Everything you need to know about pss
To fully understand what the Progressive Safe System (PSS) is about please read our guide below. As your vehicle safety specialists
we are able to advise you what it is, why it exists, who will be affected and how Sentinel Systems can help you achieve compliance.
For more information call and speak to one of our safety specialists on 01285 771333 or send us an email to sales@sentinelsystems.co.uk.
we are able to advise you what it is, why it exists, who will be affected and how Sentinel Systems can help you achieve compliance.
For more information call and speak to one of our safety specialists on 01285 771333 or send us an email to sales@sentinelsystems.co.uk.
How did the progressive safe system come about?
A big milestone on the journey to safer roads in London has been the development of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS). Now, the proposed implementation of Progressive Safe Systems (PSS), dedicated to reducing the risk Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) pose to cyclists and pedestrians, is on the horizon.
At the heart of TfL's ambitious ‘Vision Zero’ strategy, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London's streets by 2041, the PSS is expected to revolutionise road safety. Scheduled for October 2024, all HGVs rated two stars or lower under the DVS scheme will need to implement the PSS.
That's a whopping 90% of the current HGV fleet operating in the city, totalling around 165,000 vehicles. But what exactly will the PSS involve? Let's dive into it and answer some of the questions fleet operators are asking.
At the heart of TfL's ambitious ‘Vision Zero’ strategy, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London's streets by 2041, the PSS is expected to revolutionise road safety. Scheduled for October 2024, all HGVs rated two stars or lower under the DVS scheme will need to implement the PSS.
That's a whopping 90% of the current HGV fleet operating in the city, totalling around 165,000 vehicles. But what exactly will the PSS involve? Let's dive into it and answer some of the questions fleet operators are asking.
HOW WILL THE PSS ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY?
The proposed PSS will significantly augment the existing Safe System measures. The current DVS Safe System, developed in 2018, includes mirrors, cameras, sensors, signage, warning signals, and side guards as supplementary safety measures for zero-rated vehicles. The PSS, however, expands this list to include advanced technologies and equipment that have since emerged on the market. For further details of the consultation process that TfL has now finished, click here.
WHEN WILL THE PSS BE IMPLEMENTED?
The final PSS requirements are set to be published in summer 2023 following a review process of the feedback received during the consultation period earlier this year. The PSS will then be enforced from October 2024, marking the implementation of phase two of the DVS.
How Can you Become pss compliant?
There are a number of requirements when it comes to becoming PSS compliant, but with expert help from Sentinel Systems, you can select our pre-made PSS kit, which we can fit with our fully trained in-house engineers. That means PSS compliance is guaranteed for your vehicles. If you're interested in finding out more about the kit, check it out here.
If you'd rather fit the kit yourself, that's fine too, as we have a complete fitters guide so that you can power yourself to PSS compliance using the complete Sentinel Systems kit.
WHAT IS PSS?
All HGVs more than 12 tonnes GVW entering or operating in Greater London from the 1st March 2021 will need to hold a safety permit. You will be able to obtain a safety permit from October 2019. The scheme will be enforced from the 1st March 2021 across Greater London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the same date heavy vehicles will need to meet even stronger Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards London-wide.
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WHAT'S THE ROLE OF CAMERA & MONITOR SYSTEMS (CMS) IN PSS?
Advanced CMS are set to play a pivotal role in the PSS. Strategically placed around the vehicle, these cameras aim to eradicate blind spots and provide drivers with comprehensive, real-time views of their surroundings. Monitor displays installed within the cab then show these high-quality visuals, with some systems even offering split-screen functionality for simultaneous multi-angle views, so the driver has direct vision of the surrounding area.
HOW DO OBJECT DETECTION / MOVING OFF-SYSTEMS (MOIS) IMPROVE SAFETY?
As a part of the PSS, Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) will boost front-of-vehicle safety. These systems can detect the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, or other objects in the vehicle's vicinity and alert the driver through visual or audible warnings. This timely heads-up will enable drivers to take the necessary action promptly, crucially lowering the risk of collisions in busy urban environments.
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WHY ARE ULTRA-SONIC/RADAR SENSORS ESSENTIAL?
To ensure full coverage down the nearside of the vehicle, the PSS will likely introduce Ultra-Sonic/Radar Sensors. They will effectively detect vulnerable road users without activating due to roadside furniture or stationary vehicles. This is crucial in London, where the number of cyclists and vulnerable road users continues to grow.
HOW DO WARNING ALARMS CONTRIBUTE TO ROAD SAFETY?
