Volvo slams proposals by cycling lobby as impractical By Derren
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Hayes VOLVO TRUCKS has poured cold water on proposals by a cycling lobby group for the introduction of a bin wagon-style LGV in London.
The Swedish truck maker said the concept for a safer urban lorry (pictured) put forward by the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) would be impractical for vehicles working on construction sites, and that safety improvements to existing truck designs offered the best way forward for improving driver visibility and attention.
Volvo's cool response contrasts with Mercedes-Benz's, which last week (CM 28 March) said its Econic range already incorporated many of the LCC's safer truck designs (although mainly used as a refuse truck, it can be adapted to tipper operations).
Volvo, however, thinks the low ground clearance of the LCC truck wouldn't cope with off-road conditions, as the cab's position in front of the front axle would have a negative effect on the vehicle's agility and the large glass areas could be easily damaged.
Carl Johan Almqvist, traffic product safety director for Volvo, said: "A construction truck that needs to go off-road needs better ground clearance as well as a larger approach angle (the angle from the front wheels' contact with the ground to the front bumpers' lowest point and the road surface).
"A construction truck also needs to be designed for rough conditions such as vibrations, bad roads and also a robust cab that can withstand various abuse that occurs in the construction environment."
LCC said high-ground clearance is no longer necessary for tippers operating in London because most construction sites in the capital are now graded.