Operational Pilot of Electronic Work Diaries

Transport for NSW is implementing a $170 million Road Toll Response Package, a five year investment to improve road safety. The Road Toll Response Package includes an Operational Pilot of Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs). Transport for NSW has funded Roads & Maritime Services to lead the Pilot, which involves the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Australian Government, state transport authorities, transport industry associations, transport operators and drivers. 

All jurisdictions are supportive of the Pilot, with transport agencies from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Government participating in the Pilot.

The Pilot is being conducted by Transport Certification Australia (TCA) on behalf of Roads & Maritime Services, with cooperation from transport industry associations and Pilot participants.

Legislation in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia requires many heavy vehicle drivers to keep a written or electronic work diary, recording hours of work and rest, when travelling more than 100km (200km for Queensland) from base. Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) and Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) drivers outside NSW must complete a work diary regardless of the distance from their base. The Pilot will help determine if work and rest could be better done electronically. EWDs may have many benefits – not just for heavy vehicle drivers but for all parties involved in Australian heavy vehicle transport.

Commercial electronic record-keeping systems already exist in the transport industry, but EWDs differ from commercial systems in that they collect information in a form that meets regulatory requirements.

Using an EWD instead of a written work diary could potentially save time for drivers and improve safety management for operators.