Following the first phase of the Bus Safety Standard, which influenced national and international regulations, the second phase has been released - setting out new long-term safety requirements for buses entering service up to 2033.
The new measures set out in the second phase include crucial design improvements and groundbreaking technology to protect customers, drivers and other road users.
Building on the progress of the first phase, the second phase has been developed through extensive research and collaboration with manufacturers, operators, unions and safety specialists. The new phase focuses on the collision types and injury hazards that cause the most harm, while providing long-term assurance to support industry investment and innovation.
Key measures set out in the plan include:
Improving customer safety through better bus design
Enhancements to vehicle interiors that will reduce slips, trips and falls - one of the leading causes of injury. Measures include improved lighting, clearer safety messaging and the introduction of tip seats.
Accessibility improvements including better communication between wheelchair users and drivers, e.g enhanced audio for ramp deployment.
New technology to support safer driving
A new 'Moving-Off Information System', which will intervene to prevent the bus from moving off if a pedestrian or cyclist is immediately in front of the bus.
Enhancements to the Advanced Emergency Braking system will extend protection to turning scenarios, alongside new acceleration suppression technology.
Stronger measures to tackle driver fatigue and distraction
New systems will provide visual, audio and touch alerts when fatigue or distraction is detected, alongside improved monitoring and reporting to support driver wellbeing.
Reimagined driver cab to support safety and wellbeing
A redesigned, ergonomic cab will improve comfort, inclusivity and security for drivers - supporting safer driving.
Since its launch in 2018, many measures in the first phase of the Bus Safety Standard have become standard features of new vehicles outside London, with Manchester and Northern Ireland, plus Hong Kong and Singapore, also adopting these measures. Casualty numbers on the Bus Safety Standard routes fell by approximately 41 per cent over the period analysed, highlighting the positive effects of integrating multiple safety systems into a single vehicle standard.