Newsletter

Dear IFRTT subscribers! A Dutch author marked the start of spring by the day that women go out on the street wearing skirts. In Holland we start taking off our clothes as soon as temperatures pass 15 degrees Celsius. Warm days are scarce. He called it ‘rokjesdag’: (short) skirt day. Unfortunately we had a relatively cold month of May with an average temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. From skirts to the European Platooning Truck Challenge is just a small step. Autonomous driving is hot at the moment. Several European countries did already Field Operational Tests on public roads in real-time traffic with self-driving vehicles or are planning to have tests. All on a small scale and within the national borders. The Presidency of the European Commission moves every half year to another country. The Netherlands will be in charge in the first half of 2016. We took this opportunity to... Read More

Dear IFRTT Forum subscriber As I’ve been thinking about heavy vehicle road transport issues in South Africa and the African continent that are worth mentioning in this newsletter, all seem to pale in significance compared with current and recent global events, such as the catastrophic earthquake in Nepal, and violent conflicts in the Middle East, Nigeria and elsewhere, and, closer to home, the recent Xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the millions of people caught up in these and other similar situations. On 31 October 2014, regulations were promulgated in South Africa (Govt. Gazette No. 38142) that extend the responsibility of overloading of heavy vehicles to include not only the driver and operator, but also the consignor and/or consignee of the goods in certain circumstances. This so-called consignor/consignee or “chain of responsibility” legislation, which has been under consideration for more than 10 years, came... Read More

The theory of everything. Technology, legislation and politics. Hello everyone, and happy New Year (2015 and Year of the Goat). This is my first time to write a newsletter after the HVTT13 symposium. For those of you who made it to San Luis, I hope you have recovered from both the late nights and the travel! South of the equator, we are just coming back from holidays. It has been an extremely hot summer, with major storms, floods and fires. In Argentina, I am happy to inform that the team in charge of the B-double regulation has been actively working, and we hope to see the regulation operating before the bell rings on the 1st anniversary since the national decree signed by the Argentine President on the 23rd April 2014 allowing them. It also has to be borne in mind that this president shall be leaving office in the next... Read More

Greetings from the South, From next month we will be resuming the tradition of rotating the monthly newsletter around the regional vice-presidents to present a wider range of views.  However, because I was a bit slow in getting this organised, this month’s newsletter is again from me. Since December, the weather in New Zealand has been superb with warm sunny days (temperatures in the mid-20s) and almost no rain.  It is now getting to the stage where a week or so of rain would be welcome to “green” up the countryside and the city gardens.  Because of the cooler spring the pohutukawa trees (New Zealand’s Christmas tree) were a little late flowering but when they did they were spectacular.  Flowering starts in November and lasts through to mid to late January.  Those of you who will be attending HVTT14 in New Zealand next year should be able to see them... Read More

Greetings from the deep south, It is customary to begin these newsletters with a local weather report.  I have been holding off writing this in the hope of better weather.  Although it is now officially summer in New Zealand, recent weather has not been good with a lot of rain and wind.  Today, however, is fine and warm with the temperature in the low to mid 20s but it is still very humid. As you will all be aware, HVTT13 was held in San Luis, Argentina at the end of October and was a very successful and well-run conference.  At the IFRTT board meeting held during this conference there was some discussion on what other activities IFRTT should be undertaking.  The primary purpose of IFRTT as defined in our constitution is: 2.1 To provide a forum for discussion of issues related to the weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles including... Read More

Dear IFRTT forum subscriber I have the pleasure to inform you that Dr John de Pont, who served as the IFRTT Vice-President for the Asia-Pacific Region since 2006 and as Treasurer since 2000, was elected as the new IFRTT President at the Board meeting held on 29 September at the HVTT13 conference in San Luis, Argentina. John obtained his BSc, BE (Hons) and ME degrees from the University of Auckland and a PhD from Cambridge University and has over 37 years of research experience with the last 25 years being in the field of transport. He is currently Director of Engineering Research at TERNZ Ltd in Auckland, New Zealand. I have known John since the 4th International Symposium held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1995, and have no doubt that he will serve the IFRTT as President with commitment, enthusiasm and wisdom. John has attended 12 of the 13 IFRTT heavy... Read More

Dear IFRTT subscribers! Every week my husband and I cross the border between The Netherlands and Germany while we live in the last and work in the first country. Occasionally there is a police check. Although we try to look very criminal, we always may drive on without even stop the car. We are living in Germany for 12 years now and we have seen the number of police checks increasing. Police are looking for human trafficking, illegal workers and international groups of burglars. In April the result of a joint action of the German and Dutch police at night were 86 cars with burglar tools and 48 arrested persons. At the end of May the 28 European member countries voted for a new Parliament of the EU. I asked Anders (just ignored his retirement) to join me to evaluate the significance of the election results for road freight transport.... Read More

Bitrains (B-trains) have been nationally authorized in Argentina!!! I could start this newsletter describing the mosquito invasion we are suffering this warm start to autumn, however I have some fantastic news beats talking about the weather. Last Wednesday April 23rd, our President surprised us all with the announcement that the legislation authorizing bitrains up to 30.25 metres long and 75 tons of total gross weight had been signed. In a moment where many provinces were pressed to enact similar legislation, the fact that now there is a national one they can adhere to is extremely helpful. Flanked by her Transport and Industry ministers, the President invited Vulcano, a local semitrailer manufacturer, as well as the presidents of the paper, cement and metal manufacturers associations, and the president of the Federation of road transport companies. I leave you here with an edited 2 minutes of her speech –with subtitles- President’s Speech... Read More

Greetings from the South, Autumn has arrived here and the days are getting shorter but the weather is still very mild with maximum temperatures in the low to mid 20s. I thought I would keep this newsletter very short and just commend to you a television documentary which showed in Australia in early February.  The link is below. http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2014/02/03/3934918.htm The video clip lasts about 45 mins so you will need to set aside some time to watch it through.   Although the context is very much the Australian road transport industry, many of the issues raised are relevant in New Zealand and I am sure the same is true elsewhere as well.  Solving them requires more than just better technology. HVTT13 in San Luis, Argentina is now less than seven months away.  It should be a great conference and I look forward to seeing you there. Regards, John de Pont Vice... Read More

On behalf of the IFRTT Board, I would like to wish you everything of the best for 2014, and trust that you had an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas holiday season. In the southern hemisphere, the summer holidays are coming to an end – many businesses open tomorrow, 6 Jan, and most schools in South Africa start during the week of 13 Jan. Today is exactly a month since the passing of what I came to realise was a most remarkable man. From the day after his death until after his funeral on 15 December, there was virtually 24-hour television coverage of the life of Nelson Mandela. During that period, I watched considerably more TV than I normally do. Besides his significant contribution to the peaceful transformation of South African society, as well as a number of other countries, particularly in Africa, I was overwhelmed by the impact he had on... Read More