Transport Business Magazine issue 23

Business Information for Transport Professionals

ISSUE 23

FREIGHT Recognising and

promoting van excellence

Please for turn over t速 e GreenFle e magazin

RAIL POLICY Arriving at a modern transport infrastructure

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TRANSPORT BUSINESS MAGAZINE Business Information for Transport Professionals

ISSUE 23

FREIGHT Recognising and

promoting van excellence

Please for turn over ® et GreenFle e magazin

RAIL POLICY Arriving at a modern transport infrastructure

FLEET MANAGEMENT The confusing aftermarket FUEL MANAGEMENT | HIGH-SPEED RAIL | ROAD MAINTENANCE

Comment

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE It goes without saying that transport makes the world go round.

However, in order for this to work, continuous investment in infrastructure – whether this is road, rail, sea or air – is needed, and there are examples of this, despite the current economic climate. The Philippine Government has allocated funds to fulfil the government’s commitment to have all national roads paved by 2014; services will commence by late 2018 on the central section of London’s £15.9 billion Crossrail project – the largest addition to the south east rail network in 50 years; and US$7.3 billion (£4.4bn) has been obligated towards providing new and expanded rail access across the US. The UK has more train services than Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Norway combined, and we also send more goods by rail than many other European countries. The world’s oldest railway network is, however, less efficient than its European counterparts, so there is plenty that can be done to bring our railways back to the top of the rankings, says the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on page 11.

Enjoy the issue.

Sofie Lidefjard, Editor editorial@psigroupltd.co.uk

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE TO FACE If you would like to receive 6 issues of Transport Business magazine for £65 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055.

www.transportbusiness.net PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk EDITOR Sofie Lidefjard PRODUCTION EDITOR Karl O’Sullivan PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Grist PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Reiss Malone ADVERTISEMENT SALES Jonathan Clarke PUBLISHER Chris Jones SALES ADMINISTRATION Jackie Carnochan, Martine Carnochan ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich, Alicia Oates GROUP PUBLISHER Barry Doyle REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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CONTENTS 07 NEWS 11 RAIL POLICY The Institution of Mechanical Engineers explains how the UK’s railways can once again become the envy of the world

15 HIGH-SPEED RAIL

18 ROAD MAINTENANCE

24 FUEL MANAGEMENT

CE marking is currently voluntary in the UK but this is due to change. The Roads Surface Treatments Association explains what to expect and what to do

Drivers trained in a simulator can achieve real world fuel savings of more than 15 per cent

26 FREIGHT

21 ROAD SAFETY

With HSR projects gathering pace in various locations across the world, we take a look at some of the latest news

The 6th IRF Conference on Road Safety will bring together international and local researchers, policy makers and practitioners

17 RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

22 FLEET MANAGEMENT

Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 will discuss how to meet technical challenges across new lines, upgrades, renewals and maintenance

Contents

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The Freight Transport Association explains Van Excellence, an industryled initiative that aims to enhance standards of van operator compliance

29 PRODUCT FINDER

For many the concept of the independent automotive aftermarket is a confusing one. The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation explains what it’s all about

Transport Business Magazine

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05

News

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NEWS IN BRIEF Horwich Parkway rail station wind turbine gets go ahead Planning permission has been granted for an innovative new scheme at Horwich Parkway rail station.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which owns the station, will install a twinbladed wind turbine to provide it with an eco-friendly energy source. Councillor Roger Jones, chair of TfGM’s Policy Capital Projects sub-committee, said: “It’s great news that Bolton Council has approved this project.

“Public transport is already an environmentally friendly travel choice, but by reducing the carbon footprint of transport infrastructure with renewable energy schemes like this one, we can make it even greener and lead the way in moving towards TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT... sustainable public www.transportbusiness.net/n/007 transport.”

Fines for misuse of roads in Fiji Authorities in Fiji are clamping down on misuse of roads in a move to reduce accidents and improve safety.

The Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force have warned that activities such as using the road as a playing field, carelessly working onto the centre of the roads, taking up lanes meant for vehicles, and sitting on the side of roads posing a risk to passing vehicles can result in a $10 spot fine or a $200 (£70) court fine. Fiji Police Force director of traffic, senior superintendent Mahesh Mishra said around 50 per cent of road accidents involve pedestrians.“Roads are meant for vehicles and when the general public obstruct movements of vehicles, they not only endanger their own (pedestrian) lives but TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT... also place other lives at www.transportbusiness.net/n/008 risk,” SSP Mishra said.

New report forecasts increase in fares and one in five big city bus services gone by 2014 A new report for the Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg) suggests there will be tough times ahead for urban bus services outside London, given government cuts to both local government funding and wider support for bus services.

The report forecasts that between 2009 and 2014 patronage will decline by 20 per cent; fares will increase by 24 per cent above the rate of inflation; and service kilometres will decline by 19 per cent. Chair of the group, councillor Mark Dowd, said: “The scenario testing in this report gives an objective assessment of the likely impact of public spending reductions on bus services for the millions of passengers who rely on the bus in TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT... the largest urban areas www.transportbusiness.net/n/009 outside London.”

06

TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

HAULAGE

Recovery operators want green light for red lights Members of the Road Haulage Association’s Recovery section are urging government agencies to give them permission to use red flashing lights similar to the emergency services.

Richard Goddard, past chairman of the Road Haulage Association’s Recovery Members’ Committee, said: “Our operators are expected to work in dangerous conditions on a hard shoulder with 44-ton trucks driving past at speeds of up to 56mph. Their only protection from incoming traffic is basic training regarding coning placement and strategically parking their vehicle. Government must give us the same protection as the other emergency services and allow them to adopt a more effective light warning system.”

Three fatalities have been recorded in the past two

years. Each involved a vehicle leaving the inside lane and colliding with a recovery operator and all have led to police charges being brought.

“We need even more protection,” said Dave Gregory, secretary of RHA Recovery.

“A hard shoulder incident should automatically trigger a mandatory 50mph speed limit.

Speed restrictions apply for motorway night workers; why are the same safety measures not given to recovery operators?

“How many more will die on our roads before they get the protection they deserve? Red lights, as used by the police and emergency services, will not stop hard shoulder deaths but they will offer some much needed protection to our members and will save lives.”

LOW EMISSION ZONE

Operators choose to replace, not retrofit Truck and van operators faced with new London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) requirements are more likely to replace their non-compliant vehicles than retrofit them. A recent survey by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) also found that companies with operating centres outside of London would consider redistributing their noncompliant vehicles elsewhere in the UK to avoid the LEZ. Natalie Chapman, FTA’s head of policy for London, said: “More operators are looking to replace their fleet and looking past retrofitting as the solution because their fleets are coming

to the end of their lifespan. Due to the financial constraints of recent years operators have chosen to stretch the lives of their existing fleets but the new LEZ requirements may have forced their hands into replacing their oldest and least compliant vehicles.”

From 3 January 2012, new regulations will require that all pre-Euro 4 trucks and buses meet the Euro 4 emissions standard for particulate matter if they want to enter the LEZ without facing a £200 daily charge. In addition, vans must meet the Euro 3 emissions standard for particulate matter or face a daily charge.

ROADWORKS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Government aims to bring an end to rush hour road works disruption UK transport secretary Philip Hammond has announced innovative measures to cut the number of rush hour road works.

Under ‘lane rental’ schemes local councils would be able to charge utility companies to dig up the busiest roads during peak times when road works cause the most disruption. Companies would be able to avoid the charges by carrying out works during quieter periods or, if appropriate, at night.

Philip Hammond said: “This disruption is expensive as well as inconvenient, with one estimate valuing the loss to the economy

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$14.9m research grant to test connected vehicle technology The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) has been awarded a US$14.9 million (£9m) research contract from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), to conduct a safety pilot model deployment of vehicle-tovehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure safety applications in Ann Arbor.

The testing programme will begin in August 2012 and continue for one year. It will involve approximately 2,850 vehicles, including passenger cars, commercial trucks and transit buses, equipped with connected vehicle technology that could prevent thousands of crashes.

from road works congestion at £4 billion a year. We simply cannot afford this.

“That is why I am putting forward proposals which would incentivise utility companies and local authorities to carry out their works at times when they will cause the minimum disruption to the travelling public.”

The Department for Transport has published a consultation and draft guidance to councils outlining how lane rental schemes could be implemented. Councils wishing to put in place a lane rental scheme would need to gain approval from the Department.

TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT... www.transportbusiness.net/n/010

SMS real time bus information arrives in Sydney Passengers can get arrival times for all Sydney Buses services direct to their mobile when they SMS their bus stop number, a six or seven digit number posted on the bus stop sign and also available on www.131500.com.au The predicted arrival times of buses at that bus stop, for the next 30 minutes, will then be returned as an SMS message. The service is linked to the PTIPS bus tracking and traffic signal priority system, which tracks buses via GPS.

RAIL REPAIRS Cameras to reduce delays and cost New camera technology will mean more efficient and more accurate maintenance, fewer delays to passenger and ©Network Rail freight services and save millions of pounds in delay payments.

Following a successful trial, Network Rail has supplied 30 cameras to maintenance delivery units on electrified routes across the UK. Engineers can safely operate the cameras without turning off the power and closing the line – a huge time saver.

When out on routine track patrols, engineers can attach the camera to the overhead wire and it is then held steady by two small stabilising arms on insulated poles.

The camera can tilt so that images and video of the top and side of the wire can also be seen. High resolution images are instantly captured and streamed to a portable laptop.

Engineers can view this for instant review of the condition of the wire and equipment components or analyse the footage back in the delivery unit. A schedule for repair of any defects can then be put in place.

London Midland hits 80 per cent recycling rate

45 per cent reduction in child fatalities on Ireland’s roads

London Midland has hit a new high of an 80 per cent recycling rate of all waste left at its stations, depots and offices. This means the company has reduced its carbon emissions from waste disposal by 680 tonnes per annum.

London Midland recycles approximately 2,000 tonnes of waste every year. The main types of waste left on trains and at London Midland stations are newspapers, magazines, tin cans, plastic bottles and cups and plastic packaging.

The operator wanted to make it easier for the company to maximise recycling by taking a two pronged approach. Special mixed recycling bins where customers can sort their rubbish for themselves were installed at selected stations, as well as contracting a company who could sort out rubbish that had been placed in general waste bins. All waste is taken to a materials recovery facility where it is then sorted into different types of recyclable (cardboard, cans, paper, plastic) by both hand and machine. The separated materials are then taken to other facilities and reprocessed into new products.

