Author: Simon Pavey

Virtually everyone is familiar with the idea of a self-driving car. US companies such as Tesla have been pushing the potential benefits of these vehicles to a consumer audience for years, all whilst presenting futuristic visions of safe and driverless future.

Beyond personal self-driving cars, though, lies the prospect of driverless taxi services, and even self-driving fleets. Imagine if the transport of commercial goods could be conducted by machines alone, revolutionising the fleet industry by boosting fuel efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.

Recent 2020 data indicates that around 485,000 HGVs and 4,220,000 LGVs are registered in the UK. That’s a significant amount, so even a small improvement in either fuel efficiency, or time taken to deliver goods if driverless vehicles can operate without breaks, could have a huge impact on the industry as a whole.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the current state of autonomous driving technology, while exploring when self-driving fleets are likely to reach UK roads.

The current state of self-driving vehicle technology

The most common industry term you should be aware of within self-driving technology is ‘ALKS’, or ‘Automated Lane Keeping Systems’. This technology enables a car or lorry to drive within a single lane, essentially meaning it could operate itself safely on any UK road, including motorways.

Recent government guidance on this topic indicates that vehicles fitted with ALKS technology could become legally defined as ‘self-driving’ this year. We may even see the first self-driving vehicles on UK roads by the end of 2021 – provided of course there is no evidence to suggest that the technology is unreliable.

Self-driving vehicle legislation

Legislatively speaking, this would require an amendment to the Highway Code. As it happens, a consultation for what exactly that would look like concluded in May. Once published, it should clearly outline the ‘safe use’ rules for automated vehicles.

This could mean that drivers, fleet operators, and the general public soon gain clarity and guidance on the safety, practicality, and rules governing self-driving vehicles in the UK.

It appears, then, that we’re on a natural journey toward bringing driverless vehicles to UK roads. We’re at a fairly early stage on that timeline, and at present the government is busy paving the way for this project by setting the legislative infrastructure that should encourage the private sector to invest into this technology with confidence.

Are driverless lorries a reality in other countries?

Yes, in fact. In 2019, a Swedish lorry known as the T-Pod was launched by developer Einride. This vehicle is a driverless, electric lorry that is now used to make commercial deliveries.

The Independent’s coverage on this launch suggests that these vehicles can minimise operating costs by around 60% when compared with a driver-operated diesel truck. That could make it an incredibly attractive prospect for fleet operators, and it begs the question of when these types of fleets are coming to the UK, rather than whether.

These fleets aren’t fully autonomous in the truest sense, though. A supervisor is required to manage up to 10 of these lorries at a time, from miles away. So, the technology isn’t quite perfect, but it exists and (in some forms) has been legally granted a permit for commercial use in Sweden.

Self-driving fleets: what are the pros and cons?

Presuming the new legislation around self-driving vehicles is passed and that fleets take off; the industry will go through a period of change. Some of the benefits that driverless fleets could offer include:

Improved fuel efficiency

The machines manage acceleration and braking mechanically, consistently eliminating any human inefficiency. Over long periods of time, this should result in fuel savings.

What’s more, the physical space a driver would currently require can now be removed from the equation, either resulting in individual lorries carrying less weight or additional goods being transported within a single journey. Once again, this could boost fuel efficiency across an entire fleet.

Cost savings

We human beings need rest, and there are many laws in place to decree how much rest drivers are entitled to, and how much they must legally take to remain alert. Consequently, longer drives may require two drivers handling one journey, taking shifts between them.

Automated, or semi-automated fleets would not pose this same requirement, meaning operators could potentially reduce the total amount of time needed to deliver goods, and save staffing costs which are likely to be replaced with, potentially cheaper, vehicle maintenance costs.

There are, however, some cons to this new technology, including:

Embracing change

It’s possible that there’ll be some parts of public that are reluctant to trust the safety aspect of self-driving fleets and cars alike. Consequently, there may be a slow initial uptake with this type of technology, or even some negative PR backlash thrown into the mix along with the positive.

An evolving jobs landscape

The industry itself may also have to focus on reskilling, upskilling, and repositioning its employees if it turns out to be the case that tech support becomes much more in-demand than lorry drivers. Verdict estimate that 1.2 million jobs could be at risk from the introduction of driverless cars, and a similar story could affect the fleet sector.

However, it’s worth noting that this technology is likely to be phased in over a period of months or years, so this change may not feel too abrupt. Operators may do well to approach the change with a positive outlook and look to learn as much as possible about the new opportunities that their businesses could capitalise upon.

