Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

Quarterly Snapshot Q2 2018–19

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The value of new technology to support the freight task is an increasingly hot topic for discussion.

Last year the NHVR undertook a Vehicle Technology Survey across eight manufacturers and the 16 different brands of trucks they supply, to examine the current availability of technology and explore how we can assist in the uptake.

For example, while there are a number of factors that contribute to fatigue, technology that has the ability to identify and address fatigue incidents before they occur could deliver significant positive road safety improvements.

The NHVR announced in October that we would invest $250,000 on a joint NHVR and industry safety initiative to consider the best ways to obtain value from the implementation of detection technologies to maximise safety benefits and minimise cost to industry.

Looking at access permits, the NHVR launched the NHVR Portal – Access

Module in August 2016, reducing the time it takes to lodge and process heavy vehicle road access applications by having one single portal.

The safety and productivity benefits of the PBS fleet are now well documented.

Articulated PBS combinations are 60 per cent safer in avoiding major impact crashes and both rigid and articulated classes together are delivering 46 per cent less major impact accidents than the existing conventional fleet.

The willingness of the heavy vehicle industry to embrace higher performance vehicles is growing rapidly, however obtaining road access approval from multiple layers of government and road owners is still a challenge.

For me it’s an exciting time to witness the rapid development of new technology and, where the law allows, encourage its uptake.

Sal PetroccittoCEO, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

ContentsSafety and Compliance 3Productivity 5Performance 7NHVR Road Manager Consent ‒ State and Local Governments 8Local government heat maps 9Road Manager Consents 10

Welcome to the Q2 NHVR Quarterly Snapshot

Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

CoR laws aligned to workplace lawsChanges to Chain of Responsibility laws for Australia’s heavy vehicle industry started on 1 October.

The laws are a significant step forward in recognising that everyone in the heavy vehicle supply chain has a role to play in heavy vehicle safety.

They align the CoR laws more closely with workplace health and safety provisions, making it clear that every party in the supply chain has an ongoing duty to ensure safe practices.

The NHVR is encouraging all businesses that make up the heavy vehicle supply chain to ensure they understand their responsibilities and take steps to address safety risks.

If you require more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/cor

Christmas safety campaignDuring Q2, the NHVR backed a Christmas Safety campaign by National Transport Insurance (NTI) to highlight the record number of motorists that are involved in truck crashes.

The latest NTI truck crash statistics reveal 93 per cent of multi-vehicle fatalities involving a heavy vehicle in Australia are caused by cars.

With record numbers of motorists on the road during the Christmas break, the nation’s trucking industry leaders and the NHVR urged road users to put themselves in the driver’s seat.

Motorists were urged to be aware that heavy vehicles require more distance to slow down, need more space when turning and need access to rest bays and truck stops.

The NHVR and NTI also kicked off a Christmas social media campaign with tips for drivers to ensure they operate safely around heavy vehicles.

Industry Codes of Practice approvedA new set of national safety standards and procedures developed by the heavy vehicle industry were approved by the NHVR during Q2.

The new Industry Master Code of Practice was developed by the Australian Trucking Association and Australian Logistics Council, providing clear guidelines for all operators to meet their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The Master Code comprised of four chapters to identify risks and control measures for the key areas of speed, fatigue, vehicle standards, and mass, dimension and loading.

It incorporated technical standards and other guidance material such as the load restraint guide and provides examples of risk controls, while making it clear that adopters must develop and adhere to business practices unique to their operations.

The NHVR has assessed this Code against its guidelines and approved it for industry-wide adoption. It was the culmination of almost 15 months of work beginning at a workshop attended by 20 industry leaders in August 2017.

Its development was backed by $433,000 funding from the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, which is supported by the Federal Government.

You can find the Industry Master Code of Practice at www.nhvr.gov.au/MasterCode

Final SMS materials releasedHeavy vehicle supply chain businesses were given access to all core materials required to develop a Safety Management System (SMS).

