify trucks in order to reduce the number of vulnerable road users killed or injured by these vehicles. This initiative currently focuses on the vehicles of one industry sector in one city, but its lessons can usefully be applied to council fleet operators throughout the UK. The need to reduce deaths and injuries caused by trucks on busy urban streets, particularly to protect cyclists, was officially acknowledged in 2012 by Transport for London. With research revealing that a relatively high number of street accidents in London involved construction vehicles – and with the very nature of the construction industry’s work making it safety-conscious – TfL published the ‘Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety’ report. This was the foundation of the CLOCS programme that aims to ‘change

46 LAPV December 2017

the way the construction industry manages work-related road risk’.

The scheme’s thinking has since broadened to cover the safety of all vulnerable road users and it could be broadened still further to benefit the operators of most types of truck in towns and cities everywhere.

‘At a basic level, CLOCS is increasing the adoption of truck-based safety precautions such as warning signage, audible manoeuvring warnings, and side under-run protection,’ says Nathan Wilson from Allison Transmission. ‘Beyond this, CLOCS’s primary safety focus is simple: make it possible for the driver to see more.’

Since the Transport Research Laboratory identified that blind spots are significantly larger on some trucks than others, CLOCS has been asking fleets to address this with safety equipment such as blind-spot cameras and proximity cameras. For the longer-term, CLOCS is also challenging vehicle manufacturers and regulatory bodies to improve cab design to give drivers a better field of view. Nathan says that some construction companies are already switching to modified tipper-based lower-entry cabs to give their drivers a better out-of-cab view ahead of any regulatory changes that may be coming.

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This consideration is so elementary that some fleet operators don’t even think about it, but it is important. So important, in fact, that ‘getting the view’ and then making use of it in decision-making is the foundation of defensive driver training.

‘Any driver who has received training based on the British Police system of driving – a system so highly regarded that it is adopted by police forces all over the world – will recall its three principle tenets,’ says Nathan. ‘These are concentration, observation, and anticipation.

When these three thinking processes are heightened, a fleet’s accident-related repair and insurance costs can be reduced by as much as 50%.’

Automatic transmissions Nathan says that another way to enhance a driver’s concentration, observation, and anticipation is through the use of fully-automatic transmissions. ‘This might sound surprising, because full automatics are more readily associated with the benefits of heavy-duty capability, reliability and operational cost savings, but the best fully-automatic transmissions can also make the driver’s job easier and safer.’

To gain these extra benefits, however, it is necessary to think beyond merely specifying an engine strong enough for the truck’s operations and a transmission strong enough for the engine. ‘Gross input torque and input power ratings aren’t the only ways in which transmissions differ,' Nathan explains. 'Although those figures confirm a transmission’s capability to handle engine output, they don’t say anything about the driving characteristics the transmission will deliver, such as throttle-response, smoothness or, crucially, precision of controllability.’

This means another important consideration is the way in which the transmission is designed and built to transfer the engine’s torque to the driven wheels. Nathan explains that a hefty torque output at low engine speeds, though desirable to get a truck moving from a standstill without undue hesitation, can also make the vehicle tricky to control with precision at low speeds.

Nathan Wilson is the UK account and market development at manager at Allison Transmission.

Allison Transmission will be exhibiting at Future Fleet Forum at the Guildhall in London on 24 January 2018.

48 LAPV December 2017

‘At the same time, this torque output costs money by wearing out the clutch. And moderating this low-rpm torque through mechanical and electronic intervention can throw away much of the engine’s productivity by dulling the vehicle’s startability and low-speed acceleration. For these reasons and others there are advantages in selecting a transmission that employs a torque converter instead of a dry clutch.’

The torque converter is the technical solution favoured by Allison Transmission. The company manufactures fully-automatic commercial transmissions that are used by more than 300 vehicle manufacturers across the world for a wide range of industries including waste collection and municipal services.

