The federal government and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator have approved 16 new transport industry safety projects through the ninth round of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

Started in 2016, the HVSI aims to ‘implementable, value-for-money projects that deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety’, according to the NHVR.

$3.9 million has been provided across the 16 projects by the federal government, with some of the successful applicants including:

ARTSA-i – Heavy Vehicle Couplings Testing: The project aims to understand the complex nature of fatigue forces that heavy vehicle couplings are subject to within heavy combination road trains. The project will develop an evidence base to inform further modelling and development of heavy combinations on Australian roads. Providing an understanding of the worst-case load phenomena with several structural preconditions, including low speed manoeuvring, fit tolerance, brake timing, resonant structures, and high speed.
Deakin University – Truckwise Roadshow: The Roadshow aims to increase awareness of safety around heavy vehicles through virtual reality. This project aims to increase awareness of safety around heavy vehicles for younger drivers using virtual reality.
National Road Safety Partnership Program – Translation of Heavy Vehicle Toolbox talks: The project aims to increase industry-wide knowledge and driver education on key heavy vehicle safety topics within Non-English-Speaking-Background. HVSI has funded the development of the toolbox talks in English in Round 6.
Road Accident Action Group Inc. – Wide Load Awareness Campaign: This project aims to educate all drivers on QLD roads how to safely respond when they encounter wide loads. Improve safety for all road users and decrease incidents between wide loads and other vehicles. Improve safety for operator of wide loads, escort vehicles and police escorts.

“The trucking industry is the backbone of our nation’s economy and that’s why our government is continuing to invest in road safety programs that will keep truckies safe and keep Australia’s economy moving,” says Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm.

“These 16 successful projects provide solutions to challenges that we’re currently seeing throughout the industry, such as removing barriers for young people entering the sector, increasing awareness of how to drive safely around heavy vehicles and boosting safety within the industry itself.

“This includes the excellent initiative by St John Ambulance to equip 50 trucks with new, high-quality Automated External Defibrillators, and training truck drivers to provide first aid, reducing roadside deaths in regional, rural, and remote communities in the process.”

“The NHVR’s HVSI program continues to support safety initiatives that benefit the heavy vehicle industry and the wider community,” adds NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.

“Through this game-changing program, we have seen projects across the country deliver lasting and transformative results.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with safety-focused groups towards a shared goal of safer roads for all – and utilise their extensive knowledge and existing work to deliver future improvements to heavy vehicle safety.

“There is still plenty of work to do to reduce road trauma in Australia, which is why I am looking forward to seeing these 16 new initiatives get underway, and the positive impact they are sure to have on heavy vehicle safety right across the country.”

You can find the full list of successful applicants here.