The NHVR released materials on third-party interactions, safety performance monitoring and developing a positive safety culture, together with a complete set of guidance material and templates, supported by examples.

These materials are scalable, can be adapted for any size business, and help operators meet their safety obligations under both the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Work Health and Safety laws.

Comprising an overview booklet, videos, quick guides, templates and worked examples, the comprehensive suite of SMS documents has been developed in consultation with members of the NHVR’s Safety Industry Operators’ Group.

To view or download the Safety Management System guidance materials visit www.nhvr.gov.au/sms

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What are some common breaches of CoR obligations?CoR obligations can be breached in many ways. Some examples include applying business practices or demands that cause a driver to breach fatigue management requirements, or speed limits; failing to weigh, measure or secure loads;

setting schedules with unrealistic timeframes; causing delays in loading and unloading; packing goods incorrectly or failing to consult or engage with other parties to ensure safe practices.

Safety and Compliance

Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19 4

Safety Policy open for commentThe NHVR’s draft Safety Policy was released for comment.The Policy will align with the NHVR’s expanding operational role in heavy vehicle safety. The policy reinforces the NHVR’s commitment to safety and outlines the guiding principles the NHVR applies in developing and administering its regulatory framework.

These principles include continuously improving safety outcomes, focusing on risk and evidence-based activities, a commitment to engagement and encouraging innovative safety management practices including the use of technology.

Farmers target heavy vehicle road safetyThe National Farmers’ Federation launched their Common Roads, Common Sense campaign during November, ahead of the harvest season.

The campaign was funded under the NHVR’s National Heavy Safety Initiative and is designed to improve regional road sharing between large agricultural vehicles and other road users.

The campaign contains a simple three-step process to help guide driver behaviour – Look Out, Slow Down and Take Care (pictured right).

The campaign was launched to ensure other road users in regional areas are more aware of how to best respond when sharing the roads with large agricultural machinery.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/about-us/safety-campaigns/common-roads-common-sense

Group to respond to review of accreditation schemesThe NHVR and heavy vehicle industry agreed to establish a working group to respond to the Analysis of Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Schemes in Australia report by respected consultant Peter Medlock.

The report provided a range of options for the future of heavy vehicle schemes, including nine short, medium and long-term recommendations.

Mr Medlock conducted a review into the four existing schemes – National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, TruckSafe, CraneSafe and Western Australian Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme.

Recommendations included the need to ensure robust audit requirements, greater consistency between schemes through alignment of standards, mutual recognition between schemes, development of a single national accreditation framework, regulatory concessions and expanding the membership of accreditation schemes.

The NHVR appointed Mr Medlock in October 2017 to conduct the analysis.

Further consultation with government, industry groups and operators was undertaken during May and June, this year.

The Analysis of Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Schemes in Australia is available at www.nhvr.gov.au/about-us/engaging-with-industry/review-of-heavy-vehicle-accreditation-systems

Accreditation Review - rules and standardsThe NHVR kick-started consultation to better align the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) Standards and Rules with the changes to Chain of Responsibility laws.

Operators in the scheme would be consulted about proposed changes to the Business Rules and Standards for the Mass, Maintenance or Fatigue modules, through on-line feedback, as well as a series of face-to-face information sessions.

Some of the key reforms proposed for NHVAS include:• requirements for crash and incident

reporting of major and significant events

• a register of infringements and defects notices received

• fit and proper person requirements as part of the assessment criteria

• maintenance strengthened to now include tow couplings and drawbars.

Sponsorship of Top End sessionsThe NHVR provided a $5000 grant for the Northern Territory Road Transport Association to deliver mental health information as part of six Regional Transport and Logistics Forums hosted by the Western Road Federation during November and December.

The grant recognises that up to one-in-five heavy vehicle operators experience mental health issues during their career and that can be even higher working in remote regions.