‘Using our patented Continuous Power Technology, Allison’s torque converter multiplies engine torque at launch by a factor of two. Drivers like the responsiveness this delivers and fleet operators like the fact that the vehicle can do the same job with a smaller displacement engine that’s more economical.’

Safety benefits What's not so widely appreciated about this excellent startability is that is has two safety benefits. ‘The vehicle’s responses are more closely related to what the driver asks of it, and the truck’s start-up progress is more predictable to cyclists and pedestrians who might otherwise misinterpret a reluctance to get moving as an intention to C remain stationary,’ explains Nathan.

M There are other important safety-related reasons for specifying a fully automatic transmission. Two-pedal operation allows the driver to Y keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road at all CM times, crucially raising levels of observation and anticipation. Each gear shift is made automatically at the right time, enabling the driver MY to precisely manage speed and focus on handling and manoeuvring CY the vehicle. Gear changes are made without interruption, meaning CMY that power delivery to the wheels is always predictable and there’s never any rollback on gradients to take cyclists or pedestrians by K surprise.

Over-zealousness with the throttle can also be prevented by programming the transmission with a maximum vehicle acceleration rate. And the patented torque converter used by Allison Transmission enables more precise vehicle control and manoeuvrability at low speeds, essential when threading through congested city streets at a snail’s pace.

‘A good fully-automatic transmission will have an integral hydraulic retarder, compatible with ABS and EBS systems, so that braking efficiency is enhanced and levels of retardation can be tailored to operational requirements,’ says Nathan. ‘When the vehicle is at standstill, an auto-neutral function – activated by either the park brake or the service brakes or both – will put the transmission into neutral when brakes are applied, preventing inadvertent movements forwards or backwards.’

Another safeguard when stationary is the Auxiliary Function Range Inhibit, which prevents the selection of drive unless the service brakes are applied. ‘This can be integrated via sensors with other mechanisms, such as door locks, or perhaps even sensors capable of detecting if cyclists or pedestrians are in harm’s way.’

For all these reasons, local authorities need to think carefully when specifying trucks from a safety perspective. Firstly, it is necessary to think about CLOCS-recommended technologies and how they improve the driver’s view out of the cab. Secondly, it is worth remembering how a fully-automatic transmission enhances the driver’s ability to do something about what they see through that screen by allowing them to focus their full concentration on the road ahead and the precise control of the vehicle. This provides that ‘double indemnity’ against the terrible costs – material, human and reputational – caused by accidents.

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PROCUREMENT

Electric future THE UK ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET IS GROWING AT AN EXPONENTIAL RATE WITH PROFOUND IMPLICATIONS – AND SOME EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES – FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT, WRITES GARETH SMITH FROM ESPO.

B

ritain already has one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle fleets.

At 120,000 registered vehicles, it is over 30 times the size of the 2013 total. However, market demand has really been transformed by the Government’s projected ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040, which was announced earlier this year.

This recent surge in interest has unsurprisingly resulted in calls for a far more robust and extensive national EV charging infrastructure. A key question is whether fleet managers and procurement teams can realistically adopt these new vehicle options when there are everpresent budget constraints. In addition, how can buyers achieve faster and easier access to key industry suppliers to help build a practical charging infrastructure for EVs?

State of play Milton Keynes Council has already installed over 200 public charge points, while the Workplace Charging Scheme has offered central funding for EV chargers.

Aside of the interest generated by the proposed 2040 ban, the ability for Britain’s consumers to easily charge their car or vehicle in workplaces, local streets and at home, is the key to EVs achieving critical mass.

Driving organisations like the RAC have already expressed concerns over the lack of a UK charging backbone. Although there are 14,000 UK charge points (some way behind the Netherlands, for example, which has 25,000 units), Britain’s drivers need a far wider charging point network if they are to banish the current ‘range anxiety’ around EVs. This applies whether the vehicle is used for daily commuting or sustained intensive use by council vehicles when

50 LAPV December 2017

delivering community services, for example.

