The Australian Forest Contractors Association is calling for Expression of Interests from individuals and businesses within the forest industry who have a role in log haulage, specifically the loading and transportation of logs to assist with the development of the tools. Source: Timberbiz
The project aims to address key log transport risks that have been identified through industry-led research and engagement that include:
- load restraint failures
- rollovers, with partial or full loss of load and
- third party vehicle incidents.
There is currently no technology in Australia used to assist loaders or drivers with the construction of their load and provide information on whether the load is constructed to meet the crowning requirements as recommended as best practice in the Forestry Log Haulage Registered Code of Practice (under active consideration for registration by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator).
Also, there is no tool available in Australia that can provide a driver with just-in-time information about the potential risk of the load causing vehicle and trailer instability and increasing the risk of a potential rollover.
The project proposes to develop new and innovative technology to assess:
- load crowning to improve load restraint outcomes and,
- real-time measurement of log load stability to reduce rollover risk.
A key part of the project will be to work with the industry to develop and test the tools to measure their suitability for potential use more widely across Australia.
A copy of the EOI form is at https://www.afca.asn.au/static/uploads/files/rsif-2-irg-eoi-wfwwfmqluvxq.pdf and a copy of the Terms of Reference is at https://www.afca.asn.au/static/uploads/files/rsif-2-irg-terms-of-reference-wfqrantjjtxj.pdf
Applications close 31 August 2021.
