A decree, published this month of August, extends the experimentation carried out since 2018 on the motorway to reduce the number of accidents on intervention vans. They can stand on the emergency lane and use remote illuminated arrows to better protect themselves.
On average, 26 motorway service intervention vehicles are struck each semester on the Vinci Autoroutes network, the equivalent of one per week. This worrying number has also been the subject of exhibitions on the A7 and A10 motorway areas this summer to raise awareness among drivers. In an attempt to reduce the risks, motorway companies like Vinci have also been working since 2018 to make vans more connected and secure. Among the solutions, the remote luminous arrow, whose experimentation is prolonged.
The government has just published in the Official newspaper a decree announcing the extension of the experiment, launched in 2019 (and even in May 2018 at Vinci) for two years originally. Day and night, it takes place on the motorway networks of the Compagnie Financière et Industrielle des Autoroutes (COFIROUTE), the Autoroutes du Sud de la France (ASF), the Esterel-Côte d’Azur motorway (ESCOTA) and from the ARCOUR motorway company.
Illuminated arrows deported to the left of the truck
Normally, agents park upstream of the event on the same lane, to form a buffer zone of at least 100 meters. But this is not enough : despite the fluorescent yellow color and the luminous arrow placed on the back of the truck, they remain particularly exposed due to the inattention of drivers, especially truck drivers. Vinci therefore implemented new concepts, including the remote luminous arrow.
Now, when the event takes place in the right lane, the response van is parked on the emergency lane. A large illuminated arrow that orders to move away deploys on the left side of the truck, above the right lane to neutralize it. In addition to this, a red and white herringbone panel is also placed on the side of the van. The distance of 100 m minimum is always respected, but seems here delimited by plots.
Are the agents still too exposed?
If the intention seems good, this experiment nevertheless raises questions about the protection of intervention agents. The van, which acted as a bulwark protecting inattentive drivers, is now set back and on the emergency lane. This leaves a large field open on the right lane where the buffer zone is located, even more exposed. Indeed, the distracted driver risks continuing straight ahead without necessarily seeing the luminous arrow placed near the truck … Shouldn’t we provide another signage, even more complete, with for example a second van or a trailer, placed 150 m in upstream ?
Infographic source: Automobile club
