The Hon John Robertson Minister for Transport NSW Minister for the Central Coast GOVERNMENT
Mr Russell D Grove Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Parliament of New South Wales Macquarie Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 ( Dear Mr Grove
I refer to your correspondence concerning the Legislative Assembly Report No. 4/54 of the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety - 'Report on Heavy Vehicle Safety'.
Upon receipt of the Report advice was sought from both Transport NSW and the Roads and Traffic Authority in respect of the relevant recommendations.
I note that much of the Report concentrates solely on the heavy vehicle trucking industry. I would request that during the adoption and implementation phase of any of the Report's recornmendations, that consideration also be given to any implications for the bus and coach industry, which are also classified as heavy vehicles.
A detailed response to the recommendations is enclosed for your reference.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Yours sincerely
n Robertson i ister for Transport inister for the Central Coast
-Encl- 17 MAR 2011
Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 • GPO Box 5341 , SYDNEY NSW 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5555 • F: (02) 9228 5249 • www.dpc.nsw.gov.au ~c'" 0 F H-iE""-(~';-"', O"<'\ .J~ ".t..i"· REPORT 4/54 OF THE ,/6"( RECEiVer) ' -9.r JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ROAD S;~FETY -2 1 MAR '0 11 REPORT ON HEAVY VEHICLE SAFET.~X I. ..J.. ~/~ ~v. " ,<"'t~/<""\. c:.~'v. ~~.) _';Tj\I~ ,0... i': . ~.... ~~-\;. - , '- Recommendation 1
The Committee recommends that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), through the Centre for Road Safety, as part of its research based funding, comm ission a study to compare the relevant heavy vehicle driver risk factors in metropolitan and non-metropolitan settings. The identification of disparities in contributing risk factors and the success of strategies employed to date will enable a more targeted approach to intervention measures to be implemented.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA supports this evidence based approach.
The RTA will continue to ensure that its research based funding remains carefully targeted at research programs that will yield evidence-based strategies that can be employed to enhance road safety outcomes for the people of NSW.
The RTA routinely closely evaluates the results 'of research that it is responsible for funding and works closely with its partners in producing final reports.
Where clear evidence emerges of areas that the RTA can target in the current research into heavy vehicle crashes, the RTA will pursue cost-effective strategies to improve safety within the heavy vehicle industry.
Recommendation 2
Staysafe notes that The George Institute is currently undertaking a three year action research study into heavy vehicle safety risks. The Committee strongly supports this initiative and recommends that the RTA ensure that its findings are incorporated into policy formulation for future action to improve road safety in NSW.
Position - The RTA will further consider this recommendation following the completion of the study.
Proposed Action The RTA will closely review the findings of the research conducted by the George Institute into heavy vehicle safety and will incorporate safety strategies that may emerge from its report if relevant.
Recommendation 3
In view of recognised and anticipated growth in the heavy vehicle transport industry and a shortage of trained drivers, the Committee recommends that the RTA conduct discussions with TAFE NSW, other vocational training institutions and the heavy vehicle industry to provide increased funding and support for the expansion of driving simulator training in NSW.
Position - Not Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA will continue to monitor research developments in the use of driving simulators for heavy vehicle training.
If evidence-based research that supports the use of driving simulators in heavy vehicle licensing and training, the RTA will evaluate the cost benefit of adopting such an approach.
The RT A will continue to monitor the heavy vehicle training industry in order to ensure that there are systems in place to meet the demand for training heavy vehicle licence applicants.
The RTA will continue to conduct regular audits of the competency-based assessors in order to ensure that the training and licensing process in NSW remains an example of industry best-practice.
Recommendation 4
The Committee also recommends that the NSW Minister for Transport, through the Australian Transport Council agenda, look at other strategies to remove access barriers for entry into the transport industry for heavy vehicle operators.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA and Transport NSW are working to ensure that the NHVR becomes a strong, effective and accountable regulator. In all discussions relating to the National Heavy Vehicle Regutor, NSW representatives have insisted that participation in national reform is contingent on the retention of NSW safety standards.
