HVSim launch timely amid arrester bed closure during roadworks
South Australian truck drivers and learners will soon have access to a lifelike simulator to gain a feel for some of the state’s more testing routes.
The South Australian Road Transport Association’s (SARTA’s) new Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVSim) and software package is unveiled following $450,000 of federal and state funding.
Final commissioning of the HVSim is underway, with the first students expected to start using the technology within a couple of weeks.
It’s noted the simulator would help existing and learner heavy vehicle drivers navigate the South Eastern Freeway descent, for example, with a focus on improving safety behind the wheel.
As the HVSim is mounted on a trailer, it will be able to travel around the state, SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard announces.
“The HVSim is a safe way for truck drivers of all experience levels to learn or brush up on their skills, including steep descents on roads like the South Eastern Freeway,” Wingard says.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to improving road safety across the state and reduce the trauma caused by accidents and crashes.”
Federal transport minister Michael McCormack says truck drivers will undergo training and assessments in the simulator, and there is scope for expanding the program to cover other high-risk routes in South Australia and across the country.
“The Australian Government takes road safety seriously because no family should have to endure the devastation caused by road crashes,” he says.
“That is why we continue investing in critical initiatives to improve road safety to save lives and reduce road trauma, including across our heavy vehicle sector.”
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (HVNR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) allocated $350,000 for the technology, with a further state contribution of $100,000.
“The simulator was partly funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government, which has delivered $22.8 million across 89 grants in five years,” NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says.
“Through these grants and with the support or organisations like SARTA and the South Australian Government we can continue to drive down the number of crashes involving heavy vehicles on our roads.”
SARTA president Sharon Middleton says improvements the HVSim will provide in skills development, training on challenging routes and in research into fatigue management and other issues, will benefit the trucking industry and all road users.
“SARTA welcomes the very substantial support of the Federal and State Governments in providing funding without which the industry would not be able to get this important safety initiative off the ground.”
How the ATA is using VR for its heavy vehicle education tours, here
It comes as SARTA advises operators to use a truck-mounted attenuator (TMA), pictured, in place of an arrester bed during Stage 2 of resurfacing works on the SE Freeway from late February to early March.
The lower arrestor bed will be closed for about three weeks as the road is resurfaced.
“A TMA will be positioned at the point of the last cross-over, where the downhill traffic will cross back over onto the correct side of the Freeway,” its communique notes.
“That’s where, if you’re in trouble, you drive straight ahead into the rear of the TWA (it’s a massive shock absorber and it will stop you), do not go through the cross-over, because there’s no safety after that, just the traffic lights.”
“It will shunt the TMA a fair bit obviously and so there will be a 400m clear space in front of the TMA.”
SARTA concedes the arrestor bed has to be closed as it is impossible to resurface the road otherwise; the TMAs are designed to stop fully loaded rigs at 100km/h; there is no alternative; and the TMA is there to protect truck drivers and motorists.
“Naturally there is some doubt within the industry about the TMA’s which is why SARTA is making the effort to inform the whole industry, not just our members, ahead of the closure of the arrestor bed.
“Actual realistic alternative suggestions backed by engineering data and evidence, like the TMAs, are better than cynical criticism.”
“We urge all HV operators who send drivers down the se freeway to brief their drivers and stress that they should use the TMAs if they get into trouble.”