Focus
A GLIMPSE INTO THE ROLE OF A MAIN ROADS TRAFFIC ESCORT WARDEN
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raffic Escort Wardens play a critical role in the movement of high-risk, Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) vehicles throughout Western Australia. The use of a Warden is required where the dimensions of an OSOM vehicle and its load exceed 5.5 metres in width and/or 40 metres in length. Wardens are either employed by Main Roads’ Heavy Vehicle Services, or engaged on a contractual basis to enable resources to fluctuate with industry demand. Each Warden is provided with a vehicle which is specially fitted out with emergency vehicle lighting (red and blue flashing lights),
signage and in-vehicle bedding, for those times where accommodation is not an option while working in remote areas of the State. A Warden can be away from home for up to ten days at a time. What does a Warden do? Prior to a scheduled move, Wardens contact the transport operator to confirm job details including the departure time and driver(s) names. It’s important that loads are ready to leave at the time specified, as time delays can have a significant flow-on effect for the Warden’s next scheduled job.
The preparation of a journey management plan, for the entire return trip, helps Wardens pre-plan where the load might park up at the end of each day, book accommodation and manage fatigue. The plan also provides a record of where the Warden will be during the OSOM movement, in case of an incident. Where required, Wardens will submit a Green Light Corridor request to Main Roads’ Road Network Operations Centre (RNOC). When a Green Light Corridor request is approved, an RNOC officer will remotely monitor the OSOM movement through the Metropolitan Area and switch the traffic signals to green to allow safe and continuous passage for the OSOM vehicle. This enhances safety and efficiency for the OSOM convoy and reduces congestion on the road network. On the day of the OSOM move, the Warden arrives at the departure location approximately one hour before the load is due to leave. This is to ensure there is enough time for the required pre-checks to be completed. Pre-checks include, but are not limited to, measuring the overall width, height, length and axle spacings of the OSOM vehicle to ensure compliance with the permit requirements. The Warden will also check the pilot’s drivers licence and Heavy Vehicle Pilot licence, as well as ensure the pilot and their vehicle comply with the permit conditions, code of conduct and roadworthiness requirements. At the end of a shift, the Warden conducts a post move toolbox meeting with the drivers and pilots. This is a debrief of the day’s events and an opportunity to
Government support of future fuel fleets
News 14
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ustralian electric truck manufacturer SEA Electric supports the Federal Government’s latest funding program for future fuel technologies for businesses. Announced at SEA Electric’s Melbourne manufacturing facility by the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions, the program will see the additional funding of up to $127.9 million made available to support the integration of electric vehicle technologies into both light and heavy vehicle fleets. WATM • March 2022
The program will be managed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), with the support also extending to the commercialisation of hydrogen as a transport fuel in fleets. From SEA Electric’s perspective, government assistance to industry is essential in aiding the transition to EV technology, and subsequently for the country to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions goals. “Australia’s road freight sector accounts for 38 per cent of country’s total transport emissions, so political policy related to the conversion in this area to zero-emissions technology should be a priority.
“Here at SEA Electric, we provide to the market a suite of solutions that are currently available, with credentials proven by millions of kilometres of real-world data. “Best of all, with the manufacturing of these trucks taking place right here in Australia, we are keeping jobs on these shores.” Founded in Australia in 2012, SEA Electric now features a global footprint, with products deployed on five continents. Locally, the company in 2021 launched the production of new electric trucks at its base, with the offering the first true range of electric trucks available globally. SEA Electric-badged vehicles are available in various configurations, from 4.5
