Program activities

The following provides an insight into the operational going elements of the NRSPP and the many activities it is undertaking. All of the following is guided by our partners, the more engaged our industry partners are the greater the direction that it aligns with their workplace road safety risks.

Case Studies Under Development

The program is always looking for case studies which will feature organisations demonstrating good practice and leadership in promoting and creating a positive road safety culture. Most important is providing evidence overtime for how the intervention had an impact, lesson learned, barriers overcome and most importantly the how.

The following are the current case studies which are in the final stages of the development pipeline:

• Alex Fraser
• Sunshine Coast City Council
• West Connect Project

 Working Groups

The NRSPP has conducted a number of Working Groups, the following are active:

1. Re:act

Re:act is an annual behavioural change project designed by students to influence 18–25 year olds to consider their actions by making them aware of social issues and by increasing awareness of the dangers faced on the roads.

A great idea, passionate supporters and a collaborative network to make the idea “fly” were all key reasons the innovative Re:act road safety project got off the ground.

As part of the project, Swinburne University Communication Design Honours students are challenged to come up with a campaign to change behaviour among their peers around a key road safety and social issue.

Melbourne strategic marketing and creative agency Hard Edge (HE) started the Re:act initiative in 2016 in collaboration with Swinburne and NRSPP as part of their Program Partner actions, with support from several organisations with a passion for road safety, including the Transport Accident Commission, RACV, Transurban and ARRB.

• 2016 Campaign
  • Topic Brief for Students: Safe driving campaign – mobile usage
  • Winning Brief: Live the moment”
• 2017 Campaign
  • Topic: promoting safe driving following a big night drinking on the town
  • Winning brief: “give your liver longer and live longer”
• 2018 Campaign
  • Topic: improving interactions of young road users with trucks.
  • Winning Brief: “you need to give a truck!
  • Re:act 2018: The Pitch Video
  • Re:act 2018: In their own words: road safety video with a difference shows understanding changes behaviour around trucks
• 2019 Campaign
  • Topic: Vulnerable road users and safer systems
  • Program expanded into NSW with Hard Edge and University of Technology Sydney as lead with supporting partners 3M, Australia Post, IAG, NSW Centre for Road Safety, Telstra and Transurban
  • Victorian Swinburne University Communication Design winning students Max Bufardeci, Riley van Ingen, Felicity Lemke and Caitlin Gmehling created the ‘100% Human’ road safety campaign.
  • New South Wales UTS Communication Design student Elizabeth Sacco created the ‘#ThanksMate’ road safety campaign.
• 2020 Campaign
  • Topic: Whether you’re a driver or a vulnerable road user (VRU), distraction on our roads is a serious road safety issue that can end in injury or death. As a driver, distraction increases reaction time and stopping distances. For pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists (VRUs), using a mobile phone or wearing headphones can lead to disaster.
  • Victoria: Fantastic Melbourne-centric campaign on Vulnerable Road User distraction takes out this year’s selected campaign for Swinburne. Well done Stephanie Powell, Thomas Pritchard, Caitlin Xavier & Laura Hughes.
  • NSW: Ella Mander-Jones’ awesome campaign around killer playlists was selected from a class act of 16 great campaigns from UTS this year.
  • Qld: The ‘Where’s Your Sense?’ campaign, from the minds of QUT students Kate Walters, Paulus Pearce, Mea Clifford and Macey Robinson-Stewart, was selected for the inaugural Re:act program in Queensland.
  • London: A simple road safety message, delivered clearly and at the crucial moment. Congrats to Reana Kerai from UAL for this year’s Re:act UK selected campaign.

2. Utilities Forum

To provide a forum where organisations from the utility sector can discuss what their major transport risks are, how they are mitigated, benchmark their road safety performance and how the key KPIs are influenced. Please refer to the Utilities Forum Fact Sheet for further information.

The Australian utilities sector is extremely diverse but features limited sharing of workplace road safety information and practice between sub-sectors or operators. In response, and at the request of several partners, NRSPP established the Utilities Forum which has been held three times since 2015, hosted by SA Power Networks, Telstra, Water Corporation and APA Group in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

The Utilities Forum is guided by an Executive Committee consisting of APA Group, CGU, Epic Energy, Hyrdo Tasmania, Origin Energy, SA Power Networks, SA Water, Telstra and Water Corporation.