New research from Ireland’s Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that child fatalities (children up to 14 years of age) decreased by 45.6 per cent in the period 1997 to 2009. 246 children up to 14 years old were killed on Irish roads during this period; an additional 1,013 were seriously injured. The ‘Child Casualties Report’ also highlighted a significant reduction in child passenger fatalities, which decreased by 73 per cent between 1997 and 2009.

61 per cent of child fatalities in this period occurred outside built-up areas where the roads had a posted speed limit higher than 60km/h. 1 in 4 (26 per cent) of all child fatalities occurred in Dublin and Cork.

TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT... www.transportbusiness.net/n/011

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07

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RURAL RAIL LINES

Successful rural lines see resurgence in popularity with local journeys totalling 40 million per year There has been a surge in the number of people using many small, rural rail lines, with passenger numbers on some routes almost doubling in the last few years, according to figures published by the Association of Train operating Companies (ATOC).

The rise in popularity of branch and Community Rail Partnership lines – smaller lines that branch off the mainline rail network into rural towns and villages – reflects the impact of the ‘staycation’ trend over recent years as people have increasingly chosen to holiday in the UK. Many of the fastest-growing branch lines connect to seaside resorts and towns, and show spikes during the summer months.

However, train companies also report that growing numbers of local residents are opting to use trains that run on branch lines to get to and from work or simply to get out and about.

Edward Welsh, director of corporate affairs at ATOC, said: “The staycation trend that has seen more people holiday in the UK over recent years has undoubtedly played a big part in the significant increases that we have seen on many of these small, rural lines.

“But a combination of reliability, value for money, comfort and better promotion have contributed to increasing numbers of local people using branch lines as a way to

get out and about throughout the year.”

Neil Buxton, general manager at the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, said: “Community Rail Partnerships are the Big Society in action – communities working with the railway industry and local authorities to revitalise their local rail services. A recent ACoRP report has shown

that every £1 invested in a Community Rail Partnership can bring £4.60 in benefit and that Community Rail volunteers bring an astounding £27m added value to the rail industry. Community Rail is a real success story in bringing new life to local lines.”

Local and rural rail journeys in the UK now total around 40 million a year.

HSR Thailand’s new government revises country’s high-speed rail plan Thailand’s new government has unveiled a revised plan for the country’s high-speed train network, prioritising domestic rail expansion over an ambitious regional connectivity plan being spearheaded by China. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced during her inaugural policy speech to parliament that three routes would be constructed linking Bangkok with urban centres in the north, northeast and upper south.

The rail plan features three separate lines each from Bangkok, out to Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai (700km north) and the beach town of Hua Hin (200km south).

The PM said a new conventional rail link between Suvarnabhumi airport and central Bangkok could be expanded eastwards to reach Chonburi, a largely industrial province close to the racy coastal city of Pattaya, which draws more than four million tourists a year. No timeframe for completion of the routes were given.

IMPROVEMENTS

SAFETY

US$745 million to improve Collaboration will deliver Northeast Corridor fresh thinking for rail US transportation secretary Ray LaHood has announced nearly US$745 million (£452m) for construction along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections.

The NEC will receive $449.94 million to upgrade electrical systems and tracks between Trenton, NJ and New York City, resulting in improved on-time performance and reliability, and an initial increase in top operating speeds up to 160mph and future maximum speeds of 186mph. Another $294.78 million will alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation.

“These grants are a win for our economy and a win for commuters all along the Northeast Corridor,” said secretary LaHood. “We are creating new construction jobs, ordering American-

made supplies and improving transportation opportunities across a region where 50 million Americans live and work.”

Federal railroad administrator Joseph C. Szabo said: “With our population expected to grow by 100 million more people between now and 2050, we are investing in a high-speed rail system that connects to other modes of transportation, reduces congestion and improves the efficiency and reliability of travel in America. Increasing speeds and improving service on the Northeast Corridor, which is the most heavily-travelled passenger rail corridor in the nation, is a crucial part of our effort.”

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and TRL have agreed a strategic partnership to enable development and application of world class transport research, innovation and technology.

“This partnership will build on a wealth of experience in rail and transport and will enable both organisations to develop and deliver new, cost-effective, solutions to a broader transport market, as well as the international rail industry,” commented Sue Sharland, chief executive of TRL. “There is the opportunity

to unlock a great deal of potential within this unique combination,” says Len Porter, RSSB’s chief executive.

“We have identified how knowledge can be exchanged through RSSB’s technical and research experts and TRL’s chief scientist network. We are also working together to share thinking between different transport modes and deliver maximum value where these overlap.”

TO READ MORE... www.transportbusiness.net/n/012

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TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

MODERN RAILWAY

Philippa Oldham, head of transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, explains how the UK’s railways can once again become the envy of the world In the two centuries since George Stephenson, founder of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, built the Stockton-Darlington railway line, the British railway system has gone from the envy of the world to Europe’s basket case. The world’s oldest railway network is now less efficient than its European counterparts, forcing it to rely on roughly £5 billion in government subsidy every year just to stay afloat, while ticket prices continue to skyrocket.

The issues facing the nation’s railways are not being ignored by business either. In an Institution of Mechanical Engineers survey earlier this year, 67 per cent of the 1,000 UK manufacturers polled said the railways were inadequate for the development

Freight traffic has followed a similar pattern, rising 40 per cent over the same period. We now send more goods by rail than many of our European counterparts. The railway network is therefore acting as an ever more vital glue holding together the fragile UK economy.

HIGH SPEED There are causes for optimism. In the four years since the opening of the High Speed 1 line from London to the Channel Tunnel, it has become a key business and leisure link between the UK and the continent, accounting for 70 per cent of all traffic between London and Paris.

The High Speed 2 link now appears to have firm government commitment in the face

In an Institution of Mechanical Engineers survey earlier this year, 67 per cent of the 1,000 UK manufacturers polled said the railways were inadequate for the development and growth of a modern manufacturing sector, making it by far the least popular part of the UK’s transport infrastructure. and growth of a modern manufacturing sector, making it by far the least popular part of the UK’s transport infrastructure.

Rolling stock development needs to be comparable with other transport modes.

The automotive sector is one the main contributor to greenhouse gases and this has encouraged the introduction of the Euro emissions standards (now at Euro 5 and Euro 6), which has led manufacturers of diesel engines to design more efficient engines in order to meet the legislation. European Non Road Mobile Machinery legislation will be introducing a similar legislative framework to other transport modes.

INCREASED USAGE Despite this the nation’s trains are more popular in terms of sheer numbers than they have been in decades. The UK has more train services than Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Norway combined – an astonishing fact considering the UK’s relatively small area. Nevertheless the UK’s railways are still running close to capacity thanks to a 50 per cent rise in passenger numbers over the past decade.

of severe parliamentary and local pressure.

It will bring economic and technological benefits over the coming decades that far outweigh the short-term costs, as well as easing the severe overcrowding issues swamping Britain’s passenger services. High Speed 2 also releases capacity on existing lines that can be used to expand freight services. Crossrail also represents a welcome investment in our creaking rail infrastructure.

THE MCNULTY REPORT The McNulty report in May showed that the government is also open to large-scale reform. It is clear that the existing industry arrangements have produced a railway less efficient and more expensive than it should be. The McNulty report includes some welcome proposals. Engineering expenditure, difficulties with the introduction of innovative technologies and inconsistent messages to the engineering supply chain have all contributed to higher than necessary costs, and there are clear benefits to be gained from a more efficient railway and greater collaboration between Network Rail and train operators.

However, the report falls short of

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recommending a much-needed wholesale restructuring of the railways. It remains to be seen whether the proposals will be enough to address the inefficiencies of the current system. The most important thing for the government to remember when enacting these reforms is that efficiency and costcutting are not the same thing. The former can lead to a faster, more reliable and, indeed, less costly service for all passengers and businesses while focusing purely on the latter could end up simply pricing, through higher fares, these same passengers and businesses off the railways altogether.

ADOPTING FRAMEWORKS There is plenty more that can be done to bring our railways back to the top of the rankings. The rail network system has so many different components, from track to rolling stock to signalling to operations. A systems engineering framework has to be adopted to ensure that there is improvement in efficiency in all these diverse components.

This approach can monitor the wholesystem utility of innovations and encourage improvements not only in the technological system but also in the policy design process. The key to these processes is delivering value for money and minimising the risks to rail industry stakeholders.

Targeted, intelligent investment into our crumbling and out-dated infrastructure should be near the top of any rail reformer’s list. We continue to adopt a belts and braces approach to asset repair which, though safe, is inefficient and less reliable than looking towards long-term improvements when parts of the network need maintenance.

Long-term asset degradation needs to be better understood. It is only by building a deep insight into where and when our tracks, our rolling stock or our signalling are likely to fail in the future that we can start to allocate scarce resources properly and ensure a reliable, safe rail system. This can only be achieved by improving asset management systems, for instance by introducing a detailed asset database linked to software systems.

IMPROVING ROLLING STOCK Relatively simple improvements can also be found in the design of the rolling stock.

As train speeds rise with the introduction of high speed rail and innovations such as the West Coast Main Line’s tilting trains, aerodynamics will play a larger role. Reducing air resistance through better design could help reduce energy consumption and, consequently, costs. Composite materials, already being used for some railway vehicle bodies and interiors, could lead to greater efficiencies if rolled out on a wider scale, with the increased initial cost more than offset by lighter loads in the long term.

Suspension is another area in which improvements could be made. Almost E

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TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE All these options are in development and could become a regular fixture on the nation’s trains in the coming decades.

Philippa Oldham, IME

E all current railway vehicles use reliable suspensions that are entirely mechanical, using the elasticity of steel or rubber and energy dissipation to function. Swapping this for a more active suspension would improve ride quality and provide a more comfortable journey for passengers. An example of this is the Japanese E2 and E3 Shinkansen vehicles introduced in 2002 where a pneumatic actuator was installed in parallel with a secondary suspension damper.

This led to reductions in accelerations of up to 9dB in the passenger compartment.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS Higher speed trains will require power transmission systems of greater capacity to supply the additional energy needed. In the face of rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns, devices and techniques to solve these problems and boost energy conversion and storage are being tested for future use.

These options include fuel cells (usually hydrogen), which convert chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Fuel cells are different from batteries as they require a constant source of fuel and oxygen to run, but they can produce electricity continually for as long as these inputs are supplied.

