New Renault Low Cab meets Direct Vision Standards

Renault Trucks, in conjunction with one of the UK’s biggest facilities management companies, Veolia, has developed a new low-entry, high-vision refuse and recycling collection vehicle ideal for use in areas such as London.

The Renault Trucks Range D day cab is the lowest entry truck in the manufacturer’s model range, and is the result of a collaboration with Veolia as part of a £5 million investment in improving driver direct vision while increasing productivity for multiple collection operations.

With a class-leading ground step height of just 375mm (some 75mm lower than traditional crew cab models in this sector) the Range D Low cab is accessed via two steps that sit slightly inside the cab for easy use.

For Veolia’s crews, often undertaking more than 100 refuse collections in a day, the entry and exit height, achieved by fitting 315/60 tyres and air suspension front and rear, is highly valued.

An additional ‘kneel’ function drops the front of the vehicle a further 50mm. The day cab also improves the driver position, supporting primary awareness by giving more direct vision around other street users. It also provides a more flexible option for logistics management when vehicles only have a crew of two.

Currently operating the second biggest self-managed fleet in the UK, Veolia manages many contracts that involve collections in busy urban areas.

Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice President for Veolia UK and Ireland said, “Work safe, home safe, is our guiding principle for both our teams and for the communities where we work. By introducing this development for our fleet we will help to protect other road users and help our crews. This will also help us to operate more productively for our many customers, and extend the safety aspects of our operations.”

Nigel Butler, Renault Trucks UK’s Commercial Director, added, “Transport for London’s CLOCS programme has made low-entry, high-vision vehicles a priority to minimise work-related road risk, underlined by the London Mayor’s Direct Vision Standard system. By working with Veolia we have been able to gain a real insight into the complexities of their operating environment and to deliver a cost-effective, ex-factory low-entry vehicle solution that requires no additional conversion and is designed around their urban cycle to improve both on road safety and operational efficiency.”
The new low-entry model is based on a Range D Wide (2.3m) cab, and is available as a 4×2 18-tonne rigid or 26-tonne 6×2 rigid with fixed or steered rear axle. It is available with multiple body options aside from waste collection.