In conclusion, there’s no exact date set for when driverless fleets will become a reality. What we currently know is that the legislation needed to bring about this reality is currently being pushed through parliament, and across the world countries and businesses are starting to implement semi-autonomous iterations of this technology in a commercial setting.

We could well see driverless cars and lorries on UK roads within the next five years. This could bring about a wealth of benefits to fleet operators, but we aren’t quite there yet. So, how can you start enjoying cost saving benefits for your fleet today?

How can I save on fuel costs in the meantime?

That’s simple, you could start looking at ways to optimise the efficiency of your fleets immediately.

Here are some of our suggestions for how this could be achieved:

1. Start paying less for fuel. Look into our range of fuel cards and equip your drivers with a card that they can use at refilling stations throughout the country to start saving money.
2. Embrace the cutting-edge technology in market today. Advanced telematics are an incredible way of improving fleet safety and reducing the amount of admin your internal teams are required to do.
3. Support your fleets with a complete suite of fleet services designed to promote efficiency, reduce costs, and let drivers focus on the driving.

If you’re interested in learning about what we can offer you, contact one of our friendly experts for a tailored quote via our quick enquiry form.

Keyfuels have announced that an additional 60 sites are being added to their network in June 2021. This gives even more flexibility to holders of the Keyfuels fuel card, which will now be accepted at these additional 60 sites.

These 60 Shell branded sites will bolster Keyfuels’ current network which comprises of over 3,400 fuelling sites. The new sites are conveniently located to strengthen the nationwide network and make it easier than ever for customers to find the ideal location for refuelling their vehicles. To use these additional Shell sites, a surcharge will apply.

Where are the new sites?

The complete list of the new sites now accepting the Keyfuels fuel card can be viewed below. All of these sites are LCV only, meaning they are suitable for cars and vans with a weight of no more than 3.5 tonnes.

• MFG BEDWORTH, Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 8QB
• MFG JEDBURGH, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, TD8 6EB
• MFG SELLERS WOOD, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG6 8GE
• MFG MOORGATE, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 6RN
• MFG BLACKWATER, Camberley, Hampshire, GU17 0AE
• MFG BLEAKHALL, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK6 1LJ
• MFG CASTLE VIEW, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL16 5SU
• MFG CROSS GATES, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS14 6UJ
• MFG FOLKSTONE, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 4DP
• MFG GREENGATE, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M24 1RD
• MFG KINGSBURY ROAD, Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 9PY
• MFG LEEMING LANE, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 9AX
• MFG MUSSELBURGH, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6DN
• MFG NEW BARNET, Barnet, Outer London, EN4 8RN
• MFG STENHOUSE, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH11 3LW
• MFG THORPE LEA ROAD, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8HP
• MFG WHITSTABLE, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3JB
• MFG OLDHAM ROAD, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M40 5AF
• MFG DARLEY, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL4 7BA
• MFG MEADOW, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL2 6PY
• MFG NEWBROOK, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL5 1EJ
• MFG PRESTWICH, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 3AJ
• MFG PRESTON ROAD, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1PZ
• MFG LEYLAND, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 5UD
• MFG COLESHILL, Flint, Flintshire, CH6 5RR
• MFG ALDERSHOT, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4NE
• MFG ARLE, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 7PA
• MFG WALKERS CLOCK, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 8JY
• MFG HIGHWORTH, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7DE
• MFG CUBBINGTON, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 7HY
• MFG JUNCTION SERVICE STATION, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4EA
• MFG NEW QUARRY, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1YE
• MFG YORK ROAD, Bristol, Avon, BS3 4AB
• MFG CROSS LANE, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 0SB
• MFG HALEY HILL, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6ED
• MFG RIVERSIDE, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 2JU
• MFG WEASTE, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 2BJ
• MFG HOYLAND COMMON, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S74 0DP
• MFG KINGSCLERE, Newbury, Hampshire, RG20 4TA
• MFG WELLINGTON, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9AD
• MFG WINDMILL HILL, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3PB
• MFG NUNNERY PARK, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR4 0SX
• MFG TEESSIDE, Stockton-On-Tees, Stockton-On-Tees, TS18 3RW
• MFG VIGO LANE, Chester-Le-Street, Tyne and Wear, DH3 2BQ
• MFG STEVENAGE, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 5ES
• MFG CREWE, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 3RA
• MFG OULTON BROAD, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2PY
• MFG ALDERMASTON, Reading, West Berkshire, RG7 5QS
• MFG STOKE ROAD, Stoke-On-Trent, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 2QX
• MFG WEDDINGTON, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6LS
• MFG MANCHESTER ROAD, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 2NZ
• MFG CLAYTON GREEN, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7JD
• MFG KETLEY, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 5DY
• MFG VIADUCT, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1JR
• MFG MIDWAY, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 6JQ
• MFG HILLTOP, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 5XB
• MFG BLACKHORSE, Bristol, Avon, BS16 7AN
• MFG PRIZET FILLING STATION NORTHBOUND, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AA
• MFG PRIZET FILLING STATION SOUTHBOUND, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AA
• ROWBOROUGH SERVICE STATION, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9RE

Want to find your nearest Keyfuels site? Our Driver’s Club app will show you a range of filling stations near you, as well as give you access premium services, big brand offers, and receive the latest driving trends and essential announcements.

