On the Road

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has opened consultation on the implementation of amendments to the PBS Directional Stability Under Braking (DSUB) Standard.

NHVR Chief Engineer Les Bruzsa said the amendments would increase the requirement for newly built or newly approved PBS vehicle units to be fitted with the latest safety technologies and remove the option for Load Proportioning Brake Systems from the deemed to comply provision.

The Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP) received almost 1000 nominations for bridge and culvert assessments, when Round 1 closed last month.

SLGAAP Project Manager, Todd Wellard said that the response from almost 100 local government road managers demonstrated a strong interest to improve access for heavy vehicles across Australia.

“It’s great to have received nominations from so many state and territory road managers across, and we look forward to working with councils to open up network access in their local areas,” Todd said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has recently been recognised for our innovation on the national stage with the NHVR Solutions team winning the Digital Transformation category in the Australian Business Awards.

The award highlights the digital transformation delivered through the NHVR Portal, as well as our customer-centred approach using the AgileSwift product management methodology.

Wine producers, wine grape grower and transporter of grapes and bottled wine are required to comply with the Chain of Responsibility requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. This includes ensuring that goods are not overloaded, that they are secured properly and that drivers are not encouraged or pressured to speed or drive while fatigued. 

A major joint operation between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and South Australia Police (SAPOL) with a focus on heavy vehicle safety has concluded.

NHVR Director Southern Region Paul Simionato said Operation Crossroads 2020 was a local operation with a national impact – focusing on the “crossroads” of Australia.

“The four-day joint operation ran between 9 October and 12 October, with a primary focus of monitoring the safety and compliance of heavy vehicles travelling on the Augusta Highway,” Mr Simionato said.

The NHVR is investing significantly in a number of important projects that put mental health front and centre in our conversations, through the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

One of the most exciting recent developments is the establishment of the Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds initiative (HTTS), which the NHVR are supporting through a $600,000 grant from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

A national project that aims to make better use of local freight routes is underway, with Toowoomba one of the first communities to benefit.

Visiting Toowoomba last week, NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy and Standards Officer Don Hogben said the Strategic Local Government Assessment Project (SLGAAP) was examining bridges and culverts across the country.

“This project is about working with local governments and industry to identify bridges and culverts that need engineering assessments to improve access for heavy vehicles,” Mr Hogben said.

Queensland trucking company has been fined $60,000 after pleading guilty to two charges of breaching their primary duty of ensuring safety under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said the fine was issued following an investigation and prosecution by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The depot manager of a Western Australian transport company was convicted in South Australia under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) for critical breaches of fatigue regulations. 

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said an investigation was launched after drivers from the company were intercepted by NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers near Ceduna, South Australia. 

From 11:59pm 5 August, workers in permitted industries must carry a Worker Permit issued and signed by their employer while within the Melbourne area. This includes the freight industry.

The form requires details of essential work activity on a rolling 7 day schedule. All requirements of fatigue regulations still apply. Drivers must not drive while impaired by fatigue and must continue to comply with work and rest requirements.

Joint Announcement

A new livestock effluent disposal pit at the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange (HRLE) was opened earlier this month and is now available to all livestock transporters. 

HRLE Manager Paul Christopher said the project was a joint initiative of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and Horsham Rural City Council (Council) and funded under the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

The Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP) is working with local governments and industry to identify bridges and culverts that need engineering assessments to improve access for OSOM vehicles.

The Phase 1 Pilot is well underway with 100 bridges and culverts across 12 councils now being assessed by engineers. Visit the SLGAAP project site to view the full list of councils and the assets involved in the pilot.

The NHVR has welcomed the release of a consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) of the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that considerable work has gone into the development of the consultation RIS during an extensive consultation period.

“Since its introduction in 2014, the HVNL has raised numerous issues for the industry and the regulator and time is right for a new approach,” Sal said.

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on-road officers in South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT

A temporary amendment is in place to allow NHVAS fatigue management training modules by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to be delivered via video conferencing, due to the requirement of social distancing and restriction related to coronavirus.

All NHVAS applications and transaction will be required to be lodged via the NHVR Portal from Wednesday, July 1.

A feasibility report into the trial of innovative infrastructure has demonstrated there is a demand for safer options for loading and unloading livestock.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said that the trial of a Parallel Access Landing (PAL) frame included a user-pays option for drivers arriving at Kilcoy Global Foods.

Thank you to the retailers and heavy vehicle operators that have provided information to update the NHVR Service Centre map.

The map was launched earlier this month to show which service centres, truck stops and roadhouses remain open for heavy vehicle drivers.

Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Experience Manager John Gilbert thanked service centres for their efforts in remaining open to support drivers.

The NHVR has granted a temporary relaxation of calibration requirements for roller-brake testing (RBT) equipment.

NHVR Vehicle Safety and Performance Manager Peter Austin said the NHVR’s National Roller Brake Test Procedure required that machines used to conduct tests are calibrated in accordance with the manufacturers’ standards every 12 or 24 months.

“We have had manufacturers come to us reporting difficulty in achieving some of the calibration requirements because of the current travel restrictions,” Mr Austin said.

Farmers are now able to operate half tracked rubber tracked tractors on public roads without a permit following recent amendments to the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019.

The NHVR undertook engineering assessments and consultation on the infrastructure impacts of these vehicles, which showed they imposed no greater risk than the vehicles already allowed by the Notice.

State and territory road transport authorities agreed to their inclusion in the Notice.

Amendments to the PBS Frontal Swing standard will begin from today (April 1 2020).

NHVR’s Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa said the increase will allow for greater flexibility for PBS vehicle designs.

“The rigid truck and prime mover performance measure of 0.7m has been found to be restrictive for twin-steer and longer wheelbase PBS vehicles, especially when fitted with bull bars,” Les said.