Five new cameras will be trialled to monitor heavy vehicle driving behaviours
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is conducting a three-month trial of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect the number plates of passing heavy vehicles.
The NHVR will be using mobile methods of detecting number plates so cameras can be moved and used in different places.
The trial will be conducted in early 2022 and will last for three months to collect data about the national heavy vehicle fleet.
Following the trial, cameras may be used by NHVR safety and compliance officers and more investment could pour in for these mobile cameras to be used as ANPR cameras for heavy vehicles going forward.
NHVR authorised officers will deploy cameras in South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria to obtain information about heavy vehicle number plates.
The cameras will help the NHVR to obtain information to enhance safety and compliance officer activities, as well as focusing on high-risk operators who risk the safety of all road users.
Cameras will also help to increase the efficiency of compliant heavy vehicle drivers.
The NHVR will use five mobile ANPR cameras, which will be placed on two roadside trailers, one on a drone and another two mounted on vehicles.
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According to the NHVR, footage is retained in a secure data system and will be used to develop policies and programs to increase road safety.
Section 659 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) allows the NHVR to monitor compliance with the law, as camera sightings may result in NHVR officers intercepting vehicles at suitable locations.
The NHVR says the data will improve targeted on-road enforcement and compliance activities while also helping operators to monitor heavy vehicle operators doing the wrong thing on Australian roads.