Heavy vehicle businesses in remote parts of Australia face many unique circumstances that can make the job tough and stressful.

The forums were held jointly with Regional Chambers of Commerce, bringing together heavy vehicle industry and businesses across regional WA and NT.

Expert to conduct PBS tyre standards reviewThe NHVR appointed independent engineering expert Dr John de Pont to lead a review of PBS tyre standards and operations. The review will look closely at a range of issues relating to PBS tyres, including the available testing methods used by tyre manufacturers and suppliers, the effects of tyre characteristics on safety performance, key tyre performance parameters, the performance of truck tyres currently available in Australia and the effects of tyre designs, tread patterns, case types, sizes, materials and operating conditions.

Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19 5

Transition of NSW Class 3 permitsThe NHVR started processing all NSW Class 3 permits from mid-December.

The processing for NSW Class 3 permits for NSW Roads and Maritime Services and NSW local councils covered a wide 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 that already submit their permit applications through the NHVR Portal, there was only minimal change.

There are currently about 1000 Class 3 permit applications a year in NSW and the transition to the NHVR Portal will provide additional consistency and transparency to the application process.

For more information, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/access-management/delegations-project

New app links to rego infoHeavy 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.

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.

You can check a vehicle’s registration by entering the rego number or by taking a picture of a registration plate before downloading the vehicle’s registration status.

The NHVR Registration Checker app is free to download and use and is compatible with Android and IOS versions, available through iTunes or Google Play.

Users will also be able to dial the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line from within the app.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/registration/nhvr-registration-checker-app

Concrete agitator exemption continuesThe concrete agitator Alternative Rest Trial was undertaken to ensure that the work and rest hours exemption notice could continue beyond 1 January, 2019.

The 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.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/national-notices

Platform container movement across NSW simplifiedThe 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.

The New South Wales Class 3 Platform Container Exemption Notice 2018 allows an exemption to carry platform containers such as flat rack and open top containers on a public network.

The Notice reduces the need for operators to apply for a Class 3 permit to carry multi-modal freight containers. It also assists operators that may normally be required to unload and reload without the container at a container freight station – which can be a complex and costly process.

Carrying loads on a platform container also provides load restraint and safety advantages that offset the mass and dimension exemptions provided in this Notice.

To see the Operator Guide visit www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201812-0967-operator-guide-nsw-class-3-platform-container-exemption-notice.pdf

Productivity

6Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

Saleyard reviewThe NVHR committed to undertaking a review of heavy vehicle safety around saleyards, meeting with parties concerned about recent heavy vehicle breaches at saleyards across NSW.

Concerns were raised with the NHVR in relation to the movement of heavy vehicles operating in excess of their allowable mass limits around saleyards in Dubbo and Forbes.

The NHVR is committed to maintaining productivity without compromising the safety of other road users and transport workers.

The review was to be undertaken in conjunction with the supply chain for the livestock sector.

A-double access to Port of BrisbanePBS A-doubles are now running between Toowoomba and Port of Brisbane.

A new Queensland notice eliminates the need for permits for PBS A-doubles operating at masses up to 79.5t (GML) or up to 81.5t (CML).

A PBS A-double seeking to operate up to 85t (HML) will still require approval through the NHVR Portal before operating under the notice.

The vehicle must be manufactured in compliance with, and certified under, a PBS vehicle approval and it must comply with specific axle spacing and mass requirements.

Operators must also comply with all conditions under the notice, which includes GPS tracking, on-board mass monitoring and vehicle signage.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/state-notices

ComplianceSeven Tasmanian NHVR Safety and Compliance officers graduated during December at a ceremony held at the NHVR’s Launceston office.

The NHVR has been operational in Tasmania since July 2017 with the officers completing extensive training in their new roles that now equip them to fully undertake their safety and compliance duties within Tasmania.

National Compliance and Enforcement PolicyThe NHVR released the final National Compliance and Enforcement Policy during Q2.

