Hello Isaac, welcome to the Simplytrak team!
Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I’m originally from Canada however I moved to the UK with my family in July 2023. My career background has been in photography, videography as well as technology innovation.
What attracted you to the role and made you want to come and work at Simplytrak?
I have worked in various companies alike and I believe the skills I attain are a great asset for this role. The technology industry has always piqued my interest due to the constant evolving and excitement with what comes next.
So, what does your role at Simplytrak consist of?
As the Product Support Operator, I assist with new hardware set ups and troubleshooting for our customers. I am dedicated to delivering top-quality products and exceptional customer service.
What do you like so far about working at Simplytrak?
The atmosphere in the office with the team is fantastic. It’s great to be surrounded by like-minded people who all thrive to achieve the same goals for Simplytrak.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Mostly I’m looking forward to broadening my experience in this industry, learning all the ins and outs, to better serve the company and customers.
Thank you, Isaac.
You are smashing it!
Direct Vision Standard 2024
From October 2024, all vehicles rated 0, 1 or 2 star will need to be fitted with the new Progressive Safe System recommended by the Transport for London.
The Direct Vision Standard was developed by the Mayor of London as part of his Vision Zero initiative to ultimately eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network. An enhancement has been made to the current DVS Safe System with the introduction of the Progressive Safe System, PSS, from October 2024.
Over a 3 year period in inner London, 70% of cyclists fatalities were caused due to HGV’s poor vision. Since 2019, fatal collisions involving HGVS where vision was a contributing factor has halved. To further improve the safety of all road users, HGVs over 12 tonnes will need to have a minimum of three-star rating to operate in Greater London. Although currently you only need a one star to obtain a DVS safety permit, this will rise and by October 2024 you will need to update your vehicles.
How can Simplytrak help?
Simplytraks safe system kit can improve driver’s direct vision from a vehicles cab with our full range of vehicle solutions.
DVS Safe System Includes:
Contact a member of our team if you want to hear more options on how we can help or are struggling with the new regulations.
Please call us at Tel: +44 (0)1430 879197 or email our team at enquiries@simplytrak.com
Simplytrak’s AIM was Platinum Sponsor of this year’s British-Irish Airports EXPO, taken place on the 22-23 June at ExCeL London. To find out more about AIM, they spoke with Ian Wood, Managing Director, Simplytrak.
Simplytrak is well-known for providing safety and security telematics solutions across industries. The company counts Wickes, Bigfoot Logistics and Practical Car & Van Rental among its telematics clients benefitting from Simplytrak’s tracking and camera solutions.
AIM: Airside Incursion Mitigation is Simplytrak’s solution for the aviation sector. It was developed with the UK’s fastest-growing airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and is now being used across the UK. Indeed, when presented to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, their response was that AIM would be a “significant benefit to any airport”.
“Since installing our safety telematics solution in runway vehicles, the incursion rate has been reduced to zero,” says Wood. “By attending the British-Irish Airports EXPO this year, we were looking forward to meeting airport operators face-to-face again after two years of absence due to COVID. We showcased our AIM solution at our stand where we also had VR entertainment for our guests.”
The key message is that the consequences could be fatal. Wood explained that there are on average 700 runway incursions every year across airports, keeping runway incursions on the Significant Seven key risk areas in the aviation sector (CAA). “Runway incursions could be vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles on the runway. With AIM, we have developed a solution that reduces the incursion rate to zero.”
Findings from incident and accident reports have been used to determine the new recommendations and associated guidance materials contained in the European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions.
Runway incursions are a serious issue every day across airports in the European region. Bespoke to each airport layout, the AIM system includes visible and audible in-cab warnings and switches automatically to the new incursion boundaries in case of LVP (Low Visibility Procedures).
“Installed in all airside vehicles, AIM requires no external communications to alert drivers to potential incursion risks,” says Wood. “This effectively eliminates the risk of incursions from whatever the weather or light conditions. Air Traffic Control can also have full visibility of the actual locations of airside vehicles. AIM is not reliant on mobile networks either. With its innovative design, the in-cab device alerts the driver first and then transmits its data to our cloud-based software platform.”
AIM is currently used at airports including Doncaster Sheffield, Durham Tees Valley, Exeter, and Cork. The feedback has been fantastic.
“Since installing Airside Incursion Mitigation (AIM) to all prime fleet engaged in movement area activities, runway safety has improved significantly with a runway incursion rate for airport vehicles reduced to zero,” said Keith Moran, Director of Operations, Doncaster Sheffield Airport. “Added benefits or real time fleet management and tracking are essential to audits and quality assurance. I highly recommend this as key driver in mitigation and risk to an effective safety system to any airport operator.”
High praise indeed!
Looking ahead, Simplytrak has ambitious plans for the further roll-out of AIM. “We’re looking forward to using the British-Irish Airports EXPO as a sounding board to create brand awareness and test the water regarding other UK airports before expansion into Europe, then gaining traction before promoting internationally,” Wood concludes.