This report is part of Phase 1 of the Australian Truck Safety Study. It reviews the effect of truck configuration and design, maintenance, and driver and management aids in safety. Exposure to crash risk would be reduced by larger vehicles such as B-doubles. Crash avoidance could be improved by the adoption of new braking technologies, better vehicle stability, better field of view, improved conspicuity, daytime running lights, reducing splash and spray and fitting speed limiters. Crash consequences could be reduced by fitting speed limiters and improving stability, front, side and rear protection, seat belt wearing, cab strength, and fire protection. Improved maintenance and inspection of tyres and brakes also have a role, as do a range of driver aids which would make the driving task easier, recording systems which would detect unsafe behaviours, and fatigue detectors and alcohol interlocks to reduce impaired driving. Countermeasures are comprehensively assessed in terms of their cost, contribution to accident reduction and other benefits. For parts 5,4 and 3 see IRRD 831351-831533.
Abstract