NEwS

There has been some realisation in society that often the problem is not with a person’s abilities, but lies with the way we have designed and constructed our environment. This is especially true in the transport world and its associated infrastructure. Heretofore we designed our transport network with little regard for those who may have some difficulty trying to access and engage with the systems – they just had to adapt.

The Wayfinding Campus is a new development located on Mobhi Road, Glasnevin in Dublin, with the facility overseen by the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI). Its Chief Executive Officer Chris White explained that the project aims to assist people with visual impairments to travel more independently, by becoming more familiar with all modes of transport including city buses, coach, Luas, mainline rail, and even aircraft. This will be achieved by having the actual vehicles permanently on site, including the main fuselage of an Airbus A319. Equally important the Campus will also replicate all manner of streetscapes with the array of street furniture that abounds modern urban areas.

Appropriate training will promote independent mobility for many people who are currently to some extent excluded. This will immediately assist with independent living, and help to generate opportunities in areas such as education, employment, travel, and social inclusion. The Wayfinding project will not only deliver training to over 55,000 visually impaired people, but the facility will also assist in training the over 650,000 people with disabilities registered in Ireland. Furthermore, it will also train staff from the various transport agencies, for example, bus companies, Luas, Iarnród Éireann and even airline and ground handling staff for air travel.

The Wayfinding Campus will house all manner of transport vehicles making it possible to train visually impaired persons to find their way around any particular mode of transport. This will be done by suitably trained personnel who will guide the trainee through a programme tailored to meet their individual needs. In addition, and equally, importantly, the facility will train the trainers who will deliver the training to a wider audience. Arguably, one of the most welcome features of the Wayfinding Centre will be a memorandum of understanding with third-level colleges, in particular the Technological University Dublin, and University College London. The Campus will offer a real-life experience to the undergraduate architects and engineers of the future, and promote continuous development for qualified professionals. This aspect will no doubt influence their thinking and therefore their designs to be more inclusive and conscious of all members of society, thereby helping to ensure we don’t make those mistakes again. Chris highlights ‘that there are no national standards for accessibility, while there are some for builders to comply with, there are none for transport.”

Currently, worldwide there are only three small training units, one each in the UK, the United States and Australia. The Glasnevin site with over 3,000 sq metres of space will be a worldwide centre of excellence when it opens in 2023. The project is supported by many different bodies including the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Health Services Executive and the Department of Transport, in addition to several private companies such as Bank of America, and Smurfit Kappa.

On reflection, the concept of a facility such as the Wayfinding Campus would appear to be a simple, pragmatic, and obvious idea - one that leaves you wondering why no one thought of it before. The person Chris White credits with having the idea is the NCBI’s Chief Services Officer Aaron Mulaniff, and we look forward to Aaron’s idea being completed.

Accepting there is a significant investment required in acquiring actual vehicles and working full-size replicas, much of this cost would be a one-off expenditure. For example, a double-decker bus or a Luas carriage does not as such go out of date, and their longevity should deliver a good return on the investment. Certainly, if we can prevent having to adapt future infrastructure to meet people’s needs, and design the infrastructure correctly the first time, the benefits will be immense for everyone - especially those who have previously been disenfranchised.

Wayfinder Project - ‘Finding the way’

Text: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie

Teenage truck drivers raises road safety concerns

The European Commission is coming under pressure from the road transport industry to decrease the recommended minimum age of professional drivers in all sectors to 18, with training allowed from aged 17, according to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), which stated that new evidence shows younger drivers would increase the risks to all road users.

While collisions involving HGVs are fewer in number than those involving cars, they are more deadly due to the size and weight of the vehicles. A 2020 ETSC PIN report on the safety of goods vehicles in the EU showed that, per billion km travelled, HGVs are considerably more likely to kill other road users than non-goods vehicles.

The EU is currently reviewing the rules for driver licenses across all vehicle categories, with updated legislation expected to be proposed next year. ETSC has gathered data on collision involvement among young drivers in general as well as statistics from countries including Finland, Germany and Poland that already allow 18-yearolds to drive the largest vehicles, under certain conditions. The available data show clearly that the youngest drivers are more often involved in collisions. Research has shown this is linked, in part, to the development of the human brain

“Cognitive development during puberty can lead to greater emotional instability and more assertive behaviour. Consequently, as road users, young people tend to display risky behaviours and have a diminished appreciation of the hazards they face. Biological research shows that, at the age of 18, areas of the human brain which are responsible for the integration of information and impulse control are still developing,” noted the statement.

The ETSC also stated that the minimum driving ages for all vehicle categories should not be decreased further and the truck driver shortage should be addressed through improvements to working conditions, not by targeting youngsters.

Ford to introduce new flagship Ranger with Platinum series

“A premium luxury pick-up” is how Ford management described the new flagship Platinum model in the new generation Ranger series, when it arrives into show rooms next year.

From the outset, a signature silk chrome filled grille and body surrounds sets off the high quality offering with its ‘hero’ carbonised grey paintwork and unique 20” alloys.

Inside, the Platinum gets the range-topping treatment, with luxury specification throughout, with high grade leather and decorative stitching, unique 10-way power adjustable seats and heated steering wheel. The new twin-turbo 3.0 V6 petrol and the 3.0- litre 230PS V6 diesel will be offered along with the 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel, from the existing model.

And to separate it further from the rest and remain distinctive, Ranger Platinum is embossed on the bonnet. It sits just under the new Raptor and Wildtrak versions and will compete with the all-new Volkswagen Amarok Pan-American when it’s launched next autumn.

“The Ford Ranger has set the standard for performance, versatility and capability in the pickup segment, and now it’s setting the standard for luxury. The stunning new Platinum will suit customers who appreciate the level of comfort and technology from high-end road cars, but who rely on the toughness and all-round productivity that consistently make Ranger Europe’s pick-up sales leader,” said Hans Schep, General Manager, Ford Pro, Europe.

HISTORy AND SUCCESS OF FORD RANGER IN bRIEF:

n Worldwide icon since 1982 n Sold in 180 countries n Produced at 6 plants worldwide n Ford’s most global vehicle programme n Best seller in Europe since 2015 n Captured 38.1% market share in

Europe in 2021

FORD RANGER GENERATION TImELINE:

1982: First generation 1993: Second generation 1998: Third generation 2006: Collaboration with Mazda to produce BT-50 pick-up in South Africa 2011: Fourth Generation

2022: Fifth generation xpanded line-up for MY22/23 XL, XLT, Limited, Wildtrak, Platinum & Raptor