Alternatively the use of supercapacitors is being investigated. Supercapacitors store energy by means of a static charge (as opposed to an electrochemical reaction); a voltage differential applied on the positive and negative plates charges the capacitor, this charge is then released and used to power the train. The use of flywheels is another consideration as they store energy when torque is applied by the energy source, and then release this stored energy when the energy source is not applying torque to it which would power the train.

TRACK STRUCTURE Britain’s rail track is also in need of an upgrade. Track structure in the UK has not changed significantly since rail’s early days, with steel rails supported on sleepers in turn supported by ballast. The Engineering and Physical Science Research Centre’s Track 21 project, bringing together academics from the Universities of Birmingham, Southampton and Nottingham as well as leading industry figures, is just one example of how British innovation and world-class engineering know-how could bring track design into the 21st century.

Aiming for a radical overhaul of track structure, Track 21 has commenced an in-depth study into foundations, ballast, sleepers and noise and vibrations to boost performance in every facet of track design.

As professor William Powrie, Track 21's project leader, said upon the project's launch: "The railway industry is constantly making gradual improvements, but what we're doing is something different. We're interested in high-quality science. Working with our industry partners, we want to create the new knowledge that will inform not just incremental advances but a fundamental shift in the way the existing network is maintained and new lines are designed and built.

"The implications will be far-reaching: reduced costs, increased capacity and improved reliability would make an appreciable difference to all rail users."

THE POTENTIAL OF ELECTRIFICATION Electrification has the potential to offer a major boost to the track network. Currently about 40 per cent (4,042 miles of the UK's 10,106 miles) of the rail network is electrified.

An upgrade to full electrification would be a lengthy and costly process, but would lead to a far more efficient network and bring about a massive decrease in carbon emissions once the UK's energy supply moves away from fossil fuels and towards low carbon sources.

An electric rail network would also make regenerative braking systems feasible, so a train applying its brakes can use its electric motor as a generator, recycling energy back into the system for other trains to use.

STATIONS AND SERVICES Station infrastructure and operations should improve in line with information and communications technology. Electronic ticketing, potentially via mobile phones, is not far away, while interfacing with other modes of transport to manage passenger flows will become easier as digital communications continue to advance.

Service frequency will improve as train speeds rise, however, there is still a need for investment in existing infrastructure to secure a decrease in average journey

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times. Rather than focusing on developing a number of short, fast stages, however, this investment needs to be targeted at smoothing out the overall speed profile and removing bottlenecks across the network – investment that has been sorely lacking in recent years.

One of the biggest financial issues railways face is the cost of rolling stock – now around £1,100,000 a car. This is never going to improve if we continue to put different trains on different lines in different countries. We need to progress towards standardisation and mass production and stop building bespoke vehicles.

But the big prize for transport is modal shift, and specifically a shift to railways.

Whatever technology we embrace, be it better suspension, cleaner engines, more electrification or mobile ticketing, if we don’t increase the system’s capacity, we will always be chasing the lesser rewards.

A SKILLED WORKFORCE In terms of the workforce, Britain's skilled railway engineers have a world-class reputation, however, as more of these engineers come towards the end of their careers we are seeing fewer and fewer young graduates and technicians coming up through the education system to take their place. We are beginning to see progress – the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering is now up and running and universities such as Manchester, Sheffield Hallam and Birmingham are introducing focused railway engineering degrees, however, there is still more to be done to encourage the next generation of engineers into the profession.

The much-touted apprenticeships scheme needs to offer real incentives to businesses to offset the high cost of taking on young workers, whether these be cash grants or tax breaks. Industry and government, as well as institutions such as ourselves, need to work together to ensure the engineering profession is properly promoted as an interesting, diverse and financially rewarding career path in our schools through good careers advice.

A quick, efficient and less costly rail network has the potential to take many thousands more passengers away from their carbon-heavy cars and planes and onto a 21st century network that is fit for purpose.

An electrified network that leads, rather than follows, technological trends could put the UK back at the forefront of the global resurgence in rail travel, while a root and branch drive for efficiency across every facet of the network will ensure that a reliable, profitable railway can thrive in this country.

The government needs to deliver a strategic vision on the UK transport infrastructure for the future to ensure that we are not left behind the rest of Europe. L FOR MORE INFORMATION www.imeche.org

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

Customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning systems for the transport sector Concentrix TSG is an independent Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software specialist. We also provide IT infrastructure, managed IT services, security and networking.

Concentrix TSG helps organisations in the transport sector effectively harness CRM and ERP software and technology. This is to improve a wide variety of areas such as customer care, complaints, compensation management, distribution management, logistics, marketing, accounting and many other business processes.

Concentrix TSG has also developed a Customer Care, Complaints and Compensation Management System specifically to meet the complex, stringent and high-volume requirements of the UK passenger transport sector.

Based on the industry-leading Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the Concentrix system is quick to deploy, flexible, reliable and configured to the precise needs of your organisation. Applicable to a wide range of transport and related businesses, including train and bus operators, logistics, distribution and many more, the solution builds on the intuitive, familiar and easy to use interface of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to produce a robust, proven and future-proof product.

A brand new system which is quick

to deploy, easy to use and a fraction of the price of older software. Above all, it does exactly what you need it to do.

Fully Comprehensive Customer Care, Complaints and Compensation Management Software l

A modern, integrated customer care system specifically developed for the passenger transport sector l

Flexible, reliable and configured to your precise needs l

Easy migration from expensive legacy software l

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l

Fully supported with no hidden extras

Robust, proven and future-proof; based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM l

T: 01509 410500 W: www.concentrix.co.uk E: info@concentrix.co.uk

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TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

The Concentrix Customer Care, Complaints and Compensation Management Software is being deployed in an increasing number of customer service departments throughout the UK. A fraction of the price of older software, it does exactly what modern customer care departments in the transport sector need it to do.

As well as our Customer Care, Complaints and Compensation Management System and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, we also supply other solutions including the groundbreaking cloud-based solution Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, plus Sage CRM and FrontRange’s GoldMine. Accounting and ERP solutions from Concentrix TSG include Microsoft

Dynamics NAV (on-premise as well as in the cloud), and the Sage 200 software suite.

One of the key differentiators between Concentrix TSG and other business software providers is our independence and ‘product agnostic’ approach. We will only recommend the solution most suited to your requirements. Plus, we offer comprehensive services including consultancy, implementation, training and support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01509 410500 Fax: 01509 410501 info@concentrix.co.uk www.concentrix.co.uk

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

FAST FORWARD With high-speed rail projects gathering pace in various locations across the world, we take a look at some of the latest news With the objective to make rail travel more environmentally friendly, 16,000 solar panels installed on the roof of a high-speed rail tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium were entered into service earlier this year. The project, known as the Solar Tunnel, is the first of its kind in Europe as it is the first time railway infrastructure has been used to generate green energy. The solar energy will be used in the Antwerp NorthSouth junction (including Antwerp Central Station) by the trains and station servicing both conventional and high-speed trains.

The installation on the roof of the HSL4 (high-speed line Antwerp – Amsterdam) rail tunnel in Antwerp covers a total surface area of 50,000 m², about the size of eight football pitches. The solar energy is used to

thousands of permanent jobs in the long term.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority recently signed an agreement with the federal government to secure US$86.4 million (£52m) awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “This agreement is yet another step toward California leading the way to build the nation’s first true high-speed rail system,” said Roelof van Ark, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “Californians know this project will spur the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in coming years and make the state’s economy more competitive in the long term by moving our growing population in a more efficient way. It is clear by the success of profitable systems around the world that

The installation should generate an estimated 3,300MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of nearly 1,000 homes, and decrease CO2 emissions by 2,400 tons per year. power the railway infrastructure (signalling, lighting, heating of railway stations etc.) and also the trains using the Belgian rail network. The installation should generate an estimated 3,300MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of nearly 1,000 homes, and decrease CO2 emissions by 2,400 tons per year. Looking ahead, 4,000 trains per year – equivalent to one full day of rail traffic – will be able to run entirely on solar energy.

CALIFORNIA The California High-Speed Rail Authority is developing an 800-mile high-speed train system that will operate at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour, connecting the state’s major urban centres, including the Bay Area, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Diego. Initial infrastructure construction is planned to begin in the Central Valley, the backbone of the system, in 2012.

The proposed train system will use state of the art, electrically powered, steel-wheelon-steel-track technology. It will increase mobility while cutting air pollution, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also create tens of thousands of near-term construction-related jobs and hundreds of

high-speed rail will be a competitive, indemand mode of transportation between northern and southern California.”

The funds secured in the agreement were a portion of the May 2011 award, which was the re-allocation of funding from Florida. The Authority applied for the funding in April and offered a 20 per cent state match – therefore this agreement represents $108 million that can be applied to next year’s initial infrastructure construction in the Central Valley.

THE UK The first implementation of high-speed rail up to 186mph in regular passenger service in Great Britain opened in 2003. This was the Channel Tunnel Rail Link – now known as High-speed 1 – linking the British end of the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone with Fawkham Junction in Kent. The line was extended into London St Pancras in 2007.

The UK Government is now debating whether or not to go ahead with a Y-shaped national high-speed rail network linking London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, and including stops in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, as well as direct links to the HS1 line and into Heathrow Airport. The current timeline for HS2 is for it to open in

High-Speed Rail

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

2026 with a potential sale once built. Once up and running, it will allow speeds in excess of 200mph and an estimated journey time of just 49 minutes between London and Birmingham.

A consultation on the project, one of the largest public consultations ever undertaken in the UK, closed recently.

Alison Munro, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said: “We have spoken to thousands of people during the consultation phase and discussed a wide range of views. I have been urging people to read the consultation materials and answer the seven questions that have been set. It is important that we get as many responses as possible so that a detailed report can be given to the secretary of state to help inform his decision-making on the London to West Midlands link and the future direction of high-speed rail.”

All the responses received will be analysed by an independent company and a report submitted to the secretary of state for transport, Philip Hammond.

He will then announce the government’s decision on the line between London and the West Midlands by the end of the year.

Analysis by PricewaterhouseCooper shows the government could produce between £6bn to £7bn as a return on its £13.9bn investment.

Richard Abadie, PwC partner and global head of infrastructure finance, said: “HS2 will represent a significant investment in the UK’s national infrastructure. Given the pressure on government finances it is important to minimise the financial impact of this investment through asset sales. Our report says the government may be able to sell the infrastructure for between £6bn£7bn, representing up to 50 per cent of the initial design and construction costs. This will be a key consideration in the continuing affordability debate, not only for HS2, but for the wider high-speed network.”

