Road trains have a rich history in Australian transport logistics and are now widely used. Greater fuel efficiency for more freight space is hugely beneficial when transporting goods around remote Australia, especially in mining and agriculture. Indeed, researcher Frost & Sullivan forecasts a 65 per cent increase in road train sales between 2016-2025, as reported by Behind the Wheel.

However, operating these colossal vehicles is challenging, meaning drivers and managers must adhere to strict safety procedures and avoid overloading or ineffective navigation which could jeopardise freight operations or safety. At Pinpoint, we understand the uncertainties that fleet managers may have in utilising road trains. Below, we have compiled 3 tips to guide responsible road train operations.

1. Avoid overloading

Road trains are policed by strict regulations on tonnage, vehicle lengths, speeds and journey routes by National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisations. Breaking these rules is not only illegal, but risky and dangerous. Overloading is a common issue in road train operations. Fleet managers may think slight weight increases in their freight trailers will have little effect. However, even small adjustments can affect operations, impacting stopping distances.

Road trains' size and velocity means they have longer stopping distances than most vehicles, as much as 25 per cent more than cars at the same speed according to the Northern Territory state government. Pinpoint are industry-celebrated in supplying telematics for transport logistics, merging your operations into the right lane.

2. Ensure good driver habits and manage fatigue

Discouraging aggressive driving or speeding is vital for fleet managers, especially in road train operations. Pinpoint's Intelligent Access Program (IAP) is a certified telematics solution that provides users with improved access to Australia's road networks in exchange for monitored driving compliance. This not only encourages better driver behaviour, but also givers your operations improved GPS and journey access, vital in operating an effective fleet.

Similarly, drive fatigue is an issue that widely affects safe freight operations. A Victorian Transport Authority conference indicated that driver fatigue-related truck crashes are at their worst in a decade, as reported on Trade Trucks website. Pinpoint's IAP telematics can help the ongoing monitoring of driver safety and ensure your fleet operations stay compliant.

3. Use vehicle telematics

Ensuring your road trains get to their destination efficiently and safely is vital to successful fleet management. Effective navigation is made accessible with Pinpoint's In Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS). The IVMS is widely used in remote field operations, particularly mining, to ensure that drivers have a full picture of operations around them and help reduce the risk of encountering road hazards. Keeping your drivers and freight safe in Australian road train operations has never been easier.

When managing safe road train operations in Australia, fleet managers have a challenge to ensure that vehicles aren't overloaded, driver fatigue and safety is effectively monitored and your fleet has the best GPS equipment available. Pinpoint's telematics might just be exactly what you need. To find out more, contact our team today or check out our Facebook page.