Recent ARRB research on heavy vehicle safety.

Deaths from heavy vehicle crashes represent 16% of the national road toll, with an estimated cost to society of $2 billion per year. The future will see a significant growth in road freight transport, and so this problem is likely to increase. This paper presents key findings from a research program on heavy vehicle safety undertaken by ARRB and funded by Austroads. Projects include the safety of heavy vehicles in urban areas, and in rural and remote areas; the interaction between heavy vehicles and the road system; and heavy vehicle driver gap selection at intersections. Future research directions are also provided.