TURKEY A new high-speed rail link that connects Turkey’s capital Ankara with the central Anatolian city of Konya was recently opened. Construction of the 131 mile high-speed railway and the test runs took only four and a half years to complete.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “I would like to remind you that in the past it took more than ten hours to go Konya from Ankara by train. But thanks to this high-speed train, travel time to Konya has been reduced and now takes only 1.5 hours with stops in Eskisehir and Afyon.

“More importantly, the line has been designed and built by Turkish contractors and engineers and is currently the fastest constructed high-speed railway in the world.”

The project cost TL1 billion (£345m). Trains can reach a maximum speed of 158 miles per hour (255km/h) during the trip. L

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Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

Cuthbertson Laird – providing supply, hire, repair and calibration services for 30 years This year, Cuthbertson Laird, the test and measurement specialist, is celebrating 30 successful years in the business.

Providing supply, hire, repair and calibration services for all types of equipment for a wide variety of customers, the industry stalwart has been going from strength to strength over the past three decades.

Now run by MD Peter Greenshields and fellow director Gordon Vallance, who took over in 1999, Cuthbertson Laird is a real success story. The company employs 27 members of staff across its three branches in Hamilton, Leeds and Northern Ireland.

Yet this relatively small amount of people is responsible for a group turnover of over £4.7m in the company’s last financial year, and they look set to improve on that in the coming year.

The company first started out providing calibration services, and then became distributors for the sale of new products.

Cuthbertson Laird is now the distributor in Scotland for the main suppliers of test and measurement, such as Fluke, Megger and Seaward to name just a few.

The field sales team are able to advise on technical and commercial problems with confidence and an authority which is backed by regular training from from manufacturers.

The company holds Repair Centre status

from leading manufacturers and all products are repaired to manufacturers’ standards using approved parts. Satisfied customers range from industry giants like Shell, BP, Scottish Power to ‘one man bands’ – anyone in fact who needs T&M equipment and the services relating to it.

Calibration remains a big part of the business, with an accredited UKAS lab in the Hamilton office. The company can carry out calibration either in house or out on-site.

The On Site Calibration Service is carried out by arrangement, and is ideal for those companies with larger test equipment inventories or where instruments are fixed such as ovens or moulding machines.

Having the Cuthbertson Laird team come on-

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site prevents downtime and the complications of shipping instrumentation off-site. The metrology division can calibrate, repair and recondition a wide range of vernier gauges, micrometers, surface tables and gauge blocks.

This involves a wide range of electrical test equipment including temperature, pressure, airflow and torque etc.

Cuthbertson Laird is justly proud of its team – all well-qualified and with a great deal of experience. They are also proud of the fact that their employees stay with the company, with many of them chalking up over 20 years of service.

The company exports widely, and a typical week can see them shipping to various companies worldwide. They are still looking at growth in the company, expanding their portfolio, but always providing a first class service, delivered with efficiency, courtesy and professionalism.

So for all your test and measurement requirements, it’s got to be Cuthbertson Laird, supplying only the best from the world’s leading manufacturers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Parkburn Court, Hamilton ML3 OQQ Tel: 01698 829711 www.cuthbertsonlaird.co.uk

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EVENT PREVIEW

FUNDING, PLANNING AND DELIVERING THE RAIL NETWORK OF THE FUTURE

Rail Infrastructure

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 is dedicated to addressing the strategic, financial, technical and operational challenges of delivering rail and metro projects on time and on budget Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 endorsed by CER, EIM, Unife, the Argentinean Railways Institute and several more organisations, will take place 5-7 December at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The Advisory Board, which includes industry experts such as: • Eli Canetti, strategic planning manager, Metro Rio • Henk Waling, managing director, Amsterdam Metro System • Phil McQueen, general manager, operations, KiwiRail Network • Rudolf Schilder, track services manager, ÖBB Infrastruktur • Arjen Zoeteman, manager of technology policy, ProRail has said that railways and metros across the world are under growing pressure to increase capacity and provide a more reliable service. To achieve these goals they must maximise existing capacity and develop additional infrastructure at a time when many governments are implementing severe budget cuts. This creates the need to identify best practices across infrastructure development, operations and maintenance to achieve maximum capacity at minimum cost.

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 is the technical dedicated event addressing the specific strategic, technical and operational challenges of delivering rail and metro infrastructure projects on-time and onbudget. This global event brings together leading innovators from government bodies, railways, metros, contractors, suppliers, associations and the media. They will discuss the roadmap for efficiently delivering brownfield and green-field rail and metro projects

in a time and cost efficient manner.

By bringing together key players from all over the world and discussing the key topics via an innovative format, Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 will offer you access to the ideas and contacts that will shape the future of the global rail and metro industry and drive your business forward.

WHY ATTEND? At Rail Infrastructure Development 2011 you will learn from leading railways and metros, including Network Rail, Deutsche Bahn, Crossrail, NYCT and Copenhagen Metro on meeting increasing demand whilst maximising value for money, and hear from government representatives, including Víctor Morlán Gracia, Ministry of Public Works, Spain, about the largest rail and metro infrastructure projects in the world.

Visitors are able to network and build relationships with all the key players that will shape the future of rail and metro industry and will drive your business forward, and also see theory in practice on day three by attending the technical site visit.

Behind-the-scenes technical visits offer visual insights into how railways and metro companies are delivering the cost-effective, fast and efficient networks of the future.

With speakers and partners from countries like Brazil, USA, Germany, Spain, France, Argentina and Venezuela, this is the global event on rail infrastructure development the industry is in need of.

Amsterdam Metro is hosting a site visit that will give delegates the opportunity to discover how the new North-South line in being built. This will give a fascinating insight into the challenges of constructing of new line under an old city.

THE CONFERENCE Several countries around the world are working on large-scale rail infrastructure projects that are going to increase capacity significantly and change the way we think about public transport. This conference will give delegates the opportunity to learn about the high-speed rail network in Spain, Crossrail in London and many other infrastructure projects in Europe and elsewhere.

There are dedicated main line and urban rail conference streams to enable professionals working for railways and metros to focus on the unique elements that are integral to the on time and on budget delivery of their particular project.

Breakout sessions have been created to give delegates the chance to exchange ideas with peers on topics such as risk management, signalling and telecoms, and rolling stock. L FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: +44 (0)20 70450900 Fax: +44 (0)20 70450901 info@globaltransportforum.com www.rail-infrastructure-development.com

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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Road Maintenance

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

PRODUCT STANDARDS

THE CE MARKING CLOCK IS TICKING Compulsory CE marking is coming. Howard Robinson, chief executive of the Roads Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) explains what to expect and what to do Currently there are several different processes to follow in order to deliver a consistent quality assured product into the roads surface treatments market. These include the BBA Highways Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS), BSEN ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, National Highway Sector Schemes and CE marking – the later demonstrating compliance with a European Product Standard (EN). Of these schemes only HAPAS, EN’s and CE marking are product specific.

CE marking involves bi-annual audits by a notified body such as BSI, Lloyds or similar covering the quality management system,

factory production control system to ensure that the appropriate level of quality control testing is being undertaken. CE marking is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product fully complies with the requirements of the relevant European Product Standards and Construction Products Directive.

WHAT IS CE MARKING? Although it is limited to compliance to the Directive’s specification and only covers the product’s factory condition rather than installation, CE marking is often referred to as a "product passport" as it does what it says on the tin. Standing for Conformite

Although the main provisions will not come into force until July 2013 there are major implications for the road surface treatments sector as contractors need to ready themselves as CE marking will then be mandatory in the UK.

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TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

Europeen (European Conformity), CE marking demonstrates that the product complies with EU legislation and so can be used throughout the European Economic Area.

It provides confirmation that the product or system meets the minimum requirements of the relevant harmonised European Technical Specification – either a harmonised European Standard (hEN) or a European Technical Approval (ETA).

Currently, CE marking is only voluntary in the UK but this is due to change. In April the Construction Products Regulation was adopted by the European Commission and UK Government as a replacement to the Construction Products Directive and although the main provisions will not come into force until July 2013 there are major implications for the road surface treatments sector as contractors need to ready themselves E

About RSTA The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) aims to raise the awareness of the benefits of surfacing treatments and promote work force competence and safe working practices. Membership includes large national and regional contracting companies, Local Authority Direct Labour Services Organisations, materials and equipment suppliers.

Members are encouraged to join the National Highway Sector Scheme 13 or BBA/HAPAS Product Certification and Approved Installers Schemes.

E as CE marking will then be mandatory in the UK. After July 2013 any contractor installing surface dressing or slurry-micro surfacing products without CE marking runs the risk of criminal prosecution.

THE CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY Affixing the CE mark is the responsibility of the contractor. He is making the declaration that his product conforms to all necessary legislation (safety, health and environmental protection) and is therefore valid to be sold throughout the European Economic Area. In order to carry out this responsibility, the contractor must first carry out a conformity assessment, establish a technical file and sign an EU declaration of conformity. All documentation must be made available to authorities upon request.

It is for the contractor to determine which EN applies to his product and to obtain the necessary involvement notified body to assess confirmity. The declaration of conformity must include the manufacturer’s details, essential product characteristics, relevant European standards and performance data, the identification of the notification body and a legally binding signature on behalf of the organisation. The CE mark must be affixed visibly to the product documentation.

Failing to correctly CE mark or to counterfeit

CE compliance can have significant consequences of up to three months in jail and a £5,000 fine (for the director of the offending company). Penalties are dependent upon the respective EU member state.

CE marking aims to provide a level playing field of market requirements across the European Community and so remove potential trade barriers. This means giving companies free market access across the European Economic Area without the need to meet particular local requirements. CE marking should also remove the need for individual contract testing. It should be remembered that CE marking is product specific and so does not cover the installation and competence of operatives. The installation of road surface treatments is regulated by National Highway Sector Scheme 13.

Although the Construction Products Regulation does not come into force until 2013, the clock is ticking and companies would do well to understand and start to implement their forthcoming CE marking legal obligations. L FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01206 274052 Fax: 01206 274053 enquiries@rsta-uk.org www.rsta-uk.org

Motorway repairs to be reduced

Road Maintenance

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

The Highways Agency plans to introduce new rules that require contractors to carry out emergency repairs only if potholes are more than 4cm deep or 15cm wide.

