News for June - 7th June meeting, ITTEC12 outcome, TMC12 announcement and ARTSA Change Proposals

This is a joint meeting with tanker operators at the NBTA and will have a strong training flavour given the venue. We will spend time on:

Outcomes of 23rd February Meeting

A well attended meeting with over 40 people in attendance at ARRB Group. Minutes from the meeting are on the members site at http://www.artsa.com.au/

Key issues covered included:

Review of the TRB Washington conference

Some surprising findings on forward collision, lane departure and roll stability. The minutes tell the story

Tyre testing in Germany

Three significant European projects called Silence, Q City and Tyro Safe will have a profound impact on labelling as well as consumer advice. Labelling and rating systems are going to be shaken up by these initiatives. See the ARTSA Library for the presentation under February 2012 meeting papers

CAN Bus developments

A technical paper delivered on this development and its significance for heavy vehicles. See the ARTSA Library for the presentation under February 2012 meeting papers

ARTSA Change Proposals

Twelve significant projects have been put to the key regulatory groups in Australia. The list is extensive and ARTSA will focus on these initiatives. See the ARTSA Library for the list of projects under February 2012 meeting papers

VicRoads roadworthiness findings

Three recent audits across close to 1000 heavy vehicles revealed serious defects in 85% of vehicles. Whilst the presentation raised may questions there is no doubt that improvements are needed. VicRoads have invited ARTSA to work with them on this process. Some of the data is included in the February presentation is in the library

Trailer stats

This is gathering some momentum and key meetings are being held with various Federal bodies who maintain the VIN databases. Its still a little early to tell if this will be successful but all agree it is a valuable initiative. It will be one of the focuses for 2012 to establish a worthwhile data series on trailers in Australia

Linked in and ARTSA

ARTSA now has a formal presence on the popular professional networking site, "LinkedIn." A new LinkedIn Group, titled "ARTSA - Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association," is open to all ARTSA members and non-members alike. We welcome non-members to the Group because we see it as a means for showcasing what ARTSA is all about and attracting new members to ARTSA.

To find this go to http://www.linkedin.com and either join or search for ARTSA if you are an existing member. There is a how to start up advice on the ARTSA home page

Aerodynamics

The project with Monash University to develop "third generation" heavy vehicle trailers is moving ahead. There is still room for additional partners and details can be sought from David Burton at Monash University on david.burton@eng.monash.edu.au

Seminars and meetings

We have some key meetings and events in the pipeline:

• ARTSA's Truck and Trailer Conference ITTEC12 on 13th and 14th March International speakers, the head of VicRoads and the National Heavy Vehicle regulators office head the cast. This is a must attend for ARTSA members. Register at http://www.trucktrailerconference.com.au/

• TUV Rheinland are running a course on Functional Safety in April. The contents and how to enrol are on the TUV Rheinland site at http://www.tuv.com/en/australia/about_us_au/events_au/event_details_87564.jsp

ARTSA Matters February 2012

Our next meeting (including our AGM) is from 8.30am at ARRB Group, 500 Burwood Highway, Vermont South Billed as "State of the art" it will canvass a range of new developments in heavy vehicle technology Included in the meeting will be briefings on:

• Overview of TRB conference in Washington
• Tyre research in Europe
• AVSR review
• Canberra regulatory update
• Up coming courses and conferences

To attend you must advise Rob on exec@artsa.com.au

Outlook conference - 13th and 14th March in Melbourne

ARTSA along with TIC and VTA is hosting a heavy vehicle outlook conference in the two days leading into the International Truck and Trailer Show in Melbourne. The program features international speakers, a review of international and Australian production and forecasts, technology updates, regulatory updates and predictions for the next 5 years. A sensational speaker line with panel sessions and plenty of dialogue, where questions will be asked and debates encouraged. ARTSA members can attend for a special price $385 for the two days by registering on-line at http://www.trucktrailerconference.com.au/members The discussions and information over the two days of this Outlook conference will set you up for the year ahead.

Trailer statistics

Everyone agrees that statistics similar to the TIC generated truck sales data would be useful. But no one does it for trailers in Australia. ARTSA has asked the question and found some interesting information as well as a process to deliver trailer statistics in Australia. This will be discussed at our 23rd February meeting at ARRB Group and numbers will be presented at the Outlook Conference on the 13th/14th March.

Change proposals

ARTSA is working with other organisations and regulators to promote 12 change proposals to improve heavy vehicle outcomes in Australia. You can hear about these proposals and how they are progressing at the 23rd February meeting

Up coming courses

ARTSA has already announced three courses on

• Advanced Truck Electrics
• Homologation of Heavy Vehicles in Australia - specialist training
• Electronically controlled braking and stability systems

Dates and details of the courses will be outlined at the 23rd February meeting

TUV Rheinland is also running a course on Automotive Functional Safety from 2nd to 5th April in Melbourne. Based around the safety related systems for draft international standard ISO 26262, the training will provide in-depth understanding of this new standard. For more details contact Rainer.Friedrich@au.tuv.com

ARTSA Matters (December 2011 issue)

• Meeting schedule for 2012 announced
• Trailer statistics
• Aerodynamics project at Monash University
• US greenhouse and fuel economy issues
• Brake testing in February
• Prime Mover articles on ARTSA issues
• Regulatory change proposals
• Master Classes announced
• AVSR review
• Save up for Sweden and Germany in September 2012
• December minutes and presentations
• ARTSA subs

Meeting schedule for 2012 announced

ARTSA's first meeting will be held at ARRB Group in South Vermont on the 23rd February from 8.30am Put it in the diary now!

