Regular PowerTorque contributor Bob Woodward reminds us that safety is a team effort and we all need to engage as part of the team. He also highlights the safety capabilities of the unused potential in some truck systems.

I doubt anyone sets out on a journey with the specific intent of operating unsafely. But observations out on the road network really makes one wonder what some drivers are thinking and this applies to ALL road users. Trucks drivers are often the focus of underserved criticism, but it’s always the minority that create issues for the majority.

PBS combinations travelling at 100 kph, when they are operationally State limited to 90 kph, unnecessary tailgating, driving on the pedal to avoid cruise control activating the adaptive cruise control, are all actions we come across.

Actions by enforcement in undertaking their duties need to be questioned. I have witnessed multiple really dumb actions, like dangerous entry into mainstream traffic to pursue a speeding offender, giving chase at an unnecessarily high speed, and conducting a U-turn over double lines on the top of a rise.

As professional truck drivers, an enforcement agency, the emergency services, and the general motorist, we owe it to each other to complete the task as safely as possible.

Technology that’s available today

Adopting technology has always been a challenge, ‘do I, or don’t I?’ Should I wait and let someone else be the leader and endure the pain? It’s a fine line between leading edge and bleeding edge.

The first ABS was a bleeding edge, recently the broader development of EBS/ABS has been significant in influencing the mandating of these systems on trailers. ABS/EBS is technically complex, it includes brake load proportioning and other trailer information output such as axle group mass, when the installation is robust and the system is properly calibrated these systems are truly leading edge.

More recently further development by OEMs of these systems has introduced additional features such as on-board mass monitoring and reporting in response to permitted operating requirements. Some suppliers have a suite of options that piggy-back onto their trailer ABS/EBS trailer brake control system/s.

Most of the EBS systems being fitted today could include axle mass monitoring, but, so far, only Knorr Bremse have been certified by Transport Certification Australia as onboard mass monitoring system.

Incorporated in the existing Knorr-Bremse TEBS (trailer electronic braking system) architecture, iMass offers an integrated trailer solution combined with a retrofittable vehicle display and measurement unit.

Leveraging off the technology driven Knorr-Bremse product range, this user-friendly system allows for easy navigation of combination and axle mass data. Data is readily accessible via a hard wired in-cab display which interfaces directly with both vehicle ECU and the existing ISO 11992 trailer CANbus, reducing the need for an additional connection between vehicle and trailer.

The iMass product is ‘Transport Certification Australia Smart OBM Category B Type’ Approved, allowing operators to meet various permit and local requirements for HPFV schemes.

The iMass system, provides accurate weight data from the moment the combination is loaded, allowing the driver to maximise their load, minimising the total number of trips required and reducing operational costs.

The iMass vehicle system is retrofittable and must be calibrated by an authorised partner on the first set-up to ensure the system accuracy is within legal limitations. The system is then required to be re-calibrated by an authorised partner at the specified intervals or after any vehicle modifications or iMass component replacement.

This includes replacement of non-iMass component which may affect the integrity of the system such as suspension air bellows. For certified systems, a certificate of calibration and TCA certificate of conformance will be provided upon a successful calibration evidence submission to Knorr-Bremse Australia.

Using air suspensions for mass management

In July 2020 the Australian Trucking Association Industry Technical Council produced Technical Bulletin TB.2020.01 – Mass Management Compliance Using Air Suspensions.

This technical bulletin provides guidance and tips assembled by the ITC working group that included ITC Member suspension and TEBS suppliers. This Air Suspension Technical Bulletin and other technical Resources are available at the ATA Resource Library.