Outputs from 2018 include:

• 2018 NRSPP Utilities Forum – Final Report
• NRSPP Utilities Forum – 2018 Reflections Video

Scope: The Utilities Forum explores how organisations within the sector effectively manage their road transport risk and promote road safety. Core components include:

• Size and scope of the risk problem – national and local level
• Awareness of the key issues and risks
• How different organisations manage risk (share the tools and process utilised)
• Safe systems approach to road safety
• Opportunities for utility providers to promote road safety strategies to their peers and into the community where they operate.

The Utilities Forum was placed on hold during 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions. The 2022 Forum will be kindly hosted by APA in Melbourne on the 10 November.

3. Heavy Vehicle Toolbox Talk

The Heavy Vehicle Toolbox Talk Working Group (HVTBT) is established to provide guidance and peer review in the development of an evidence based practically guided Toolbox Talk series specific to the heavy vehicle sector.

Toolbox talks are widely used to communicate information and knowledge and/or discuss occupational health and safety or operational issues within a workplace. Toolbox Talks (TBT) are a simple and cost-effective method that not only provides knowledge regarding work-related driving safety, but in addition promote discussion and awareness of work-related driving safety specifically relevant to the organisation. They typically are kept to a small and manageable timeframe 15-20 minutes and are designed to convey important information and actively promote further discussion. Consequently, Toolbox Talks are an ideal broad-based intervention strategy that can be used to highlight issues associated with work driving safety. The Working Group consists of:

• Adam Ritzinger – Toll Group, industry perspective with line haul and freight transport
• Felix Ohle – Viva Energy, industry perspective from dangerous goods contractor
• James Zarb – Viva Energy, industry perspective from dangerous goods contractor
• Jerome Carslake, Director of NRSPP – Chair of HVTWG
• Jennifer Rivera-Gonzalez, MUARC – research support
• Jim Sarkis – Bingo Industries, waste management
• Mark Nobel – Holcim, Construction
• Mike Mulligan – Qube, long haul
• Peter Johannsson – Zurich Insurance – Insurance insights and risk engineer
• Steve Power – Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA)
• Tim Roberts, Fleet Strategy – Video Creator

4. Empowr Mobility

Empowr Mobility creates an ecosystem of opportunity for those aspiring people and organisations suffering transport disadvantaged. It utilises connected, safe, affordable vehicles with an integrated mentor as a catalyst to help drive positive behaviours so they can maximise and access their full potential. The Empowr approach will reduce road trauma whilst increasing job access, self-determination and community growth.

5.  Special Project/Working Group: Suicide in Road Transport Prevention National Working Group (SiRTP)

The establishment of the National Working Group (NWG) originates from Toll Group who tabled with the NRSPP Steering Committee a growing issue affecting their drivers, but over which they have little control. Specifically, this issue relates to third parties dying by suicide by positioning themselves in front of Toll’s work vehicles. Toll’s analysis of third-party fatalities involving their vehicles, identified that up to 20 percent of the third-party fatalities were suicides.

This WG has been established to bring industry representatives, leaders in this area, those impacted and experts together to better understand the issue and collaboratively identify potential options to explore and address the problem.   Suicide is a complex and extremely emotive issue, and reaches far beyond transport into the community and mental health sectors.

Austroads provided NRSPP with seed funding for the initial stage of the WG which focused on research, exploration, understanding suicide and how suicide interacts with the organisation’s vehicles when on the road. The exploration stage included three focal areas:

1. Road authorities: understanding and reporting of the data
2. Company: What they should be looking for within their workers and community they operate within; and how to provide support, resilience and prepare those who may be at impacted or at risk
3. Organisation: Broader conversation with all workers

The WG produced an internal literature review for Austroads on the topic which was shared as part of a workshop of key stakeholders. From the workshop a discussion paper  was developed which outlined recommendations for further detailed research which can provide tools, supports and guides to help reduce the associated risk and stigma.

The second stage of the NWG is proposed to be funded by Austroads and commence 1 July 2019

6. Maintenance – High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV)

The High Occupancy Vehicle Working Group (HOV) was established to explore the safety management approaches relating to organisations’ use of vehicles with a seating capacity of between 8-28 people. The type of vehicles within this vehicle segment typically include small buses, people movers, troop carriers, etc. The concern is that these are vehicles are below 4.5t and therefore not subject to Heavy Vehicle National Law

Small buses in particular, represent the highest proportion of buses across Australia’s total bus fleet, with a majority travelling extensive annual kilometres. These vehicles can operate in all sorts of terrain and organisational settings from mine sites, health care clients and retirement village personnel, tourists and school children and staff in remote communities.

These vehicles are often anecdotally acknowledged as a particularly safe form of transport. However, a number of organisations are concerned that whilst they have reduced the risk exposure of their staff by utilising fewer vehicles to move their people, the type of risk has changed, and new management approaches need to be explored.

