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TCA eyes hill descent progress in WA

Hill descent monitoring application seen as advancing productivity and safety

 

Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has detailed of how the new hill descent monitoring (HDM) application will be used in Western Australia.

The HDM application was introduced as a new safety application by TCA through the National Telematics Framework (NTF) in December.

The new application monitors heavy vehicle speed on long or steep descents, as well as identifying if a vehicle has stopped before descending a hill, to indicate if drivers have performed brake safety checks and engaged low gear.


Read how the hill decent monitoring development broke cover, here


Main Roads WA is using the HDM application to trial the operation of Category 7 (A) AB-Triple combinations travelling down Roelands Hill on the Coalfields Highway.

“The HDM application will allow Main Roads WA to confirm that vehicles participating in the trial have stopped in the bay at the top of Roelands Hill to check brakes, engage low gear, and not exceed a speed of 40km/h when descending Roelands Hill,” TCA says.

“Significantly, Main Roads WA will extend the approved network for Category 7 (A) AB-Triple combinations participating in the trial from the section of Coalfields Highway already approved (to the South Western Highway) – as shown over the page.

“These extended access arrangements along the Coalfields Highway – between the Rest Area – Road Train Assembly Area and the South Western Highway – will open up access for vehicles travelling through to Bunbury without the need to break down.”

To participate in the trial, vehicles must be:

  • installed with a type-approved telematics In-Vehicle Unit (IVU) which can support the HDM application
  • enrolled in the HDM application through a certified service provider.

According to TCA, Main Roads WA’s use of the HDM application “demonstrates how advancements to productivity and safety can be realised – offering benefits to road managers, regulators and the transport sector.

“It allows for new, innovative approaches to be adopted to manage the safe operation of heavy vehicles traversing long or steep descents.”

Cam Dumesny, CEO of state peak transport body Western Roads Federation (WRF), notes that the development does hold the local industry to a higher standard and that is necessary to promote public confidence in the sector when such allowances are made.

 

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