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NTC release proposal to amend standard working hours
Help for trucking operators
New monitoring technology
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Anew database is set to help trucking operators improve their operations and save on costs.
The Australian Government launched the Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard recently, developed with the CSIRO. The dashboard is part of the Australian Government’s National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
The dashboard covers 130 commodities using data gathering from road and rail trips over the last five years. It includes: • Freight task costs and value, including cost per payload tonne or kilometre; • Travel distances and durations; and • Supply chain movements between businesses.
The dashboard was designed to give industry a clear understanding of Australia’s supply chain performance, as well as insight into how to drive improvements and reduce costs.
The data will help inform planning decisions to ensure the transport sector remains a safe, productive, and profitable.
To access the Dashboard visit www. freightaustralia.gov.au/a-closer-look/ international-supply-chain-benchmarking
The NHVR has welcomed a partnership with SenSen to deliver rapid deployable AI solutions using vehicle mounted cameras, a drone and solar powered trailers.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the contract was the next step into delivering new and innovative ways to make Australian roads safer for everyone.
“It’s timely and important that we use innovative thinking to make our roads safer,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We’ve now taken the next step to trial mobile camera technology, across the NHVR’s Southern Operations region – including South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
“These cameras will assist the NHVR’s officers in a risk-based approach to safety – ensuring our officers are targeting the biggest road safety risks.
“On the flip side, smarter camera technology will also help in identifying operators who are doing the right thing, who can then expect to be less regularly intercepted by the NHVR.
“Having the best, most up-to-date information, including information gathered through cameras, helps us to make better decisions about law reform, safety and productivity programs that will make our roads safer for everyone.”
NTC release proposal to amend standard work hours
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a discussion paper that outlines options to align standard work hours with scientific research.
The paper arises from the recent review of the HVNL. Industry bodies including the ATA have come out slamming the paper with ATA Chair David Smith stating that despite ministers' commitment to simplify the HVNL and focus on productivity and safety, the NTC's highest consultation priority with industry seems to be the operational details of fatigue management. "The NTC's proposal for the fatigue management general schedule would reduce the income of a typical local delivery driver by about $24,000 per year," Mr Smith said.
Scientific evidence suggests that standard hours should not exceed 12 hours on-duty and international studies found some aspects of driving performance deteriorated after 8-9 hours driving. This paper asks industry their views on whether standard work hours should be reduced, and rest hours increased to better manage fatigue in heavy vehicle drivers and whether the revised structure is practical and feasible.
Key points of the paper are: • Reduce maximum working hours from 72 hours to 60 hours in a 7-day period • Minimum 8 hours rest break (currently 7 hours) • Maximum 4 hours continuous work before taking a rest (currently 5.25 hours) • Cease driving 14 hours after the end of a sleep break (even if the maximum hours worked in 24 hours has not been used) • Provide flexibility to operators to assist in managing unscheduled/unforeseen events.
