Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Direct vision will hopefully become the standard for heavy vehicles on European streets and roads
9 major European cities, among which London, Berlin and Paris, have signed a collective open letter addressed to each of their respective national governments and urging them to show a unified and progressive stance at the upcoming UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) session which will seek to implement unified standards for truck manufacturing in order to make these vehicles safer for pedestrians and cyclists on the roads.
This was inspired by the recently introduced Direct Vision Standard, which from 1 March this year, requires heavy trucks (or HGVs) in London to display a permit which attests that they are equipped in a way that allows their drivers to see a person’s head and shoulders from at least 2 metres in front of the cabin, and 4.5 metres to the sides.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described the new legislation as a pioneering example on a global scale, expressing the hope that it would serve as an inspiration to other cities. Clearly, this has been the case as Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Lisbon, Valencia, Malmo, Copenhagen and Osnabrück have also decided to support this initiative and give a voice of support to their national government representatives.
For this purpose, they co-signed a letter together with Eurocities and the Polis Network, two urban associations which represent the interests of European cities in their efforts to promote innovations and integrations.
The letter reported that although trucks make up only 2% of the vehicle fleet on the continent, they were responsible directly or indirectly for 15% of fatalities on the roads. Such statistics were a clear signal for the need to act fast and create a legislative momentum that would involve institutions and truck makers to update the technology and design of vehicles in order to allow for better direct visibility.
In general, truck designs have changed very little since the 1970s and their drivers have to rely on mirrors and cameras in order to see other road participants. However, that only leads to technological sensory overload without a clear improvement to safety. Studies have shown that wider front and side window-shields would allow better direct visibility, which in turn would let drivers react faster and prevent heavy accidents.
TheMayor.EU stands against fake news and disinformation. If you encounter such texts and materials online, contact us at info@themayor.eu
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital