Safety on the agenda at NHVR technical working group

The NHVR will hold a technical working group meeting that focuses on improvements to coupling safety.

The regulator will be examining issues such as brake systems and tyre inflation, in addition to work surrounding coupling safety.

The group will meet for the first time on 8 November and will include input from heavy vehicle associations such as the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, Australian Trucking Association, Commercial Vehicle Industry Association Australia, Truck Industry Council and subject matter experts.

“We recognise that technology has a growing role in heavy vehicle safety and the Technical Working Group will assist the NHVR to accelerate deployment of safety technologies and systems,” said NHVR Director of Safety Daniel Elkins.

“The group is a cooperative partnership with technical experts from across the heavy vehicle industry that will assist deliver our safety strategy, released in August.”

The group will engage with manufacturers and industry to support and encourage voluntary uptake of safety initiatives. Where benefits are proven, it will seek to push through mandatory technology and safety systems.

“There is an enormous amount of work taking place to improve heavy vehicle safety,” said Elkins.

“We want to ensure technical advice is reaching the NHVR so that we are at the forefront of implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing advanced technologies and associated safety systems.

“That means sharing information and data, supporting early adoption and uptake of new technology and systems that make heavy vehicles and our road network safer.”