The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) plans to improve heavy vehicle safety across Australia’s freight network through the application of mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, soon to be deployed in all NHVR jurisdictions.
NHVR Acting Chief Operations Officer Michelle Tayler has said that these state-of-the-art monitoring cameras help the NHVR collect information on the country’s heavy vehicle fleet, and encourage safer driving practices across heavy vehicle routes and freight networks.
“ANPR cameras automatically detect the number plates of passing vehicles, allowing our Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) to better detect and interrupt potentially high-risk behaviour and unsafe practices by heavy vehicles on our roads, which helps focus our compliance and enforcement efforts,” she said.
“In line with the NHVR’s risk-based approach to compliance, using these cameras means we can increase efficiency for compliant heavy vehicle drivers and make Australia’s roads safer for all.”
The NHVR has invested in 40 mobile ANPR camera devices which are being used by the organisation’s SCOs, according to Tayler. These devices now include roadside trailers and vehicle mounted cameras.
Additionally, Tayler said that the cameras can be moved and used in different locations, with camera sites identified within the busiest freight routes to maximise heavy vehicle monitoring capability.
These camera devices are being applied to busy routes all over the country.
“Currently, these devices have been deployed by NHVR SCOs in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and soon in New South Wales, targeting safety on key freight corridors,” she said.
“This is just one one of the ways the NHVR is reinforcing efforts to make Australia’s major freight networks safer and ensuring the heavy vehicle industry remains productive and efficient.”
The NHVR has also made the distinction to the heavy vehicle industry that ANPR cameras are not the same as speed cameras, and being detected by the cameras does not necessarily mean a driver will be fined.
“As a result of camera sighting, a NHVR SCO may intercept a vehicle at a suitable location to undertake relevant safety checks related to potential high-risk journeys,” Tayler said.
“Footage from the cameras is retained in a secure data system, in accordance with our privacy policy, and is used by the NHVR to develop and inform on-road activities to increase road safety.
“We are committed to continuously investing in cutting-edge technology such as mobile ANPR cameras, that take us a step forward in making roads safer for all drivers.”
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