Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 385 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

BLENNERS TRANSPORT director Les Blennerhassett has brushed off Transport Workers Union (TWU) calls for an investigation into his company following the deaths of two of its drivers. According to reports, two Blenners vehicles collided on the Kennedy Highway near Davies Creek on September 13, causing the double fatality. Shortly after the incident, the Queensland branch of the TWU called for a “full investigation” into Blenners, claiming in a press release that the freight company had “a track record of poor fatigue management and placing undue pressure on drivers”. It escalated its campaign against Blenners in a letter distributed to Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart, Minister for Transport Mark Bailey, WHS deputy director Simon Blackwood, Department of Transport and Main Roads director Neil Scales and NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto enquiring if…

PEAK INDUSTRY and automotive groups have unanimously welcomed the Office of Future Transport Technologies, the government body created to help prepare for automated vehicles and transport innovations. Announced recently by infrastructure and transport minister Michael McCormack, the $9.7 million investment is designed to “coordinate more cohesively with other governments and agencies to implement future transport technologies in Australia more successfully and responsibly”. The National Transport Commission (NTC), which has been vocal about the importance of implementing policy frameworks for emerging technologies, described the investment as a responsible step forward. “Automated vehicles are one of the biggest changes to transport since the introduction of the car,” NTC acting chief executive Geoff Allan says. “The NTC looks forward to working with the Office of Future Transport Technologies as we continue to build…

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION material company Boral Cement will construct a new clinker grinding and cement facility at GeelongPort after both parties reached a 25-year, $130 million agreement. The facility has been designed to handle up to 1.3 million tonnes of cementitious products per annum, and will be connected by a conveyor system to Lascelles Wharf to provide discharge and processing efficiencies. The deal was struck in anticipation of the future demand for construction materials in the Victorian region, with works approval finalised last year. Boral Cement has already operated at GeelongPort for seven years, with the latter’s CEO Brett Winter welcoming the partnership extension. “Our facilities, complemented by our experienced people and freight connections, offer Boral Cement advantages to their long-term business outlook and supports their customers,” Winter says. “Securing…

THE 2019 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW is up and running. Tickets are now on sale for next year’s event and there’s more reason than ever to start making plans to be there. It’s no surprise that the exhibition halls will be jam packed with all the latest and best trucks, trailers, components, equipment and technology. We’ve come to expect that. In record time every nook and cranny has been contracted to exhibitors wanting to put their best foot forward at the southern hemisphere’s largest automotive showcase. In fact, if you want to go for superlatives, try: the southern hemisphere’s largest business event. The 2019 show is the fifth at Brisbane’s world-class Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The venue’s footprint grew substantially with the addition of the Grey Street precinct in 2012.…

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility: the people who design, build and maintain roads; the people who use the road network, such as drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists; the people who import or manufacture vehicles; the people who police road user behaviour; and of course those responsible for implementing policy, laws and regulations pertaining to road use and road safety. As an association that advocates for the businesses that design, import, manufacture and distribute heavy vehicles, and supply components for trucks and trailers, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is at the forefront of showcasing innovation, technology and the latest safety features. Our members are constantly innovating and developing ways to make their vehicles safer. Sometimes this is mandated through the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), but often this is voluntary and is…

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will cut inspection wait times for compliant heavy vehicle operators when a new national database is introduced, chief executive Sal Petroccitto says. Speaking at the Road Freight New South Wales (RFNSW) 2018 conference in September, Petroccitto says the database will help reduce downtime during compliance checks. “By this time next year, we’re expecting to be able to have available in real time on the side of the road, national information for our officers,” Petroccitto explains. “The ability to have the information means we know the type of operator that we’re dealing with – where a compliant operator is generally kept on the side of the road for 10 to 12 minutes and a non-compliant one somewhere from 30 to 45. “You can see some…

The National Road Transport Hall of Fame reunion sees hundreds, sometimes thousands, of trucking and transport legends flock to Alice Springs each year. You’ll be hard pressed finding this many truckies in one place: young and old, male and female – all with diesel in their blood and a view of the highway never far from their mind. This year’s Reunion took place on the last weekend in August, kicking off with the emotionally-charged Shell Rimula Wall of Fame ceremony, where 70-odd transport heroes were honoured for their service to the industry. Proud truckies, family members, colleagues, and volunteers gathered in the Hall of Fame for the ceremony on Saturday morning, eyes drawn to the floor-to-ceiling memorabilia lining the walls. You walk into the Wall of Fame ceremony, whether it’s…

