A freight monitoring trial in Victoria, which pairs in-vehicle technology systems with VicRoads data is hoped to help trucks and heavy vehicles better navigate Victoria’s road networks, and at the same time improve efficiencies for operators and safety for drivers.
The VicRoads Innovative Freight Road Trials will include technology from Navman Wireless Australia and Vehicle Monitoring Corporation (VMC). It will help to divert trucks away from low bridges and other vulnerable parts of the network, as well as help to ensure that vehicles carrying dangerous goods are operating safety.
“The VTA has long been an advocate of using technology in and out of the cabin to improve productivity, efficiency and safety for drivers and operators,” said Peter Anderson, VTA CEO. “These trials are an important step in continuing to educate operators that relatively accessible and inexpensive technology can make immediate contributions to improving their bottom lines and improve driver safety.
“We strongly encourage other jurisdictions to follow VicRoads’ leadership role in providing data for in-cabin systems, so that drivers can have access to a guidance system that directs them to approved routes.”
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has been working with VicRoads in establishing the trials creating a shortlist of participating technology providers. Navman Wireless Australia and Vehicle Monitoring Corporation were shortlisted from seven companies, and were assessed over the past six months by VicRoads and TCA against strategic and technical principles.
In the first trial, Navman Wireless Australia will use in-vehicle navigation technology alongside VicRoads data to direct heavy vehicles onto routes based on their mass, length, width and height. Benefits expected from the trial include the prevention of operators unintentionally using unsuitable roads and driving under low bridges, using in-cabin driver alerts to drivers when approaching rail crossing or low bridges heights.
In the second trial, VMC will partner with BOC Linde, ELGAS and Cootes Transport, trialling technology to ensure vehicles carrying dangerous goods, such as combustible gas, are operating safely. This trial will show how real-time data collection can improve management of dangerous goods vehicles, and will involve intercepts by VicRoads to verify information, including mass and trip details.