METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Transport for London to test 5 new bus fleet safety innovations

The challenge pairs bus operators with innovative developers to come up with solutions to road danger that could complement TfL's Bus Safety Standard.

September 20, 2019
Transport for London to test 5 new bus fleet safety innovations

TfL will support testing by funding specialist independent analysis, meaning robust evidence will be produced to test the effectiveness of each product in reducing casualties.

TfL

1 min to read


TfL will support testing by funding specialist independent analysis, meaning robust evidence will be produced to test the effectiveness of each product in reducing casualties.

TfL

Cutting-edge technologies are set to be tested on buses this year as part of the Transport for London Bus Safety Innovation Challenge.

The challenge pairs bus operators with innovative developers to come up with solutions to road danger that could complement TfL's Bus Safety Standard.

Ad Loading...


The five successful applications for the The Bus Safety Innovation Challenge are:

  • A tool that calculates the risk of fatigue in real time.

  • Vulnerable road-user-intent prediction software that analysis people walking or cycling near a bus, anticipates their behavior, and alerts the driver.

  • A video-based driver safety coaching program that uses clips of actual events so that everyone can learn from them.

  • A lighting system that illuminates areas of greater risk around buses to other road users, comes on and off automatically in slow-speed circumstances, and flashes to indicate when a bus is turning.

  • A pedestrian and cyclist detection and driver alert system that detects vulnerable road users faster than a human can.

TfL will support testing by funding specialist independent analysis, meaning robust evidence will be produced to test the effectiveness of each product in reducing casualties. The agency will then explore how to introduce any of the successful innovations into its Bus Safety Standard.

More Technology

Luminator Charts a New Digital Path
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

From Hardware to Digital Partner: Luminator Charts Its Next Chapter

CEO Magnus Friberg discusses Luminator’s shift toward becoming a digital partner, the growing importance of software and interoperability, and how AI can help agencies improve operations and passenger experience.

Read More →
From Checklists to Better Outcomes
TechnologySeptember 11, 2026

Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance

Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.

Read More →
An NJ TRANSIT bus.
Technologyby StaffSeptember 11, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Advances Bus Technology Upgrades Across Statewide Fleet

More than 1,500 buses now feature upgraded technology designed to improve arrival predictions and provide free Wi-Fi, with deployment expected to reach nearly 2,000 buses by the end of 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
How BAE Systems Electrifies Transit Fleets
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
Rendering of an Alstom train in a VIA Rail Station
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
A computer-generated illustration of a transit bus outlined in blue on a black background with random red spots and blue spots.
SponsoredSeptember 8, 2026

From Legacy Silos to Conversational Intelligence

What if transit leaders could ask any operational question and get a trusted answer in seconds? Conversational AI is transforming how agencies use their data.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Federal Funding Advances rail and autonomous vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

USDOT Announces Rail Vehicle Replacement Grants, Chattanooga AV Shuttle Funding

More than $191 million in federal funding will help three transit agencies replace aging rail vehicles and support a new autonomous shuttle service in Chattanooga.

Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Transit Tech Training...What's Changed?
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.

Read More →
RIPTA, APTA, and federal officials at the launch of the agency's new Frontrunner vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Biz Briefs: RIPTA Unveils New Frontrunners, Clevland RTA Adds New Siemens, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Siemens, Prevost, Dodge, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Designing Stations Around the Passenger
RailSeptember 2, 2026

Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations

Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.

Read More →