- Case study
Traffic Management Dropside with LP13 Arrow Board

The Challenge
In traffic management and highway maintenance, reliability and compliance aren’t optional — they’re essential. Operators need vehicles that balance strength, payload, and safety while meeting all legal visibility requirements. CPD developed this fully compliant 3.5t Praevia dropside as a scalable, production-ready solution for demanding roadside operations.
Built to perform under pressure, this model demonstrates how our in-house engineering and production line capabilities allow for specialist builds — without long lead times or one-off costs.
Our Approach
This 3.5t single cab chassis conversion integrates CPD’s Praevia body system with advanced traffic management features to create a robust, road-ready vehicle that prioritises visibility, safety, and payload efficiency.
Vehicle Overview
- Chassis: Ford single cab, 3.5t platform with extended body length
- Body: CPD Praevia dropside with full traffic management specification
- Purpose: Designed for road maintenance, line marking, and roadside operations
Safety & Compliance Features
- LP13 light arrow board – clear directional signalling for safe traffic flow
- Chapter 8 chevron board – full highway maintenance compliance
- LED beacon lightbar and strobe lighting – 360° visibility in low-light and active worksites
- Single-level fall arrest system – operator protection for on-vehicle work
- Reverse alarm with silent override – safety with minimal noise disruption
Operational Enhancements
- Conspicuity tape and red door lozenges – enhanced roadside visibility
- Ford Transit fixed towbar – adds flexibility for towing and equipment transport
- Lightweight Praevia construction – maximised payload without compromising durability
The Outcome
This build shows what’s possible when safety, compliance, and practicality come together. Engineered for high-performance in live-lane and urban environments, the vehicle supports efficient, safe roadside operations while remaining light enough to stay within DVLA payload limits.
Built in-house from stocked chassis, this Praevia dropside demonstrates CPD’s capability to deliver highway-ready vehicles quickly — at scale and without compromise.
Key Takeaway
Traffic management fleets face daily pressures — from compliance checks to on-site reliability. CPD’s Praevia-based builds are designed to ease that burden: durable, compliant, and delivered fast. Because in traffic management, every detail matters.