NCT is first UK bus operator to retrofit to Journeo Camera Monitoring System
Journeo has announced that Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is the first UK bus operator to retrofit the supplier's digital Camera Monitoring System (CMS) to its fleet in place of conventional wing mirrors.
The company has marked the retrofit as a watershed moment for the technology and the 21st Century solution, as it allows operators to deploy the system both to existing vehicles as well as new ones.
The installation with NCT further allows consistency in system quality and driver familiarisation, and allows Journeo's nationwide engineering team to manage all systems under one support and maintenance contract.
The Journeo CMS uses cameras connected to monitors inside the driver's cab. Journeo says it improves visibility in all conditions, including at 
night, bright sunlight, and heavy rain, while giving the driver a clearer view and removing blind spots.
The cameras' diminutive size also reduced the risk of collision with pedestrians, other road users and objects such as bus stops and trees - Journeo reports users have seen a 60% reduction in accident costs and almost 40% in maintenance costs.
“We are determined to make our transport network as safe as possible for passengers and other road users and this project is an important step in achieving this," says Liam O'Brien, Head of Engineering at NCT. "As with any significant change to a vehicle, there are a lot of processes to go through. 21st Century’s support in helping us navigate the legal procedures has been invaluable.”
Adds Mark Johnson, Director of Fleet Systems at 21st Century: "As a UK first this is an exciting project. While CMS is mandated on all new buses in London, Liam and the Nottingham City Transport team are proving that operators outside the capital can add this important safety technology to their existing vehicles. Because of the huge safety benefits that it brings, we are determined to support the industry to roll out this technology wider.
"Our understanding of homologation processes for new and existing vehicles is second-to none and, with a nationwide engineering team, we can help any operator roll out these solutions seamlessly."
Rear view cameras and 'stop and go' for UK Neoplan Tourliner
MAN will shortly debut OptiView rear-view cameras and adaptive cruise control (ACC) ‘stop and go’ functionality on its Neoplan Tourliner coach line-up in the UK. The OEM's dealership here says that the optional systems form part of work to further improve efficiency and safety on the Tourliner.
Both packages will be fitted to a demonstrator among a batch of 11 stock Tourliners that are to start arriving in late February. Another of those coaches will have OptiView, but not ACC ‘stop and go’ capability. Both will also be the UK’s first Tourliners built with MAN’s AttentionGuard product, which introduces a visual and audible warning if it detects that the driver is losing concentration.
The long-awaited arrival of OptiView in the coach market here follows an extended development period for the technology on passenger vehicles. Some UK operators have already seen and experienced it on a Neoplan Cityliner development vehicle in Germany. Good feedback from them was a factor in MAN electing to specify it on the forthcoming demonstrators, says Senior Retail Coach Sales Executive Matthew Jacob.
“The response from operators on visits to Munich was positive and they indicated that they are keen to try the technology in their own circumstances. We are also keen to generate feedback from drivers on how they find rear-view cameras.”
An option to retrofit OptiView to existing Tourliners is currently being finalised by MAN. Coaches equipped with OptiView will be supplied with basic replacement mirrors for use should a camera fail or be damaged.
The ‘stop and go’ addition to existing ACC functionality will allow the coach to automatically brake to a short period at standstill before restarting without the driver’s intervention. MAN says that it “significantly increases safety and comfort” and reduces the driver’s workload.
ACC utilises the front-mounted camera and radar units and intervenes with brake and throttle inputs. Availability of the ‘stop and go’ enhancement is exclusively in conjunction with the ZF Traxon automated manual gearbox. It is also offered on MAN coach chassis in right-hand drive format.
Also debuting in UK Tourliners via the pending stock arrival will be Euro VI step E technology on the MAN D26 power unit. The D26 at that iteration can run on 100% biodiesel or HVO in addition to conventional diesel. The fully equipped demonstrator will showcase the D26 at its maximum 510bhp and 2,600Nm of torque rating.
The stock batch will consist of two-axle Tourliner P10 and tri-axle P20 and P22 variants. All will be PSVAR compliant with space for two wheelchair users.
Ilesbus launches Iveco-based I-City Max low-floor midibus
Ilesbus UK has expanded its low-floor range with the introduction of the I-City Max. It is built on a front-engined Iveco Daily underframe and can carry a maximum of 32 seated passengers with provision for up to two wheelchair users.
The coachbuilt new product builds upon the existing low-floor I-City, which uses the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as a base vehicle. In the I-City Max, Ilesbus’s factory in Turkey fits a longer and wider low-floor ‘box’ within the chassis area to deliver step-free access. The positioning of that module has allowed a Telma retarder to be fitted despite the need to route the prop shaft beneath it.
Four completed I-City Max vehicles are in transit currently, with the first to be delivered in the UK set to go to Runcorn operator Anthony’s Travel. Others have been sold, including a large batch for Ilesbus UK’s partner in Ireland JJ Kavanagh and Sons. One of the four is a demonstrator that the supplier expects to have available for trial in February.
“The I-City Max is a larger version of the I-City. The two models share a lot of design commonalities as we wanted to retain as much of the I-City's styling as possible in the larger vehicle,” says Ilesbus UK Sales Director Gary Johns. He adds that the new model is available at two lengths. In addition to the longer variant offering up to 32 seats, a shorter version gives a maximum of 25.
Ilesbus uses a Daily 70C21 chassis that is uprated to 8,000kg GVW for the I-City Max. It comes with a 210bhp engine and the Hi-Matic automatic gearbox as standard. Saloon air-conditioning and an auxiliary coolant heater are also part of the package, along with USB charging points at every seat. Ilesbus UK will supply the I-City Max with a Certificate of Conformity and it complies with PSVAR.
The new model also has rear air suspension and its seating choice extends as far as the range offered on Ilesbus’s mini and midicoach line-up. A boot as part of a coach-style rear is also fitted. The Iveco warranty is unaffected by the work to install a low-floor section.
“Customer demand has led us to develop the I-City Max,” adds Mr Johns. "The I-City was also based on demand, but some operators have told us that they wanted something to the same format but a little bigger.”
Video of the I-City Max available here.