Sat-navs: FTA Calls for better lorry directions
August 28th 2007 The Freight Transport Association is asking suppliers to produce satellite navigation systems which are more compatible with freight operations.
Mapping software customarily supplied with sat-nav units assumes the vehicle being driven is able to navigate the selected route legally, safely and without inconveniencing the local community and other road users. That is probably a safe assumption for cars and light vans but, in too many cases, the selected routes are proving inappropriate for larger vehicles and there have been a number of cases of heavy lorries being guided to inappropriate locations, leaving them unable to go forward or to turn around.
FTA is inviting the mapping and telematics industry to remedy this situation before any more goodwill is lost to the public, or the Government decides to take action because of misdirected vehicles. The Association has identified a list of data items that its members say are necessary and useful additions to a standard sat-nav system. These include:
- Vehicle width restrictions
- Vehicle height restrictions
- Vehicle length restrictions
- HGV restrictions (pedestrianised areas and local lorry bans)
- Kerbside loading and unloading restrictions
- Time of day (relating to restrictions)
- Recommended lorry routes
- Ability to specify trunk roads or motorways
- Adequate predictability of possible access problems in time to allow diversionary action by drivers
- Location of lorry parks and driver facilities
- Location of public weighbridges
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