The RTA has begun the process of implementing the national heavy vehicle training and licensing requirements.
The new training and licensing system is scheduled to be implemented by 1 January, 2013 in line with the national agreement. The RTA will ensure that interim arrangements are in place in order to ensure that there is no interruption of training service delivery to licensing applicants while the new system is rolled out across NSW.
The RTA will forward the STAYSAFE report to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Project Office, for consideration in the policy development for the national heavy vehicle regulator.
2 Recommendation 5
In order to ensure the continuing competency of the existing driver skills base, the Committee further recommends that the RTA investigate the feasibility of mandating refresher simulator or other appropriate training for heavy vehicle drivers every three years, as is required in European jurisdictions.
Position - Not supported.
Proposed Action The RTA will continue to monitor the research into the periodic testing of drivers. However, in order to address the primary causes of heavy vehicle crashes, it will continue to adopt policies and strategies aimed at curbing heavy vehicle driver risk taking, speeding, fatigue, drug use and improper industry practices.
Recommendation 6
The Committee recommends that the RTA, prior to completion of its current review of the Safe-T-Cam system, investigate whether the system can be improved to deter the practice of shepherding, where tailgating drivers escape detection. Once such solution would be to identify trucks that travel too closely behind one another and impose automatic fines for this practice.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA will pursue a solution that can be rolled out to all sites that includes a camera system triggered to ensure the registration plate (of both the vehicle and trailer) is within the image taken, ensuring that evidentiary standards are met.
Recommendation 7
The Committee considers that dedicated counselling and crisis support services for heavy vehicle drivers should be more widely available and recommends that the RTA conduct discussions with the trucking industry to determine the current provision of such services in NSW.
Position - The work of NSW Health as the lead agency is supported.
Proposed Action The RTA supports the promotion of the 24hr Drug & Alcohol Helpline through the RTA website.
Furthermore, the RTA has supported this initiative by working with Transport NSW to: • Implement a marketing plan for a series of online advertisements on industry websites promoting the Transport Workers Support Line/24 hour Drug and Alcohol Driver Helpline. • Run a print advertisement in the industry publication Truck and Life. • Add a link to the RTA and Transport NSW websites, as well as supplying th is information to be posted on websites in other jurisdictions on the Helpline.
3 Recommendation 8
The Committee also recommends that the RTA assess the provision of counselling services by current providers with a view to supporting the funding of helplines or other means of direct assistance to drivers in crisis.
Position - The work of NSW Health as the lead agency is supported.
Proposed Action The RTA supports the promotion of the 24hr Drug & Alcohol Helpline through the RTA website.
Furthermore, the RTA has supported this initiative by working with Transport NSW to: • Implement a marketing plan for a series of online advertisements on industry websites promoting the Transport Workers Support Line/24 hour Drug and Alcohol Driver Helpline. • Run a print advertisement in the industry publication Truck and Life. • Add a link to the RTA and Transport NSW websites, as well as supplying this information to be posted on websites in other jurisdictions on the Helpline.
Recommendation 9
The Committee recommends that the RTA and WorkCover NSW ensure that all strategies employed to educate and inform drivers and all others involved in the supply chain about safety issues and regulatory requirements be conducted after comprehensive consultation and in conjunction with appropriate peak transport industry bodies, as well as consignors and consignees.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA is committed to continuing to consult stakeholders on all relevant strategies through established forms such as the Transport Operators Liaison Group, and the quarterly liaison meetings with NSW Farmers Association and Bus NSW.
The RTA will develop a fatigue training package in conjunction with the industry. This will take place as soon as all relevant fatigue laws have been clarified, following the conclusion of the National Transport Commission's reviews of the fatigue management rules and the draft national OH & S regulations have been finalised .
Recommendation 10
The Committee recommends that the RTA investigate the feasibility of improved purpose designed tracking systems to monitor road conditions on heavily trafficked roads in order to improve maintenance scheduling and to provide greater assurances about road suitability for heavy vehicle operators.
Position - Supported
4 Proposed Action The RTA to investigate technology or systems which could improve maintenance intervention, heavy vehicle operations or safety.
