ALRTA: Opportunity cost

To help prevent rollovers, Electronic Stability Control systems incorporating roll stability functions were mandated for all new heavy vehicle trailers from 2019. Roll stability functions were also later added to the Australian Design Rules for some trucks.

Roll stability functions are mandatory on some truck and trailers to prevent rollovers. While there is a compliance cost associated with adding this equipment to a fleet, the greatest cost in not doing so may be the lost opportunity in using information generated by the technology to help make professional drivers safer and improve efficiency and safety performance for transport operators.

The equipment can detect high G-force and wheel-lift events and can electronically intervene to improve a vehicle’s braking or stability. Systems can also often provide telematic data, which transport operators can analyse to improve the efficiency of their operations as well as the safety of their professional drivers and other road users.

For example, data can help highlight specific locations on frequently travelled routes that are a hot spot for braking events or near misses, information that can be shared with drivers so they are aware and can be vigilant in locations that present a higher risk of rollovers.

This case study looks at the different experiences of two respected transport operators in the heavy vehicle industry in going beyond simply meeting mandated rollover prevention obligations and maximising the potential of electronic braking and stability systems to help drive efficient and safe operations.