Government moots mandatory AEB
The Federal Government is seeking feedback on options surrounding the mandatory fitment of autonomous emergency braking systems in heavy vehiclesAutonomous emergency braking systems may become mandatory for heavy vehicles in the not-too-distant future, with the Federal Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development recently releasing a Regulatory Impact Statement concerning the issue.
The paper suggests AEB could potentially become mandatory for new vehicle truck and bus models from November 1, 2020, and for all new heavy vehicles by November 1, 2022.
Major benefit
Government data shows that heavy vehicle accidents cost around $1.5 billion annually in road trauma, while recent Australian research indicates that AEB "could alleviate or reduce the severity of almost 15 per cent of all Australian heavy vehicle crashes".
In crashes that involve a heavy vehicle colliding with a vehicle in front of it, the research shows that AEB has the potential to reduce "all forms of trauma by up to 57 per cent".
The Government is now seeking public input on mandating AEB for trucks and buses through introducing changes to the relevant Australian Design Rules, and is inviting people to comment on its Regulation Impact Statement concerning the issue. Click here to view the paper and here to download the feedback form.
The period of consultation ends by the close of business on Friday, October 4.
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More detail needed
While Heavy Vehicle Industry Association Technical Manager Paul Caus says the representative body favours the adoption of new safety technologies, the paper fails to differentiate between rigid trucks and combinations.
"The RIS does not seem to specifically mention combination vehicles," he said.
"However, it is important to recognise that if AEB is fitted to a prime mover, it is essential that all of the vehicles in the combination have compatible braking systems in order that the combination stops in a straight line when the autonomous system activates.
"Because Australian Design Rules (ADRs) can only be applied to new vehicles entering the market, additional provisions may be needed in the National Heavy Vehicle Law to ensure prime movers fitted with AEB only uses trailers with compatible EBS systems.
"This may be prove to be problematic in practice and may effectively force owners of existing trailers to retrofit EBS or purchase new trailers."
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