ROADMASTER: Super Single Tyres

Denis Robertson founded Roadmaster in 1972. Robertson began his career in the meat industry and realised the need for reliable meat carriers. Roadmaster operates refrigerated transport services throughout Australia. It has 250 employees at seven depots on the eastern seaboard and a fleet of 120 prime movers and 180 vans.

The idea of replacing dual tyres with so-called ‘super single’ tyres was first tested by Roadmaster in 1982. Three trucks were used to determine the feasibility of a fleet application. This trial saw the start of something new and progressive for the traditional transport industry.

The introduction of super single tyres on Roadmaster vans created ongoing cost, safety and efficiency benefits. Super single tyres:

• reduce the rolling resistance, which gives Roadmaster a fuel saving of approximately 8 per cent;
• lower the centre of gravity on the trailer providing increased safety;
• reduce the tare weight of the trailer;
• improve trailer handling due to the decreased weight in the unsprung section of the trailer suspension; and
• give brake drums greater exposure to air flow which improves cooling.

Roadmaster’s fleet maintenance policy underpins a safe and reliable transport service through a well planned and executed maintenance program that is well understood and followed by all responsible parties. The fleet manager ensures that vehicles are made available at the correct service intervals; that any non-roadworthy vehicle is not used until correctly repaired; and maintains full and complete vehicle records and records of repairs carried out.  A Roadmaster driver is responsible for conducting daily vehicle inspections and attending to the driver’s log to report all vehicle faults to the fleet manager via the completion of the DVR. The workshop manager is responsible for all R & M requirements of the fleet—to coordinate and ensure the prompt repair of faults found or reported; ensure all repairs are tested (if appropriate) before returning vehicles to service; and to advise the fleet manager if a vehicle requires further R & M or inspection.

Roadmaster applies high industry standards of safety and quality to its operation. The company is the foundation member of TruckSafe and maintains currency with the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme.

SIMON NATIONAL CARRIERS: Optimum Speed

Simon National Carriers is a leading provider of transport and third-party warehousing and distribution services throughout Australia, with a fleet of more than 140 trucks, 205 trailers and 80 rail containers. A significant pool of regular subcontractors complements the national fleet. As members of TruckSafe, the industry's premier accreditation scheme, the company has established high levels of compliance in maintenance, driver health and training.

David Simon dismisses the myth that his company’s self-imposed 90 kilometres per hour speed limit blows-out trip times. Simon argues there are numerous factors that impact on trip times and these are not always fully appreciated. They include speed limits imposed by built-up areas, hills and bends, other traffic, weather, the correct vehicle specification for the task, load weight and size and individual driver behaviour. These factors mean that on many routes less than 30 per cent of the trip is actually covered at the vehicle’s limited speed, usually 100 kilometres per hour.

The Australian Design Rule (ADR) speed limiter has no effect on vehicle speed other than at the maximum speed. Various case studies over the years have shown that more than two-thirds of trip distances are under the control of the driver and not the speed limiter. This means that driver training and practice of steady driving speeds can deliver substantial fuel efficiencies.

As speed increases, so too does wind resistance, so the horsepower required to maintain higher road speeds rises quickly. The company monitored a 900 kilometre route and found that the differences in trip durations between vehicles limited to 90 km/h and 100 km/h were measured in minutes. The lower speed limit saved $41.23 per trip, amounting to a potential $10,720 per year on this single example.

Overall, fuel savings at a speed limited 90 kilometres per hour on measured trips were between 5 per cent and 8 per cent. Some particular trips over long flat country showed actual fuel savings of 9 per cent.

Limiting the maximum speed enhanced vehicle suspension life and chassis and body integrity. The company points to reduced driver fatigue, shorter stopping distances, less damage to road surfaces, beneficial insurance implications, load integrity improvements and higher vehicle resale values.

The 90 kilometre per hour maximum speed limit, together with its policies to not fit bull bars and to maintain the line-haul fleet at an age of less than 5 years assists Simon National Carriers in achieving its environmental objectives.

Simon National Carriers invests in its staff training and, in particular, driver selection and training. The company employs training personnel covering all disciplines.  All drivers are given a 14-day training program addressing all aspects of the driving task including general driver training subjects such as route planning, defensive driving, load restraint, fatigue management, OH&S matters, dangerous goods and road trains. Drivers also receive on-road training.

Operations management systems support and maintain the overall driver performance standards aided by other monitoring programs that include various on-board monitoring systems and GPS.