Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2017-03-07
Buyer: Transport for London — Commercial Surface
Country: UK
Region: LONDON
Contract type: Supplies
CPV classification: 31518000 | 31521310 | 34100000 | 34114000: Special-purpose vehicles | 34121000: Buses

Technical requirements: Transport for London (TfL) intends to develop a Bus Safety Standard for all new buses entering service in the London bus fleet at the end of 2018. This Standard will include technology and design changes that will improve the safety of buses for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists), bus passengers and other road users.
As part of the initial phase of this project, TfL wishes to invite potential suppliers of safety equipment to submit details of how their product could solve issues TfL has identified.
Transport for London (TfL) intends to develop a Bus Safety Standard for all new buses entering service in the London bus fleet at the end of 2018. This Standard will include technology and design changes that will improve the safety of buses for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists), bus passengers and other road users.
As part of the initial phase of this project, TfL wishes to invite potential suppliers of safety equipment to submit details of how their product could solve issues TfL has identified. The list of countermeasures TfL is investigating is set out below and suppliers who believe their product(s) identify with these countermeasures are requested to submit details of their product and register their interest in participating in this project.
Responses to this PIN received by TfL will be passed to its partners, who will trial selected solutions on TfL's behalf to identify specific countermeasures or products which could be included in any future Bus Safety Standard. TfL's selected testhouse will review the information your company provides and may get in contact with respondents if they deem it suitable (by 1.10.2017).
TfL will not enter into any direct discussions with respondents to this PIN unless absolutely necessary. This will ensure equal opportunity for prospective suppliers to get involved with the project.
To initiate the development of the new Bus Safety Standard, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) was commissioned by TfL to analyse fatal Police collision investigation files, involving buses in London, as well as incorporating learnings from previous studies. From this analysis, a shortlist of countermeasures to address bus safety was created and reviewed. Those items that corresponded with TRL's findings or were considered a high priority by TfL are included below.
The following list sets out those countermeasures that TfL requires for the first phase of the Bus Safety Standard and are sought from potential suppliers:
Systems that detect and prevent collisions with vulnerable road users are preferred, however all AEB systems will be considered. The emphasis is on reliable and effective systems with very low false alert rates. If you have a system that detects but does not interact with the brakes, neither TfL nor our partners will develop your product to meet its requirements, this would need to be achieved by the respondent. TfL is NOT seeking an alerting-only system.
This may include alterations to lighting (for day and night time use) or other features which would attract the attention of other road users within the limitations of creating a welcome, attractive and safe street environment (no excessive noise/distraction etc). Systems should be automated where relevant, i.e. not require additional action by the driver.
Alterations to the front of the bus to improve pedestrian safety. These may include changing the shape of the bus, changing any features at the front of the bus (e.g. wipers), changing materials at the front of the bus, preventing front underruns etc. This may be linked with (2) above.
Alterations to stability poles for standing and seated bus passengers, whether vertical or horizontal, or affixed to the top of seats, to improve the safety of bus passengers and reduce instances of head injuries or other injuries. This may include changes to all or part of materials used, diameter measurements, placement etc.
Alterations to seat headrests to provide protection for bus passengers in the prevention of facial, head or other injuries in the event of a collision. This must have regard for fire retardancy and vandalism.
Surfacing which may be used on the floor of the bus, stairs or just in priority areas such as by doors. Ideally the same surfacing should incorporate the ability to channel standing/floor water out of the vehicle, but separate solutions are also welcome.
Pedal confusion is a term used to describe when a driver confuses the accelerator and brake pedals. Specifically, prevention of mistaking the accelerator for the brake pedal is sought (this may be a physical rather than technological solution) or prevention of accelerating into an object or person if this mistake is made. TfL is not seeking an alerting-only system.