VicRoads has announced it will install radar-based reverse braking technology in up to 38 vehicles in its road maintenance fleet following a successful trial held this week.
According to VicRoads, the automated system is the first of its kind to be trialled in Australia, with the road authority the first heavy fleet operator to install the technology.
“Safety in the workplace is of the upmost importance and this technology will significantly improve safe working conditions for VicRoads employees,” said John Merritt, VicRoads CEO. “The safety of our people and members of the public is paramount and the autonomous braking system will make a difference.”
“The technology works alongside other safe systems already in operation and complements our suite of work place procedures,” Merritt said. “We believe this technology will significantly reduce worksite risks and we hope it will become standard across the industry. Our dedication to workplace safety never ends and VicRoads will continue to consider any new technology which may save lives.”
VicRoads recently completed a six-month trial of the radar-based technology, installed on a patrol truck and a tip truck. When the system detects an object at the rear of the truck as it reverses, the airbrakes are automatically applied. VicRoads will now progressively install the technology on to its fleet.
“We’ve been working alongside VicRoads a long time to get this technology up and running,” said Davin Hamnett, Business Manager for Reverse SMART. “Statistics show that a construction worker is 20 per cent more likely to suffer severe and fatal injuries in a reversing situation as opposed to a truck going forwards…now that there is a system in place to protect that rear zone of the vehicle and those near it, represents a real boon for the construction industry.”
