The City of London Corporation is trialing the latest Van Overload Protection System, VOPS™2 from Vehicle Weighing Solutions (VWS), on a tipper vehicle, with a view to installing the technology to its entire fleet in the city, inckusig RCVs.
Vincent Dignam, Business Improvement and Performance Manager, City of London: “Good fleet management means not putting drivers or the public at risk. We have looked at other enclosed measurement systems but until now none were reliable or robust enough for smaller vehicles. We like innovation but increasingly drivers are being overwhelmed with the sheer number of driving aids, side sensors and different mirrors, used to mitigate the risks to vulnerable road users.
“This onboard weighing system takes some of the headache away. It’s one less thing for drivers to worry about and managers can be reassured that vehicles won’t get stopped (and fined) for overloading. It also provides us with good reporting and good information.”
The VOPS™2 system can be fitted to most types of commercial vehicle ranging from 3.5t GVW, and helps to prevent overloading from occurring. Load sensors are installed between the axle and the body of the vehicle to detect the load applied to the axles.
Julian Glasspole, Managing Director, VWS said: “Vehicle overloading can have serious consequences and lead to fines, endorsements or even a custodial sentence in the event of an accident. Not only do vehicles become unstable, undue stress is placed on the tyres and braking systems, and fuel usage is increased.
Continued Julian: “The City of London is a trailblazer for new safety technology and we are delighted they have chosen to trial our system.”
The system provides continual data via an in-cab indicator display, giving drivers clear weights for the front and rear of the vehicle. An integral intelligent junction box helps to determine the stability of the load by indicating if the weight is held equally.
Vince Dignam: “If the trial is successful we plan to make this technology standard on the rest of our fleet operating across London, from vans to refuse trucks and other HGV’s.”