The Policy included principles on how agencies should tackle high-risk behaviours and non-compliance in the heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR figures show that transport enforcement agencies directly interact with heavy vehicle drivers and operators more than 320,000 times a year.

The NHVR Policy outlines how those interactions will be more targeted and risk-based.

The Policy has been under development since February 2017, and included several rounds of consultation with industry and partner agencies.

The full policy is available at www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/on-road-compliance-and-enforcement

Performance Snapshot Q1 2017–18

PerformancePerformance Based Standards (PBS)The PBS scheme approves innovative and optimised vehicle designs for high productivity vehicles, which reduces the impact on infrastructure and boosts safety for all road users. Ultimately, this means fewer trucks, less congestion and better safety outcomes. Q2 saw 456 PBS combinations approved. This is an increase of 16 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.

NHVR permit applications In Q2, the NHVR processed 1796 permit requests. The NHVR Portal is now the one-stop shop for all permit queries. For more information visit www.service.nhvr.gov.au

National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS)The NHVAS provides flexibility in managing fatigue and concessions for mass and maintenance for operators that have robust and compliant management systems. During Q2 there were 7181 heavy vehicle operators accredited which is a 5.2 per cent increase on the previous year. Operators were accredited 11,511 modules, with the Maintenance module applying to 110,164 heavy vehicles, while the Mass module applied to 41,003 heavy vehicles.

Vehicle standards

The NHVR is responsible for issuing vehicle standards exemption permits and in-principle advice across the ACT, NSW, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, and Victoria. When deciding an application, the NHVR considers vehicle standards and safety issues to decide if a vehicle can be safely used on roads. During Q2, 47 vehicle standards exemptions were granted. There were also 60 in-principle advice notices provided.

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Customer serviceThe NHVR prides itself on being responsive to the needs of customers. The majority of interactions with the NHVR are through the website (www.nhvr.gov.au) or via 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487)

1300 MYNHVRwww.nhvr.gov.au

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8Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

NHVR Road Manager Consent ‒ State and Local Governments The NHVR works with more than 400 road managers, utility providers and rail authorities to coordinate heavy vehicle access to state and local roads. Work is ongoing with state and local road authorities to improve processing times and reduce the number of permits required by operators. By the end of Q2 there were 2040 pre-approved routes in place across Australia. Pre-approvals eliminate the need for individual road manager consents for agreed routes allowing councils to get low-risk applications on their way, so they can focus resources on more complex applications.

QueenslandLocal 9.0, State 11.9 (average days to process Q2 consents)

South AustraliaLocal 7.3, State 3.3(average days to process Q2 consents)

NSWLocal 18.6, State 19.5(average days to process Q2 consents)

VictoriaLocal 9.5, State 19.2(average days to process Q2 consents)

ACTTerritory 4.3(average days to process Q2 consents)

TasmaniaLocal 7.9, State 22.0(average days to process Q2 consents)

# Data from NHVR’s Customer Relations Management system

Q2 CONSENTSSTATE – 1673LOCAL – 2136

Q2 CONSENTS STATE – 3448LOCAL – 5367

Q2 CONSENTSSTATE – 532LOCAL – 735

Q2 CONSENTSSTATE – 3320LOCAL – 4034

Q2 CONSENTSSTATE – 1625LOCAL – 2862

Q2 CONSENTS

STATE146

9Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

Local government heat mapsThese maps give a general overview of the number of heavy vehicle access consent requests that road managers receive and the average time they take to respond to those requests. Figures for individual local government authorities can be seen in the online version of these maps here.

10Performance Snapshot Q2 2018–19

Road Manager Overdue ConsentsFigures for state, territory and individual local government authorities can be seen in the online version of these maps here.

Contact usFor further information about the NHVR’s activities, functions and services, please visit our website

www.nhvr.gov.auor contact us via:

P 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487) E info@nhvr.gov.au

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator PO Box 492 Fortitude Valley Qld 4006