This is the third of a dozen articles on freight pricing strategies that were selected from over 100 identified freight pricing schemes that have come to the author’s attention over the last 15 years. It was intended that some of the more interesting strategies be examined first, with these to be followed by some of the more common traditional economic pricing schemes. However, as the 23-year-old National Road Transport Commission/National Road Transport Commission (NRTC/ NTC) Paygo (pay as you go) road pricing scheme is up for re-assessment it was thought this might be an appropriate time to look into this important Paygo model as to why it has lasted the distance, its efficiency and equity, as well as its major failings. Recent comments from senior industry players have suggested that…

While some rusted-on trucking romantics can’t imagine a world without the billowing smoke and engine roar of a big diesel rig, the reality is some fleets are ever so gradually transitioning away from that towards a cleaner, greener mode of transport. The revolution has, literally and metaphorically, quietly been taking shape in the southern corner of the globe, manifesting in the production of three all-electric trucks to be deployed in Victoria. The role? Cleaning up mess – in more ways than one. It’s a small fleet of waste trucks to be put to work collecting hard rubbish in south-east Melbourne’s City of Casey, while delivering less carbon and noise pollution. Best of all? From a local industry perspective, it was born of a collaboration between multiple Australian businesses. The electric…

The N Series has been the light duty leader for nearly three decades and Isuzu plans on keeping it that way, as the manufacturer pushes forward with a host of improvements. We attended the launch of the new N Series range that kicked off at Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL) new headquarters in Truganina, Victoria, before driving west from Melbourne to Myrniong for the on-road vehicle testing, and then off the beaten track at Lerderderg State Forest for some off-road fun. The day kicked off with an outline of the key improvements to the range, most notably independent front suspension (IFS), availability of two-pedal automated manual transmission (AMT) in 4x4 models, a new in-cab multimedia system, and two engine and emission control options. “Our 2018 N Series model range provides more…

MAN AND SCANIA parent Traton Group has voiced its discontent at the growing shortage of professional drivers in Europe, described as a “worsening driver crisis”, echoing a sentiment voiced in Australia and North America in recent times. At the ‘Future of the Driver’ panel at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018, MAN Truck and Bus chairman Holder Mandel states that Germany lacks about 45,000 drivers, a number that could reach 100,000 to 200,000 in the future as roughly only half the retiring drivers are being replaced. As in Australia, the European transport industry sees the driver’s role as being the “backbone of the economy and the foundation of our quality of life”, while the task itself is seen as lending itself to the ‘tech-savvy’ as truck technology is constantly improving. However, a…

Through delivering tens of millions of litres of high-quality lubricants annually for over 30 years to transport, mining, industrial and agriculture, Gulf Western Oil understands just how crucial it is to provide high-quality lubrication solutions that surpass every requirement and more. In fact, as testament to their popularity and success in providing quality products to these industries, Gulf Western Oil is currently the largest Australian-owned lubricants manufacturer and very proud of it, growing from strength to strength each and every year. ENGINE The diesel engine is the backbone of the transport industry worldwide. Repair, downtime and running costs can play a big part when it comes to a company’s success or failure. Many of you will have heard about Gulf Western Oil’s ground breaking new TOP DOG Indestructible 15W-40 CK-4…

THE REALITY of automated and connected vehicles in Australia is edging closer after the Australian government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US state of Michigan to collaborate on road systems and vehicle technology. The international collaboration has been established with a focus on developing safer roads through crash-avoiding technologies and exploring the economic benefits of such innovation. The MOU was realised in collaboration with Melbourne University’s Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES), an integrated transport technology program with a live test bed on Melbourne streets, and Michigan’s Mcity and American Center for Mobility offroad facilities. Intelligent Transport Systems Australia (ITS Australia) and Austroads, along with University of Melbourne, are included in the MOU as key to supporting the bilateral cooperation on connected, automated and autonomous vehicle technologies occurring…

There are certain occurrences in all of our lives that we all find comfortable and relaxing, times that are just fun, amusing and uncomplicatedly enjoyable. That first sip of beer after a long day, watching the All Blacks beat the Wallabies again, or when you add the last lick of tyre shine after cleaning the truck. I can now add another moment to my list of highly enjoyable occurrences – sitting in the Townsville offices of Nortrans with father and son team Rodney and Kent Battle. Learning about how the family have toughed out eight decades in the toughest industry, travelling some of the toughest roads with some of Australia’s toughest trucks. Throughout the hour or so of the interview, I had the privilege of learning a lot about the…

A front page story that appeared in the July 2017 edition of sister mag Owner//Driver has helped propel David Wilson into being nominated, and then winning the 2018 NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year award. Wilson received his award during the gala dinner at the NatRoad annual conference, which this year was held on Queensland’s Hamilton Island on August 31 and September 1. The two other winners on the night were Angela Bawden, of SRV Road Freight Services, and Jim Pearson Transport managing director Jim Pearson. Bawden took home the award for 2018 Youth Employee of the Year while Pearson was handed the prestigious Ted Pickering Memorial Award. The awards were sponsored by National Transport Insurance (NTI). Wilson, who has 20 years of safe truck driving experience behind him, is…

