Ford Transit L4 Praevia Dropside for Traffic Management

Client Overview

A national traffic management and utilities contractor needed a reliable, compliant light commercial vehicle that could operate safely on live highways, including night works and low-light environments. Their teams required a vehicle that balanced payload capacity with safety systems and ease of access, while also ensuring compliance with strict Chapter 8 regulations for road safety.

The Objective

To deliver a 3.5t long-bed dropside vehicle tailored specifically for traffic management operations, incorporating:•    Safe crew access for working at height and handling equipment.

•    Integrated visibility and compliance features to meet Chapter 8 standards.
•    Night-time operability through enhanced lighting.
•    A conversion engineered for durability under the pressures of daily highway and utility use.

CPD’s Solution

Working with the Ford Transit L4 Single Cab chassis, CPD designed and built a Praevia Dropside (TM Spec) conversion that prioritised operator safety and compliance:

•    Safety & Access: Folding step and grab handle in high-vis yellow; full-length hinged fall arrest system.
•    Visibility: Dual LED amber beacons (R65 approved), LED strobes, rear work light, Chapter 8 chevron board, and compliant conspicuity markings.
•    Operational Support: Reverse camera with 7" TFT display, night-silent override alarm, and extended H-frame for signage and equipment.
•    Durability: Powder-coated finish for resilience, all components fitted and tested in-house to ensure quality and rapid turnaround.

Result

The client now has a road-ready TM vehicle that:

• Meets all UK highway compliance requirements (Chapter 8, ECE104).
  
• Improves crew safety through fall arrest and access systems.
  
• Enables efficient operation in live traffic environments, including night works.
• Combines payload space with engineered safety features, reducing the risk of downtime or compliance breaches.
• Feedback from the client highlighted confidence in deploying the vehicle immediately into active roadworks, with crews reporting safer working conditions and smoother operations.

Looking Ahead

This project demonstrates how CPD’s Praevia range can be adapted to the unique needs of traffic management fleets. The client is already exploring further conversions to standardise their TM fleet, ensuring:

•    Consistency of compliance across operations.
•    Reduced training time due to standardised safety features.
•    Long-term savings from durable, fit-for-purpose builds.

By focusing on safety, compliance, and practical operation, CPD continues to partner with TM operators to deliver vehicles that protect crews and keep projects moving.