Cemex first company in UK to trial new Mercedes-Benz Econic tipper
Cemex is the first company in the UK to operate and trial the new Econic tipper, designed by Mercedes-Benz to provide the driver with an unrivalled field of vision.
”It’s clear to see that this revolutionary design, giving more than 90 per cent extra visibility* can help prevent incidents and save lives on our busy urban roads, particularly those of cyclists,” comments Matthew Wild, Vice President Cement Commercial, Logistics and Building Products.
The three key features that give the exceptional field of vision to the front and both sides are a deep, panoramic windscreen which is at least 50 per cent bigger than the standard windscreen, a fully glazed floor-to-ceiling kerbside door and unique low-entry cab, according to Cemex.
The low- entry cab has just two steps from ground to cab and with a low driving position means that the driver is on the same level as pedestrians and cyclists, the company highlights. It provides the opportunity for direct eye-to-eye contact between the driver and the road user, vital in busy traffic conditions.
The floor-to-ceiling door which opens ‘bus-style’ into the cab further enhances the field of vision and allows the driver to see cyclists who may have cycled up the nearside of the vehicle, a vulnerable position for a cyclist.
Cemex has worked closely in partnership with Mercedes-Benz to ensure that the vehicle is designed to Cemex specifications and meets the current CLOCS (Construction Logistics & Cycle Safety) standards and is fitted with the cyclist safety features of the existing CEMEX’s fleet of aggregate tippers, concrete mixers and cement tankers - additional mirrors, essential signage on the back and nearside of the vehicle and proximity.
Mr Wild continues: “At Cemex we aim to lead the way in cyclist safety in our sector. We continually assess and evaluate new safety measures that we can add to our vehicles and ensure that our drivers have regular training. These measures in conjunction with events like Exchanging Places with organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, to educate cyclists of the dangers around large goods vehicles have helped reduce our incidents with vulnerable road users."
