Page 4 - issue 72

News
PTechnology boost boost to to to to to to ef ef ef ef ciency
lans from Highways active signposting used in in ‘smart’ up This could be especially useful have is is the adoption of of a a a a a a a a a range of of England to to introduce new motorways ” said Jon Friedenthal in in in in adverse weather conditions technologies emerging in in in in vehicles road technology should Consultant at Arval “This new “For eets such such advances are such such as lane departure and be welcomed by eets for technology is relatively simple genuinely useful when it comes correction blind spot detection their potential to boost safety and ef ciency
says Arval Starting in in 2020 the Government plans to install
bre optic cables under motorways which will beam traf c c information to suitably-equipped cars and vans telling drivers what is happening in in real-time on their forward routes “In developmental terms this is a a logical step on from the but should have a a a genuine impact on the ef ciency
of transport systems For example it could be used to advise all drivers to to drop to to a a a certain speed that would allow traf c to keep moving during congestion “More signi cantly it could tell you that an accident has happened immediately ahead allowing drivers behind to slow and avoid the possibility of a a a pile-
to making journeys more ef cient and avoiding accidents It is a a a a move that should be welcomed ” Jon added that the technology was likely to act as as part of of a a a a a series of of stepping stones towards full autonomy “There are some signs that full vehicle autonomy remains something closer to an aspiration than a a a a a practical solution as some recent announcements show “In the meantime what we will automatic braking and radar cruise – all of which are likely to become fairly widespread in the near future especially thanks to their recent backing by NCAP “The investments made in in improving the the technology in in the the roads themselves are equally important Certainly we expect
to see eets introducing these new developments that are on the horizon in some form ” ●
R K Bell rings Volvo Trucks for new FH
Construction civil engineering plant hire and surfacing specialist R K Bell Group
has taken delivery of a a a Volvo 13-litre FH-500 tractor unit The new truck represents a welcome return to the Volvo brand for the company after a a a a break of nearly fteen years The 6x2 tag axle tractor unit was carefully speci ed to meet the operator’s exact requirements with
a a 3m wheelbase reinforced
front bumper headlamp grilles
and additional
guard plates The Globetrotter
cab equipped chassis also
features a a Jost
cast fth wheel Alcoa Dura-Bright
wheels and a a stainless steel
exhaust stack A focus on safety sees additional
work lights and a a four-way camera
system tted The new FH
is also
plated to operate
at up to to 60-tonnes gross vehicle weight under Special Types Regulations “We were particularly impressed with
the attention to detail shown during the ordering process We explained what was required and got the the ideal truck for the the job ” reported company director and transport manager Wayne Salter “Our previous tractor unit was a a a pusher axle and it struggled
for traction and manoeuvrability on site but the tag axle layout
is perfect for our operation The truck pulls a a step frame
low loader trailer moving heavy plant and equipment Our largest machine weighs in in at 35 tonnes so the out t t t t has ample capacity ” R K Bell’s last new Volvo was delivered back in 2002 “I drove
that FM 6x4 tipper myself it was a a very good truck that served us well and I am pleased to to be returning to to the marque The driver is over the moon with
the new FH
We included leather trim a a fridge/ freezer and microwave in the speci cation which allows him to be self-suf cient if stuck out on a remote site ” ●
4 CVDriver February 2018