CEMEX first to operate new Econic tipper

Mercedes-Benz tipper truck designed to provide exceptional field of vision to front and sides

CEMEX have become the first company in the UK to operate and trial the new Mercedes-Benz-designed Econic tipper, which is said to provide the driver with an unrivalled field of vision.

‘It’s clear to see that this revolutionary design, giving more than 90% extra visibility, can help prevent incidents and save lives on our busy urban roads, particularly those of cyclists,’ commented CEMEX cement commercial, building products and logistics vice-president Matthew Wild.

The three key features that give the exceptional field of vision to the front and both sides of the vehicle are a deep, panoramic windscreen which is at least 50% larger than a standard windscreen, a fully glazed floor-to-ceiling kerbside door, and a unique low-entry cab.

The low-entry cab is just two steps up from the ground and, with a low driving position, means that the driver is at the same level as pedestrians and cyclists, providing the opportunity for direct eye-to-eye contact between the driver and other road users, which is vital in busy traffic conditions.

The floor-to-ceiling door, which opens ‘bus-style’ into the cab, further enhances the field of vision and allows the driver to see cyclists who may have cycled up the nearside of the vehicle, a vulnerable position for anyone on a bike.

CEMEX have worked in partnership with Mercedes-Benz to ensure that the vehicle is designed to their specifications, meets the current CLOCS (Construction Logistics & Cycle Safety) standards and is fitted with the same cyclist safety features as CEMEX’s existing fleet of aggregate tippers, concrete mixers and cement tankers, ie additional mirrors, essential signage on the back and nearside of the vehicle, and proximity sensors.

Mr Wild continued: ‘At CEMEX, we aim to lead the way in cyclist safety in our sector. We continually assess and evaluate new safety measures that we can add to our vehicles, and we ensure that our drivers have regular training. These measures, in conjunction with events like Exchanging Places with organizations such as the Metropolitan Police, to educate cyclists of the dangers around large goods vehicles, have helped reduce our incidents with vulnerable road users.

‘CEMEX and the construction industry have a responsibility to look at the design of the vehicles that are used day-in, day-out and are an integral part of the business. We are a CLOCS Champion, the industry-supported, Transport for London-backed initiative aimed at rolling out a consistent standard for managing work-related road safety.’

According to Mr Wild, this new tipper truck design could completely revolutionize the design of the construction vehicles of the future.

The Econic tipper (pictured) will be based at CEMEX’s Angerstein Wharf site, near Dartford, and will use the capital’s busy roads to supply sand and gravel to the company’s London concrete plants as well as other local customers.

The tipper is fitted with a smooth, insulated Wilcox Wilcolite rigid tipping body and is designed to carry a payload of 20 tonnes – the same as a standard tipper. This, say CEMEX, marks step forward, as previous high-visibility-design vehicles have had capacities of around 16 tonnes.