Bus travel to get safer with ADAS-like blind spot devices proposed by Road Transport Ministry

According to a fresh draft proposal, the Road Transport Ministry has submitted their intention to add two new mandates, to improve vehicle and passenger safety of both OEM-built and coach-built buses in the country. Additionally, under the Bus Body Code, it will be mandatory to get bus body certification from government recognised testing agencies from mid 2025. The notification has also proposed the installation of special ‘indirect vision’ devices, over and above the rear view mirrors, to help guide bus drivers and make manoeuvres more safe.

Current scenario:
Right now bus body builders can self-certify whether they are complying with the Bus Body Code or not. However, the new mandate from the Road Transport Ministry prescribes bus body builders to get certification from government agencies such as ARAI and ICAT. The updated Bus Body Code also specifies guidelines for location of emergency exits, spacing between the seats, electric wiring, structure vibrations, braking performance and vehicle stability function that need to be complied with.

What are the ‘indirect vision’ devices:
Bus drivers often do not get the full vision of what’s behind their vehicles or in their blindspots. ‘Indirect vision’ devices or more simply, camera systems and digital monitors that help mitigate this problem. They can be compared to Level 1 ADAS safety systems that we see in modern cars such as the Blind Spot Detection systems. Cameras placed on the blind spots and at the rear, can project a clear and real-time video feed of what’s happening onto displays placed in front of the driver. This makes the buses, passengers and commuters on the road safer. However, while the certifications will be mandatory, installing these ‘indirect vision’ devices will be voluntary for bus operators.

According to a TOI report, Pradeep Agrawal, Founder, Director, National Accident Data Analysis Centre, “The need for this (‘indirect vision’ devices) has been felt across the world. We are creating an enabling framework so that the vehicle owners can get them.” On the matter of bus body certification he said, “This is a much needed step to ensure that the designs and bodies of all buses are sound and meet the requirement for passenger safety.”