Public sector organisations can take a national lead, offering EV charging equipment options to both their staff and customers. With bodies like police services considering electric-powered ancillary fleets, it is likely that the public will likewise seek cost savings and environmental benefits. Milton Keynes Council has, for example, already installed over 200 public charge points, while the Workplace Charging Scheme has offered central funding for electric vehicle chargers.

Part of the growing interest around EVs is that charging infrastructures themselves could be self-funding. For example, if a local authority owned a charging network, sites like busy town centre car parks could generate incomes to set against (or even entirely cover) operating costs such as network maintenance and administrative charges.

All these different initiatives suggest that local government is wellplaced to become the community-level charging ‘hub’ for EV use to take off. In addition, where UK motor industry sceptics have questioned these vehicles’ capabilities, since the newest EVs offer daily ranges of 200 miles or more, it seems that vehicle-related objections are rapidly being addressed as well.

The public sector hasn’t been without its own EV procurement challenges, however. Managers have sometimes felt held back on recent charging-point purchases by time-consuming tendering processes; some even ran tenders from scratch. Buyers clearly need

PROCUREMENT

an easier purchase route to reach all the key manufacturers, robust pricing, and terms and conditions as part of the commercial offering.

Resolving these issues would help to streamline purchases and cut the red tape currently holding buyers back.

EV procurement breakthrough The public sector is rapidly rising to these challenges. After taking wide soundings from procurement professionals and suppliers, ESPO launched its first dedicated vehicle charging infrastructure framework earlier this year. The EU-compliant agreement is a breakthrough for public bodies, giving buyers access to 15 UK-based suppliers and an array of the very latest charging equipment at pre-agreed prices.

Equipment options include standard, fast and rapid chargers, available via purchase or lease agreements with back office networks where required. Reflecting the market’s momentum, emerging technologies are prominent: options include battery energy storage, ‘vehicle 2 grid’ chargers, solar car port and bus chargers.

The framework also breaks new ground because it accommodates public buyers’ EV charging infrastructure as well as revenue-generating schemes that together could help councils encourage wider EV adoption. Since either route could mark a big step forward for public buyers, they can also use the framework to engage with key equipment suppliers to help define their strategic procurement needs – as well as the finer technicalities of rapid and slow charging point distribution. Local authorities wanting to fund EV charging via income-generation models can also investigate suppliers’

Five tips for procuring electric vehicle charging points • Do your research: check out energy supply, charger types, service users and likely charge durations before you purchase.

• Talk to suppliers to get the latest thinking and to make sure you are well informed before drafting your specification.

• Agree purchase type (lease, purchase, etc) and mode of operation (selfmanaged, supplier-run, etc) up front.

• Check if you qualify for OLEV funding – this can fund private and publicsector infrastructure projects.

• Identify sites and land ownership well in advance; leaving negotiations to suppliers will add time and cost to the procurement.

commercial packages and relevant back office software offerings.

The UK’s EV revolution will need imaginative and sustained EV infrastructure buying if it is to become a practical proposition for local communities outside our major cities. The early appearance of such a comprehensive framework nevertheless shows the enormous potential for local authorities and their partner bodies, like the police and emergency services, to play their part in this seismic change in Britain’s future vehicle use.

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December 2017 LAPV 51

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Transformative technologies COMPLIANCE TECHNOLOGIES CAN STREAMLINE FLEET MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAVE ON COSTS, SAYS ANDREW TAVERNER FROM DESCARTES UK.

R Andrew Taverner from Descartes UK believes the trick lies in moving beyond siloed technology deployments to achieve joinedup paperless operations.

ecycling, waste management, roadside services, routine maintenance – local authorities rely on and deploy thousands of vehicles across the nation to complete a myriad of public services every day. As the population continues to rise, coupled with the constraints of budget cuts, these local authorities are under more pressure than ever to streamline the costs of their fleet operations.

