The HVIA status lights and displays working group has responded to the latest proposed draft specification for safety critical trailer status lights. After nearly a decade of uncertainty, we can confirm there is movement in the right direction. The submission and technical specification parameters being reviewed are now publicly available here.
A Trailer Status light is fitted to a heavy trailer to indicate the operational status of a critical system. Key systems requiring these lights which we have focused on based on member feedback are:
- Trailer Electronic Braking Systems (TEBS)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
- Refrigerated Units and
- Battery systems
The functionality of the above systems is critical for vehicle safety and performance, or for public health in the case of refrigerated units. Due to challenges in older vehicle electrical architecture as well as the prevalence of road trains and multi-combination units used on Australian roads to boost productivity, there is a need for trailer mounted status indicators.
The easiest, most visible, and cost-effective solution currently is to fit a light to the trailer which operators, including drivers can see before, after and during operation. It also makes systems compliance more visible to regulators. The balance which must be struck in the specification is ensuring these lights do not create a distraction for other road users.
With many minds now on the topic, we have proposed some new considerations in the draft specification. Some key ideas:
- Traditionally these lights have been green in most operations and earlier discussions have converged on green as the primary colour. Concerns have been raised that this could be confused with a traffic signal. We are exploring whether more leniency on the lights being side mounted could become available if they were white. This colour would still provide an operational status, be different to existing side-outline markers (amber) but not create confusion for other road users. Refrigerated or battery lights fitted to the headboard in the drivers’ view would be proposed to remain optionally green or white.
- Currently the draft limits operators to 2 lights per trailer. However, we have 4 critical functions identified by members as above. If the allowance was 2 lights on the headboard (white or green) and 1 white on each side of the trailer, we feel that 4 lights would be acceptable without overwhelming or confusing other road users. This would still allow cost effective and simple implementation without complex programming boards or rework to imported modular components. We have delivered this latest feedback to the Department of infrastructure transport regional development communications sport and the arts (the Department) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and will continue to seek a path forward and solution for the benefit of the heavy vehicle industry and road safety.
For more information, please review the latest submission and/or contact Chief Engineer Rachel Michaud at r.michaud@hvia.asn.au.