The Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have today announced that London Buses will carry out a groundbreaking trial of innovative detection software this summer, helping to further reduce the number of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in London.

TFL has made a commitment to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 40% by 2020. In particular, action is being taken to prioritise the safety of the most vulnerable road users:  pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

In August 2013 a detection system which directly alerts bus drivers to pedestrians and cyclists close to the vehicle was tested. This initial test showed that further research was needed to develop the initiative properly.

TfL is now calling on developers to submit information about similar technology which could form part of the on-street trial this summer. Subject to the outcome of the trials, a decision will be made whether the technology could be more widely rolled out across London’s 8,700 buses.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “We’ve made some great strides in improving road safety in recent years, and although things are moving in the right direction there is still much to be done which is why we are working hard to deliver innovative measures – such as these groundbreaking bus technology trials – to ensure that we make our roads as safe as possible for everyone.”

A range of campaigns to reduce casualties among all road users has also been launched. These campaigns target collisions involving teenagers, pedestrians and collisions at junctions, taking an even handed approach and working alongside each other to protect different road users at the same time. For more information on the work TfL is undertaking to improve road safety in London, please visit the TFL website.