For some this has meant outsourcing certain services to private sector companies. But what makes these private sector vehicles cheaper to operate and how can local authorities replicate these models to further minimise cost and maximise efficiencies within their own fleets?

‘Councils are already looking into better fleet utilisation through the use of technology in order to reduce vehicle numbers and achieve more with less,’ says Andrew Taverner from Descartes Systems UK. ‘Compliance is obviously of the utmost importance.

However, from digital tachograph data to managing drivers’ hours and ensuring drivers hold a valid driving licence, there is growing recognition that technology can help reduce costs and improve the efficiency of mandatory compliance procedures.’

There is also potential to drive even greater value within other areas of fleet management operations by utilising tachograph analysis and compliance management software; the trick is moving beyond siloed technology deployments to joined-up paperless operations.

The logistics industry across the board is experiencing uncertainties in

52 LAPV December 2017

today’s economic and political climate with emissions charges, escalating security concerns and rising congestion all playing a role in increasingly complex fleet management operations. Road transport operators are also reporting driver shortages and difficulties in recruiting new drivers, which could become an even more prominent issue in the next three years as Brexit becomes a reality.

‘This is a constant challenge for local authorities,’ says Andrew.

‘Budgets are being cut for services, but at the same time those services need to stretch further to accommodate a growing population. This combination of pressures is driving a change in attitudes and local authorities are becoming more open to adapting their fleet management operations in order to gain greater efficiencies.’

Andrew adds that telematics and route optimisation solutions, for example, are now already largely considered intrinsic tools of fleet management. ‘Telematics data has been available to local authorities to provide insight on a vehicle’s location, status, and how long a journey has taken for a number of years now. The data has been useful in keeping track of vehicles and, to an extent, for keeping drivers in check too. But this is only scratching the surface of its capabilities today. Time and technology have moved on, and as fleet managers see the benefits of going paperless with more and more of their processes, the opportunities to mine data from their combined insight could be transformative.’

Compliance first One area where automation can save significant time when compared to traditional paper-based management is compliance.

‘Compliance management technology can help operators demonstrate to the DVSA that they are proactively managing their drivers and transport operation and taking all reasonable steps to prevent infringements and breaches of complicated tachograph, drivers’ hours’ regulations and the Working Time Directive.’

From tracking drivers’ hours to driving licence verification and ensuring pre-journey vehicle inspections are undertaken, this

TOPPER

technology can help transport managers look at all aspects that impact compliance, and focus their corrective action on the drivers that need it. These processes should be embedded within day-to-day operations to make such essential aspects of compliance businessas-usual.

‘With up-to-date, accurate information on drivers, a local authority can rapidly assess the level of risk it is carrying based on driver endorsements and entitlements and take appropriate action to mitigate the risk and potential impact on insurance,’ explains Andrew.

‘For those drivers with more points and therefore a greater risk profile, the operator can then instigate more frequent checks and address the issues that have led to the endorsements, ensuring that compliance is maintained at all times and that the risk is being managed.’

If utilised correctly, the benefits of compliance management software do not have to stop at compliance. Replacing paper documents with electronic systems improves accuracy by reducing errors. It cuts costs, including the cost of processing paper-based documents, and it creates visibility and therefore accountability.

What’s more, electronic compliance solutions are no longer simply nice to have, they are also increasingly being mandated by government departments and standards bodies.

The current Earned Recognition pilot is one example. This is a DVSA initiative to reward compliant road transport operators with fewer roadside checks in return for access to their compliance data, in order to help focus resources on the seriously and serially noncompliant.

Tachograph analysis and compliance management software deliver measurable and proven benefits to help operators meet their compliance demands. ‘However, there is potential to drive greater value by moving beyond siloed technology deployments to joined-up paperless operations,’ says Andrew, although he argues that this is only achievable if organisations embrace a strategic approach to paperless technologies and proactively extend real-time information and electronic processing across the entire operation.