“This is a short-sighted approach that could result in significant deterioration in the condition of and safety of motorways and trunk roads,” said Howard Robinson, RSTA chief executive. “It means that there will be less preventative maintenance which will ultimately cost the Highways Agency more. It costs £2m2 to surface dress and maintain a road but costs £75m2 to repair potholes. There is also the potential safety issue of motorists swerving from one lane to another as they try to avoid a pothole.”

The Highways Agency aims to implement the new instructions in the West Country later this year and then introduce it nationally in 2015.

It mirrors similar moves by local authorities who have re-designated a pothole as only being a pothole if it is 4cm or deeper. This is double the previous designation of 2cm.

• Fast and accurate measurements.

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• Logs site test results & GPS fix.

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Calculates Ordnance Survey GB Easting and Northing Grid References for each site test.

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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The most important topics in transport, the best-informed speakers, the most animated discussions.

V E H I C L E S TO R A G E ,

Organised by the Association for European Transport, the European Transport Conference (ETC) is now in its 39th year, and is known for the quality of its papers, length of its discussion sessions and opportunities for networking. The structure of the conference provides a platform for up to 10 seminars to run simultaneously on each day, allowing delegates access to a variety of information and networking opportunities.

Topics include: l

Applied Methods in Transport Planning

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European Transport Policy & Research

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Freight & Logistics

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Innovative Transport Infrastructure Funding

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Leisure & Tourism Transport

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Local Public Transport

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Methodological Innovations

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Planning for Sustainable Land Use & Transport

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Rail

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Traffic Management, Traffic Engineering & Road Safety

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Transport Economics & Appraisal

nkl automotive specialise in the UK collection, inspection, preparation, storage and delivery of vehicles. Our service level is performance driven and with our commitment to service and road safety we’ve won several awards.

VEHICLE LOGISTICS Clients are enabled by nkl’s unique service offering to not only maximise their fleets efficiencies but also increase returns by decreasing the cost of de-fleeting vehicles and maximising their return value.

Social Networking Activities There will be lots of opportunity for networking and socializing with this year’s social agenda including: l

First Time Delegate’s Reception - Sunday 9th October

l

Civic Drinks Reception (hosted by Glasgow City Council) - Monday 10th October

l

Conference Dinner - Tuesday 11th October

For more information, including a full programme and booking form, please visit www.aetransport.org Contact:

E info@aetransport.org T +44 20 7348 1970

VEHICLE REFURBISHMENT When you need to know that one call is all it takes to ensure that your vehicle has been collected and delivered, or put through a process that will see an improved return, call nkl automotive for our performance driven service.

Tel: 01405 721400 E-mail: nicklaister@nklautomotive.co.uk Fax: 01405 721401 Web: www.nklautomotive.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

Road Safety

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE ROAD FATALITIES IRF convenes landmark Regional Conference and Exhibition in India to promote the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Road safety represents a crucial global challenge, arguably one of the greatest currently facing humanity. Certainly, many of the priority aims and achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals are likely to be overshadowed unless urgent action is taken to curb the prevailing worldwide plague of violent deaths and injuries caused by road crashes.

MAJOR PROBLEM Throughout the world, road traffic injuries have become a major public health problem and a leading cause of death and disability.

Nearly 1.3 million people are killed each year, and another 20-50 million are injured – with more than 90 per cent of fatalities occurring in low and middle-income countries.

Against this alarming backdrop, IRF is convening a sixth regional conference around the theme: ‘Road Safety Strategy in India – Action Plan’. Coordinated by IRF’s India Chapter and endorsed by the World Bank, this landmark international gathering will take place in New Delhi from 3-5 October 2011, and has been timed to coincide with the inaugural Intertraffic® India Exhibition and Trade Show, a major marketing showcase for products and services in the fields of infrastructure, ITS traffic management, parking, road safety and allied sectors.

The exhibition is being jointly organised by Amsterdam RAI, one of the world’s foremost international convention organisers, and IRF.

PRIORITY CAUSE The global road safety crisis has been formally recognised as a priority cause by the United Nations, notably through the proclamation of a comprehensive Decade of Action for Road Safety, running from 2011 to 2020, which effectively sets a target of reducing road fatalities throughout the world by 50 per cent by the year 2020.

Five million potential deaths and a staggering 50 million injuries and disabilities could be avoided during the UN Decade. The goodwill, tools and the knowledge to achieve this objective exist.

All that has been needed is the appropriate global coordination and commitment.

Now, notably due to key initiatives like the UN Road Safety Collaboration, the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility and the Global Road Safety Partnership, there is hope, and the community of

nations is at last poised to address the international road safety crisis with vision and urgency proportionate to the extent and critical magnitude of the challenges.

The Decade of Action will provide a framework and common timeframe for a far-reaching action agenda based on the ‘five pillars’ of road safety, through which each nation will be encouraged to (i) build management capacity, (ii) promote safer road infrastructure and design, (iii) influence improved vehicle safety, (iv) foster better road user behaviour, and (v) enhance post crash care.

India provides an apt focus, both for the aims of the Decade and for the IRF Conference, in that rapidly growing levels of mobility have given rise to a massive road safety problem – to such an extent that the country currently holds the dubious distinction of having the highest annual rate for road fatalities in the world.

IRF'S MISSION Faced with this distressing state of affairs, IRF’s India Chapter, formally established in February 2009, chose “reduction of

aligned with the launch of the UN Decade of Action and will concentrate primarily on addressing the five pillars of road safety introduced above, for which all nations are required to develop detailed action plans.

In this perspective, the three-day conference – which is expected to bring together an exceptional blend of international and local researchers, policy makers and practitioners – will offer invaluable practical focus as it strives to help develop and define India’s own national strategy and implementation programmes. It is, indeed, the responsibility of the entire road sector to assist their respective governments in the formulation of ambitious yet viable action plans, with the potential to inspire truly meaningful and lasting progress during the UN Decade of Action. The 6th IRF Regional Conference represents a significant opportunity for the road sector to make a decisive contribution to this vital global cause.

INTERTRAFFIC® Moreover, the direct tie-in with Intertraffic® represents an outstanding business opportunity given that the Indian economy has been consistently on the upswing, with an annual growth rate of 8-9 per cent rating among the highest in the world.

In this context, the Government of India

Five million potential deaths and a staggering 50 million injuries and disabilities could be avoided during the UN Decade. The goodwill, tools and the knowledge to achieve this objective exist. All that has been needed is the appropriate global coordination and commitment. road fatalities” as its inaugural mission, and has already organised five previous conferences on a comprehensive range of related road safety themes.

The 6th IRF Regional Conference represents the latest in this prominent series, which has earned widespread recognition as the most valuable forum for providing direction and influencing progress on road safety issues in India and beyond. It is being organised in collaboration with the Government of India and with key support from both the public and private sectors. It will highlight the very latest know-how, technologies and best practice aimed at improving road safety worldwide. In these respects, it is fully

has recognised that road construction and development are essential for maintaining the country’s economic growth.

The active involvement of local, regional and international authorities makes the IRF Regional Conference and Intertraffic® Exhibition in India a uniquely holistic and all-encompassing event. We look forward to welcoming a record number of delegates to New Delhi this October. L FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information regarding registration, sponsorship and/or exhibition opportunities, visit www.irfnet.ch or e-mail india@irfnet.org

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

21

Fleet Management

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

AFTERMARKET CARE

A COMPETITIVE ALTERNATIVE Do you find the concept of the independent automotive aftermarket confusing? The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation's chief executive Brian Spratt explains his members’ businesses The economics of today’s transport industry mean even quite small savings in operating costs can make a significant difference to efficiency and profit. But operators often fail to take advantage of significant savings available to them in the form of vehicle components supplied through the independent automotive aftermarket sector of the motor trade.

For many the concept of the independent automotive aftermarket is a confusing one; what’s the aftermarket, and what’s independent all about?

COMPONENT SUPPLIERS It’s worth remembering that a high proportion of the content of today’s vehicles, trucks and buses just as much as cars and vans, is not manufactured by the company whose name is on the grille. There can be as much as 80 per cent supplied by component manufacturers feeding into the production lines. As well as supplying the vehicle producers for assembly and service parts, they also supply the independent aftermarket.

Aftermarket is the commercial term for the market for service, repair, parts, accessories and materials supplied to the user ‘after’ the

vehicle enters service – hence ‘aftermarket’.

The well known aftermarket is that supplied through the vehicle producers via their dealer network, but there is a parallel aftermarket of independent companies offering a competitive alternative to the dealer.

COST SAVINGS Independent workshops offer significant savings to operators in terms of repair costs and reduced downtime; their operations often running at more flexible hours than dealer workshops. Many of these are subsidiaries or customers of independent parts distributors.

Their relationships with the actual producers of the parts used "on the line", mean the highest level of technical knowledge and diagnostic equipment is readily available.

This enables the independent sector to mirror the service available from the dealer network. Some workshops and distributors are members, not only the IAAF, but cooperative business networks, such as G-truck.

HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS Confusion about the quality of components supplied by independents is common. In

specifying parts for vehicles the operator has a wider choice by using independents who, along with offering the ‘original equipment’ or OE part from the parts manufacturers, can also offer replacement parts at a budget rate, or expertly remanufactured items, especially clutches, and rotating electrics.

Global component supply companies, such as Bosch, Federal-Mogul, TRW, through to ZF, all supply to the independent sector.

An important point for the operator to remember is the role of the IAAF here.

Members of the Federation operate under a Code of Practice which, amongst other things, demands that the member always indicates the provenance and quality of the items they supply.

Invariably this means that if the operator wants to replace a defective or worn component with a like item, it will be supplied; invariably, in the packaging of the part manufacturer. This, when you think of it, is an extra safeguard for the operator.

LEGISLATION Under the terms of European legislation – known as ‘Motor Vehicle Block Exemption’ – component manufacturers cannot be coerced E

TRW is just one of the many OE manufacturers who also supply the independent aftermarket

The parts explosion brings many demands on today’s parts distribution businesses

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TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

Stocking a full range of parts like this truck brake caliper is a job for a professional

E into removing their logo from a component they supply to a vehicle producer’s line. This means that, when a component is removed from a vehicle, the original manufacturer can be identified and a suitable replacement from the same manufacturer can be supplied.

Many operators will have concerns regarding vehicle warranties but this same legislation permits vehicle maintenance outside the dealer network providing that the vehicle has been serviced to the vehicle producer’s schedule and provided appropriate quality parts have been used, and records of all service activities retained.

No longer, then, the blank refusal of warranty just because a vehicle has been maintained in the independent sector.