As more truck manufacturers bring their assembly operations Down Under, Penske Commercial Vehicles (PCV) takes it one step further by digitising their production process using ‘the cloud’. It’s all part of their renewed PDI process and PCV’s managing director Kevin Dennis says it’s all about taking the PCV brands to new heights in Australia. “We are now delivering the best Western Star and MAN trucks we ever have in the country,” Dennis says. “We’re talking here about value and benefit for dealers and customers.” Ultimately, the customer gets a consistently high-quality product, with transparency from the factory all the way to the dealer showroom. The two cloud-based software applications being used throughout the process are ChekRite 2 and ChekMate, both of which are in use by everyone throughout the assembly…

Independent Tyre Monitoring Solution (iTMS) has developed a software program that fills a gap in the tyre fleet management market. Utilising a fully interactive cloud-based program, directors, financial managers and operational managers are able to review, maintain and analyse their tyre fleet management. iTMS allows users to control all tyre costs, including forecasting vehicles for tyre replacement, and schedules the vehicle’s axle and tyre positions monthly. Additionally, users no longer need to manually interpret each tyre and the vehicles history based on the predicative end of life travel, therefore reducing labour costs and the possibility of human error. Fleet operators have no choice but to keep pursuing every possible operating cost reduction – with iTMS you achieve this. We provide a user friendly program that reports on the performance of…

Today’s popular dual-cab utes are far bigger and can carry and tow much more than ever before, but even the biggest and brawniest of them look decidedly small and puny compared to the newly released Chevrolet Silverado. This is a ute from another and altogether different world. The Silverado comes to Australia courtesy of Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), the official performance-vehicle partner of Holden. Not that the monster-sized Chev ute is a performance vehicle in the mould of the tweaked Commodore V8s more commonly associated with HSV but it nevertheless has a set of numbers that make a very big statement. How does 1,234Nm of torque sound? Or a towing capacity close to 6,000kg? CLIMB ABOARD As you walk up to the Silverado, you can’t help but be impressed its…

PACCAR Parts is a global leader in the distribution, sales and marketing of aftermarket parts for heavy and medium-duty trucks, trailers and engines. Using innovative technologies and distribution processes and industry-leading quality management, PACCAR Parts provides aftersales support moving products efficiently through the supply chain. With a commitment to keeping our customers’ trucks productive and operational, PACCAR Parts delivers value for its customers through more than 57 locations, including dealerships and TRP stores, Australia-wide. QUALITY MATTERS DAF and Kenworth customers can count on PACCAR Parts to supply their local dealer with dependable original equipment (OE) parts for their trucks and rely on us to back these products with full warranty, product training and dealer support. PACCAR Genuine parts are OE first fit parts installed at the factory on Kenworth and…

AUSTRALIAN PORT container haulage firms and related enterprises are likely to be hit by a new round of stevedore fee hikes from the new year, if not earlier. DP World Australia (DPWA) has announced that a trio of fees they have to pay for access to container facilities will rise from January 1, and other stevedores have followed its lead in the past. “The infrastructure access charge will be $63.80 per container (exclusive of GST) and will apply to all full containers received or delivered via road or rail at Port Botany Terminal. Full containers received or delivered via road will be charged to the road carrier through the 1-Stop Vehicle Booking System [VBS],” DPWA GM commercial for New South Wales and Queensland Ravi Sheshadri says in a letter to…

-commerce continues to E drive new construction in Melbourne’s west with national developer Vaughan Constructions signing a new deal with global logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel to significantly enhance its $30 million Derrimut facility. The design & construct contract will deliver an 8,000m2 extension to the 20,000m2 Boundary Road distribution centre, with an expected completion date of November 2018. According to Vaughan Constructions director, Mark Byrne, the new facility will aid Kuehne + Nagel in delivering goods with optimised speed and accuracy as competition in the integrated and contract (3PL) logistics sector intensifies within the booming online retailing economy. “The entry into the market by the world’s biggest online players has brought Australia into a new phase of online shopping as consumer expectations rise, driving the need for all players…

THE AUSTRALIAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION (ATA) and the trucking industry are mourning the loss of David Coonan, who passed away at the beginning of last month after an extended illness. Coonan was the ATA’s policy manager from 2006 until he retired on medical grounds in 2014. The ATA’s chief engineer, Bob Woodward, first met Coonan in 1990 and worked closely with him during his time at the ATA. He says that Coonan was a passionate and expert advocate for the industry. “David and I wrote the first edition of the ATA’s truck impact chart, which has now become a standard reference,” Woodward says. “David’s expertise was so great he was invited to present about high productivity freight vehicles at one of the foremost truck research centres in the world, the University…