‘For example, digital tachograph data is also valuable outside the traditional transport managers’ compliance remit. It should form an essential component when optimising operational efficiency using automated route optimisation and scheduling processes for vehicles.

Using telematics with a routing and scheduling system, for example, not only allows the fleet manager to see where a vehicle is, it enables them to compare this to where it should be. New jobs can be added in real time or corrective action can then be taken to re-route a vehicle to avoid traffic.’

Streamlining fleet operations with route planning software will also minimise costs by reducing the miles driven, the fuel consumed, and the vehicle servicing and maintenance required as a result.

Combined with telematics data, it can be used for continuous background route optimisation. Rather than relying on manual updates of drivers’ hours' information, a direct feed from the electronic driver hours solution into the paperless route planning software ensures this key criterion is included within the planning process by default.

With this aspect of the process automatically taken into account, the schedule can be planned far more efficiently. ‘By simply extending the mandated requirement for compliance with drivers’ hours’ law across the rest of the business, an operator can gain significant incremental value,’ explains Andrew.

With the increasing pressures on local authorities and the logistics landscape in general, tachograph analysis and compliance management technology are becoming less of an added convenience for road transport operators and more of a fundamental necessity.

Not only are electronic solutions increasingly required by government departments and standards bodies, their adoption goes beyond compliance. The key is to start with a compliance-first approach, and the goal is to create a tangible opportunity for operators to move beyond siloed paperless implementations to create a joined-up model for effective, end-to-end information sharing that can truly transform transport operations.

December 2017 LAPV 53

TERRORISM

Protecting public sector fleets from terrorists DR DAVE SLOGGETT EXPLORES THE MEASURES THAT FLEET MANAGERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR SHOULD TAKE TO MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEIR VEHICLES COULD BE USED IN AN ACT OF TERROR.

I Anti-terror barriers installed on London Bridge to protect the public from future terror attacks using cars. ©Shutterstock

magine the scene. A council truck ploughs through a crowd somewhere in the United Kingdom. Images posted on social media suggest that several people have been killed and injured. A few minutes later, the emergency services are dealing with what has obviously been a major incident.

With images of Nice, Berlin, London, Stockholm, and Barcelona still vivid in the public’s memory, it would be easy to jump to conclusions and see this as a terrorist attack. And the fact is that at least two incidents of this nature have already occurred in the UK – although thankfully neither was a terrorist incident.

The accident in Glasgow on 22 December 2014, where a council vehicle mounted a pavement and ploughed through lunchtime shoppers killing six people and seriously injuring eight is perhaps the easiest to recall. But it is not the only example of such an event. In Bath in 2015, a nineteen-year-old driver lost control of a tipper tuck killing four people, including a four-year-old girl. Two people have subsequently been tried and jailed for negligence in this case.

At the time of these incidents, the use of vehicles as weapons of terror had not yet really established itself in the public imagination, despite being initially advocated by Al Qaeda through its magazine

54 LAPV December 2017

Inspire at least two years previously. But for those involved in the analysis of terrorism, the Glasgow incident – coming hours after a lone terrorist had driven through a Christmas market in Dijon, France, injuring thirteen people and shouting ‘God is great’ in Arabic – could easily have been stereotyped as a copycat attack.

Subsequently it was proven that the driver of the Glasgow vehicle had been the subject of a medical incident and had collapsed at the wheel. No malice was intended. It was simply a dreadful and desperately untimely accident. In France, however, the drivers had very different motivations.

There were two more attacks in the following days. One of those was at another Christmas market in Nantes on 23 December 2014 and injured ten. Another saw three policeman stabbed when they came to the assistance of a man who claimed his car had broken down. Three vehicle-related incidents in three days.

This was the point when the words in Inspire became actions.

After a pause of nearly 18 months, the most horrific of the subsequent attacks occurred when a lorry drove along Avenue des Anglais in Nice on Bastille Day. That attack saw 86 people die and a staggering 456 injured.

