Transport for London (TfL) has completed trials of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology fitted to buses.
The trials saw the technology, which prevents vehicles from accelerating over speed limits, fully tested on two bus routes, which included a variety of road environments and differing speed limits.
All buses fitted with ISA remained within the speed limit 97-99% of the time. The rare incidents of excess speeds were seen on downhill sections of road.
The trials were particularly effective when travelling through 20mph zones – which are being widely introduced and cover around a quarter of London’s roads. This in turn helped to ensure other vehicles in the area adhered to the limit.
ISA will use the iBus system fitted to all of London’s 9,000 buses to monitor bus speeds and take action to mitigate speeding.
TfL intends to require all new buses from 2017 to have this technology fitted.
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “We’re investigating a range of new technologies that can make our bus network the safest in the world. These trials have proven that speed limiting technology can contribute to safer roads and streets. We’ll now work with manufacturers so that all buses coming off the production line can be fitted with the technology from next year.”
Isabel Dedring, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “We’re determined to continually advance safety on our bus network and that’s why last month the Mayor launched a programme specially designed to drive forward major improvements.
“The use of this cutting-edge technology is just one example of how we are harnessing the latest technology to reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries on London’s roads.”
