Air Products Partners with Motormax to Deliver Fleet Safety Technology and DVS PSS Compliance

Air Products, a leading global industrial gas company, has been a cornerstone of the UK industrial landscape for over 65 years. With safety being one of the company’s core values, Air Products is committed to creating a safer and more sustainable environment for its customers, employees, and communities.

Direct Vision Standard Compliance

In line with its corporate values, Air Products set out to achieve compliance with Transport for London’s Direct Vision Standard and HGV Safety Permit Scheme Progressive Safe System (DVS PSS) – a key part of the city’s Vision Zero strategy, which aims for zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2041.

With a fleet of over 450 vehicles, including rigid tankers, trailers, Moffett trucks (truck-mounted forklifts) and tractor units, Air Products partnered with Motormax to upgrade assets, ensuring all vehicles were fully compliant with DVS PSS.

Going above and beyond compliance

While the regulation currently applies only to trucks operating within the M25, Air Products has proactively chosen to implement the technology across the entire UK fleet. The risks faced by vulnerable road users exist not only in busy urban centres but also in rural communities.

The goal: Empower drivers and deliver zero incidents

We hear from Air Products UK Distribution Manager, Mark Pawsey, who explains how working with Motormax enabled the business to not only meet DVS PSS compliance, but also ensure driver buy-in from day one.

“Air Products already has a strong safety record, but working with Motormax has raised the standard even further. Our goal is to empower our drivers and deliver zero incidents – that is the only true target we aim for. Partnering with a market leader like Motormax brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, which has been invaluable in navigating DVS PSS legislation. It has been a huge challenge across the industry, and we’re proud of the progress we have made. We could not have achieved this with another provider.”

Pictured (L-R) Jonathan Haycock (Co-Founder & Director, Motormax), John Davies (Central and Scotland Distribution Manager, Air Products), Mark Pawsey (UK Distribution Manager, Air Products), Graham Thompson (Head of Distribution Projects UK & Ireland, Air Products), Mark Leedham (Corporate Relationship Manager, Motormax).

Driver Engagement: From Trial to Rollout

Mark explains the importance of driver feedback and adoption.  “Any new system or technology must be developed with the end user in mind to ensure it is fully functional and fit for purpose. Our goal throughout has been to avoid unnecessary complexity, and ensure the system genuinely benefits our drivers and their ability to operate safely.

This has meant developing and trialing these systems in close partnership with them. Drivers have had the opportunity to test and explore the technology at every stage, ultimately helping us to adapt and refine as we go.  As a result, the feedback from our drivers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Throughout the trial, our drivers gave honest, straightforward feedback on the technology. Once it was deployed to a wider group, the response was once again, very positive. They were genuinely delighted with the increased visibility and improved awareness the Motormax system provided.”

Revolutionary Technology to Reassure Drivers

Steve Blacker, HGV driver, Air Products, said: “Having the various levels of visual and audible warnings which determine the difference between street furniture, pedestrians and cyclists is revolutionary. What’s great is that the system cuts out being constantly warned because it thinks a barrier or street sign is a danger. This can become white noise because you struggle to identify the real dangers, which then defeats what it is there to do. Overall, this is a fantastic safety device that gives the driver reassurance of knowing the system will alert you to danger.”

Solution: DVS PSS

The installation of DVS PSS included:

• Camera Monitoring Systems: Nearside cameras eliminate blind spots.
• Blind Spot Information System (BSIS): Alerts drivers to vulnerable road users (VRUs) in blind zones via visual or audible warnings.
• Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS): Detects pedestrians and cyclists during vehicle launch, alerting the driver.
• Audible Warnings: Alerts VRUs to turning vehicles.
• Warning Signage: Clearly communicates vehicle risks to nearby road users.

Additional fleet safety equipment

• Reverse cameras, 10” monitors, sensors, and Suzi sockets.

AI technology detects human form

Motormax’s AI-supported safety systems were key to the solution. Unlike traditional sensors, the BSIS and MOIS use AI to detect human form – distinguishing real threats like pedestrians and cyclists from static objects/street furniture. The technology is designed to deliver timely alerts to assist drivers and fewer false positives. Mark Pawsey continues, “It gives drivers specific warning support in dynamic urban environments, where there are potentially multiple dangers nearby such as pedestrians and cyclists. They were genuinely delighted with the improved visibility and awareness.”

Giving drivers greater reassurance

Mark sums up, “It’s increasingly clear that by combining the skill and extensive training of our drivers with sophisticated technologies and AI, we can make a marked impact on road safety. It gives them even greater reassurance when they are out on the road”.

“Air Products is not looking to stand still. We are always seeking ways to enhance driver and vehicle safety through innovation. Working with Motormax, a trusted partner in fleet safety technology, opens the door to continuous improvement opportunities across our fleet.”

DVS PSS testing at Motormax, with Air Products and Loughborough University

In summary

✅ AI-enhanced driver safety

✅ Bespoke solutions for mixed fleet

✅ Genuine driver engagement and feedback

✅ Strong client-partner relationship

✅ Compliance achieved within tight deadline

Contact Us

Contact Motormax to discuss how we can help you improve fleet safety and meet compliance.

Find out more about Air Products.

Further reading

Read more about Air Products from British Safety Council.

Read more from Transport for London about DVS PSS requirements.

Read more from RHA and how Air Products ensured compliance across their fleet.