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The power of information – using technology to assist in load control is an effective way to remain consistently compliant with load mass regulations. Below is a truck being weighed on an Observer Technologies portable weighin- motion monitor that measures GVM/GCM as well as individual axles and axle groups at a vehicle speed of 5km/h, saving time and money.

A smooth-running industry will always depend on cooperation between state and enterprise, where laws enable entrepreneurship and competitors are legally compliant. Despite the 'dog-eat-dog' reputation of the local road freight industry, it seems this fine balance can be achieved through the process of self- regulation, where 'playing by the rules' is tantamount to earning a Springbok jersey, first-class tickets included. In this article, the National Roads Agency's Geoff Ackerman tells FleetWatch how his organisation has driven the self regulation process through the Loading Accreditation Programme (LAP) which has evolved considerably over the past two years and is now called the Road Transport Management System (RTMS).

One of the strategies defined in the National Overloading Control Strategy, drafted by the Department of Transport, is the encouragement of the private sector to implement self-regulation in respect of loading. It encourages the private sector to become good corporate citizens of the country, and to refrain from the unfair business practice of overloading in their pursuit of market share.

Allowing the auditor in
The National Roads Agency, SANRAL, appointed several service providers to undertake a pilot project which sought to target a number of sectors known to include consignors and consignees, as well as trucking companies who generated a significant volume of overloaded trucks on our roads. Initially, the aim was to define a number of management actions and responsibilities that each member of the supply chain had to carry out in order to curb the occurrence of overloading. This included the creation of records of goods weighed, loaded, transported and off-loaded and the imposition of audit trails that would enable third-party advisors to assist the parties involved to identify where overloads were being generated, and to overcome them. Those companies that properly implemented the management procedures and demonstrated a history of compliance with overloading laws would be "accredited" and would be allowed to display an emblem that confirmed their status as compliant businesses.

Preferential treatment
Right at the outset, the main incentive sought by the private sector was to ensure that the accredited organisations were to be weighed less often at weighbridges, and in so doing saving them the costs of delays and loss of productivity. Other benefits sought included reduced insurance premiums, reduced license fees and toll tariffs. However, less frequent direction into weighbridges to await weighing has been the only concession that has been found to be practical and implementable; the others being not viable to implement for a number of good reasons, not least of which is the encumbrance of adapting legislation to suit (and the difficulty of accepting) the notion of rewarding people for obeying the law.
 

Using technology to load optimally – Load cells on trailers andportable ‘vehicle load monitors’ are being used by smart operators to avoid fines and weighbridge delays while maximizing payload. Marihette Hattingh of Observer Technologies demonstrates the Vehicle Load Monitor’s features and benefits.

Beyond loading best practice
To SANRAL's pleasant surprise, the private sector companies that were initially exposed to LAP indicated that they felt that the same principles could be applied to managing vehicle and driver fitness. LAP quickly metamorphosed into a three-pronged management approach (RTMS), aimed at improving the management of the roadworthiness, load securement and the maintenance of trucks, as well as the most productive use of drivers whilst preventing their driving for too long periods, ensuring that their eyesight is acceptable and that they are well and fit to drive.

Recent initiatives include the creation of a National Standard for Accreditation along the lines of an ISO standard. These standards are currently being drafted and are expected to be completed in the next financial year.

SANRAL is excited about the prospects of LAP, not only because our roads stand to be exposed to less overloading, but because we are seeing a growing awareness amongst hauliers of the fact that our roads are a national asset that should be used responsibly, in fair competition and safely.
 

Accredited self regulation programmes like LAP (now called the Road Transport Management System) are a ‘quality assurance brand’ and offer signatories a competitive advantage through preferential treatment at weighbridges as well as around the boardroom table come tenderbidding time.