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NHVR to target consistency for livestock and bulk carriers

The NHVR will address inconsistency for livestock and grain harvest management schemes as part of the next round of heavy vehicle industry harmonisation projects.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto told today’s Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers NSW Annual Conference that work on bringing national standards for both industries would begin later this year.

NHVR to probe recent prime mover fires

The NHVR has launched an investigation into a spate of recent truck fires.

NHVR’s Safety Standard and Assurance Executive Director Geoff Casey said concerns had been raised with the NHVR regarding several fires emanating in the engine bay of prime movers over the past year.

“There have been a number of high profile incidents recently, including a semi-trailer fire on the Princess Highway, near Wollongong in January,” Mr Casey said.

“Several other incidents have been reported through various sources as well as from Police and state transport agencies.

Greater mobility for cranes on NSW road network

Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight

Cutting red tape will enable more access to the road network for the crane industry following the decision to improve access for mobile cranes.

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government has been working with industry to improve access for mobile cranes and deliver increased efficiency for the construction sector, while maintaining road safety and minimising travel time impacts to the broader community.

B-double operators under new Notice

B-double operators can take advantage of a new national notice and network, starting today.

NHVR Freight and Supply Chain Productivity Executive Director Peter Caprioli said the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Notice would align B-double requirements across states and territories, including general access for 50-tonne, 19-metre vehicles.

“The Notice is particularly important for the transport of fuel as it has reduced the number of conditions imposed by jurisdictions and creates a national B-double network,” he said.

Heavy vehicle access in Queensland during emergency conditions

A Flood Recovery Road Access Group (FRRAG) has been established by Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police to manage emergency and disaster heavy vehicle access under the provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

A dedicated hotline and email address is operating to provide help, information and emergency access to freight consignors and heavy vehicle transport operators travelling in the affected areas.

JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT: Red tape cull aids agri-efficiency

Modernised heavy vehicle access  – backed by the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government, to slash agricultural industry red tape and boost business efficiencies – are a significant step closer to reality.

This positive advancement will simplify and enhance the farm sector’s business operations and comes after policy agreement was reached recently between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and participating States and Territories.

Concrete Agitator Exemption Notice

The concrete agitator Alternative Rest Trial is complete. The results have been analysed and the work and rest hours exemption notice is set to continue from 1 January 2019.

An assessment by the NHVR and Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia found no increase in fatigue related incidents during the trial.

The exemption allows a driver of a concrete agitator to take a short work break which is counted towards their rest when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is running and the driver is doing no work other than sitting in the driver’s seat.

Platform container movement across NSW simplified

The movement of platform containers transporting freight to and from NSW ports will become easier following an agreement between the NHVR, NSW Roads and Maritime Services and the heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR Project Director Annette Finch said the New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2018 would allow an exemption to carry platform containers such as flat rack and open top containers on a public network.

New laws drive safety pleas from Australia’s trucking industry leaders this Christmas

Latest truck crash statistics reveal 93% of multi-vehicle fatalities involving a heavy vehicle in Australia are caused by cars.

As record numbers of motorists hit the road this Christmas, the nation’s trucking industry leaders have united to urge all road users to put themselves in the driver’s seat.

National Transport Insurance (NTI) CEO, Tony Clark said the NTI data shows truck drivers are more often not at fault in high-profile accidents.

NHVR to process NSW Class 3 permits

The NHVR will begin processing all NSW Class 3 permits from Monday, December 17.

NHVR Project Director Annette Finch said the processing for NSW Class 3 permits for RMS and NSW local councils would cover a range of heavy vehicles including combinations carrying platform containers, vehicles with loads exceeding 4.3m in height, vehicles carrying pipes transversely, tow trucks and controlled access buses.

“For most Class 3 operators who already submit their permit applications through the NHVR Portal, there will only be minimal change,” Ms Finch said.

New SmartCap fatigue technology trial kicks off to improve heavy vehicle safety around Port of Brisbane

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA Ltd) and Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) today commenced a 12-month pilot of the new ‘SmartCap’ technology as part of its two-year Heavy Vehicle Safety Around Ports project.

SmartCap is a wearable technology that measures fatigue. Specifically, it is a headband mounted into a cap that measures changes in a person’s electroencephalogram (EEG – measures electrical activity in the brain) and provides accurate measurements of alertness in real-time to operators and drivers.

NHVAS Accreditation Business Rules and Standards consultation kicks off

The NHVR will undertake a three-month consultation following a review to align the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) Standards and Rules with the recent changes to Chain of Responsibility laws.

NHVR Executive Director of Productivity and Safety Geoff Casey said consultation on the proposed changes would be conducted through on-line feedback, as well as face-to-face at a series of information sessions.

New app links operators to heavy vehicle rego info

Heavy vehicle operators and supply chain parties can now check the registration status of their fleet on a mobile phone app, no matter which state their vehicles are located.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the free NHVR Registration Checker app enabled drivers and supply chain parties to check that a vehicle is registered before loading or hopping behind the wheel.

“This is the first national rego app specific for heavy vehicles, allowing checks no matter in which state the heavy vehicle is registered,” Mr Petroccitto said.