Trucksales Awards 2022: The Shortlist

Every year, we present our awards for the product, concept or idea that our panel of judges think is the most innovative and safest for the year.

The Awards don't have to necessarily go to a vehicle manufacturer, it can go to anyone that we think has come up with something truly innovative or that promotes safety in the transport industry.

This year we had a very diverse group that we had to choose from and below is the shortlist that came up with for each Award. If you would like to read the full story of any of the products that we ran in trucksales.com.au, simply click on the headline.

The winners will be announced in late January.

Electronic work diary approval by NHVR

Although the first Electronic Work Diary (EWD) was given the green light by the NHVR in December 2020, the rollout of other software and hardware has been approved during 2021.

In January we saw MTData’s Talon and Swift system, running on either a Samsung Galaxy Active Tab or Samsung Galaxy Active Tab 2, as an optional EWD.

MTData joined the existing EWDs by Step Global and Teletrac Navman which had been available across Australia since December 1 and the NHVR recently gave the green light for Netstar Australia’s Garmin Fleet 7XX Series to be used as an EWD from January 11.

Then, in December, we saw the first iOS devices approved. The NHVR approved Q by Quallogi as the first Electronic Work Diary (EWD) to operate on an additional Android and two iOS devices.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto confirmed the addition of Apple iPhone SE and iPad (5th Generation) last week, having approved Q by Quallogi in May this year as the fifth official EWD approved for use.

The use of EWDs has been applauded by drivers and fleet operators. The introduction means drivers can record their work and rest hours by pressing a button, rather than spending time ruling lines and counting multiple time periods on multiple pieces of paper.

Fuso eCanter launch

In April of this year, Fuso officially launched the eCanter. The eCanter is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) all-electric truck available in Australia and will be supported by select Fuso eMobility dealers.

Developed with the global engineering might of Daimler, the eCanter became the world’s first small series electric production truck in 2017.

It has been the subject of a rigorous testing regime around the world, including a six-month Australian test running with a maximum load, while global customers have covered more than three million kilometres of real-world driving.

Speaking at the launch in, Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said the launch of the eCanter in Australia was a momentous occasion.

“This is a significant milestone for Australian transport and represents a big step towards carbon neutral transportation in this country, which benefits everyone,” Mr Whitehead said.

Redarc handbrake alarm

Accidentally leaving the park brake off on a truck can be disastrous and lead to a runaway truck resulting in damage to the truck – or worse.

Sometimes, as a runaway begins, the driver is able to jump back on board and apply the parking brake, but often becomes a victim when run over by the vehicle.

There are integrated parking brake systems, such as BrakeSafe that we reported on in 2019. This device automatically warns the driver and applies the parking brake if the driver forgets to do so.

Redarc’s lower-cost alarm system doesn’t apply the parking brake, but it does provide an audible and visual warning if the door is opened and the handbrake is not applied. Once the alarm starts, it stays active until the handbrake is applied, even if the door is closed again.

In September 2021, Redarc launched a new ‘connectorised’ version of its handbrake alarm.

The HBA1224 handbrake alarm is compatible with 12V and 24V systems and features a built-in LED warning light and piezo buzzer. It can also trigger an external LED, light or alarm when combined with a suitable relay.

Twin-valve ALCOA wheels

Tyre pressure monitoring is being used by an increasing number of truck operators to improve safety and fuel consumption, as well as improving tyre life. However, the single valve hole in truck wheels can cause problems and Alcoa has developed two-hole wheels to remedy the issue
Truck tyre pressure monitoring systems are either in-wheel sensor/transmitter units or valve-cap sensor/transmitter units.

In-wheel units promise secure installation, but are vulnerable to damage when tyres are demounted. Also, battery maintenance or sensor replacement cannot be done unless the tyre is demounted.

Valve cap replacement TPMS transmitters literally replace a normal valve cap and are preferred by many operators, because of the ease of fitment, maintenance and replacement. However, there’s always the risk of the TPMS cap not being put back on after a pressure top-up. No cap means no pressure and temperature data being sent to the in-cab display unit.

ATA SafeT360

Young people aged 16 to 25 are the most over-represented group of drivers involved in crashes on our roads.

The Australian Trucking Association’s SafeT360 program actually travels all over Australia, and now New Zealand, https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/safet360-heads-across-the-ditch-130444/ taking the road safety message to the young.

SafeT360 is an interactive custom-built road safety exhibition that uses virtual reality and interactive messaging all packed into a real travelling truck and trailer.

Visitors to the exhibition leave understanding where a truck’s blind spots are, how long it takes a truck to stop, the dangers of distraction, and other tips about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe around trucks.

Everyone has a role to play in road safety, whether behind the wheel, on two wheels or on foot.

Hino 700 Series

The Hino 700 Series was launched here in June and was immediately dubbed “The Safest Hino Ever”.

Hino has taken out this Award for the past two years with 500 Series Wide Cab and the 300 Series, both of which were updated with the most comprehensive safety systems available in trucks.

Now the 700 Series has received the safety treatment including a newly-adopted Driver Monitor camera that’s integrated into the driver’s side A-pillar moulding.

This camera scans driver’s eye and head movements and warns the driver of any inattention or dozing. The Driver Monitor is also linked to what Hino calls a ‘staggering’ warning, where the 700’s lane-monitoring camera warns the driver if the truck is meandering within its lane.

Those new features are added to the Hino SmartSafe suite that’s common to the smaller 300 Series and 500 Series Hinos: pre-collision system (PCS) with autonomous emergency braking (AEB); pedestrian detection (PD); lane departure warning system (LDWS) and vehicle stability control (VSC). And a reversing camera is standard on all Hino 700s.

Using the truck’s forward-facing radar and camera, PCS scans the road in front of the truck and warns the driver visually and audibly if it detects an imminent collision. Should the driver fail to respond with braking effort, the PCS activates the AEB.

Redarc handbrake alarm

Redarc get another nod to its handbrake alarm as it is not only innovative it is a low-cost and very effective safety device that will certainly save lives.

Redarc’s lower-cost alarm system doesn’t apply the parking brake, but it does provide an audible and visual warning if the door is opened and the handbrake is not applied. Once the alarm starts, it stays active until the handbrake is applied, even if the door is closed again.

In September 2021, Redarc launched a new ‘connectorised’ version of its handbrake alarm.

The HBA1224 handbrake alarm is compatible with 12V and 24V systems and features a built-in LED warning light and piezo buzzer. It can also trigger an external LED, light or alarm when combined with a suitable relay.

SARTA road simulator

In February of 2021, The Australian and South Australian governments partnered with South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) to buy the HVSim Heavy Vehicle Simulator and software package worth $450,000.

At the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the cutting-edge simulator would help existing and learner heavy vehicle drivers navigate the South Eastern Freeway descent, for example, with a focus on improving safety behind the wheel.

“Truck drivers will undergo training and assessments in the simulator and there is scope for expanding the program to cover other high-risk routes in South Australia and across the country,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the simulator was an example of how the Regulator and SARTA were working with the South Australian and Federal Governments to deliver a great outcome for local heavy vehicle drivers.