Bridging the gap in heavy vehicle safety: TMC 2024 Technical Q&A

Held in Melbourne this October, the Australian Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Conference (TMC) brought industry professionals, regulators, and operators together to discuss pressing issues in heavy vehicle safety. This year’s signature session, the Technical Q&A, hosted by Rachel Michaud from Knorr-Bremse, featured a panel of experts from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Victoria Police, and industry, including Brett Patterson, Director of NHVR’s Central Region; Peter Austin, Director of Policy Implementation at NHVR; Senior Safety Compliance Officer Toby Merryfull; Sergeant Robert Mitchell from Victoria Police; and Chris Blanchard, Workshop Manager at Herb Blanchard Haulage, who provided an operator’s perspective.

Prioritising Safety in Heavy Vehicle Operations

When asked about the biggest safety risks in the industry, panelists highlighted several critical issues, notably brake maintenance, fatigue, driver distraction, and safety culture.

Brett Patterson identified brake issues as a recurring concern, with over 23% of defect notices in New South Wales related to braking faults. Peter Austin expanded on this, calling for greater knowledge-sharing between NHVR experts and the industry to proactively address such mechanical concerns. “It’s about taking our team’s knowledge and sharing it with operators to build understanding and practical application,” he stated.

Toby Merryfull emphasised the role of education in mitigating fatigue-related incidents, which accounted for a significant portion of offences. Meanwhile, Sergeant Mitchell highlighted the importance of instilling a “genuine safety culture” among operators, particularly smaller companies that might lack dedicated compliance teams. “A systems-based approach to safety is crucial,” he remarked, noting that consistent safety practices make a real difference over time.

Chris Blanchard raised another pressing concern: boredom-induced fatigue and driver distraction. With more advanced, straighter roads, drivers now contend with different kinds of fatigue that arise from monotony rather than physical exhaustion. Blanchard noted that some safety systems themselves—like cab-mounted monitoring screens—can inadvertently contribute to driver distraction, a point echoed by other panelists.

Emerging Challenges: Vehicle Complexity and Inspection Consistency

Advances in heavy vehicle design and technology present both opportunities and challenges. As industry shifts towards Performance-Based Standards (PBS) vehicles and electronic work diaries (EWDs), a common issue is the regulatory and enforcement lag in adapting to these changes. Merryfull observed that EWDs, while beneficial for tracking compliance, can cause confusion when drivers aren’t adequately trained on their use. The panel noted that enforcement officers across different states sometimes lack the specific training to interpret new technologies consistently, leading to discrepancies in roadside inspections.

Another theme in the discussion was the ongoing struggle with inconsistent inspection requirements across states, which complicates compliance for operators whose fleets span multiple jurisdictions. The panel acknowledged these issues, noting that efforts are underway to develop a more harmonised national inspection regime. Austin mentioned that the NHVR is working with ministers across states to introduce a unified inspection standard, a move that would simplify processes for operators and ensure a standardised safety benchmark.

Educating and Engaging Operators

Education emerged as a recurring theme throughout the session, with panelists agreeing that improved access to knowledge and resources could empower operators to adopt better safety practices. The NHVR has been actively using social media and on-the-ground engagement to raise awareness about key safety issues, from proper brake maintenance to road safety for other motorists around heavy vehicles. Patterson shared how images of defective brakes and other violations posted online sparked valuable conversations and reinforced the importance of proper maintenance among operators.

The session also underscored the potential benefits of enhanced training for both operators and regulators. Austin explained that the NHVR is exploring ways to make detailed guidance available to enforcement officers to stay updated on evolving vehicle technologies. This “knowledge cascade,” as he described it, would ensure that officers at all levels have the tools and understanding needed to accurately assess and enforce compliance standards.

Blanchard suggested that inviting operators to conferences and workshops like TMC could help foster a stronger safety culture across the industry. “We all know that one operator in town who could benefit from being here,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of peer-led education in changing attitudes towards safety.

Enforcement in Practice: Balancing Compliance with Practicality

A major talking point was the real-world implementation of enforcement and the challenges in ensuring consistency across the board. One audience member raised a question about why some defects flagged by police in one state are challenging to clear in another. Sergeant Mitchell explained that logistical constraints, including IT security requirements and varying inspection capabilities, can slow down communication between states. However, he acknowledged that better electronic integration could help streamline this process, ultimately reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on operators.

Another common issue discussed was the variation in defect classifications. In some cases, defects that should be self-clearing are flagged for full inspections due to inconsistencies in officer training. The panel reassured attendees that the NHVR is working closely with state police to improve officer training, ensuring they understand defect severity and apply standards uniformly across jurisdictions.

Looking Forward: Towards a Unified Approach

The panel recognised the potential for more extensive collaboration with component suppliers to address common safety issues, particularly with complex components like brake systems. By creating an open dialogue with suppliers, the NHVR aims to give operators clearer guidance on maintenance and compliance, reducing the likelihood of preventable defects.

On the legislative front, Peter Austin shared that the NHVR is actively lobbying for policy changes that would allow for a single, national inspection framework. This would mean that an inspection conducted in one state would meet the compliance requirements of all states, a major step forward in reducing bureaucratic obstacles for operators.

A Collaborative Path Forward

The 2024 TMC Technical Q&A underscored the shared responsibility among regulators, operators, and component suppliers in fostering a safer and more efficient heavy vehicle industry. As regulatory bodies like the NHVR work towards greater national consistency, panelists emphasised the role of education and collaboration in driving long-term improvements. With initiatives like a national inspection framework in progress, the industry can look forward to a future where compliance is not just a regulatory requirement but a shared commitment to the well-being of all road users.