If you are interested in the Keyfuels fuel card, fill out this quick form, and a member of our expert team will be in touch shortly.

Since October 2020, the Direct Vision Standard has been in effect in the Greater London Area. To drive in this area, HGVs will need to be assessed with the DVS star rating in order for drivers to get their safety permit.

But what do these new standards do, and how does complying improve the safety of all road users?

What is the Direct Vision Standard?

The DVS is in place to protect other road users by minimising the number blind spots in HGVs. This is part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero for London plan, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network. There were 125 deaths on London’s roads in 2019 – a 12% increase from the previous year.

It is a permit that HGV drivers need to obtain before operating in the Greater London area. Said permit can be granted when the vehicle is proven to comply with the required safety standards.

The standard uses the DVS star rating system to determine how well a driver can see from inside their vehicle. With a 5-star rating, your vehicle is fully compliant with the DVS, meaning drivers have excellent vision and awareness their surroundings.

With 0 stars, your vehicle will need to have extra safety equipment fitted before you can apply for the permit. 0 star rated vehicles are currently banned until they can achieve a higher standard. It is also expected that a minimum of 3 stars will be required by 2024.

What can be done to improve the driver’s vision?

Cameras

The main problem to be tackled is the amount of blind spots a driver is likely to have. However, by fitting cameras to the side of the cabin, these blind spots can be monitored from inside the vehicle. Cameras fitted to the front and a rear of the vehicle will also increase the driver’s awareness of their surroundings. Since some HGVs are so tall, it is often impossible to see pedestrians or small cars directly in front of them – a camera with a live feed could fix this issue.

Sensors

With a series of sensors fitted along the side of the vehicle, the driver can be notified to the presence of a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian or cyclist. This will alert the driver to the hazard, and will hopefully prevent them from turning whilst they risk causing harm to anyone next to them.

Warning alarms

In addition to the sensors alerting the driver to a hazard on their sides, exterior alarms can be fitted that will alert other road users when the HGV is turning. This is often only necessary when the vehicle is turning left, and can be activated when the driver begins indicating. The sound of the alarm can vary from a beeping tone or recorded speech that announces the vehicle’s next manoeuvre.

Why has the Direct Vision Standard been introduced?

The size and weight of HGVs is a necessity due to their application. However, this extra size and weight can increase the severity of any road accidents they might be involved in. Because of this, it has become a priority to improve the safety of HGVs.

The Direct Vision Standard introduces a type of quality check that determines how well the driver can see from the interior of their vehicle.

Because of the size and shape of HGVs, a driver’s vision is likely to be impaired. They are traditionally seated at a very elevated position, so they may not see if a pedestrian were to walk directly in front of their cab. With no rear mirror, HGV drivers may not be aware if a vehicle driving extremely close.

You may be familiar with the signage seen on HGVs that tells you something along the lines of “if you can’t see my mirrors then I can’t see you!”. Road users are generally aware of the lack of vision that comes with driving a HGV, and therefore tend to be more careful around them.

In a built up, urban area such as the centre of London, however, this becomes difficult. With HGVs sharing congested streets with small cars and plenty of cyclists, there are a great number of hazards to watch out for the drivers simply can’t see from their cab.

With the DVS, Transport For London hopes to greatly improve safety in this circumstance. Simply put, if HGV drivers can see more clearly, less accidents will happen, and lives could be spared.

How do you apply for a DVS permit?

The application process for the permit can be done through the Transport for London website. You’ll need the following information to apply for the permit:

• Operator and contact details (this could be the business that owns the vehicle).
• Confirmation of your vehicle’s DVS star rating from the manufacturer.
• If needed, certification of a zero-star rating.

More information can be found on the TfL website, and the requirements could change depending on your vehicle.

Want to prepare for the future and increase the star-rating of your fleet’s vehicles? Get in touch with our expert team at Tele-Gence today. They can help to fit your vehicles with the needed technology to improve your drivers’ vision and awareness.