Vehicle Avoidance Lateral Lamps (VALLs)
The Vehicle Avoidance Lateral Lamp (VALL) was first used on the roads of the UK in 2014 by several logistical companies on their trailers. One of the main benefits included the driver's ability of being able to see clearer along the sides of the trailer in poorer lighting conditions, which led to a reduction in trailer and roadside furniture damage and incidents and accidents.
The lighting system was submitted into the 2014 Motor Transport Innovations Award where it was runner-up along with Sainsbury's. In May 2015 the VALLS were then accepted by the Department for Transport (DfT) for use on the roads of the UK. There was a reduction in incidents, accidents and damage within the logistics industry and the success of the VALLs started to spread.
As part of Transport for London’s (TfL) Bus Safety Innovation Challenge (2019), the London bus operator Metroline, ran a trial of the VALLs (known as Optional Side Marker Down Lighting System) at that time, on 24 of their London bus-fleet.
The Vehicle Avoidance Lateral Lamp (VALL) is an amber lamp (series of lamps) fitted to both sides of a vehicle/trailer that projects a halo or carpet of light onto the road surface. This creates a visible “footprint” showing the space the vehicle needs to move safely.
This illuminated footprint acts as a simple, intuitive prompt for everyone on the road — whether they’re driving an HGV, bus, van, car, towing a trailer, or travelling on a pedal powered bicycle.
Whenever the vehicle’s normal lights are on, the VALLs are on too. This gives all road users a consistent visual cue in poorer lighting conditions, helping them understand the vehicle’s lateral boundary at a glance.
View Options of:
'SINGLE' VALL
'COMBINED' VALL
'ALL-IN-ONE' VALL