RIGHTS FOR OPERATORS The EU Block Exemption referred to above is reinforced by aspects of the Euro 5 & 6 Regulations, which give additional rights to independent operators to access repair and maintenance information, service history data, validation of diagnostic tools, and other items intended to prevent the creation of a monopoly for dealer service.

Operators with their own workshops needn’t feel that, by using the independent offering, they are cutting themselves off from training or technical information. Parts distributors

work closely with the parts manufacturers to deliver regular training opportunities, designed to keep technicians at the forefront of technical developments and techniques.

Similarly diagnostic and other equipment is available in the independent sector.

FAIR AND CONSISTENT So where do the savings come in?

IAAF members don’t claim to be the cheapest option, but the fairest and most consistent. Operations in the independent sector provide a lower cost base that is passed to the customer and, it must be said, independent parts distributors generally operate from functional premises, rather than the glass and chromium edifices which typify dealer operations.

The majority of independent operators supply for all makes of vehicle, hence the costs of distribution itself are more easily absorbed across multi-drop delivery schedules – in some crowned urban areas it sometimes resembles a milk round! Likewise parts application data has exploded so that, even with databanks of parts information galore, identifying the correct part for the specific model is akin to an art.

These complexities in parts distribution have been recognised of late by the introduction of the Institute of the Motor Industry’s Accredited

Technician Award for parts personnel, at two levels of expertise. Many parts distributors have worked their complete workforce through the ATA scheme, which is a clear indication to employees, employers and their customers of the level of expertise in the business.

This accreditation of expertise doesn’t stop in the parts distributor’s warehouse, it extend to technicians working on cars, van, light commercials and, latterly with the introduction of the IRTeC/ ATA via IMI and SOE, commercial vehicle, buses and coaches as well.

CONFIDENCE All clear demonstrations of the confidence which can be placed in appropriately staffed parts distribution and independent servicing businesses in the industry. A cost effective, reliable and professional adjunct to the operator’s own business. L

Fleet Management

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION If you’re an operator wishing to meet professional independents in parts supply and vehicle service, get in touch with the IAAF. Tel: 0845 3131506 Fax: 0845 3131508 admin@iaaf.co.uk www.iaaf.co.uk

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Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

23

Fuel Management

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

DRIVER TRAINING

SIMULATOR TRAINING FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY The cost of fuel is often at the forefront of an operator’s business. Nick Reed, senior human factors researcher at TRL, investigates ways to improve driving style in order to increase fuel efficiency

Top tips for fuel efficient driving Ensure that any aerodynamic devices are correctly fitted/adjusted for the truck configuration.

Regularly check your tyre pressures – under inflated tyres can cause higher fuel consumption as well as causing excessive tyre wear.

Avoid leaving the engine idling for long periods.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly and get into high gear as quickly as possible.

Make sure you are in the correct gear – avoid high engine revs.

Fuel has long been a critical swing item in the operating cost of any fleet. In response to the escalating price of fuel and our growing environmental obligations, there has been growth in the development of techniques to reduce consumption and emissions, including the introduction of a growing number of alternative powertrains.

The truth is, however, that the manner in which a vehicle is driven has a huge influence over the efficiency that can be achieved. This can be illustrated with an example.

I am aware of a small fleet that shifted from the standard version of a mid-range diesel-engined hatchback to the eco model with the same engine size. A short time after introducing this vehicle, it was clear that the manufacturer’s claimed efficiency improvement was not being achieved. In fact, fuel consumption had worsened.

In trying to achieve a subjectively acceptable level of performance from their vehicle, drivers wiped out the efficiency benefit of the engine technology. Training to ensure that drivers operate their vehicle in a manner that optimises the often competing demands of performance and efficiency, whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety, is therefore paramount.

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TRAINING OPTIONS There are options for delivery of this training.

On-road training in the relevant vehicle has obvious appeal since a driver can be given direct instruction in how to manage the vehicle. However, this has a number of drawbacks. Training and assessment can only be delivered to one driver at a time; a potentially operational vehicle may be tied up in the training delivery; and the training itself will lead to fuel consumption and the associated emissions.

Alternatively, e-learning – the computerbased delivery of tasks, information and tests – has expanded massively in the last five years and is frequently used for a variety of educational purposes. It is relatively low cost and can be delivered to large numbers of users easily without using a vehicle. However, I would question whether this mechanism has the necessary impact to alter (perhaps deeply ingrained) driving habits to affect behavioural change to a wider audience.

A REALISTIC ENVIRONMENT The optimal solution would provide a driver with a realistic environment in which to learn advanced driving techniques without utilising a real vehicle and in which more than one driver could be trained in each E

Try to maintain a constant speed where possible – accelerations use up a lot of fuel.

Use cruise control (where available) whenever it is safe to do so.

Anticipate the road ahead to try to avoid any sharp braking and acceleration events.

Decelerate slowly and smoothly, with minimal use of brakes.

Plan your trip to try to avoid any areas or periods of heavy congestion.

Turn off any accessories (heater fan sat nav etc.) when they are not needed.

Ensure that the vehicle is maintained as per the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

If a fault develops, get it fixed as quickly as possible – it might be wasting fuel.

E session. Driving simulators come closest to specifying, procuring and operating the UK’s offering this solution. TRL, the UK’s Transport first high fidelity truck simulator, which went Research Laboratory has been using driving live in 2003. Subsequently, more than 1,200 simulators for more than 20 years now and professional drivers have used the simulator can be considered authorities in the field. and TRL’s research has proved that drivers Back in 2003, when a litre of diesel would trained in the simulator achieve real world set you back less than 80p, the European fuel savings of more than 15 per cent.

Union unveiled Directive 2003/59/EC. This specified that Drivers engaged in the carriage A GROWING MARKET of passengers (from September 2008) or The marketplace for simulator training is goods (from September 2009) by road must now getting more crowded as an increased hold a certificate of professional competence. number of companies seek to take advantage This led to the legislation gaining its more of the benefits that can be attained. Indeed, common title of ‘Driver CPC’. The aim of the in the trucking community, simulation may be directive is to improve driving standards and instrumental in providing additional capacity to encourage recruitment into the profession for delivering the compulsory certificate of by demonstrating its modernisation. professional competence (CPC) training.

Within the Driver CPC legislation, a key Balfour Beatty in Derby recently added phrase opened the possibility to train to their car simulator, acquiring two high commercial drivers in a novel manner. quality truck simulators (made by Thales) A proportion of the training could be for driver training; similarly TIR in Beverly provided on a "top of the range simulator". has had success offering its CPC-certified Consequently, in 2002, TRL was commissioned simulator training on their systems (made by the UK Department for Transport to

by L-3). Systems Training has also recently ascertain the view from within the haulage acquired two truck simulators (made

by ECA-Faros) for driver training. industry as to what features would be This pattern is steadily bringing the UK required in an effective training simulator. into line with practices in continental The review highlighted that drivers were Europe where simulator training is far more keen to use simulators of the highest possible common. It will be interesting to observe how fidelity – recreating driving as accurately as these different simulator systems, offering could be achieved.

TRL was then tasked with TransportBusinessMagazinePrintReady.pdf 1 8/3/2011 10:08:03 AM

Fuel Management

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

different levels of fidelity of simulation, are regarded by trainees and the industry.

ACHIEVING TRAINING OBJECTIVES In addition to improving my own driving style, my experience in the use of driving simulators has taught me one key principle. Simulators can provide a very realistic driving experience and the capability to offer rich training scenarios in complete safety. However, when considering driver training, a simulator must not be considered as the solution in itself; one should not arbitrarily decide that simulators are the panacea and rush headlong either into the purchase of such systems or committing to a simulator training programme.

Whilst there are simulator suppliers and training providers that will be more than happy to take your money, this approach will not deliver the maximum benefit. It must be understood that a driving simulator is a tool that can help to achieve specific training objectives. The secret therefore is to have a very clear understanding of the training objectives that you wish to achieve and to seek guidance as to how simulation may be used to address it. Do that and the virtual world becomes your oyster. L FOR MORE INFORMATION www.trl.co.uk

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Freight

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Written by Liam Northfield

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE The Freight Transport Association has worked with the UK’s best van operators to develop the Van Excellence Code, which sets demanding but achievable standards for van operation White. Van. Man. Three little words that have damaged the image of the van sector, denied it the respect it so rightly deserves and done a disservice to van operators up and down the country. We all know the stereotype – a careless, often inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous driver behind the wheel of a van that has seen better days.

But we also know the reality: that most van operators put to good use excellent safety and maintenance best practice, comparable to that of operator licensed HGV fleets, and certainly putting those of Joe Motorist to shame.

We also know that the van sector is big business; a fast-growing sector and, frankly, one without which our economy would shudder to a halt. The industry knows this; FTA’s members – who represent over half the UK’s three million van fleet – know this, the trouble is that the public don’t. A toxic combination of public apathy (sometimes bordering on enmity), together with rumblings from Westminster and Brussels that regulation is needed to bring the sector into line, has been a very real threat. Until now.

A NEW IMAGE Van Excellence is the industry working to overhaul its own image; sharing best practice borne from the most compliant and leading-edge companies, improving safety and performance, and, eventually, shedding the outdated stereotype that has served to stymie the progress of an unquestionably forward-looking industry.

By bringing together a broad section of the van industry – including operators, makers, providers, dealers and representatives of many other sectors – it is supremely placed to plot a realistic and pragmatic course by which a modern van fleet can work towards. And this is more than just a just a marketing exercise; this scheme has teeth.

Membership of Van Excellence comes with a robust accreditation scheme.

AAH Pharmaceuticals was one the early adopters of the scheme. Its head of corporate services, Geoff Wright, recognised the accreditation process was tough and the audit process was rigorous, but explained that it needs to be to be credible and to drive up standards. He explained: “Ensuring our fleet operates to the highest standards is important to AAH. Getting medicines to patients who need them is more than just moving boxes.

And we recognise we owe it to the public and our drivers to ensure we provide a safe working environment and practices.”

The timing of Van Excellence couldn’t be more apposite. While the responsibility for

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TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

van operators to be safe and compliant is an ever-present factor (and, considering what’s at stake, a rather obvious one), early prosecutions for corporate manslaughter mean that a ‘belt and braces’ approach to one’s fleet operator responsibilities is more important than ever.

Against a backdrop of increased Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) activity in the van sector and a government that has made no secret of its desire to impose further legislation on van operators, there is a growing sense of urgency in the van sector that if we don’t get our own house in order, someone else will. Clearly the stereotypical tabloid image of white van man adds fuel to the fire of extra-regulation, but Van Excellence looks to dowse these flames.

