Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19

Quarterly Snapshot Q3 2018–19

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Operators regularly speak to us about reforms to fatigue laws, particularly about more flexibility for work and rest hours.

I would urge operators who are keen to add more flexibility to their work and rest hours to look at the options available under Advanced Fatigue Management, or AFM.

AFM has been an option since 2008 for operators wanting additional flexibility but feedback from industry at the Fatigue Safety Forum held in October 2018 was that the application process was difficult.

NHVR has released a new AFM application kit and tools to provide practical examples of how operators have used AFM in the past to meet their needs, and the types of countermeasures they have used to stay safe and manage the seven fatigue principles.

When assessing the safety of flexible driving hours, we also look at the seven fatigue principles as well as the operator’s countermeasures, such as sleep, rest, the use of fatigue monitoring technology and other management practices.

This is just one of the recent steps we’ve taken to improve awareness and research of fatigue management by heavy vehicle operators.

During Q3 we announced that a consortium including Central Queensland University’s Appleton Institute and HGH Consulting had been awarded an NHVR contract to conduct a study of fatigue monitoring technology.

We’ve also been conducting a Focus on Fatigue campaign in the weeks leading up to Easter with messages from real drivers passing on information and solutions to avoid the risks of driving fatigued.

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 9

Welcome to the Q3 NHVR Quarterly Snapshot

Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19

PBS tyre reform open to feedbackIn March, NHVR released the Review of Tyre Management Practices in the Australian PBS System by road safety expert John de Pont (pictured above) for industry feedback.

This independent discussion paper on the performance of tyres used in the Performance Based Standards (PBS) fleet explores improved data and a national classification system.

Currently two assessors assessing the same vehicle with the same tyres using the same software can get different results for some PBS standards if they obtain their tyre data from different sources.

The review looked at 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.

The review of PBS tyres discussion paper explores four possible options including:• Establishing a centralised database

of tyre data• Specifying one set of generic tyres for

all assessments

• A non-hierarchical classification system

• A hierarchical classification system.See the Review of Tyre Management

Practices in the Australian PBS System at www.nhvr.gov.au/consultation/2019/03/28/review-of-tyre-management-practice-in-the-australian-pbs-system.

Consortium to review fatigue monitoring technologyA consortium including Central Queensland University’s Appleton Institute and HGH Consulting was awarded an NHVR contract to conduct a study of fatigue monitoring technology.

The trial will identify how best to provide recognition and support to the growing number of businesses using fatigue-monitoring technology in addition to written work diaries.

The NHVR announced $250,000 in funding for the trial last October, which will allow the development of incentives and removal of barriers to encourage operators to take technology out of the lab and into the cab.

The NHVR and the consortium will be conducting a series of workshops for operators later this year.

In the meantime, Appleton Institute will review existing technologies, data gathered from current programs such as the Queensland Trucking Association’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Around Ports program and the Smart Truck program being trialled by Volvo, Ron Finemore Transport and Monash University.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/fatigue-management/fatigue-monitoring-trial.

Fatigue tops confidential reporting line callsComplaints about fatigue are the most common calls to the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line.

The NHVR confidential reporting line, which has been live since July last year, was answering around 115 calls a month, and responds to over 65 reports of non-compliance nationwide every month.

The line enables drivers and parties in the heavy vehicle supply chain to pass on information about possible breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Between October 2018 and January 2019, 505 calls were received which generated 289 new reports. Almost one-third of these were reporting

fatigue concerns, and a quarter related to business practices.

Concerns with mechanical safety (21 per cent) and load restraint (14 per cent) were the next most commonly reported.

The line was established with $250,000 funding from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program, supported by the Commonwealth Government, to allow heavy vehicle safety concerns to be reported confidentially to the NHVR before being assessed and appropriate action taken.

The operating hours for the reporting line are 7am-4.30pm (AEST) from Monday to Friday. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Anyone with a safety concern can call the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line on 1800 931 785 for free from any landline in Australia (and some mobile providers)

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Safety and Compliance

SmartCap technology is being trialled at the Port of Brisbane

Focus on Fatigue campaign

Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19 4

NHVAS review completedThe NHVR has completed consultation to align the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) Standards and Rules with the changes to Chain of Responsibility laws.

Some of the key reforms proposed 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.The review seeks to address some of

the inconsistencies that currently exist For more information check out www.nhvr.gov.au/nhvas-review

Forum outcomes focus on fatigue safetyThe NHVR released a Summary of Outcomes from that Fatigue Safety Forum held in October 2018 covering the current challenges, some key principles and the NHVR’s response.

For here for the full Summary of Outcomes.

New round of info sessions to support supply chain safetyThe NHVR hosted another round of Chain of Responsibility(CoR) information sessions during February and March to support recent changes to the laws.

