National strategy driving new technologies in the road freight industry approved

Australia’s transport ministers have unanimously approved a national strategy to drive the voluntary uptake of technology in the road freight industry to improve road safety, reduce transport costs and cut emissions.

NTC chief executive Nick Dimopoulos said the National In-Vehicle Telematics Strategy: The Road Freight Sector 2010-2030 provides the road freight industry and governments with a clear direction on technology use and gives industry the confidence they need to invest.

“The strategy makes it clear that both government and industry have a role to play in leading the take-up of technology.

“We look forward to working with governments and industry on implementing the strategy’s vision and encouraging the widespread voluntary uptake of in-vehicle technologies by 2030.”

Transport ministers also unanimously approved the NTC’s Electronic Systems for Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue and Speed Compliance: Policy Paper at the same meeting.

“With an agreed policy now in place, we expect that we will see, over time, greater adoption of technologies that will help operators manage fatigue and speed risks in real-time,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“This will have wide-spread safety benefits for industry, government and the community.”

Under the policy, in the future operators will have the flexibility to continue with the current paper-based system or use electronic work diaries while still meeting regulatory standards.

The NTC is also currently working with the New South Wales Government, which is conducting an operational pilot of electronic work diaries and speed monitoring devices to test how the recommendations can be practically applied in the day-to-day operations of regulators and industry.

The NTC developed both the strategy and policy paper in consultation with governments, industry and unions.

The NTC released a draft strategy and supporting discussion paper for public consultation in June 2010, while the draft policy paper was released for public consultation in October 2010.

The NTC used feedback from both consultations to refine the final documents before submitting them to Ministers for approval in May 2011.

The final strategy and policy paper can be downloaded from the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.au.

Source: http://www.tandlnews.com.au/