The Federal Government and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will fund an additional 12 crucial industry-led projects through round 10 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
Australia’s road freight is expected to grow by 77 per cent between 2020 and 2050.
With demand increases and unique challenges, the new HVSI projects will deliver tangible safety improvements for the transport and logistics sector by developing crucial educational campaigns and innovative technologies.
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association’s (ALRTA) Interactive Livestock Loading Calculator is one of the projects being funded.
The calculator is a web-based tool designed to assist livestock transport operators in determining optimal loading patterns for various heavy vehicle configurations and livestock species.
Users can input trip details, vehicle specifications and livestock characteristics to automatically generate accurate loading patterns, axle weight summaries and downloadable compliance reports.
The calculator features a mobile-friendly interface, accessible via web browsers even in remote areas and includes visual representations of vehicle configurations to aid decision-making in the field.
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA)’s Heavy Vehicle Rollover Awareness Program (HVRAP) 3.0 – Livestock Transport will also receive funding for the development of additional training information to embedded.
The program, covering specific rollover awareness content relating to the transportation of grain, cotton and fertiliser, will include specific rollover awareness content relating to the transportation of livestock as well as for toolbox meetings and refresher programs.
ARTSA-i’s Testing of Rigid Dollies on road trains project will also be supported by round 10 of the HVSI.
This project aims to quantify the potential benefits of rigid dolly applications in road trains under controlled track conditions, investigating several dolly configuration variables and comparing these to a conventional hinged drawbar dolly.
It aims to increase the available knowledge and guidance regarding the use of rigid and unhinged dollies and their safety and productivity benefits, and to ascertain the forces on couplings using different dolly configurations.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chrisholm, said the Australian Government is “firmly committed” to working alongside the NHVR and the heavy vehicle industry to ensure roads remain safe for everyone.
“By investing in innovative projects that will deliver substantial road safety benefits, we’re furthering our commitment to reduce harm on Australian roads – for truckies and all users,” he said.
“We know the HVSI program has delivered successful and lasting results across the country over the last nine years, and the impacts have been transformative for this crucial industry.
“The Government is proud to continue supporting initiatives that increase safety awareness, education and compliance across the transport and logistics sector.”
The Australian Government has invested more than $45 million across 181 HVSI projects since the program started in 2016 – delivering safety improvements across Australia’s heavy vehicle industry and protecting road users.
NHVR CEO, Nicole Rosie, stressed the importance of the funding.
“In 2024–25, sadly we saw 190 lives lost in crashes involving heavy vehicles,” she said.
“Reducing fatalities and serious injuries from heavy vehicle incidents is the number one priority for the NHVR and there is still plenty to be done.
“Through this program, we can continue to engage with safety-focused groups to improve on these numbers and make Australia’s roads safer for everyone.”
In other news, national refrigerated transport company, Minus 1, has opened a new facility in Minchinbury, New South Wales.
