TfL plans speed monitoring devices for trams after Croydon disaster that killed seven

Tragic crash: The Croydon tram was travelling at more than three times the speed limit
Eleanor Rose13 June 2017

Transport for London plans to introduce new speed monitoring systems to tell drivers when to brake after seven people were killed when a tram derailed in Croydon last year.

TfL is in consultation to develop the systems, including an Automated Vehicle Speed Monitoring device, AVSM, to generate alerts when a tram is travelling too fast for a certain period of time.

It said in a call for developers that if the driver does not slow down, the devices - to be retroactively fitted into all of the capital's tram fleet - should be able then to apply brakes automatically.

TfL also wants to install driver vigilance devices, DVDs, that would generate alerts if the driver falls asleep and apply brakes if "no driver activity is detected" for a period.

Currently tram drivers are relied on to brake manually, whether on tracks sharing the road or on rail-like separate tracks. But questions were raised after November's tragedy, when a tram travelling between New Addington and Wimbledon came off the rails.

Victims: Dorota Rynkiewicz, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary, and Mark Smith were among those killed in the crash

An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found that the tram had gone into a tight left-bend at 74 kmph (46 mph), while the speed limit was 20 kmph (13mph).

Driver Alfred Dorris "lost awareness" as he approached the bend, according to the report, which also suggests that the single 20kmph (13mph) sign was too close to the bend to give the driver enough time to slow down.

The crash happened at 6.07am, during rain and darkness. One woman and six men were killed and 51 injured, including 16 seriously.

Concerns were also raised after Croydon tram drivers were filmed asleep in the cab by shocked commuters who feared for their safety.

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s Director of London Rail, said: “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the tragic tram derailment and we continue to do all we can to offer our support, including through our Sarah Hope line that provides help with counselling and other assistance.

“Since the tragic derailment we have been working on the development of an in-cab driver alert system for monitoring and managing tram speed.

“We are now seeking interest from the wider industry to help support us in the development and introduction of that system.”

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