Pedestrian safety is a significant concern when it comes to heavy vehicles on the road. This is due to the blind spots of these large vehicles. However, in addition to cameras, sensors and intelligent systems, there are other options that can be explored to further reduce the risks posed by heavy vehicles. And one such solution is speed limiting.
A heavy vehicle
Will need a longer stopping distance compared to smaller vehicles because they have a large size and weight. And this will increase the risk to vulnerable road users. Speed limiting systems can be incorporated to heavy vehicles so that the maximum speed of the vehicle can be restricted. And this can reduce the impact force of the vehicle in a risky situation. This will give the drivers more time to react to an unexpected situation. Speed limiting can be done for heavy vehicles that frequently drive in urban areas. The impact force of the vehicle is reduced as a result of this system which can minimise the injuries a pedestrian can sustain. And if a pedestrian were to cross the street suddenly without being aware of the vehicle, the driver will be able to react in time and prevent a potentially fatal accident.
There is also better visibility to the driver when they are going at a lower speed.
They are in a better position to detect pedestrians and road users. If the heavy vehicle is frequenting urban areas, you can never tell when a pedestrian may appear. They may be in your vehicle’s blind spot but thanks to camera and sensor systems, you will be notified of this. If your vehicle is travelling at a high speed, the braking distance is longer even when you see a potential risk and apply the brakes. This is why it is so important to drive at a sufficient speed that allows for adequate braking distance. Depending on the country you are driving in or the jurisdiction, there are certain speed limits that heavy vehicles are required to abide by. These speed limits are used to ensure the safety of pedestrians. And while a heavy vehicle driver can be given the training and education to comply with these regulations, their adherence to limits can be strengthened with the addition of speed limiting systems.
Speed limiting systems use GPS,
Sensors and electronic control units to monitor the speed of the vehicle. And this system will adjust the speed as required. And this limiting can be tailored according to different areas in the country. The GPS will inform the system of the location of the heavy vehicle and this way, the system will have an idea of the speed limit in the area the vehicle is just passing through. There has to be some flexibility when designing speed limiting systems as higher speeds are necessary in some situations such as driving in rural areas and high ways. So you need to consider the route of the heavy vehicle and how the drivers can be given the flexibility to switch between different speed limits.