THE NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE REGULATOR (NHVR) has announced that National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) fees will increase as of Monday October 15. A voluntary alternative to conventional heavy vehicle compliance, originally established in 1999, the NHVR has administered the NHVAS since 2013 and says the current pricing does not reflect the true cost of assessing applications and the assistance provided by its Accreditation Team. Therefore, under the ‘Establish, maintain or add accreditation module/s’, mass, maintenance and basic fatigue management (BFM) will increase from $84 to $88, while advanced fatigue management (AFM) will rise from $127 to $134. Under the ‘Vehicles to be added or remain in accreditation module/s’, mass management and maintenance management will increase from $27 to $32 per vehicle. “The current pricing does not reflect the true…

“Goldwind has started construction of the 530mW Stockyard Hill facility.” INTERNATIONAL MEGA-MOVER MAMMOET has sealed an ongoing deal with Goldwind Australia to shift huge wind power parts to and through Victoria. Goldwind, a subsidiary of the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, has started construction on the 530mW Stockyard Hill facility, thought to be the largest wind farm in Australia. This wind farm has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Origin Energy. Located in Western Victoria, it will comprise of 149 Goldwind turbines, said to be enough to service approximately 391,000 Victorian homes a year. Mammoet has already set up a project team in Melbourne to commence operations. It will kick off with handling 253 Goldwind wind turbine generators (WTGs) in Victoria. It will begin with offloading the first WTGs for…

In its 43rd year, the Glen Cameron Group is all about developing a long-lasting future. The company’s founder, Glen Cameron, has seen many changes within the transport industry in his time, but one thing is for sure: in order to grow, one must embrace change. The business has grown by 30 per cent over the last three years, all organically. As a result, the group is 18 months away from rolling out a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system that interfaces with its MT Data telematics solution, in an investment worth several million dollars. Two years in the planning, the new system will provide real time data, connecting its systems to everything from trucks to HR, fleet, operations, subcontractors and payroll. “Technology is a massive value-add to the transport…

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has announced a partnership with the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) ahead of the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show (BTS). The largest transport event in the Southern Hemisphere will offer even more next year, with the annual NatRoad Conference set to be held at the Show. NatRoad chief executive Warren Clark explains the decision will bring the best from across the industry: “We are excited to partner with HVIA to deliver our next conference at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show,” Clark says. “The conference will bring together industry leaders, public and private sector experts and allow attendees to hear from and share ideas with key stakeholders in the road transport sector. “This conference truly encompasses our vision of a harmonised road freight industry and will…

Not long after a customary political photo opportunity – in one of the trucks – at the Waste Expo, Victorian energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio was on stage at All-Energy Australia announcing a government investment in charging technology. Australian business Chargefox will be the recipient of $1 million funding towards developing Australia’s first ultra-rapid vehicle charging sites in regional towns Euroa and Barnawartha North. Touted as Australia’s fastest electric vehicle charging stations, they would be capable of delivering 400km range in just 15 minutes. In a press release, the government says Chargefox had made an electric vehicle charge management software platform and will develop the two sites with multiple charging stations at each, which are expected to be operational by the end of October, matching the government’s funding to build the…

Other than replacing them when they’re worn out, tyres can sometimes be largely forgotten about in the day-to-day operations of a busy transport fleet. And that’s understandable – but as many of you will know, it’s not until something goes wrong that their importance comes to the fore. Unique in the Australian transport industry, Adelaide-based Tyrexperts provides a range of independent tyre-related consulting services to a diverse client base in Australia and overseas. With most tyre suppliers being either owned and operated by, or closely aligned with a major tyre brand it can be difficult to know that the tyre advice you’re getting is the best advice available. Tyrexperts use their extensive experience in tyre development, manufacturing, quality, operation, technical service, training and failure analysis to help you get the…

Ten years since entering the Australian market, Costco Wholesale has become one of the country’s leading discount store, having opened its fourth warehouse in Victoria, this time in Epping, north Melbourne, on August 29. The $55 million facility comes with a fuel station and has taken six years to plan, Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone says. The company chose Epping in a bid to capture Melbourne’s northern suburbs market, with stores already open in Moorabbin, Ringwood and Docklands, where the first Australian store opened. The 13,788 metre warehouse is located at Daveny Road in Epping, some 20km from Melbourne’s central business district (CBD). Noone says the company was always interested in the north part of Melbourne because of the fast growth corridor. “It’s a great opportunity for us to…