Heavy vehicle initiative invests $5.5m across 28 road safety projects – Big Rigs
Three regional councils and Tasmania’s largest bus operator are just four of the beneficiaries from the latest round of the tax-payer funded Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
In all 28 projects are sharing in almost $5.5 million for projects as diverse as the Orange City and Cabonne Shire Council’s program on the importance of taking power naps, and the installation of Mobileye advanced driver assistance technology in Metro Tasmania buses.
Other funding winners include Concrete Pumping Association of Australia, for data analysis and research, and Grain Producers SA Ltd for a study into the behaviour of SA primary producers accessing public roads.
The adminstrating body, the NHVR, does not release details of what each individual recipient receives under the program, which is now in its sixth round.
In a media statement today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government was funding programs that would help save lives and reduce road trauma.
“Our Government is focused on ensuring road users stay safe and arrive at their destination every time they get behind the wheel,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That’s why we’re investing in new and innovative initiatives that will deliver improved safety outcomes for workers in our heavy vehicle industry as well as regular motorists.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said this latest round of funding continues the Government’s strong support under the HVSI, providing opportunities for industry, researchers and community groups to deliver key projects underpinning driver, vehicle and community safety.
“The highly successful HVSI has now allocated around $28 million to support 117 projects across six rounds,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.
“Projects across the first five program rounds have delivered beneficial outcomes in mental health, driver safety, road user awareness, codes of practice, chain of responsibility and driver education.
“They have also driven the development, delivery and adoption of new technology and innovation relating to fatigue management, safety management systems, load restraint, safety cameras, seeing eye machines, rest stop areas to name a few.
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chair Duncan Gay said the HVSI program delivers tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety.
“The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative is funding key initiatives that help reshape how we think about road safety,” Gay said.
“The program brings the community, government and industry together to deliver on a shared goal of safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer road use for all Australians.”
A full list of successful round six projects is available here: www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi