Vulnerable road user protection from heavy goods vehicles using direct and indirect vision aids

In Europe, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are disproportionately involved in serious and fatal collisions with vulnerable road users (VRUs). An interrogation of 2019 National crash data for Great Britain (Stats19) suggested that detection of cyclists and pedestrians in the nearside and front blind spots of HGVs is still a significant problem during forward or left turn manoeuvres of the HGV. To improve detection, Transport for London introduced Direct Vision and Safe System Standards in 2021 for HGVs entering the Greater London area. This research assessed the efficacy of one of the Safe System requirements – the fitment of sensors to detect vulnerable road users on the near-side of the vehicle. A physical testing procedure was developed to determine the performance of a sensor system meeting the Transport for London Safe System requirements. Overall, the Safe System compliant sensor system missed 52% of expected detection nodes on the nearside of the vehicle. 56% of the “stop vehicle” nodes, 45% of the “slow down” and 48% of the “proceed with caution” nodes were not recognised. The most forward sensor did not fully cover the front left corner blind spot, missing 70% of the desired detection nodes. Nearside sensor systems fitted to Safe System requirements may cover a reasonable area, but could still leave many undetected zones left and forward of the vehicle. Standardising sensor range and location could help to eliminate sensor blind spots. Mandating additional front sensors would help cover the blind spot at the front left corner of the HGV.