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28/11/2014 10:08
First trial pedestrian safety warning bell on Manchester buses
First bus has announced a new warning bell trial to improve pedestrian safety around buses on the streets of Manchester. Launched during Road Safety Week with Brake, the warning bell trial will run until the end of the year on the 83 service between Oldham & Manchester. If successful the bell could be applied to all First buses in Manchester and eventually onto other buses in the UK. An independent study by the Institute of Transport Studies in Manchester Piccadilly, Oldham & Leeds, commissioned by First, confirmed that pedestrians take risks with their own safety around buses. When asked, pedestrians said they would appreciate a gentle warning sound, to keep them alert to their surroundings. Observations in the study also confirmed pedestrians are more focused on their mobile phones and other distractions and they simply don't look when crossing the road. In serious cases First drivers will continue using the vehicle horn to alert other road users of immediate risk. The warning bell, which is activated by the driver using a foot pedal, is a softer signal to give pedestrians a warning to be attentive to their surroundings. The new signal will have eight ‘dings’ then pronounce ‘take care, vehicle approaching’ followed by 5 further ‘dings’. Denise Harrison, Regional Safety Manager for First said, “We have a good safety record at First and we are always looking for ways to improve further. The safety of all our customers, staff and other road users is paramount to us and we believe this trial will help further improve safety for pedestrians around the roads of Manchester.” Mike Bristow, Brake Fundraiser “It’s great to hear that First are continuing to develop and improve their safety measures. The general public need to feel safe when travelling through city centres and with so many different vehicles on the roads in these areas, pedestrians and cyclists are at greater risk of being seriously injured. We hope that the warning bell will make vulnerable road users feel safer in city centres reduce the number of incidents.”

28/11/2014 10:08

First trial pedestrian safety warning bell on Manchester buses

First bus has announced a new warning bell trial to improve pedestrian safety around buses on the streets of Manchester.

Launched during Road Safety Week with Brake, the warning bell trial will run until the end of the year on the 83 service between Oldham & Manchester. If successful the bell could be applied to all First buses in Manchester and eventually onto other buses in the UK.

An independent study by the Institute of Transport Studies in Manchester Piccadilly, Oldham & Leeds, commissioned by First, confirmed that pedestrians take risks with their own safety around buses. When asked, pedestrians said they would appreciate a gentle warning sound, to keep them alert to their surroundings. Observations in the study also confirmed pedestrians are more focused on their mobile phones and other distractions and they simply don't look when crossing the road.

In serious cases First drivers will continue using the vehicle horn to alert other road users of immediate risk. The warning bell, which is activated by the driver using a foot pedal, is a softer signal to give pedestrians a warning to be attentive to their surroundings. The new signal will have eight ‘dings’ then pronounce ‘take care, vehicle approaching’ followed by 5 further ‘dings’.

Denise Harrison, Regional Safety Manager for First said, “We have a good safety record at First and we are always looking for ways to improve further. The safety of all our customers, staff and other road users is paramount to us and we believe this trial will help further improve safety for pedestrians around the roads of Manchester.”

Mike Bristow, Brake Fundraiser “It’s great to hear that First are continuing to develop and improve their safety measures. The general public need to feel safe when travelling through city centres and with so many different vehicles on the roads in these areas, pedestrians and cyclists are at greater risk of being seriously injured. We hope that the warning bell will make vulnerable road users feel safer in city centres reduce the number of incidents.”