HVIA has submitted a response to the NTC’s review of Australian Road Rule 108, which relates to truck and bus low-gear signs.
The review of the Rule was initiated to address concerns relating to battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks, as the wording of the current rule requires heavy vehicle drivers to select a low gear when descending.
Some battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks do not feature driver-selectable forward gears, however there is no concern regarding their regulatory compliance, nor their safe operation.
Members responded to HVIA’s call for feedback to inform the NTC’s consultation with a detailed range of comments relating to vehicle technology, safety systems and operational factors. That feedback was used to guide HVIA’s response, which was submitted last Friday, and is available to view here and on the advocacy section of HVIA’s website.
“It was hugely encouraging to receive such a high level of detailed and considered feedback from members,” says Adam Ritzinger, HVIA’s Chief Technical Officer.
“It really speaks to a deep technical expertise and strong desire to ensure that safe and compliant products are provided to the market.”
HVIA’s response highlights the specific ways in which low- and zero-emissions heavy vehicles (LZEHVs) with non-conventional drivetrains and braking systems operate, and provided recommendations on how the rule and its associated road signs could be updated to be technology agnostic.
For further information, contact Adam Ritzinger at a.ritzinger@hvia.asn.au.