http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn22112.html
A national strategy to increase the use of technology in the road freight industry could help improve road safety and reduce costs and emissions according to a draft released by the National Transport Commission.
In the Draft National In-Vehicle Telematics Strategy: The Road Freight Sector, the National Transport Commission (NTC) outlines the potential of a partnership approach to using technology.
Chief Executive of NTC, Nick Dimopoulos said there was a “great opportunity” to harness the potential of “real time” information by encouraging wider uptake of technology.
“Industry is already investing in technologies to improve truck fleet efficiencies, such as tracking deliveries in real time so the warehouse is ready to unload the truck as it arrives,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“By 2030 we’d like to see 90 per cent of the road freight sector voluntarily using in-vehicle technologies, with information routinely shared between supply chain parties to drive efficiencies and proactively manage fatigue, speed and overloading risks.”
He said a national strategy would provide a clear and consistent policy for technology use and give industry the confidence they needed to invest.
Mr Dimopoulos said an over-arching set of national principles would help to better align and guide in-vehicle telematics initiatives – such as standards and regulations – with national transport policy objectives.
He said in-vehicle telematics encompassed the electronic monitoring and management of vehicles, their devices and their loads.
Mr Dimopoulos said the draft strategy, which was developed in consultation with Governments, industry and unions, and a supporting discussion paper would be open for comment until 21 July.
It could be downloaded from www.ntc.gov.au