Support safer roads for all Challenging induStry, poliCy and juStiCe to eliminate lorry danger See Me Save Me is a not-for-profit campaign organisation working to reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians.

Successes include: n Changing policy and legislation at European, national and local level n Developing new national HGV standards as a CLOCS champion n Advancing best practice in operators, manufacturers and local authorities With increasing construction, development and associated vehicle movements and more walking and cycling much needs to be done to reduce the disproportionate risks HGVs pose to vulnerable road users.

We invite corporate sponsorship for 2017 to support our work and help prevent needless death and injury on our roads.

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TERRORISM

Flowers on the quay after the terrorist attack in Nice on July 14, 2016 when 86 people were killed by a truck. ŠShutterstock

Dr Dave Sloggett is one of the leading international authorities on the subjects counter terrorism, counter insurgency and counter piracy.

As horrifying as this attack was, with crowds of around 30,000 attending the event, it could have been so much worse. The potential of large vehicles to cause mayhem had arrived. The images of the police trying to stop the attacker also showed just how difficult it is to stop someone driving a large truck through a crowd.

For councils, there are genuine concerns about the possibility their vehicles could be used in such attacks. What if a current or former liveried council vehicle was used as a Trojan horse to gain entry to an area inside a security cordon? The Nice attacker did just that, pretending he was selling ice-creams. Even a cursory look at the vehicle should have revealed that it lacked even basic refrigeration.

Prevention There are wider potential scenarios. How many council waste trucks go to major events to remove the daily detritus of festival goers?

What security measures are actually in place to prevent an attack? How many festival goers could be killed in such an incident?

The possibilities don’t end there. Other official vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances can be purchased on sites such as eBay. Perhaps the most famous Trojan horse terrorist attack story concerns an ambulance driven into a compound in Saudi Arabia after an initial bomb had been detonated. It was carrying a bomb targeted at the emergency services and was waved through with no

56 LAPV December 2017

security checks. This tactic has been used subsequently too many times to count.

So, what can councils and the emergency services do to prevent their vehicles being used this way? The first step, which is widely practised already, is to remove the livery from the vehicle when it is sold on to erase its identity and association with a particular organisation. For many fire services this is standard practice when it comes to selling on vehicles that have been replaced. Some end up doing sterling service overseas in places like Africa and the Caribbean, helping local communities.

However, precautions have to be taken over the sale of such vehicles, and there need to be checks in place to ensure that the buyer is a legitimate organisation. The potential for a vehicle to fall into the hands of a group that wishes to use it in an attack cannot be ruled out and councils need to take special measures to ensure that they are dealing with reputable brokers when selling vehicles overseas. Selling vehicles on social websites is also not a great idea as there is no simple and reliable means of verifying who has actually made the purchase.

Part of the answer lies in technology. In Berlin, the vehicle immobiliser helped prevent an even higher death toll, as the terrorist did not realise that the vehicle would immediately be stopped. New discrete vehicle immobilisers that are very hard to access and are tamper-proof may provide a solution. These send out an alert if anyone tries to disconnect them from the power source. With new Fourth Generation networks being introduced into the emergency services, perhaps a signal from a unit could be the alert that saves lives and helps identify the location of the attackers.

With terrorism, prevention is always key. There is potential for a terrorist to take possession of and use a council truck or an emergency services vehicle, therefore preventative measures need to be put in place now. This is something that everyone involved in managing vehicle fleets needs to take action on because inaction could cost lives.

TOPPER

Road safety in focus THE FLEET OPERATOR RECOGNITION SCHEME PLACES SAFETY AT THE VERY HEART OF ITS DRIVE FOR BEST PRACTICE WITHIN THE TRANSPORT COMMUNITY. LAPV TAKES A LOOK AT ITS CORE INITIATIVES AND SYNERGIES WITH SAFETY CAMPAIGNS SUCH AS BRAKE.

