Incentives considered for accredited carriers
ANNA COX
THE TIMBER industry has become the first to launch a self-regulating load accreditation programme for its truckers and transporters.
This programme will not only reduce overloading, but will control under-loading as well which costs transporters money.
Since the start of the pilot project there already has been a reduction in overloading from 18% to 9%.
According to Paul Nordingen, a CSIR transport researcher who is coordinating the project, this programme will benefit the industry itself as many forest roads are maintained by the industry.
Transporters will now carry out a mass assessment of each truck before the start of every trip. Every truck participating in the project will display stickers on the outside indicating that it is an accredited truck. Drivers will have to carry the proper documentation with proof of weights and registration papers.
Although traffic officials have the right to stop trucks even if they display accreditation stickers, most will be allowed to avoid the mandatory weighbridge stops which are time and money-consuming. It will also reduce the pressure on weighbridges, shortening the delays for other trucks from other industries, said Nordingen.
Trucks will be externally audited to ensure compliance.
The programme is being operated by Forest Engineering Southern Africa in partnership with CSIR Transportek, the National Productivity Institute, Crickmay and Associates, the Department of Trade and Industry and Forestry South Africa.
Certain incentives for companies who use the accreditation system are being investigated such as discounted licence and toll fees and truck insurance premiums.
