Side guards can help people who get into crashes with these trucks from getting swept under the vehicle
Members of the Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Utilities were out on JFK Boulevard on Tuesday, showing off new garbage trucks that have added Vision Zero protections, including night vision cameras on each side of the truck, side guards, and side mirrors.
360 cameras give drivers additional views based on which direction they’re turning
The cameras allow the driver of the truck 360 degrees of vision, making it easier to see cyclists and pedestrians in potential blind spots.
“Our goal is to fully modernize the trash compactor fleet – with these added safety features – in the next four to five years,” said Michael Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, in a press release announcing the new truck fleet. “Improvements to the compactor fleet will enable more trash and recycling to be picked up on time, enabling a cleaner Philadelphia.”
Also according to the city’s press release,
The Streets Department has been testing these truck safety enhancements over the last several months and will add these features to all new trucks purchased moving forward. Streets plans to purchase 34 trucks in fiscal year 2019, and currently has four trucks in operation with one or more of these added safety features. These safety improvements directly support the Fleet Management actions outlined in the Vision Zero Three-Year Action Plan.
We had called upon the City to add side guards to their trucks, and require all trucks to install them, as part of a Vision Zero policy. We are happy to see the city follow suit. But, as many already know, two cyclists have been killed over the last year by private trucks, and both may have survived if the trucks had been equipped with these safety precautions.
The new trucks will be Vision Zero-branded
That’s why we will continue pushing for all trucks – public and private – operating in Philadelphia to require side guards and additional safety features so cyclists and pedestrians are safer from these vehicles. We understand that as long as motor vehicles exist, the possibility for injury also exists. But no one should die because of a driver error.
Anyway! There’s still time to check it out if you’re reading this blog on Tuesday afternoon. The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems will be out at 15th and JFK until 5pm.