The next generation of truck designers have been recognised and commended as the Future Truck Design Awards announced its winners at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC.

The competition, organised in association with Transport for London (TfL), has inspired budding designers from schools and universities to transform the traditional truck into a vehicle that is even safer and smarter for deliveries in busy urban areas.

The winning entrants took a variety of interesting and innovative approaches, impressing the judging panel consisting of experts from industry and manufacturers, who saw the potential for many elements of the designs to be on the road in just a few years.

“Our first Future Truck Design Awards has been an incredible success,” said Ian Wainwright, head of TfL’s freight and fleet team. “I would like to thank all the entrants for their hard work, commitment and contribution to the safety debate.

“As London grows and becomes busier we remain committed to improving road safety for all. By working with the industry they now recognise the safety of other roads users, as well as drivers and passengers, as a key part of the design process.

“The Future Truck Design Awards has generated ideas that challenge the traditional look of the HGV, help inform future vehicle design and accelerate the process of building trucks specifically for safe, urban use.”

The winning designs focused on alleviating a variety of challenges posed by traditional trucks. Visibility of other road users from the cab is a particular area for improvement, with entrants developing concepts such as rotating seats, all-round glass cabins and changing the position of the cab.

The student designers also looked at ways of informing drivers of their situation without overwhelming them with data, such as computerised cyclist tracking that delivers tactile feedback through the steering wheel, and a communication system that uses the driver’s own satnav to provide advance warning of manoeuvres to following motorists.

Andy Salter, judging panel chair, said: “We were particularly pleased by the feasibility and practicality of the entries. The combination of advanced technology combined with clever physical improvements to enhance visibility and signalling were a perfect marriage of futuristic thinking and smarter planning.

“Many of the innovations suggested by our winners are futuristic in nature but can easily be envisaged as genuine HGV design in just a few years’ time.”

The winners collect a variety of prizes, including work experience at Mercedes-Benz Trucks Special Projects Design Studio in Germany, a truck experience which includes discussion with Volvo design experts, a tour of the factory in the Sweden and the opportunity to drive a truck, cash prizes and trophies.

Winning entries can be seen at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden, London this summer.

The winners in full:                                                          

16-18 years

Whole Vehicle Design - One Engineering, Suffolk One

Undergraduate

Whole Vehicle Design - Ruari Kirwan-Taylor

System of Operation - James Ayre  

Postgraduate

Whole Vehicle Design - Po Yuan Huang and Ting Tian Li

Safety Feature Innovation - Sam Philpott and Kalle Keituri

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