SUPPORTERS Support for self-regulation of the van sector is borne out by the number and diversity of van operating companies that have already signed up to Van Excellence. Big names like Balfour Beatty, Clancydocwra, AAH Pharmaceuticals, Iron Mountain, Menzies and local authorities

such as Wakefield District Housing and London Borough of Redbridge, have all seen the virtue of standing side-by-side in the good fight to improve the image of the industry and all have gone through and passed the Van Excellence accreditation process, with many more companies lining up to do the same.

Most recently, GE Capital Fleet Services was recognised as a Van Excellence partner, and in doing so became the first to represent vehicle leasing. Clearly, there is an appetite for forward-thinking companies to show their commitment to excellence by joining a scheme where excellence is a pre-requisite of membership.

Eddie Parker, LCV consultant at GE Capital, Fleet Services, described what membership meant for them: "We are delighted to be the first leasing company to achieve the Van Excellence standard. This has proved a very useful exercise as we constantly re-examine our light commercial vehicle operations from top to bottom to ensure continuous improvement.” E

E There is a substantial commercial benefit to be had from joining the ‘good guys’ too: “Van Excellence also gives assurance to existing and potential customers that we meet the highest industry standards when it comes to our van fleet.”

COMPANY COMMITMENT Van Excellence provides an option for operators to be accredited against industry developed standards. This recognition of excellence provides an achievable way to demonstrate a company’s commitment to the safe and efficient operation of its vans to its customers, its contracting organisations –

Debbie Vaughan, transport compliance manager at Enterprise, commented: “The accreditation process has not only verified our operational processes but also recognises the strong safety ethos that exists within the organisation.”

As well as pressure to protect reputation and improve safety standards there is the very real added pressure of having to absorb ever-increasing diesel prices eating away at profit. This issue affects everyone, from the largest van operator to the smallest whether operating independently or as part of a larger concern. In addressing this issue of cost management, Van Excellence

We all know the stereotype – a careless, often inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous driver behind the wheel of a van that has seen better days. But we also know the reality: that most van operators put to good use excellent safety and maintenance best practice. more and more contracting organisations are recognising Van Excellence accreditation as a pre-requisite standard for operators – and the public at large. However, sometimes it’s more about crediting existing best practice than augmenting standards.

accreditation also presents opportunities for real savings with potential improvements in residual values, reductions in end-oflease/hire recharge values and insurance premiums for operators following the practical framework of operational practices provided by Van Excellence.

TRAINING Then there is the issue of van driver training.

Getting the buy-in from one’s own drivers is a key to reducing costs. If the driver of a van is untrained, unrespected and pushed to deliver more and more the net effect will be lots of time with the engine running at

Freight

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

full throttle, brakes that wear quickly and tyres not lasting as long as they ought.

Most businesses would happily pay more for a qualified driver who treats the vehicle with more respect and therefore reduces maintenance costs. Van Excellence seeks to share how the best operators train and look after their drivers and show what it does for their vehicle damage expenses, fuel costs and whole life vehicle costs.

Van Excellence provides access to nononsense advice and support for van operators.

This includes the Guide to Van Excellence with practical real-world information on operating safely and efficiently. Subscribers can also access the Van Excellence website (www. vanexcellence.co.uk) and will receive regular e-mails to ensure they are kept up-to-date with van news. And with access to FTA’s Advice Centre, members are never more than a phone call away from operational advice.

THE BENEFITS There has been a massive growth in van use in recent years and the large number of liveried vans on the road means that the way in which they are presented, driven and operated can has an important effect – for good or ill – on the reputation of a company.

Why should decision makers get involved in Van Excellence and adopt it as a process in their businesses? In Van Excellence, we have a structure that will allow the van industry to raise its game, cut costs and present a much better face to the outside world.

Rory Morgan, national logistics manager for Iron Mountain, succinctly describes Van Excellence as “a straight forward and sensible scheme which can only be for the good of operators and other road users.”

By recognising and promoting such ‘excellence’, we will slowly but surely remove those three offending words from the public lexicon. L FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0871 112222 info@vanexcellence.co.uk www.vanexcellence.co.uk

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

Variable Message Signs – the experts in optical technology and communications networks Applying technology in transportation has always been at the forefront of everything Variable Message Signs Limited manufactures, from standard to bespoke LED signage products.

Pegasus – our new range of urban signs – includes dual colour full matrix signs and a new car park guidance type sign, which are the latest products to be designed and built with this philosophy. The sign’s attractive and slim design is especially suited to today’s urban streetscape, where it will deliver driver and pedestrian information.

We offer a full range of services to suit individual client requirements from design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of LED driver information systems and driver feedback signs. These include fully UTMC compliant car park guidance systems, vehicle activated speed and warning signs and full matrix dual colour advance warning and information signs.

Our car park guidance and information signs advise drivers where the car parks are within a town or city centre, local hospital or school site. The signs will advise on the number of spaces left within each car park or area or in the case of multi-storey car parks the number of spaces left on each floor, providing information and choice for drivers entering the

town or site. With the addition of our TRAMS car park management software package, the operator has control over all the listed car parks, the number of displayed/available spaces as well as providing various management reports. They also help reduce emissions by keeping traffic moving and avoiding queuing.

By adding a free text display within the car park guidance sign, clients can enhance their system and have the capability of adding other information to visitors entering the site.

Our Safewatch range of driver feedback and warning signs helps provide road and pedestrian safety by advising and reinforcing the speed limits and other hazards, such as pedestrian crossings, side roads, tight bends, car park entrances and exits.

The unique environment of roads adjacent to

and within schools, universities and hospitals specifically, our Safewatch range can be programmed to suit varying local and site conditions, by advising permitted speed or alternatively they can display a pictogram i.e. children crossing etc. Our Safewatch range of signs can also be fitted with four corner conspicuity lanterns for added presence.

Variable Message Signs Limited is an ISO9001 2000, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Quality Company and is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) and UTMC. FOR MORE INFORMATION Mr Glynn J Hutton, sales manager 07717 783134 / 0191 4237070 ghutton@vmslimited.co.uk www.vmslimited.co.uk

Applying technology in transportation Applying Technology in Transportation has always been at the forefront of everything Variable Message Signs Limited manufacture, from standard to bespoke LED signage products.

Pegasus our new range of urban signs include a range of dual colour full matrix signs and a new car park guidance type sign which are the latest products to be designed and built with this philosophy. The sign’s attractive and slim design is especially suited to today’s urban streetscape, where they will deliver driver and pedestrian information.

We offer a full range of services to suit individual client requirements’ from design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of LED driver information systems and driver feedback signs. These include fully UTMC compliant car park guidance systems, vehicle activated speed and warning signs and full matrix dual colour advance warning and information signs.

Variable Message Signs Limited is an ISO9001 2000, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Quality Company and are members of the British Parking Association (BPA) and UTMC.

VMSL The sign of the times; There’s no substitute for quality 28

TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

Variable Message Signs Limited Unit 1, Monkton Business Park North, Mill Lane, Hebburn. Tyne & Wear, NE31 2JZ

ghutton@vmslimited.co.uk www.vmslimited.co.uk Tel: 0191 423 7070 Mob: 07717 783134

BARRIERS & HANDRAILS

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

PTRC

Cenpart Address: Twydale Works, Dudley Road West, Tividale, Oldbury West Midlands B69 2PF Tel: 0121 5209400 Fax: 0121 5209211 office@cenpart.co.uk www.cenpart.co.uk Cenpart is a leading supplier and installer of Armco and other barrier and handrail systems for the separation and protection of pedestrians and property from vehicles in all non-highway situations. Our large stocks enable a fast turnaround of barriers suitable for car parks, factories, warehouses, service and goods yards.

BVRLA

info@transportlogic.co.uk www.transportlogic.co.uk

Address: 1 Vernon Mews, Vernon Street, London W14 0RL Tel: 020 73481970 Fax: 020 73481989 info@ptrc-training.co.uk www.ptrc-training.co.uk

Transport Logic’s ITS Consultancy practice provides technical and management consultancy support to clients in the transport sector. Our services are based on experience of working in all aspects of transportation engineering projects for over 25 years.

Transport Logic has a close network of experienced associate consultants that we can deploy to meet the needs of the larger project.

PTRC Education and Research Services specialises in enhancing professional development and supporting best practice across the transport industry. We run conferences, training courses and seminars on a wide variety of transport and related topics, as well as offering marketing support and event management services, and encouraging the sharing of best practice across the industry.

Transport Logic Limited

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Rare Spark Address: PO Box 44908, London N9 9RZ Tel: 020 83601288 Fax: 020 83601008 info@carsqa.co.uk www.carsqa.co.uk

Address: 1 Farnham Road, Guildford GU2 4RG, UK Tel: +44 (0)1483 549811 Fax: +44 (0)1483 549100 info@rarespark.co.uk www.rarespark.co.uk

CARSQA Limited was formed to offer impartial certification and inspection services to the automotive industry as a leading compliance body. CARSQA has built its client base from having a reputation that you can trust. CARSQA assesses and inspects British, international, PAS specifications and organisations' own requirements specifically tailored to your needs.

From transport statements and assessments through detailed appraisals of car parking and traffic-flow, to researching and developing travel plans, clients seek our help in making planning applications, re-designing car parks and traffic flows, surveying employee travel, attitudes and perceptions, and to help them develop their environmental credentials.

CARSQA

CABLE ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURERS

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Product Finder

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

CONTRACT HIRE AND FLEET MANAGEMENT

ING Car Lease UK Ltd Address: Phoenix House, Cookham Road, Bracknell RG12 1RR Tel: 0870 4028200 Fax: 01344 300400 info@ingcarlease.co.uk www.ingcarlease.co.uk We are one of the UK’s leading fleet management and vehicle funding service providers, to both car and commercial vehicle fleets. We offer a full range of finance solutions including contract hire, finance lease and salary sacrifice, supported by a full range of fleet management services covering accident management, maintenance management, risk management and daily rental.

DRIVER CPC

Gem Cable Solutions Unit 10, The Dencora Centre, Campfield Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 5HN Tel: 01727 845750 Fax: 01727 838780 sales@gemcable.co.uk www.gemcable.co.uk A specialised business dedicated to offering first-class engineering, manufacturing and project management solutions. With over 20 years of service excellence, product innovation and outstanding reliability, we offer an extensive range of custom-made cable assemblies using Co-Axial, Copper and Fibre Optic cables. Quality assurance to ISO9001:2008 and a preferred partner for many international firms.

