NTC’s telematics advice calls for phased action on IAP and EWD
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association of NSW (LBRCA) has underscored its Intelligent Access Program (IAP) concerns in the wake of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Review of Regulatory Telematics report.
The report aims to help with increasing the uptake of in-vehicle telematics for regulatory purposes in Australia, with a particular focus on telematics regulated by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
In backing elements of its findings, LBRCA says: “The report confirms what the LBRCA has been expressing for nearly a decade, that the IAP in its current form is not foolproof, with road transport agencies confirming that they can receive between 25,000 to 70,000 false positive reports per month.
“Road transport agencies confirmed this statement citing geo-referencing anomalies as the core issue. Rectification requires a manual reconciliation of permits against non-conformance reports. Agency staff state that it is a process that is manageable but there is room for improvement.
“Confirming the LBRCA opinion, the report finds that there has been no IAP prosecutions in relation to HML [Higher Mass Limits] in NSW, only 15 successful prosecutions to crane operators.”
NTC chief executive Paul Retter says his organisation has been gathering data on who is using telematics and for what purposes, as part of the report.
The key recommendation of the review, endorsed at the May Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting, is the development of a best-practice model for how telematics can be used for compliance and enforcement.
“We are co-designing a best-practice model along with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, road transport agencies, the road transport industry, Transport Certification Australia and technology providers,” Retter says.
“There are many advantages to this technology.
“Fleet operators can do remote monitoring, track engine hours, fuel usage, and live analytics.
“Drivers can use telematics for better route guidance and electronic work diaries.
“Regulators can use telematics to improve the efficiency of compliance and enforcement.”
Feedback from industry indicated that a lack of consistent policy on how telematics data would be used by regulators had impacted on the uptake of telematics technology.
“By working towards a flexible, technology- and application-neutral model, we can provide that certainty to increase the uptake of this promising technology,” Retter says.
The review focuses on telematics regulated by the HVNL, including the IAP and the Electronic Work Diary (EWD), but also evaluates the role of regulatory telematics in passenger transport, taxis, alcohol interlocks and chain of responsibility.
In recommending a phased reform program, the report notes that two different approaches are in use or being developed to support the use of telematics data for regulatory purposes: IAP and EWD.
The IAP model seeks to regulate service providers and in doing so increase certainty and confidence for government agencies that electronic records are accurate and can be relied upon for prosecution.
The EWD model focuses on regulating heavy vehicle operators rather than service providers.
“There is clearly a need to balance evidentiary certainty with cost and innovation,” the report states.
“Furthermore, there needs to be benefits for industry in return for using regulatory telematics, otherwise the uptake of the technology will remain marginal, and the community will not benefit from improved safety, productivity and environmental outcomes, as well as regulatory efficiencies.”
The report advocates tweaking IAP in the within the next 18 months to improve performance and cost effectiveness, while developing a tighter and more effective EWD over the next two years.
The latter would involve co-designing with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), road transport agencies, the road transport industry, Transport Certification Australia (TCA) and technology providers a ‘Best Practice Model for Regulatory Telematics’.
This would aim to “clarify roles and responsibilities of government and industry, establish agreed minimum technical standards and clarify the levels of assurance that may be appropriate under different circumstances”.
The full report can be found here.