S

afety for drivers, safety for vulnerable road users, and safety for the public at large – these are the key focuses of FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. As a result, FORS naturally aligns with many of the safety messages from the road safety charity Brake.

Indeed, FORS played a key role at Brake’s roundtable event in October 2017, along with App developer and co-host Ambit. FORS business services manager Paul Wilkes attended the event, focusing attention on SMEs and how they can maintain and enforce fleet safety policy, and ultimately protect themselves against the financial, reputational, legal and human costs of road collisions.

The cost to employers of at-work road crashes is estimated to be more than £2.7bn a year in the UK. Investing in fleet risk management, therefore, makes sound financial sense for all organisations, particularly SMEs, which have tighter budgets and smaller profit margins.

Foremost in this drive for greater fleet safety is the commitment to reducing the human cost. Bringing this into even sharper focus was Brake’s Road Safety Week, which took place between 20-26 November 2017. At the 2016 event, for example, FORS attended an ‘Exchanging Places’ day at St. Bede’s School in Redhill along with FORS Gold member O’Donovan Waste Disposal to show young people the specific hazards that commercial vehicles pose in an urban environment.

‘It was a chance for around 40 school children to get up-close and personal with a heavy goods vehicle,’ says Paul, ‘namely, a 32-tonne eight-wheel tipper kindly loaned by O’Donovan Waste Disposal. Of course, they needed little encouragement to climb about in the cab, and that was great because we wanted them to

see what a driver sees and, more importantly, what he or she sometimes can’t. So, we used a specially designed floor mat across the front and nearside of the truck to illustrate the problem of blindspots, and how driver aids such as cameras and mirrors are used to overcome them.’

Vision of the future Eight-wheel tippers are responsible for the majority of HGV-related collisions in London, in part due to their high numbers in this construction hot spot. Legislation governing truck specification is becoming increasingly stringent, with Transport for London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) the latest move designed to lower accident figures.

DVS proposals include a star rating format for all commercial vehicles and an associated Safety Permit Scheme. The star rating relates to the truck’s cab and the degree of direct visibility available to the driver from his driving position.

Research into the DVS has been exhaustive and a number of stakeholders – truck manufacturers, industry bodies, local authorities, and cycle lobby groups – are taking a keen interest in the development of the proposals. While all concerned want to reduce, and indeed eliminate, injuries and fatalities on our roads, many transport professionals are concerned that a good number of operators of otherwise excellent repute, and with good safety records, will be unable to operate under the DVS, potentially affecting domestic, business, and commercial deliveries across the capital.

Education, education, education The same hazards demonstrated to the children at St. Bede’s occur in real-time in our towns and cities, and they affect everyone, especially vulnerable road users. And that’s why FORS is dedicated to teaching the safety message. FORS members are provided with free or funded training for drivers and managers through the FORS Professional training programme. FORS Practitioner workshops are a series of ten modules designed for transport managers covering all aspects of safe, efficient, and environmentally considerate operation.

After completing all ten workshops, a ‘graduate’ FORS Practitioner can be confident that they have had a thorough grounding in all aspects of commercial vehicle best practice.

Trucksmart and Vansmart training for drivers, delivered through FORS Professional, include a very specific focus on how drivers engage with vulnerable road users, primarily cyclists. Practical training includes ‘on-bike’ scenarios where drivers experience life ‘in the

DVS proposals include a star rating format for all commercial vehicles and an associated Safety Permit Scheme.

The star rating relates to the truck’s cab and the degree of direct visibility available to the driver from his driving position.

December 2017 LAPV 57

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saddle’ to improve awareness of where the dangers exist when coming into proximity with an HGV. Further safety training extends to loading and unloading, driver fitness and health, and road risk.

FORS members quickly learn that safe, efficient, and environmentally protective operation can deliver tangible commercial benefits. FORS is a progressive accreditation scheme where members embark upon their best practice journey at FORS Bronze level and, at their own pace, are encouraged to progress through to FORS Gold. At all stages of the process, training and practical guidance have shown repeatedly that adopting best practices can bring financial rewards.

