Road crash trauma involving heavy vehicles has been on the rise in Australia since 2020. According to BITRE’s Dashboard for Road Trauma Involving Heavy Vehicles, there were 201 road deaths involving heavy vehicles in the year to June 2022 which is 20.4 per cent or 34 deaths more than 2020. Over the same period, fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles increased by 20.8 per cent or 31 deaths more in comparison to 2020.The impact of road crashes on individuals, as well as society, is significant, estimated to cost the Australian economy around $35 billion per annum. 

This multimedia Advanced Emergency Braking information and education package was developed with the support of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and funding from Round 5 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. The project stakeholder group included Wodonga TAFE, the Truck Industry Council (TIC) and its members, with further assistance provided by brake suppliers Knorr-Bremse/Bendix and ZF-Wabco.

The aim of this project is to educate transport operators and drivers about the benefits of voluntary early adoption and limitations of Electronic Stability Control and Advanced Emergency Braking safety technologies.

Core modules will cover Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), Stability Control and finally AEB, with each section covering the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) requirements, system design/ function and background issues/information.

This multimedia package is primarily about system awareness and general guidance. Technology and its take-up are accelerating with every new model seemingly receiving feature updates with more capability.

A note of caution, fundamentally, these and other ADASs (Advance Driver Assistance Systems) should not be relied upon. They are a driver assistance tool. The driver should always maintain control and they must always operate the vehicle in a safe manner.

The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) set the minimum requirements in key areas of exhaust emissions, noise and safety. Truck brands, trying to get a competitive sales edge in the market, will add new features and capabilities well in advance and beyond the ADRs. For example, today, even cars with a zero-star ANCAP rating will still meet all applicable ADRs!

The unit owner's handbook is the key initial source of information, and you can follow up regarding the specifics of your vehicle with the selling dealer.

The NHVR Vehicle Standards Guide issued 25 September 2018 notes that for vehicles with advanced braking systems being used in combinations, systems must be connected, if they can be connected, and powered.

• In situations where a trailer fitted with an advanced braking system, an additional ABS/EBS plug will also be fitted. As this is a relatively new technology not all hauling units will be fitted with the additional ABS/EBS plug, so the rule of thumb is if the system can be connected, it must be connected.

This means: • If a trailer with advanced braking systems is coupled to a hauling unit which does not provide a separate ABS/EBS plug to power these advanced systems, the air brake lines and the lighting/power electrical plug must be connected, but as there is no ability to connect the ABS/EBS plug, it need not be connected.

Connecting the ABS cable.[1]

If the truck is an older truck and does not have ABS or full EBS fitted, is unlikely to have the ABS/EBS connector, necessary for supporting trailers with a TEBS fitted. However, retro fitting a compliant EBS connector to the prime mover and wiring the nominated power and earth pins, provides power to the TEBS of the trailer. This is a comparatively low cost and significant step up in safety for the combination. This will activate the ABS, load sensing and anti-roll functions of the trailer, which can operate independently of the prime mover. The connectors are relatively low cost to retro fit (around $500) and are strongly recommended to mitigate the likelihood of the truck towing a trailer with an electronic brake system.

Trucks designed to be Prime Movers will generally have safety systems capable of integrating with trailers to enable safe towing. However, it is worthwhile in checking with a suitably qualified professional.