Supercars, brakes, heavy vehicle laws, employment challenges and the details behind updated design standards for LED lighting were just a few of the topics tackled on day one of the Australian Trucking Association’s Technical Maintenance Conference at the Melbourne Showgrounds yesterday.
The 2025 conference venue represents a change for the event, moving away from its previous location at the Kangan Institute in Docklands.
ATA Chairman Mark Parry opened the proceedings by thanking the Kangan team for their previous support, before highlighting the benefits of the more spacious showground site and its capacity to handle the 32 conference and workshop sessions incorporated into the two-day event.
For the ATA the day included the release of its Technical Advisory Procedure for Low Voltage Electrical Wiring and Lamps, and the sharing of access to the SBS Inclusion program for workplaces, as part of the Association’s Inroads program.
For attendees, the Victoria Pavillion was the centre of activity with more than 30 exhibitors showcasing the latest in technology, parts and transport systems, and three break out areas operating all day offering a mix of theoretical and practical sessions on topics ranging from smart suspension choices for safer more productive fleets to truck law reform and automation.
Parry said the wide ranging program would capture key issues facing the industry, including the need for higher productivity truck and trailer combinations and the need for government to help transport operators cover the cost of converting their fleets to lower carbon alternatives such as electric and hydrogen trucks.
“Australia needs a voucher scheme to cover half the gap, the price gap between comparable low carbon and conventional technologies,” he said. “The model we’re proposing would be an Australian version of the successful voucher scheme in the world’s fourth largest economy, California.
“Under our proposal, vouchers will be available for the purchase for a range of technologies, including, but not limited to fuel cell hydrogen, electric vehicles and vehicles with HD combustion engines.”
The setting of new design standards and the desire for a more harmonious approach to the technical and human elements of the transport task was a consistent theme during the day.
A session on the changes to Australian Design Regulations and the installation of low voltage lighting on trucks and trailers served as a reminder of best practice when it comes to the correct installation and protection of cabling and connections for LED lighting.
It also highlighted the challenges faced by trailer builders and fleet operators trying to marry different systems from different eras to a mix of 12V and 24V prime mover power sources, whilst attempting to meet the needs of changing, and often conflicting design standards and laws.
The mixed voltage outputs of prime movers and the effect it can have on the CAN and EBS braking system set ups for trailers was raised in a later session where Air Brake System’s Service Support manager Shane Pendergast turned the spotlight on some of the key challenges facing operators when it comes to brake wear and safety.
Pendergast highlighted the need for a better understanding of the importance of brake harmonisation across trailer combinations and a more collaborative and consistent approach to EBS brake system approvals from the engineers charged with certifying systems as roadworthy.
The challenge of finding staff to meet the demand for industry positions, ranging from driving to logistics and office-based roles, was the focus of two sessions – one talking about training and Gen Z workers, and the other opening the door to the potential of hiring neurodivergent talent and adopting a workplace culture that would make these employees feel welcome and valued every day.
A key take out of the sessions was the need to personalise approaches to Gen Z and neurodivergent talent and ensure they have a thorough understanding of “why” their role is important within an organisation and what part it plays in the bigger picture.
With Heavy Vehicle National Law reforms currently before the parliament in Queensland for consideration, the session on regulatory change was particularly timely.
Trucksafe’s Glyn Castanelli reminded the room that under the new laws all operators will be required to have a documented safety management system in place for their fleets, be it one truck or 100.
National Transport Commission’s Scott Britton took attendees through proposed changes to height and length regulations in the new laws and some of the technical challenges these would present, including the need to upgrade braking systems on trailers built at new lengths.
While there are a raft of conditions to work through as part of the legislative process, key elements under discussion include an increase in prescriptive length limits from 19m to 20m and, further down the track, increases in height limits from 4.3m to 4.6m.
Away from the technical talks, and coincidently in the wake of the Bathurst weekend, truck driver and industry advocate Casuarina (CJ) Smith entertained the crowd by hosting a panel session around the challenges of transporting Supercar race teams around the country and the highly specialised trailers and processes required behind the scenes to bring the events to life.
The TMC conference continues today with the annual ATA Awards to be held tonight.