Financial rewards

A complete resource of workshops, courses, eLearning modules and toolkits are available to FORS members.

O’Donovan Waste Disposal, the company that loaned an eight-wheel tipper for the FORS’s school awareness event, has been a FORS Gold member for six consecutive years and can testify to the commercial rewards of operational best practice, as advocated by FORS. Managing director Jacqueline O’Donovan is a high-profile representative of SMEs in the transport industry and a staunch supporter of safety initiatives. She says: ‘Since we embarked upon our journey with FORS, we’ve introduced best practice throughout the operation. The result has been greater fleet efficiency in the shape of improved fuel economy, fewer Penalty Charge Notices and a reduction in collisions – all helping to improve the bottom line.’

Jacqueline adds that it is crucial that construction and logistics firms invest in the training and development of their drivers, in order for the industry to make meaningful strides forward.

‘We consider our staff our biggest asset, so we believe that by ensuring that we operate to the highest standards, this benefits all road users. We pride ourselves on our standards of road safety and have a shared vision with all staff in our business to continue to promote best practice and operate as safely and efficiently as possible.’

However, she cautions that drivers must also have the right tools for the job. ‘That’s why we have invested heavily in a modern HGV fleet fitted with the latest safety systems, such as CCTV, left-turn audible sensors, and side-scan systems. All our drivers have completed supplementary driver training including the Safe Urban Driving and Sharing London’s Roads courses.’

Safety O’Donovan was the first company commercially to acquire the revolutionary direct vision Mercedes Benz Econic 4x2 skip loader

58 LAPV December 2017

1830L, highlighting its ongoing aim to raise the bar for safety in the industry. O’Donovan has put seven of these vehicles to work on London’s roads.

The Econic has a wide field of vision thanks to its deep panoramic windscreen, as well as a fully-glazed floor-to-ceiling ‘bus style’ nearside door, which provides direct visibility of the nearside blind-spot – a particular issue for cyclists with traditional trucks. The vehicle also has a lowered driving position to put the driver at eye level with both cyclists and pedestrians.

Also in London, FORS Gold member Quattro (UK) has demonstrated how it has improved its safety record by 7.4% and decreased its transport-related fines and charges by 54% – all with support from FORS. The company says that FORS has benefited its operations through the eLearning modules, and meeting just the FORS Bronze standard helped Quattro improve its road safety record, resulted in a major reduction in penalty charge notices and a 1.65% increase in MPG performance.

‘We intend to stay at the top of our profession by demonstrating our commitment to road safety, reducing our effect on the environment and continuing to be market leaders in our industry,’ says the company. ‘We are very proud of our FORS Gold status as this confirms the progressive nature of our business ethos, our commitments to vulnerable road users, road safety, the environment and our customers.’

Delivering the message Through the FORS Professional training programme, FORS places great emphasis on education. A complete resource of workshops, courses, eLearning modules and toolkits are available to FORS members. Since it was established ten years ago, FORS has delivered 128,000 eLearning modules, while drivers and managers have filled over 106,000 places on various courses and workshops – many of which are either directly focused on, or contain reference to, the safety message.

Paul Wilkes says: ‘Trucks and vans are simply not going to disappear from our towns and cities, and they are going to remain in close proximity to other road users. Initiatives and charities such as Brake bring the issue of road awareness to the wider community.

FORS exists to drive up operational standards for its members and, indeed, the wider transport industry. In so doing, road safety is placed top of the agenda among operators. Not only does it reduce accident rates, it boosts the reputation of the transport industry and it also helps to make our members more efficient and more profitable.’

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02/08/2017 15:36

ELITE 6: THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE SOLUTION VISIT US AT 5R70-S71 5R130-S131 Built to withstand the toughest conditions With a 10mm chassis frame, the Elite 6 is robust enough for the most demanding construction applications.

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