All partners have confirmed that HOVs are identified as risk critical and incidents involving these vehicles are reported directly to the CEO or equivalent.

HOV Partners: BHP, Boral, Community Transport, Chevron, Downer, IAG, MMG Limited, Newcrest, Parkes, Queensland Transport Association, Rio Tinto, Shell, Spotless, Suncorp, UGL Limited, Uniting Care Queensland, Vero, Vodafone, Western Australian Local Government Association and Zurich.

7. Maintenance – Grey Fleet (GF)

The objectives of this working group are:

1. To bring together a range of businesses and organisations to collaborate and create an ongoing dialogue around the management of GF.
2. Identify issues relevant to GF
3. Raise the understanding and awareness of the responsibilities organisation’s have relating to GF
4. Develop and promote a range of strategies to better manage and monitor GF safety
5. Evaluate developed and implemented strategies

8. Maintenance – 5 Star ANCAP

The aim of this group is to:

• identify evidence for supporting the business case for business to implement safer vehicle policies, and
• outline how to get companies to introduce a 5 Star ANCAP policy.

The Working Group is finalising a generic Safer Vehicle Purchasing Policy for fleets to utilise based on selecting 5 Star ANCAP and a brief which explains the various vehicle safety technologies, what is included in a 5 Star ANCAP vehicle and what is on the horizon. The Working Group is also planning the establishment of a series of B2B video featuring 30-40s of why companies are implementing and 5 Star purchasing policy…..  Participants

9. Maintenance – Influencing Driver Behaviour

Two reports are being developed into the various types of in-vehicle technology, and how in-vehicle technology can affect drivers’ behaviour. These are currently with the Steering Committee for final approval….  Participants

 10. Driver Headspace Working Group – maintenance mode

Evaluating the risk associated with a drivers mindset before driving –

Working Group Objectives

1. Identify the scale of the problem.
2. Identify how or if organisations are currently managing driver mindset risk.
3. Identify possible tools or process to manage the risk.

Desired Outcomes

1. Understand the size and scope of driver distraction following a stressful event
2. Employees understand the risk to themselves before they choose to drive,
3. Identify tools and methodologies for how to manage driver risk following a high stress event
4. Organisations within these sectors understand the risks associated with driving following a stressful event and actively manage it.

The Working Group has produced a Research Report which is in the process of being converted into fact sheets and Thought Leadership: Driven to distraction – how technology and regulations are “overloading” drivers. 

For more information please refer to the Driver Headspace Fact Sheet

11. Maintenance – Safe Use of Mobile in Vehicles (SUMV) Working Group

SUMV has been established to help all organisations establish a successful mobile phone policy for their workers whilst in their vehicles based on common sense and evidence. The Working Group has developed:

• a guide to develop a mobile phone policy and successfully implement it
• comms strategy to promote the policy guide
• www.sumv.com.au microsite with supporting materials

11. Maintenance – B2B (Business-to-Business)  Safer Vehicles are Better Business

The B2B Group is led by Steering Committee Partner IAG and developed B2B Video: Safer Vehicles are Better Business. The video would not have been possible without the support and input from leaders within 3M, ARRB, Bosch,  Origin and Uniting Care Queensland.

This Business-to-Business (B2B) Video is a call to arms to all businesses to make the purchasing of safer vehicles a core component of their holistic road safety strategy. Safer vehicles is a key pillar in the safe system which is the foundation for NRSPP – safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe drivers and safer roads. The group also developed the Safe Vehicle Purchasing Policy which only relates to one section of the framework, as such it is only one of a number of policies that make up a systems approach to vehicle safety within an organisation.

Issue Papers, Q&As, Fact Sheets and Thought Leadership Pieces

The Steering Committee identified a range of knowledge gaps which Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and Griffith University through their Work Occupational Resilience Centre (WORC). The following is a list ofjust a few examples of what has been developed:

• Issues Paper: Telematics Jammers – Addressing the Risk 
• Thought Leadership: Funding Safety Improvement
• Thought Leadership: Mobile phone use policy
• Discussion Paper: In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS): Safety through best practice telematics 
• NRSPP Policy paper: Guide to the Development of a Safe Vehicle Purchasing Policy 
• Thought Leadership: Driven to distraction – how technology and regulations are “overloading” drivers 
• Q&A:  Reverse Parking
• Q&A: Avoiding Animal Collisions
• Q&A: Bulk Tanker Rollovers
• Q&A: Tipper Trucks Tipping Over
• Q&A: Road Trauma and Young Drivers – Does Gender Make a Difference?

