A spokesperson for the company
explains that its systems “protect
all types of vulnerable road users,
including pedestrians”. “They are design
to improve awareness, help detect
vulnerable road users and reduce the
risk of accidents,” the spokesperson
explains. “All our systems can be
integrated so that eet managers are
using a combination of systems to
ensure they are compliant and safe.”
One example is VT TURNSENSOR,
which uses ultrasonic sensors to detect
objects within range and warns of danger
both visually and audibly to the driver
with a digital indicator seated within the
cab. Meanwhile, VT TURNALARM gains
the attention of vulnerable road users
by illuminating high-intensity LEDs,
emitting a beeping noise and announcing
a pre-recorded warning: ‘Caution: this
vehicle is turning left’.
VT TURNAWARE is a blind spot
camera system that uses video
analytics software to detect anyone
moving towards the vehicle and will
warn the driver of their approach. The
spokesperson explains: “The system
analyses the camera’s image and
senses whether a hazard is approaching
the vehicle, while recognising and
ignoring any stationary objects or street
furniture. The driver is then warned with
an audible alarm, and any movement
is highlighted on the monitor. Unlike
ultrasonic sensors that only detect
within range, VT TURNAWARE provides
full coverage along the full length of the
vehicle.”
Another system – VT OVERVIEW
– has been designed for slow speed
manoeuvring in any direction. Four
cameras are mounted around the
vehicle, providing a 360° and bird’s
eye view. The system works with each
side camera to warn the driver if a car,
cyclist or pedestrian enters the blind
spot on either side of the vehicle, with
overlapping images covering all angles.
Finally, VT BANKSMAN and
Above and below: frontfacing
cameras record
road incidents
Below: side
cameras extend
the driver’s view
Autumn 2020 www.operationsengineer.org.uk 57
WASTE MANAGEMENT – REFUSE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
operating conditions,” says Ian Hoskins,
senior video and telematics consultant
at Ctrack (pictured, left, p58). “Most
external cameras possess an IP67 rating,
which ensures the device is protected
against all weather conditions and can be
immersed in water to a depth of between
15cm and one metre. However, Ctrack’s
rear-facing camera is IP69K rated, to
guarantee protection from powerful
water jets, close-range pressure and high
temperatures, providing added peace of
mind.”
Meanwhile, its so-called side-scan
kits using proximity sensors – for use
down the sides of the vehicle – have a
digital distance display with a buzzer
linked to a four-channel monitor, so that
the driver can see risk and be alerted via
sound. This can be supplemented with
external left and/or right alarms that
alert pedestrians and cyclists of a vehicle
manoeuvre.
“Alarm and alert noti cations can
be set through our online telematics
platform,” continues Hoskins. “There
are many di erent types of con gurable
solutions that Ctrack provides to enable
the user to have every angle covered to
ensure risk is minimised and all events
are captured with video and accurate
data. When an in-cab monitor is tted
and an event or risk occurs, the driver
can be alerted and have access to live
footage from the appropriate camera,
providing complete visibility around the
vehicle and of any adjacent vulnerable
road users.”
BROAD RANGE
Another company with complete buy-in
to this school of thought is commercial
vehicle safety product supplier Vision
Techniques, which claims to work
with over 90% of councils in the UK.
/www.operationsengineer.org.uk