Bundaberg Regional Council is strengthening community safety with three new waste collection trucks entering service this week, featuring advanced artificial intelligence-powered pedestrian detection technology.
The new vehicles have been purpose-built with a range of enhanced safety features that provide operators with greater visibility and awareness while working in residential streets.
When a pedestrian is detected within a designated safety zone around the vehicle, the system automatically activates external flashing warning lights and an audible alarm to alert people to move clear of the truck.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the investment reflected Council’s ongoing commitment to improving safety across its waste collection fleet for drivers and pedestrians.
“Our new and innovative waste collection trucks were manufactured right here in Bundaberg by Superior Pak,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“They have been developed with an increased level of safety in mind and incorporate an alert that will be triggered if pedestrians are too close to the trucks while they’re in operation.
“This is made possible through advanced AI which has been built-in to the trucks so that if a pedestrian is too close, these trucks will not be able to function.
“This means that pedestrians stay safer while bin collections are underway and the only thing that will get close to these trucks is your waste bin.”
Local industry, world-class technology
The three new trucks were manufactured by Bundaberg-based company Superior Pak, supporting local industry while delivering world-class safety technology for the community.
The new additions build on Council’s existing waste collection safety initiatives, with current collection vehicles already fitted with pedestrian detection technology around the bin lifter area.
Superior Pak National Market Support Manager Ross Burgess said the vehicles represented the latest advancements in waste collection safety technology.
“Superior Pak is very happy to deliver to Bundaberg Regional Council the very latest in technology with AI detection systems,” Ross said.
“Council have had the side arm pedestrian detection for a number of years now but this is the very latest of our iteration and has another layer to it which covers the front of the vehicle, which is what we call the blind spot detection system.
“We have a unique relationship with Bundaberg Regional Council, they’ve provided us the ability to test and trial a lot of the new technology whilst we have it within the research and development (RND) process and that gives a little heads up on real world applications and how they perform before we make it an option to everyone.”
Safety features
Among the significant safety features selected by Bundaberg Regional Council and installed by Superior Pak are:
- Premium Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system, including Superior Safe rear anti-collision and anti-rollaway features with seat occupancy detection
- Premium AI pedestrian detection and blind spot protection system featuring four cameras, including right-hand front corner blind spot monitoring
- Nine-camera operator assistance and in-vehicle management system
- LED rear door flashing traffic directional arrow
- High-visibility safety paint package, including ladders, handles and safety props
In total, each vehicle is supported by a network of 13 cameras designed to enhance safety, visibility and operational oversight.