Trailer statistics

Australia is one of the few countries where detailed trailer data is not available. ARTSA is working with a number of parties to put together a data collection. The proposal will be discussed in detail at the 23rd February ARTSA meeting.

Aerodynamics project at Monash University

This is a world leading project involving the best brains from Monash, some super computers and Australia's biggest wind tunnel. We have a leading truck manufacturer on board but are looking for one or two more partners,. Contact Rob Perkins on exec@artsa.com.au for more details.

US greenhouse and fuel economy issues

One of the biggest initiatives to come from the US in recent times. It will have a big impact and Australia will follow. The question is "when"? See the presentation from Simon Humphries of TIC or go to the US EPA website where details on the scheme are summarised

Brake testing in February

Further verification testing will be undertaken in February using the DECA facility at Shepparton. For more details, contact Anthony Germancheve at ARRB on anthony.germanchev@arrb.com.au

Prime Mover articles on ARTSA issues

Each month Prime Mover has ben publishing articles from ARTSA members. The library is growing. To take part, contact Rob Perkins on exec@artsa.com.au if you want to contribute an article. It's free and all it takes is a few hundrew words!

Regulatory change proposals

ARTSA is a member of the Department of Infrastructure and Transports consultative panels - the Transport Liaison Group or TLG and the Strategic Vehicle Safety and Environment Group or SVSEG. Peter Hart has put forward 13 regulatory change proposals across a wide range of topics. We will debate these proposed changes and the plans to promote them at the 23rd February meeting.

Master Classes announced

ARTSA will be conducting a range of master classes during 2012 including:

• Advanced Truck Electrics
• Homologation of Heavy Vehicles in Australia - specialist training
• Electronically controlled braking and stability systems

Dates will be announces at the February meeting. To enquire, contact Rob Perkins at exec@artsa.com.au

AVSR review

The NTC is conducting a review of the Australian Vehicle Standards Rules. Comments are closing soon and members interested should read and comment on the proposals. Our February meeting will include a discussion of the proposal and the suggested changes

Save up for Sweden and Germany in September 2012

The next Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology Conference will be held in Stockholm in September 2012. It will be followed by the Hannover truck show. Both are huge events and worthy of attendance. ARTSA will overview both events in February and gauge interest in a co-ordinated tour of both events.

December minutes and presentations

The minutes from the December meeting (and meetings earlier in the year) are on the Members site.

Presentation from the December meeting including those from DIT, VicRoads, NTC, TIC and the NHVR are in the ARTSA Library

ARTSA subs

You will be receiving the invoice for ARTSA subs soon. Please forward it to accounts and make sure it is paid. It is important to both of us as it allows ARTSA to function and give value to our members

That's all for now. Thanks for supporting ARTSA in 2011 and we look forward to a huge year ahead. Have a Merry Christmas

Rob Perkins
Executive Officer
Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association Inc
Tel 0411 402 832
email
web http://www.artsa.com.au

ARTSA meeting program for 2012 announced

Download the schedule and put it in your diaries

ARTSA 8th December meeting and Christmas lunch - huge program - confirm your attendance now

When: Thursday 8th December from 8.30am to 12 noon with lunch to follow

Where: Lifesaving Victoria, 200 the Boulevard, Port Melbourne

What: A huge program that includes guest speakers on:

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator - Angus Draheim
National Transport Commission projects including triples, registration and other technical topics - George Konstandakis
Delta V Experts - Air Suspension developments - Shane Richardson
Administrator of Motor Vehicle Standards - Robert Hogan (invited) to discuss standards development
VicRoads heavy vehicle programs - Don Hogben

In addition to the external speakers we have agenda items on:

• Brake testing
• Aerodynamics
• Trailer statistics proposal
• Student project report
• Sockets and plugs developments
• TMC12 program ideas
• ARTSA Master Classes
• International Truck and Trailer Conference
• Hannover fair / HVTT12
• Prime Mover articles
• ARTSA agenda for 2012

A huge program of high technical merit!

To attend: send Rob Perkins an email at

Please advise if you are staying for lunch (which is complimentary for ARTSA members) Guests are welcome but need to contact Rob Perkins on the email above or ring 0411 402 832

ARTSA Matters (October 2011 issue)

In this edition of ARTSA Matters:

1. ARTSA / ARRB Heavy Vehicle Engineering Course Survey - extended to 20th September

   ARTSA and ARRB are investigating the feasibility of running a course on heavy-vehicle engineering aspects. We have put together a survey to assess peoples interest. It does not take long and will help us make this really successful.

   Fill it out before it closes on the 20th September at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJBWWGJ

2. Craig Roseneder Award Nominations Close - 20th September 2011

   This award recognises excellence by an individual in the workshop environment. It is a key award that is conferred at every ATA /ARTSA Technical and Maintenance Conference.

   ARTSA members may have noticed excellent and inspiring performance by workshop managers or mechanics as a result of business contacts. It is important that impressive people in the workshop be recognised and therefore ARTSA members and associates are encouraged to take the lead and nominate people for this prestigious award.

   Nominations close on September 20th. The nomination form is at http://www.ataevents.net.au/awards/award-categories/craig-roseneder-award/

3. TMC registration

   The date is upon us - 11th and 12th October at the new Sydney venue at the Australian Technology Park. A great practical program. Sign on today at http://www.ataevents.net.au/tmc2011/

   I look forward to seeing you there

regards

Peter Hart
Chairman, ARTSA