Continental Tyres UK is explored how emerging technologies will make commercial fleets safer at the CLOCS Annual Conference.

The company hosted a road safety workshop at the CLOCS event, held at the National Motorcycle Museum, last month.

As headline sponsor, Continental used its platform to discuss how new digitalised transport technologies and information systems are set to improve both logistics performance and road safety for fleet operators, clients and contractors within the construction industry.

Continental’s new close working partnership with CLOCS aligns with the Continental Vision Zero initiative, and CLOCS’ mission statement of ‘Ensuring the safest construction vehicle journeys’.

Vision Zero is Continental’s pledge to drastically improve safety on the UK’s road networks for all road users; working towards zero accidents, zero injuries and zero fatalities to create the safest possible vehicle journey. 

Tony Stapleton (pictured), head of fleet sales at Continental, said: “The haulage industry is undergoing radical changes.

“ADAS system like eHorizon are paving the way to automated driving in the future and contributing to greater road safety.

“In addition, smart, digital tachographs are multipurpose, trustworthy data sources for telematics processes, while turning assistant systems will soon be smart enough to interpret complex, unpredictable traffic situations and initiate emergency braking if required.

“Digitalised TPMS systems allow transport managers to make proactive decisions and prevent roadside breakdowns.

“Such technologies are all digitalised tools which Continental is actively developing. the use of which will not only improve safety, but dramatically increase fleet efficiency and help operators in their goal to achieve Lowest Overall Driving Costs.”

Continental’s eHorizon system was also discussed. This interactive driver assistance tool helps commercial vehicle drivers save fuel by accessing real-time data from other vehicles further up the road.

The system allows trucks to see the traffic flow sooner and optimise their vehicle speed profile accordingly.

CLOCS project director Derek Rees said: “CLOCS was delighted to partner with Continental for the 2019 CLOCS annual conference because we share the same commitment to Vision Zero – eliminating the 500 fatal and serious injury collisions between HGVs and pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists on Britain’s roads every year.

“Continental’s information solutions have the power to connect transport logistics, construction logistics and communities together to ensure the safest construction vehicle journeys whilst driving up productivity and profitability and concurrently driving down collisions and emissions.”

Rees added: “I look forward to working in partnership with Continental in driving awareness and implementation of the CLOCS Standard in every UK town and city to keep every community safe and healthy."

Picture caption: Tony Stapleton, head of fleet sales at Continental speaking at the CLOCS Annual Conference 2019.