Audible warning alarms are a vital part of the proposed PSS. These alarms emit distinct sounds to alert pedestrians and cyclists of the vehicle's presence and intended manoeuvres, especially valuable where a driver's direct line of sight might be limited. Left turns into junctions are some of the most common instances of collisions with cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Everything You NEed TO Know about PSS Checklist
Summary of requirements under the PSS (Progressive Safe System)
1. A fully operational camera monitoring system must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle, to completely eliminate the remaining blind spot at the nearside
2. Class V and VI mirrors, or a camera monitoring system that replaces the mirrors, or a combination of both, must be fitted to the front and nearside of the vehicle. These should be fitted in compliance with UNECE Regulation 46
3. A blind spot information system, with active sensors that gives adequate warning to the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user, must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle in accordance with the technical specifications for the PSS. A vehicle that demonstrably complies with UNECE Regulation 151 will meet this requirement
4. A moving off information system must be fitted to the front of the vehicle to warn the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user, in accordance with the technical specifications for the PSS. A vehicle that demonstrably complies with UNECE Regulation 159 will meet this requirement
5. Side under-run protection must be fitted to both sides of the vehicle, except where this is demonstrably impractical. This equipment must be fitted in compliance with UNECE Regulation 73 on lateral protection devices
6. An audible vehicle manoeuvring warning must be fitted to provide an adequate audible warning to vulnerable road users when a vehicle is turning left 7. External pictorial stickers and markings must be displayed on vehicles to provide adequate visual warning to vulnerable road users of the hazards present around the vehicle
Information Requirements
Evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with the PSS We do not require operators to provide third-party certification for their equipment installed for the purposes of fitting the PSS. For applications regarding vehicles rated zero, one or two stars, or where your vehicle is unrated, you will need to submit the following:
Visual evidence: two photographs to demonstrate that you have fitted the PSS to your vehicle
Sensor functionality statement: a statement self-certifying that all sensors have been fitted in accordance with our technical specifications and are in functional working order
Visual evidence
For the visual evidence, the photographs must clearly show the front and nearside of the HGV in photo one, and the rear and nearside of the vehicle in photo two. The vehicle registration plates must be clearly readable in both photos and the images must demonstrate that the PSS equipment has been fitted to the vehicle as specified in this guidance and accompanying technical specifications. If your vehicle is a tractor unit, it is not necessary to include a photo of the trailer as well. Where a trailer is present, the rear photo must show the rear nearside of the trailer with the vehicle in situ. Examples of good photographic evidence are provided online at: tfl.gov.uk/dvsvisualevidence
Sensor functionality statement
Operators are also required to provide a sensor functionality statement alongside an application for vehicles with a zero-, one- or two-star rating that demonstrates that the blind spot and moving off information systems have been fitted to comply with the standards set in our technical specifications, and are in functional working order. This should comprise an official statement or letter from either the fitter or the original equipment manufacturer of the product being installed, to the effect that the sensors fitted to the vehicle are active and fitted in compliance with the approved technical specifications. The letter should include a statement that certifies that ‘the blind spot and moving off information systems fitted to this vehicle are fully functional, effective and installed in compliance with the PSS technical specifications’. This statement can be attached to your application along with the required visual evidence.
1. A fully operational camera monitoring system must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle, to completely eliminate the remaining blind spot at the nearside
2. Class V and VI mirrors, or a camera monitoring system that replaces the mirrors, or a combination of both, must be fitted to the front and nearside of the vehicle. These should be fitted in compliance with UNECE Regulation 46
3. A blind spot information system, with active sensors that gives adequate warning to the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user, must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle in accordance with the technical specifications for the PSS. A vehicle that demonstrably complies with UNECE Regulation 151 will meet this requirement
4. A moving off information system must be fitted to the front of the vehicle to warn the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user, in accordance with the technical specifications for the PSS. A vehicle that demonstrably complies with UNECE Regulation 159 will meet this requirement
5. Side under-run protection must be fitted to both sides of the vehicle, except where this is demonstrably impractical. This equipment must be fitted in compliance with UNECE Regulation 73 on lateral protection devices
6. An audible vehicle manoeuvring warning must be fitted to provide an adequate audible warning to vulnerable road users when a vehicle is turning left 7. External pictorial stickers and markings must be displayed on vehicles to provide adequate visual warning to vulnerable road users of the hazards present around the vehicle
Information Requirements
Evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with the PSS We do not require operators to provide third-party certification for their equipment installed for the purposes of fitting the PSS. For applications regarding vehicles rated zero, one or two stars, or where your vehicle is unrated, you will need to submit the following:
Visual evidence: two photographs to demonstrate that you have fitted the PSS to your vehicle
Sensor functionality statement: a statement self-certifying that all sensors have been fitted in accordance with our technical specifications and are in functional working order
Visual evidence
For the visual evidence, the photographs must clearly show the front and nearside of the HGV in photo one, and the rear and nearside of the vehicle in photo two. The vehicle registration plates must be clearly readable in both photos and the images must demonstrate that the PSS equipment has been fitted to the vehicle as specified in this guidance and accompanying technical specifications. If your vehicle is a tractor unit, it is not necessary to include a photo of the trailer as well. Where a trailer is present, the rear photo must show the rear nearside of the trailer with the vehicle in situ. Examples of good photographic evidence are provided online at: tfl.gov.uk/dvsvisualevidence
Sensor functionality statement
Operators are also required to provide a sensor functionality statement alongside an application for vehicles with a zero-, one- or two-star rating that demonstrates that the blind spot and moving off information systems have been fitted to comply with the standards set in our technical specifications, and are in functional working order. This should comprise an official statement or letter from either the fitter or the original equipment manufacturer of the product being installed, to the effect that the sensors fitted to the vehicle are active and fitted in compliance with the approved technical specifications. The letter should include a statement that certifies that ‘the blind spot and moving off information systems fitted to this vehicle are fully functional, effective and installed in compliance with the PSS technical specifications’. This statement can be attached to your application along with the required visual evidence.
Saving lives, and protecting your property and vehicles, matters.
Call the specialists in vehicle safety on +44 (0) 1285 771333
Call the specialists in vehicle safety on +44 (0) 1285 771333
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