Trimble Transport and Logistics ANZ has launched a new fatigue management screen that makes it easier for truck companies and drivers to remain compliant with the new Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
The Heavy Vehicle National Law was introduced on 10 February, replacing existing laws governing the operation of vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
A need for safer regulations follows figures that show over the past five years 2,851 truck drivers have lost their lives on Australian roads with countless more innocent people being injured or killed in truck-related crashes.
The fatigue management screen, which is displayed on the dashboard in the cab, delivers audio visual signals that proactively warn truck drivers and dispatchers when the maximum authorised driving time allowed under the new laws is close to being reached and when drivers need to take their mandatory break, helping to minimise risk and reduce the likelihood of any breaches occurring.
The fatigue management screen also keeps record of the truck drivers driving habits, history, breaches and unused time in accordance with the fatigue management scheme the driver is on.
“A truck driver who drives for too long is a danger to themselves and those around them. The technology is designed to make driving safer by providing drivers and trucking companies with real-time information about excess driving times and dangerous driving practices,” said business development manager Trimble Transport and Logistics ANZ Tom Debeule.
“The functionality of the fatigue management screen will increase fleet performance and improve the fleet safety profile by enabling the dispatcher to effectively plan, deploy and monitor their fleet while ensuring all drivers are complying with the company’s fatigue policies and national laws,” said Mr Debeule.
The intelligent fatigue management interface supports the Standard Hours and Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) standards. The screen has two display types: Day and Week. The Day Screen features four columns which display the numeric value for the maximum authorised driving time (Period), time worked, time rested and required rest time (Min). The Period and Min columns are fixed values that are pre-determined based on the new HVNL.
The Period is split up in to four intervals (5h30, 8h, 11h and 24h for standard hours) and drivers and dispatchers are alerted when the maximum driving time is approaching and rest is required. If the driver does not take a break at a required interval the column will turn red and a breach warning will be sent directly to the back office. If the break is taken at the right time the value will turn green.
The Week Screen displays the required rest that needs to be taken by law in a 7-day and 14-day period. The fatigue screen will show how many working hours can still be performed in these periods and will use numerical values and rectangular symbols to convey what night rest is required.
The fatigue management screen monitors when a truck is on the move and drivers can register when they are loading/unloading material and resting with a simple push of a button; creating an electronic record of their work day.
