Botany App, WA, Hall of Fame, CoR and the Missing Link

This week’s headlines on Diesel News include a Botany App, WA, Hall of Fame, CoR and the Missing Link, all in this round-up.

The National Road Transport Hall of Fame reunion, sponsored by Shell Rimula for the past 17 years, returns to Alice Springs 25–27 August and will see 75 road transport heroes inducted at the event.

“We’re excited to be part of the 2017 event and to welcome the 75 inductees into the prestigious Shell Rimula Wall of Fame,” said Paul Fisher, Lubricants Team Leader for Shell’s Licensee. “We’re proud of Australia’s road transport heritage, and Shell’s place within that history, and are committed to recognising the individuals of the road transport community for their life-long dedication.”

Lessons from WA

According to Ben Maguire, Australian Trucking Association (ATA) CEO, there are lessons to be learned from Western Australia’s good-cop approach to supporting the trucking industry. Maguire visited WA for meetings with WARTA members, government agencies and freight experts.

“Having spent time with WARTA members this week, I can’t help but think a good-cop approach would have many benefits,” said Maguire. “Sitting outside the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the WA regulator provides a 24-hour turnaround on permits with seven-day-a-week call-centre support, and the team shares a key performance indicator goal of zero infringements.”

Melinda’s got an app for that

Freight movements in and out of Port Botany will be easier to plan and more efficient, thanks to an innovative piece of mobile technology.

“Until now, Port Botany performance and status information was only available on a closed system account to a limited number of stevedores and road carriers,” said Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight. “Through the new app live data will be freely available and will allow industry stakeholders to see what’s happening in the port precinct. It will also focus on real-time truck turnaround and performance data in order to enable better freight planning into and around Port Botany.”

Free to download and available on iOS and Android, the Port Botany Performance App makes live cargo movement data for Port Botany available to trucking companies, stevedores and other port users.

The Missing Link

There are four route options for Melbourne’s missing North East Link, a tolled roadway between the Metropolitan Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway, or EastLink will be expected to handle 100,000 vehicles a day.

Of the four options, Corridor A, an 11-kilometre road and tunnel from Bulleen Road at the Eastern Freeway to Greensborough looks to be the favoured option.

NatRoad Forums and the NHVR

“It is only when industry partners with regulators that we are able to get the best outcome for road users” said Warren Clark, NatRoad CEO. “We have recently partnered very successfully with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to deliver the phase one Chain of Responsibility (CoR) rollout. This program was received extremely well by our members and non-members.

“NHVR continues to effectively communicate the safety message through CoR, ensuring industry is educated on best practice and the practical implications. It is important that industry collaborates with NHVR so we have one clear, consistent, message to deliver certainty for every business owner.

“The task to comply is complex. That means we have to help business owners prepare for the changes. Working with NHVR will result in better outcomes for everyone. NatRoad looks forward to partnering with NHVR to roll out phase two of the training sessions in September so keep an eye out for the next round of Regional Trucking Summits.”

Strong PBS Growth

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said there were 1,403 Performance-Based Standards (PBS) combinations approved last financial year, a 23 per cent increase on the previous year.

“I’m delighted that Australia’s heavy-vehicle industry is continuing to develop innovative and optimised vehicle design,” said Petroccitto.

Animal Welfare Module

TruckSafe, which is managed by the ATA, is changing the name of the TruckCare module to the Animal Welfare Module.

“The new name reflects the focus of this module,” said TruckSafe National Manager, Justin Fleming. “This module is all about animal welfare and is a quality and safety management system for livestock transport businesses, big and small alike. Accreditation by operators shows their commitment to industry best practice and their clients in all aspects of their business.”