New technology is being introduced on buses as part of a wider plan to drastically reduce the number of deaths on London's roads.

Automatic braking and audible warning systems are just some of the new safety features to be trialled by Transport for London on the capital's buses.

Results from the trial, which sets out to protect passengers, pedestrians and other road users, will feed into a new Bus Safety Standard that will be incorporated into bus operator contracts from the end of 2018.

According to Transport for London figures, there was one death as a result of a collision with a bus between January and March this year in Hillingdon.

New safety featured to be included in the trial consist of:

  • Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems that allow the vehicle to detect its surroundings and automatically apply the brakes.
  • Features to alert pedestrians and other road users of the presence of buses, such as lights or audible warnings.
  • A re-design of the front of buses, which could reduce the impact of a collision.
  • Changes to bus interiors to improve passenger safety, such as higher-grip flooring and softening sharp corners.
  • Improvements to vision for drivers, including improved mirror design.
Sadiq Khan wants zero bus related deaths by 2039 in the capital

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan , set out a "Vision Zero" approach to road danger earlier this year, which aims for no one to killed in or by a London bus by 2039, and for deaths and serious injuries from road collisions to be eliminated from London's streets by 2041.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, said: “Nothing is more important to the Mayor than the safety of Londoners.

"We are doing our utmost to make the streets of the capital safer and these measures can potentially make big improvements to bus safety.”

The plan includes eliminating serious injuries from road by 2041

TfL’s managing director of surface transport, Leon Daniels, said: “We are determined to drive down the unacceptable number of people injured or killed on London’s roads, and make streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Not a day is being wasted in working towards Vision Zero and this trial is part of our comprehensive programme to make road deaths caused by London buses a thing of the past.”

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