New truck rest area guidelines are welcome news for the trucking industry, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says. 

The ATA represents the 50,000 businesses and 211,500 people in the Australian trucking industry and has thanked Austroads for listening to concerns and recommendations raised in consultations during the guideline drafting process. 

The Austroads research report ‘Guidelines for the Provision of Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Facilities’ was developed in response to calls for updated standards and will assist in the planning, design and prioritisation of truck rest areas. 

“The ATA pushed hard for a number of changes and are pleased to see positive progress and improved standards for our hardworking truck drivers,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said today. 

“Moving forward, it’s important for all jurisdictions to ensure the guidelines are enforced and to spend the funds the Australian government has allocated,” he said. 

The report has addressed several key issues including: 

• acknowledging the link between fatigue management and rest area frequency
• driver security
• the need for bays on level ground and separated from noisy areas to promote sleep; and
• the need for female drivers to have separate bathroom facilities 

Mr Maguire says the ATA is also pleased to see Rod Hannifey’s reflector initiative included in the guidelines. 

“Rod is a lifetime advocate for road safety and has spent years campaigning for this initiative. It’s great to see him getting recognition for his hard work,” he said. 

Heavy vehicle rest areas across the country will be a key issue for discussion at the ATA’s Trucking Australia conference, held 3-5 April in Perth. 

“We’ll be hosting an interactive workshop on rest area design and input from drivers is critical,” Mr Maguire said. 

“I invite all drivers to join us in Perth and contribute to this important discussion,” he said. 

View the guidelines 

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