These sessions explained the changes to CoR, the impact on supply chain businesses and how a Safety Management System (SMS) can effectively manage an operation’s safety risks.

Amendments to CoR laws to align the existing laws more closely with workplace health and safety provisions began on October 1, 2018 requiring that all parties in the chain must reduce risks related to the safety of transport tasks.

The NHVR has developed a series of free tools to support businesses to implement a Safety Management System (SMS).

For more information on SMSs, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/sms.

NHVR to probe recent prime mover firesThe NHVR launched an investigation during Q3 into a spate of recent truck fires.

Concerns have been raised with the NHVR regarding several fires emanating from the engine bay of prime movers over the past year, including a semi-trailer fire on the Princess Highway, near Wollongong in January.

Fires are obviously dangerous to heavy vehicle drivers, operators and other motorists, and often lead to major delays on key freight routes.

While the NHVR has a specific interest in prime mover fires, it is also looking at the issue of truck fires more generally and their increasing prevalence.

The NHVR held initial discussions with operators, vehicle and component manufacturers about the current causes of truck fires and is working with police and state agencies to continue to identify common causes of the fires.

This will enable the NHVR to provide guidance and information to the industry on what measures may best prevent or minimise the likelihood of such incidents.

Anyone who has information about a truck fire should call the NHVR’s Confidential Reporting Line on 1800 931 785 or email vehiclestandards@nhvr.gov.au.

NHVR welcomes funding boost for heavy vehicle programsThe NHVR welcomed a Federal Government announcement for additional funding for key heavy vehicle safety programs.

The commitment by the Federal Government to new funding for the HVSI program is an important safety outcome for all road users.

The HVSI program has provided $11.61 million for 33 community and industry safety initiatives over the past three years.

Included in this program are CoR information, a Safety Around Ports project, Forestry Logistics Safety program, Agricultural Vehicle safety, green reflectors to mark informal truck bays, Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting line and user-pays loading trials for livestock loading.

For more information on the HVSI program visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi.

VSB6 update reforms rear wheel modsA new modification code to fit non-standard rear wheel components on heavy vehicles was added to Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6), released during Q3.

The Modification Code D3 – Fitting of non-standard rear wheel components, simplifies the certification process and allows Approved Vehicle Examiners to certify the modification without the need for applying to the NHVR, as was previously necessary.

This code was developed in response to an increase in the number of modification applications for the fitting of non-standard rear wheels to heavy vehicles.

It covers the fitting of non-standard tyres and rims to heavy motor vehicle rear axles and heavy trailer rear axles.

The update to VSB6 also includes a new emissions testing procedure for engines – which comes under Section A in the latest update.

The Simplified Emissions Test Procedure – Portable emissions measurement system also offers an alternative, realistic approach to emissions testing which significantly reduces the time and cost associated with this type of testing.

VSB6: National Code of Practice Heavy Vehicle Modifications is the national standard for the most common modifications made to heavy vehicles.

More information on the changes to sections A and D of VSB6 check out www.nhvr.gov.au/vsb6.

October Fatigue Safety Forum

Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19 5

Greater mobility for cranes on NSW road networkThe NSW Government has been working with industry to improve access for mobile cranes and deliver increased efficiency for the construction sector.

Two key access improvements for mobile cranes include the establishment of a 60-tonne mobile crane network, and extended, more consistent night-time travel options.

NSW’s Roads and Maritime Services worked in partnership with the Crane Industry Council of Australia and the NHVR.

It is expected that these changes will support greater utilisation of the existing road network, reduce travel times and costs for crane operators, threfore making it easier to do business in NSW.

For more information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/maps/nsw-spv-networkmap/index.html.

High compliance in multi-agency border operationThe NHVR has urged operators travelling west to be aware of different accreditation requirements, following a three-day compliance operation on the SA-WA border.

The recent multi-agency Operation Long Run, led by WA Main Roads, found 91 per cent compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law which overall showed that safety was a priority in the industry.

All up 43 offences were identified out of 481 units across 177 heavy vehicles detected with safety-related issues.

Six vehicles travelling west from South Australia were grounded for failing to hold WA accreditation.

Operators need to be aware that accreditation is mandatory for all restricted access heavy vehicles operating in WA, including those travelling from interstate. If a freight task requires you to drive through WA, you must be signed up to the WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme before you cross the border.

Red tape cull aids agri-efficiencyImproved heavy vehicle access for the agricultural industry became a step closer to reality during Q3.

The National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice (Notice), will reduce the current number of designated agricultural zones, reduce the complexity of cross-border movements, improve agricultural operations across farms and provide increased support for drought-affected communities.

Local governments are now being asked to support the Notice by formally providing consent to the NHVR.

For further information, please visit www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/national-harmonisation-program/national-class-1-agricultural-vehicle-and-combination-notice.

More than 80 expiring transitional notices updatedThe NHVR updated more than 80 national and multi-state transitional access notices that were due to expire during February.

