Plans to introduce new speed-limiting technology which trials found was “particularly effective” in ensuring bus drivers adhere to local speed limits have been pushed back by at least 12 months.
Known as ‘Intelligent Speed Assistance,’ the technology was due to become mandatory on all buses entering service from this year after a two route trial showed drivers remained within the speed limit 97-99 per cent of the time.
Speaking last March, Leon Daniels, Transport for London’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “These trials have proven that speed limiting technology can contribute to safer roads and streets.
“We’ll now work with manufacturers so that all buses coming off the production line can be fitted with the technology from next year.”
However Mayor Sadiq Khan has now said the full-scale introduction won’t start until 2018.
In response to enquiries by Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell, Mr Khan revealed that work was still underway to define the ISA standard and “incorporate them into contracts.”
He added that this meant the technology would now “be phased into new vehicles joining the fleet from 2018.”
Commenting on Mr Khan’s answers, Ms Russell said: “I am baffled as to why this potentially life-saving technology has been delayed. Bringing in ISA is a common-sense measure and there is no reason to wait another year to launch it across London.
“The Mayor told me he was ‘committed’ to bringing ISA in to improve bus safety. Stalling on this easy measure by pushing back deadlines and introducing unnecessary ‘phasing in’ steps just wastes time.
“I will be questioning him about this time slippage and asking him to pledge to install ISA on all new buses, without delay.”
The 12 month delay will be a setback for safety campaigners who first lobbied former Mayor Ken Livingstone to adopt speed-limiting technology back in 2005.
