Perth’s Smart Freeways switched on

Australia’s first electric public transport bus route powered by ABB

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia has appointed ABB to supply charging infrastructure for WA’s first electric bus trial

Global industrial technology and electrification leader ABB will supply and install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Transperth’s Joondalup Bus Depot to power electric buses along the popular, free five-kilometre Joondalup CAT (central area transit) route. Transperth is the PTA’s metro-area operating arm.

ABB’s EV chargers will provide overnight charging for the new Volvo electric buses to operate this CAT route, ensuring zero-emission transportation throughout the day. These compact, highpower fast chargers can charge two buses simultaneously, ensuring less downtime and improved utilization of the vehicles across the planned route.

Trucking Industry Backs Proposed Payment Times

The trucking industry welcomed proposed Labor amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Scheme, which would introduce penalties for big businesses who continue to pay their bills late, Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Chair David Smith said.

Mr Smith was responding to the Labor Party’s proposed amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Bill 2020, currently under debate in the Senate. The proposed legislation by the Coalition Government would establish a new Payment Times Reporting Scheme.

“The ATA has been calling for the new Payment Times Reporting Scheme to be backed by stronger action to deliver fair payment times for the trucking industry,” Mr Smith said.

“Without amendments, the new scheme would try to improve payment times by transparently reporting the payment practices of big business.

“In the UK, a similar approach reduced the proportion of big business paying bills late from 30 per cent to 28 per cent over two years.

Transformation complete of Reid Highway upgrade

Construction is now complete on a new four-kilometre westbound dual carriageway on Reid Highway. The dual carriageway between Altone Road and West Swan Road was the final section of the $77.5 million project to be opened to motorists.

The much-needed upgrade removes the last single carriageway section, delivering an efficient east-west route across Perth's north eastern suburbs for residents, commuters, and the freight industry.

The project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth ($56 million) and State ($14 million) Governments, with an additional $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan towards the Arthur Street Bridge.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities, and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said, "We're pumping billions of dollars into WA as we come out of COVID and you can see the construction activity right across the metropolitan area."

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said this was an important connection for local Pearce residents. "The project has eliminated the final section of single carriageway on Reid Highway between Marmion Avenue and Great Northern Highway," he said. "This will reduce congestion and significantly improve safety at the West Swan Road, Lord Street, and Altone Road pinch points, where traffic was previously required to merge into a single lane."

Perth’s Smart Freeways switched on

Perth's first Smart Freeway opened with southern suburbs drivers on the Kwinana Freeway northbound the first to experience a faster, safer, and more reliable journey.

The new smart technology allows Main Roads' Network Operations Centre to actively manage the freeway in real-time by controlling the flow of traffic, opening and closing traffic lanes and adjusting speed limits when required.

The $56 million Smart Freeway project is expected to deliver a quicker and smoother journey between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge during the morning peak hour.

Historically, traffic entering the freeway from Canning Highway during peak periods was a major contributor to congestion. By converting the existing emergency lane from Canning Highway to the Narrows Bridge into an additional traffic lane, this bottleneck is expected to ease.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the smart technology would help ease congestion, improve safety and productivity for people driving into the city south of Perth.

Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said, “This is the first time we have used this technology in WA and I thank everyone in advance for their patience while we get used to this new system.

Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said new traffic signals have been installed on five northbound on-ramps from Farrington Road to Cranford Avenue. "These will help manage stop/start conditions on the freeway improving congestion and make merging easier and safer during busy periods," Mr Irons said.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and State governments with the Commonwealth providing the majority funding.

KEVIN McDOUGAL

Above, 1983 B Model Mack 250hp Cummins engine owner Jon Lor in Canberra ACT Below, 1975 F Model Mack 285hp Cool Power engine in Forrestfield WA.

Kevin McDougal commenced an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic in 1968 at Tutt Bryant in Ashfield, Western Australia. The diesel was already pumping in his veins but Kevin knew he did not want to work on machinery - he wanted to get behind the wheel and drive trucks.

In 1972, he met up with Pat Shine, who had a B model Mack. Kevin became a twoup driver with Pat, driving east/west for a year. Stan Schodde from Dunolly, now a resident in St Arnaud Victoria was also a great mentor to Kevin. When Kevin began driving the Nullarbor was 290kms of dirt highway.

Kevin then joined Jonlor Transport in Belmore, Sydney in his first full-time driving job. While working with John ‘Wrightie’ Wright, he met and married his wife Sandra in Sydney.

Kevin then joined Brian Taylor where he continued to drive Macks. The pull of the West and his widowed Mum took Kevin and Sandra back to Western Australia. Norm Smith, a Western Australian icon in transport then called Kevin to Mt Seabrook, a talc mine near Meekatharra WA.

Next, Kevin worked for John Norrish driving Volvos all through Western Australia. He was involved in the controversial movement of an oil drilling rig to Nookanbah Station.

The lure of the open road drew Kevin to work with Don Hitchcock, another trucking legend. Kevin drove east-west in Don’s Macks and Whites.

Once Peter and Ross joined the family, Kevin understandably wanted to spend more time with them. While in Perth, Kevin drove Volvos with Des Goudge, tippers and cocky carting with Guy Ioppolo and general freight with Doug Connor.

In 1989, Kevin purchased in F model Mack, realising a goal that he had for

many years. He continued with Skippers Transport as a sub-contractor until 1992 when he joined FCL. 2004 saw Kevin give his knees a break when he bought an auto Long-nose Mack Vision.

Kevin continues to work with his son Peter’s small trucking company Macknsons driving Hino and Isuzu rigids. This allows him to keep the dream alive - getting up early, staying out late and getting the job done.