Data from on-board technology may direct road authorities to areas of need
Telematics can be an empowerment tool for the industry to influence infrastructure spending, a recent conference has heard.
That interesting message comes from Roads Australia following its Brisbane Freight Productivity and Safety Workshop.
“Road freight operators have a real opportunity to influence road maintenance spending priorities and productivity and safety outcomes by sharing more of the information gathered from on-board telematics systems and video cameras with asset managers and other key stakeholders,” the organisation says.
“For example, the capacity of telematics systems was currently under-utilised and could be used more effectively to gather and share vehicle and driver information.
“Other on-board tools like video cameras – currently used by a number of larger fleet operators – could provide regular and up-to-date info on road condition to road asset managers, which could then be used to help prioritise road works.”
In his presentation, Transport Certification Australia CEO Chris Koniditsiotis highlighted that the National Telematics Framework would allow for commercial applications, such as fleet, load efficiency, and logistics and security management.
Meanwhile, Anna Campbell, senior livestock policy director of farming peak body AgForce says an “age of opportunity” has emerged with $700 million earmarked for infrastructure in the Northern Australia White Paper.
She points to just two projects that could deliver substantial savings to freight operators, they being the a 12 km section of the Gracemere-Rockhampton link and the 340 km Roma-Toowoomba road.