Protecting Pedestrians and Bicyclists, One Safer Truck at a Time July 11, 2015 The National Transportation Systems Center U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Advancing transportation innovation for the public good
Outline Brief introduction to Volpe Vision Zero context Why focus on trucks? Side underride of bicyclists and pedestrians Established safety countermeasures Saving lives and fuel? The opportunity
Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center Unique agency within U.S. DOT 100% fee-for-service All modes of transportation Cross-disciplinary 570 federal staff, 400 onsite contractors Based in Cambridge, MA Key messages are that we’re part of USDOT but fee-for-service, multidisciplinary, and have previous background on vehicle and safety issues generally and sideguards more particularly
“Advancing transportation innovation for the public good” Volpe’s Purpose “Advancing transportation innovation for the public good”
Vision Zero Legislation and Enforcement Education Street design & Infrastructure Vehicle-based Safety “The City of New York must no longer regard traffic crashes as mere ‘accidents,’ but rather as preventable incidents that can be systematically addressed. No level of fatality…is inevitable or acceptable.” Source: NYC Vision Zero Action Plan, 2014
Vision Zero Legislation and Enforcement Street design & Infrastructure Education Street design & Infrastructure Vehicle-based Safety
Toward Zero Deaths Legislation and Enforcement Education Street design & Infrastructure Vehicle-based Safety Vision Zero is alternately referred to as Toward Zero Deaths, a policy that US DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx officially endorsed in just the past month.
Why focus on trucks?
Why focus on trucks?
Why focus on trucks?
Why focus on trucks?
Why focus on trucks? Legislation and Enforcement Large truck design presents inherent challenges for pedestrian and cyclist safety 4% of vehicles in U.S. (urban and rural) 11% of bicyclist fatalities, 7% of ped fatalities 4% of NYC vehicles 32% of bicyclist fatalities, 12% of ped fatalities Key contributing factors Large blind spots Side underride fall under rear wheels NTSB figure is for 2005-2009. Legislation and Enforcement Education Street design & Infrastructure Vehicle-based Safety
International side guard adoption No U.S. standards EU since 1989 UK since 1986 Brazil since 2011
Bringing side guards stateside
Volpe partners with cities
Volpe partners with cities
Recommendation schematic Based on EU and UK standards and on Monash Univ., Transport Research Lab and Volpe recommendations Panel-style recommended, except as impractical; may incorporate other elements such as toolboxes FRONT 13.8” 42-60” REAR 13.8” 11.8” (or 3.9” to cab panel if not cab-over) 11.8” FRONT 9.8” REAR 4.7” 1.2” 440 lbs. force test
Representative side guard from OEM Panel-style side guards on refuse trucks
Representative side guard retrofits Rail-style side guards (UK) Can incorporate a fuel tank, toolbox, etc. Mounted to truck’s frame rail or underbody
Representative side guard retrofits Side guards in operation on snow plows
Innovative side guard OEM Side guard with integrated toolboxes on RO-RO
North American side guard deployment Side guards on City of Boston vehicles
North American sideguard deployment Side guards on City of New York vehicles Also Portland, DC, Cambridge, and a number of other cities. Also: Portland, OR; Washington, D.C; Cambridge, MA; and other municipal fleets.
North American private sector deployment
Saving Lives, Saving Fuel: Aerodynamic Truck Side Guards Thank you to:
Sideguard/skirt overlap: Benefits Decrease bike/ped fatalities & serious injuries? Spray suppression? Environmental & fuel benefit at higher speeds? Decrease bike/ped fatalities and serious injuries Environmental & fuel benefit at higher speeds Sideguards Sideskirts
Innovative designs Application of commercial aerodynamic sideskirts Adjustable/retractable designs Sources: North American Council for Freight Efficiency, Laydon Composites
Three pillars of vehicle-based safety Crash mitigation Evaluation Crash prevention
Evaluate and prioritize technologies Different sideguard designs Blind spot mirrors Front Side Blind spot cameras Directional 360-degree Blind spot Fresnel lenses Blind spot bicyclist/pedestrian sensors Ultrasonic, radar, etc. Interior/exterior alerts Turn alarms (manual or automated) Audible Visual Human factor and operator training implications Educational messaging: external and internal
Innovative sideguard retrofit Panel sideguard on cement mixer with flip-up rail sideguard for city operation; also includes sensor and alarm
The opportunity Lead in truck-based bicyclist and pedestrian safety Pilot side guards and other safety countermeasures Collect safety benefit and loss reduction data Develop voluntary adoption programs Introduce new insurance discount Transfer best practices nationally with Volpe’s help Converge the aerodynamic side skirt and urban side guard product slates Spur market capacity Document win-win outcomes
Technical overview Announcing two new resources: first, a two-page Technical Memo summarizing side guard technology, benefits, and opportunity. You can download this and circulate to inform your organization.
Volpe resource website Overview of truck side guards and other safety technologies International research, Volpe research How your organization can take the next steps City Agency Fleet Insurer Owner Point of contact www.volpe.dot.gov/our-work/truck-side-guards-resource-page Second: a new resource website that Volpe launches today to inform all stakeholders on this issue and provide a single point of reference.
Thank you Alex Epstein, Ph.D. (617) 494-2539 alexander.epstein@dot.gov Acknowledgments Sean Peirce Eran Segev Andrew Breck Coralie Cooper Charlotte Burger Keith Kerman Mahanth Joishy Jacek Graczyk Kristopher Carter