Munro Consulting Address: 44c High Street, Chippenham Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5PR Tel: 0844 3180138 enquiries@highways-consultant.co.uk www.highways-consultant.co.uk Munro Consulting provides value management and technical advisory services to the highways sector. We advise on procurement and contracts, and provide dispute resolution services. In addition we act as an independent member of tender panels and undertake contract auditing. We also provide expert witness services.

Novadata Tel: 01376 552999 E-mail: bob@novadata.co.uk Web: www.novadata.co.uk Novadata has been delivering training courses for over 20 years. These courses range from Driver CPC, Management CPC, ADR and DGSA, to the latest addition PTLLS, an essential requirement for anyone planning a career in training. Novadata is a City & Guilds, SQA, Edexcel and OCRS accredited centre.

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

29

Product Finder

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

Isla Components Ltd Address: Unit 5, Court Farm Business Park, Bishops Frome WR6 5AY Tel: 01885 485950 Fax: 01885 490472 islasales@lineone.net www.islacomponents.co.uk Isla Components manufactures wiper arms for all types of vehicle, bus, coach, CCTV, plant.

We also manufacture wiper spindles and can provide wiper motors. We hold large stocks of all types of wiper blades, with the majority supplied in printed cartons.

ENGINEERING

EU PROJECTS AND ITS CONSULTANCY

FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

EPN Consulting

FUELTEK

Address: Portland House – Stag Place, London SW1E 5RS, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 78698015 Fax: +44 (0)20 78698001 inforequest@EPNconsulting.eu www.EPNconsulting.eu

Address: Lang Court, Nuttalls Way, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn Lancashire BB1 2JT Tel: 01254 291931 Fax: 01254 291391 fueltek@fueltek.co.uk www.fueltek.co.uk

EPN Consulting is a threefold professional service: Consultancy, Innovative Network of Professionals and Business Hub. Main consultancy areas regard European projects assistance in any phase from the preparation to the full management; ITS and sustainable transport solutions targeted around the client’s needs; innovation on ideas, methodologies and procedures.

Fueltek is a leading manaufacturer, supplier installer and service provider for a complete range of commercial vehicle re-fuelling products. The product range includes fuel storage tanks, fuel management systems, tank contents management systems, fuel pumps and other ancilleries. Fueltek customers are both large and small and include companies from all sectors of the transport industry.

FLEET MANAGEMENT

HIGHWAY VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

GreenRoad Stockton Tel: 07811 333588 info@stocktonlondon.com www.stocktonlondon.com At Stockton we offer: First-class engineering safety and reliability work for railway projects; Cost effective project support that controls cost and minimises risk to delivery schedules; Highly qualified consultants with broad experience in the UK railway industry; Expertise in risk and RAMS assessment, technical review, process review and technical authoring.

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

GreenRoad 360™ provides drivers and fleet managers with real-time feedback to enhance decision-making behind the wheel, backed up by comprehensive online reporting and analysis on their manoeuvres and patterns. We engage drivers on an ongoing basis to deliver lasting improvements to driver and fleet performance.

Through safer driving, GreenRoad’s service looks after your drivers, whilst improving performance across fuel consumption, operational efficiency, vehicle wear-and-tear and insurance costs.

FUEL & LUBRICANTS

Abbott Risk Consulting

Linton Fuel Oils

Address: 11 Albyn Place, Edinburgh EH2 4N / 10 Greycoat Place, London SW1P 1SB +44 (0)131 2200164 / +44 (0)20 79606087 Fax: +44 (0)131 2202926 rail@consultarc.com www.consultarc.com

Address: Osiers Rd, Wandsworth, London SW18 1NR Tel: 0845 6006583 Fax: 020 88771043 sales@lintonfueloils.com www.lintonfueloils.com

ARC is a leading risk management consultancy with significant experience of all aspects of safety and risk management, assurance and regulation from major rail projects in the UK and abroad. We work closely with our clients using skilled and experienced consultants to help you manage your risks efficiently and effectively.

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Address: The Podium, 1 Eversholt Street, London NW1 2DN Tel: 020 78860831 Fax: 020 75540702 info@greenroad.com www.greenroad.com

TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23

At Linton Fuel Oils Limited we have been distributing fuel oils in London and the home counties for nearly 40 years. We are also the Channel Partner for Castrol lubricants in the South and East of England, supplying a full range of products for truck, bus, off-highway and agricultural operators. At Linton our customers are always given good products with exceptional service.

IBI Group Address: Morton House, 12 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1JY Tel: 01636 675980 Fax: 01636 703981 dawn.crossland@ibigroup.com www.routemapper.net RouteMapper is IBI Group’s flagship highway video surveying system. Our market leading design utilises the latest state of the art cameras and positioning technology. This enables our clients to accurately position, measure and digitise highway related features in an efficient and user friendly environment.

LEGAL

DWF Address: Bridgewater Place, Water Lane, Leeds LS11 5DY Tel: 0113 2616047 Fax: 0870 0940939 matthew.yates@dwf.co.uk www.dwf.co.uk Extensive experience in transport and logistics, delivering high quality legal services, tailored to meet your needs. We advise on all areas including corporate and general financing, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance advice, real estate and employment.

LOGISTICS

YGT Logistics Address: Jonen House, High Road, Epping, Essex CM16 6LP Tel: 0870 7594410 Fax: 0870 7594420 sales@ygtlogistics.com www.orkun.com We are a logistic company based in Epping, dealing with export/import of commercial goods to/from Turkey. We run a minimum of two groupage trailers per week from Turkey and daily groupage trailers to Turkey Monday to Friday. The full-load trailers can be booked within 24 hours in both ways. We provide meticulous service to our customers.

NATIONAL HAULIER

Denholm Transport Address: PO Box 28, India Buildings Water Street, Liverpool L3 2BW Tel: 0151 2272050 Fax: 0151 2272232 enquiries@denholm-transport.co.uk www.denholm-transport.co.uk Founded in 1993, Denholm Transport is one of the largest private hauliers in the UK. With a deserved reputation for service delivery, national contracts are managed through one single point of contact, supported by a team of highly trained and experienced staff.

REINSTATEMENT COMPACTION MEASUREMENT

SAFETY WORKWEAR

Cosalt

Q-Free

Address: Banner House, Greg Street Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire SK5 7BT Tel: +44 (0)161 4291100 Fax: +44 (0)161 4291101 workwear@cosalt.com www.cosalt.com

Address: POB 3974 Leangen NO 7443 Trondheim, Norway Tel: +47 73 826500 sales@q-free.com www.q-free.com

Supplying safety workwear and footwear to thousands of personnel within the transportation industry, Cosalt maintains its reputation as the sector’s leading light through passion, expertise and dedication to workers on the ground. Combining continual product development with constant service improvement, Cosalt keeps workers comfortable, safe and protected.

SECURITY

Q-Free is a leading global supplier of solutions and products for Road User Charging and Traffic Management, having applications mainly within electronic toll collection for road financing, congestion charging, truck-tolling, law enforcement and parking/access control. Q-Free offers solutions and products based on state of the art technology, and is the leading supplier within DSRC (tag), and OCR (image processing) based solutions, with deliveries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and North and South America.

TRANSPORT – HEAVY HAULAGE

GB Security Group

Moveright International

Address: Security House, High Street, Donington, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 4TA Tel: 01775 821100 Fax: 01775 821395 enquiries@gbsg.co.uk www.gbsg.co.uk

Address: Dunton Park, Dunton Lane Wishaw B76 9QA Tel: 01675 475590 / 07974 755105 Fax: 01675 4755912 andrew@moverightinternational.com www.moverightinternational.com

Innovation in keeping people and property safe, with a 30 year track record. Our integrated security solutions cut costs and control precious resources. Solutions include CCTV, access control plus guarding services, to keep your site secure and streamline site management with options such as movement control, and staff time and attendance.

TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION

SD Instrumentation

TDC Systems

Address: Top Farm, Tellisford, Bath BA2 7RL Tel: +44 (0)1225 355169 Fax: +44 (0)1225 355893 simon@sdinst.plus.com www.sdinst.com

Address: 30 Lynx Cresent Weston Super Mare Tel: 01934 644299 Fax: 01934 644255 sales@tdcsystems.co.uk www.tdcsystems.co.uk

Clegg Impact Soil Testers designed and manufactured by us provide an easy means for measuring soil compaction and strength during trench reinstatement. The Testers provide a compact instrument for monitoring the quality of reinstatements in-situ while work proceeds, avoiding the need for later re-excavation.

Data storage and GPS are options.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

TDC Systems Limited is a leading designer and manufacturer of traffic data collection, traffic monitoring and weigh-in-motion systems.

Incorporated in 1998 TDC Systems has supplied high-speed and low-speed weigh-inmotion systems and traffic counter/classifiers all around the world.

Product Finder

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

Moveright International specialises in the heavy haulage industry, most specifically with abnormal or indivisible loads, for example railway locomotives, coaches and other equipment. We hold an International Operators Licence so can help plan and deliver goods within the UK, Europe and worldwide.

VEHICLE STORAGE & REFURBISHMENT

nkl automotive Address: Carmen House, New Potter Grange Road, Goole DN14 6BZ Tel: 01405 721400 Fax: 01405 721401 nicklaister@nklautomotive.co.uk www.nklautomotive.co.uk nkl automotive's web-based navigation service enables our customers to store their vehicles within the nkl storage and refurbishment service. nkl stores, refurbishes and then reallocates to customers. Our webbased timeline service keeps our customers' vehicles usage at an optimum level. For further details of our vehicle movements service, please contact us as above.

Volume 23 | TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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Advertisers Index

Business Information for Transport Professionals – www.transportbusiness.net

ADVERTISERS INDEX

The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service Abacus Lighting

25

Fueltek

25

PTRC

20

Alcoa Fastening Systems

10

Hepworth Rail

10

Q-Free

2

ING Car Leasing

23

Rose Calendars

16

19

Concateno

4

Concentrix

14

International Road Federation

20

SD Instrumentation

Cuthbertson Laird Group

16

Isla Components

16

Staytite

8

NKL Automotive

20

Transport Logic

12

12

Novadata.co.uk

23

Variable Message Signs

28

DMC Rail

EPN Consulting

8

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE TO FACE

Transport Business - www.transportbusiness.net 32

TRANSPORT BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL | Volume 23