An extensive review of all notices was conducted, in consultation with states and territories, which has allowed the consolidation of many into national or multistate notices or incorporated into State HVNL notices.

Importantly, there will be no changes to current operating conditions, exemptions or access under the new notices.

A transitional notice is a gazetted notice with guidelines, exemptions and other legal instruments that were made under state and territory legislation prior to the start of the HVNL in 2014.

A list of the expiring notices and their replacement is available on the NHVR website at www.nhvr.gov.au/notices.

Productivity

Operation Long Run on the WA-SA border

6Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19

New B-double notice to deliver productivity benefitsA new National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Notice started during February, delivering productivity benefits for the 19,000 B-doubles operating across Australia.

The new Notice will align B-double requirements across states and territories, including general access for 50-tonne, 19-metre vehicles, which are commonly used to transport fuel.

The Notice has reduced the number of conditions imposed by jurisdictions and creates a national B-double network for vehicles that move almost half of all freight.

This means an increase in mass for general access in South Australia from 42.5 tonnes to 50 tonnes, while general access in Tasmania will remain for 21-metre B-doubles.

The Notice will align B-double access with a three-axle rigid truck towing a four-axle trailer, which has had general access at 50 tonnes for several years.

The new Notice also provides general access bridge formulae for all general access B-double operations.

The access conditions for a B-double are outlined in the National Class 2 B-double Operator’s Guide.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/national-harmonisation-program/national-class-2-b-double-notice

NHVR to target consistency for livestock and bulk carriersThe NHVR will address inconsistency for livestock and grain harvest management schemes as part of the next round of heavy vehicle industry harmonisation projects.

With the current round of harmonisation projects being finalised, it has been decided to next include consistency for operators and businesses in the livestock and bulk industries.

There are currently a range of Grain Harvest Management Schemes operating with different allowances for mass, conditions and costs for each state and territory

The NHVR established a Harmonisation team in 2016 to work with industry to progress heavy vehicle regulation consistency between state governments.

For more information on the National Harmonisation Program visit www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/national-harmonisation-program.

Time saving for new rego portal accessOperators can save up to 15 minutes per vehicle with access to real time registration information through the NHVR Portal – Registration Module.

It also allows operators to meet industry requests for additional CoR support.

New portal functions allow businesses across the supply chain access to real-time fleet information, including a vehicle’s current registration status and configuration.

Operators can now share a direct link to their vehicles’ registration details with contractors, eliminating the back and forth of emails and reducing their exposure to risk.

The NHVR Portal – Registration Module brings together registration for 905,000 heavy vehicle units registered by state and territory governments into a single database (excluding Northern Territory).

For more information on the sharing function in the NHVR Portal visit www.nhvr.gov.au/regoportal

Baled hay and straw The NHVR published an information bulletin to help operators understand the requirements for transporting baled hay and straw.

The document will assist operators transporting loads of baled hay and straw that exceed general dimension limits by collating and summarising the important information from different sources into a single document.

One of NHVR's goals is to improve safety and efficiency by making it easier and quicker for industry to understand and comply with the HVNL and specific jurisdictional requirements.

The information bulletin summarises the eligible vehicles, dimension exemptions, approved routes, operating conditions and load restraint requirements by state and territory of operation.

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201812-0974-info-sheet-operating-requirements-for-the-transport-of-baled-hay-and-straw.pdf

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. Q3 saw 400 PBS combinations approved, bringing the total across three quarters to 1,312.

NHVR permit applications

In Q3, the NHVR processed 18,125 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 Q3 there were 7207 heavy vehicle operators accredited in 11,587 modules. The Maintenance module applied to 111,099 heavy vehicles, while the Mass module applied to 41,536 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 Q3, 34 vehicle standards exemptions were granted. There were also 76 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 Q3 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 Q3 there were 2,072 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 8.2, State 12.0 (average days to process Q3 consents)

South AustraliaLocal 8.7, State 2.8(average days to process Q3 consents)

NSWLocal 25.0, State 13.1(average days to process Q3 consents)

VictoriaLocal 10.4, State 12.2(average days to process Q3 consents)

ACTTerritory 16.4(average days to process Q3 consents)

TasmaniaLocal 12.9, State 17.4(average days to process Q3 consents)

# Data from NHVR’s Customer Relations Management system

Q3 CONSENTSSTATE – 1797LOCAL – 2328

Q3 CONSENTS STATE – 4742LOCAL – 6781

Q3 CONSENTSSTATE – 396LOCAL – 760

Q3 CONSENTSSTATE – 2361LOCAL – 3146

Q3 CONSENTSSTATE – 2079LOCAL – 4397

Q3 CONSENTS

STATE146

9Performance Snapshot Q3 2018–19

Local government heat maps These 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.

Road Manager Overdue Consents Figures 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