Austroads guidelines welcomed but focus turns to implementation
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA), which “represents 50,000 businesses and 211,500 people in the Australian trucking industry” – most of whom are affected by the standard of truck rest stops on a daily basis – has welcomed Austroads’ guidelines that aim to address a number of key driver concerns.
The research report, Guidelines for the Provision of Heavy Vehicle Rest Area (HVRA) Facilities, was developed in response to calls for updated standards and will assist in the planning, design and prioritisation of truck rest areas.
Read more details about the Austroads report, here
The ATA thanked Austroads for “listening to concerns and recommendations raised in consultations during the guideline drafting process” but now puts the onus on road managers to ensure the recommendations are implemented.
“The ATA pushed hard for a number of changes and are pleased to see positive progress and improved standards for our hardworking truck drivers,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire says.
“Moving forward, it’s important for all jurisdictions to ensure the guidelines are enforced and to spend the funds the Australian government has allocated,” he said.
The ATA highlights the following as key issues to be addressed by the guidelines:
• acknowledging the link between fatigue management and rest area frequency
• driver security
• the need for bays on level ground and separated from noisy areas to promote sleep
• the need for female drivers to have separate bathroom facilities.
Maguire says the ATA is also pleased to see trucking saafety campaigner Rod Hannifey’s reflector initiative included in the guidelines.
“Rod is a lifetime advocate for road safety and has spent years campaigning for this initiative. It’s great to see him getting recognition for his hard work,” he says.
Maguire also notes heavy vehicle rest areas across the country will be a key issue for discussion at the ATA’s Trucking Australia conference, held April 3-5 in Perth.