Recommendation 11
The Committee recommends that the RTA initiate discussions with the NSW Local Government and Shires Association to develop strategies to encourage key towns along major highways to assist in providing new infrastructure and allow access to existing facilities for truck drivers.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The Road Network Strategy Directorate, Transport NSW will develop guidelines to assist Councils in key towns along major highways to identify and provide infrastructure and allow access to existing facilities to support measures to manage fatigue in truck drivers. This will be completed by December 2011.
Recommendation 12
The Committee further recommends that the RTA consult with peak freight transport industry bodies and heavy vehicle owner/operators to develop an agreed list of major design and siting requirements for the establishment and enhancement of heavy vehicle rest areas throughout NSW.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action Action completed by the Road Network Strategy Directorate, Transport NSW. See comment. See comment below:
The RTA consulted extensively with the Road Freight Advisory Council, which includes peak freight transport industry bodies and heavy vehicle owners/operators, in developing the 'RTA Strategy for Major Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas on Key Rural Freight Routes in NSW.' Design and locational criteria of major Heavy Vehicle rest areas was informed by the National Transport Commission's 'National Guidelines for the provision of rest areas facilities' (2005).
Recommendation 13
The Committee recommends the extension of the Blue Reflector Scheme, as appropriate, in more locations to assist in overall heavy vehicle driver fatigue management. The extension of the Scheme should also aim to standardise the colour used across State borders.
Position - Supported
Proposed Action The further roll out of these informal rest areas by RTA Regional personnel will be encouraged as part of the policy amendment and approval process. Amendment to the Technical Direction that will discuss the "Green Reflector" scheme is currently under way and approval to the amended document will be sought in the first half of 5 2011.
It is understood that green reflectors are used to identify informal rest areas in Victoria and the Northern Territory. The RTA will raise this matter with Ausroads in order to develop a national agreement on the adoption of the "Green Reflector" scheme.
Recommendation 14
The Committee recommends that the RTA prioritise the development of a system to provide a transparent and effective safety rating to trucking companies, whereby their operation and performance can be easily assessed and compared against established safety criteria.
Position - Supported
Proposed Action The RTA is working with industry and the Transport Workers' Union through the Road Freight Advisory Council's Five Star Trucking Safety Sub-Committee to investigate the feasibility of a safety rating system. A stakeholder discussion paper is expected to be released in 2011.
Recommendation 15
The Committee recommends that the RTA, while participating in consultative forums as part of the Australian Design Rules process, lobby strongly for the redesign of existing bull bar conditions to meet increased safety standards and the compulsory installation of energy absorbing under-run protection devices in order to improve heavy vehicle safety.
Position - Supported
Proposed Action The RTA will request that the Australian government initiate a review of the Australian Design Standards for heavy vehicles with a view towards mandating emerging safety technologies.
The RTA will continue to actively support the introduction of these safety features at national meetings and forums such as the Strategic Vehicle Safety & Environment Group.
Recommendation 16
The Committee recommends that the RTA release the results of its electronic work diary trials and, if appropriate, implement their operation across the heavy vehicle industry to improve compliance with fatigue safety requirements.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The three year project is due for completion in June 2013, at this stage it is too early to advise on the release of its findings.
6 Findings will be released following the trial of the electronic work diary.
Recommendation 17 .
The Committee recommends that the RTA, as part of the Australian Design Rules consultative process, actively pursue the mandatory incorporation of anti-lock brakes in heavy vehicle production.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA will continue to support the introduction of ESC at national meetings and forums such as the Strategic Vehicle Safety & Environment Group.
Recommendation 18
The Committee further recommends that the RTA also lobby for the inclusion of other safety based electronic systems such as electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control and lane assist to be included in future heavy vehicle Australian Design Standards.
Position - Supported.
Proposed Action The RTA will request that the Australian government initiate a review of the Australian Design Standards for heavy vehicles with a view towards mandating emerging safety technologies.
The RTA will continue to support the introduction of these safety features at national meetings and forums such as the Strategic Vehicle Safety & Environment Group.
7