Whats in the pipeline?

1. Risk management of deliveries
2. Power to Weight Ratio in Vehicles
3. What are the traits of safer drivers?
4. How does the technology work in a vehicle?
5. How to introduce an Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy?
6. How does lifestyle impact workplace road safety?
7. Culture and complacency and ensuring a continuous improvement approach.
8. How do you treat breaches?
9. What is the right measure for vehicle asset utilisation that drives both safety and efficiency?
10. Are incentives driving the wrong behaviour – jobs, sales, repairs, etc.
11. Telematics – how to best use the data to drive culture?
12. What are the thresholds of telematics and what does the variance really mean for safety?
13. Balance of privacy with safety.
14. How do we extend safety measures to contractors?
15. Drive in and drive out workers?
16. Managing a light vehicle’s GVM.
17. Road workers
18. Understanding interactions escort vehicles

Special Projects

1. Behind the Wheel in a Workplace: Directors and Officers Course; and Managers Course 
   • Purpose: To provide an update on the development of two courses targeting the more effective management of vehicles as a workplace. The first is a Directors and Officers course addressing their legal responsibilities in relation to managing vehicles as a workplace. The second is a course for practitioners focusing on how to mitigate the risk associated with operating a vehicle as a workplace.
   • The course is an initiative of NRSPP in collaboration with Flinders, Griffith and Monash Universities sponsored by Zurich Insurance
2. Heavy and Light interactions: lower cost as the eLearning element was removed which significantly reduced the establishment and ongoing operational elements. There is also an increase in industry support with several partners committing to provide funding to assist in their development if successful. Proposal expanded on evidence which underpins the messaging and how it would be executed.
3. CLOCS-A: The funding for 2018 (stage 1) has just commenced, so the Round 4 funding requested is to establish the core components of the industry standard based on the UK program adapted to Australia. This would provide the rest of the funding to develop what will be known as Construction Logistics and Community Safety – Australia (CLOCS-A). A major issue which still exists is the willingness of government tendered contracts to go on lower price or reduced safety requirements.
4. Avenue for fleet vehicles to reach those that are high risk: To explore interest and feasibility for organisations to allocate a portion of their light vehicle fleet to those that are high risk through a collaborative initiative.
   
5. AAA Fatigue Project: This two and half year project is a collaboration between NRSPP, MUARC and Tip Top funded by AAA to develop a fatigue training and engagement program for Tip Top’s diverse workforce.
6. Austroads Heavy Vehicle  Driver Competency Stage 3: Led by CILT-A includes MUARC, NRSPP and NTI.
7. AAA Mindfulness Driver Distraction Project: currently in the pre-feasibility stage of development

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee will meet in November at MUARC.

Workplace Organisational Road Safety Guide

Was developed in partnership between the National Transport Commission, New Zealand Accident Compensation Commission and NSW Centre for Road Safety. The guide was launched on the 5 May 2014 as part of the program’s official launch by Dr Jeff Potter, Project Director from the National Transport Commission. The guide will be updated periodically based on feedback received from those who have used it, this will help keep it current and applicable. A webinar was held on 18 March by the authors to explain the guide in more detail and answer those lingering questions.

Program Funding

A funding consortium consisting of NSW Centre for Road Safety, NSW Motor Accident Authority, South Australian Motor Accident Commission National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Queensland Department of Transport, VicRoads/TAC and WA Road Safety Commission. The Steering Committee recognises the NRSPP has evolved past its three year incubation stage since its launch in 2014 and is now fully operational.

Benchmarking Tool

The development of a benchmarking tool was one of the core elements identified by stakeholders during the consultation period for the program’s development. The program’s secretariat  has been exploring options for developing the tool and the website has been structured to include the tool once developed. Funding has been secured through a grant from the NRMA/ACT Road Safety Trust to develop Stages 1 and 2 of the Tool. Consultation involved 70+ organisations  provide feedback through workshops held in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. The framework was finalised and approved by the NRMA/ACT Road Safety Trust.

Program Management

At the March 15th 2013 Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officials’ Committee (TISOC) the committee:

1. AGREED that the Business Partnerships (Safety) Program is worthwhile joint industry-government initiative that delivers positive actions through the corporate sector that will contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Road Safety Strategy, without the imposition of regulatory ‘red-tape’
2. ENDORSED that government continues its involvement in the delivery of this program through:
   a. the NTC with reduced involvement until mid-2014 when the program will be completely in the hands of participating companies;
   b. another government or other national entity nominated by TISOC.

The program’s Governance Board selected Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) as the host of the NRSPP