Today, the Amy Gillett Foundation is piloting a new truck driver training program on how to share the roads safely with vulnerable road users: Sharing Roads Safely, for the first time.
The training program, designed to increase truck driver awareness of vulnerable road users, has been developed by national cycling safety charity, the Amy Gillett Foundation, for Rail Projects Victoria in consultation with the heavy vehicle industry, road safety experts and vulnerable road user groups.
Once finalised the training program will be delivered to heavy vehicle drivers involved in major rail and road infrastructure projects in Victoria, including the Melbourne Metropolitan Rail Project and the Cross Tunnel Project.
“Major infrastructure projects will help to keep Melbourne moving. But we need to make sure that we keep everyone safe in the process”, said Phoebe Dunn, CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation. “Sharing Roads Safely combines international experience with local content to deliver a best practice program specific to Australian roads”.
The program combines online content with classroom activities and a practical on-road component including truck drivers riding bicycles, including e-bikes.
Background:
Sharing Roads Safely: Vulnerable Road User Training for Heavy Vehicle Drivers has been developed by the Amy Gillett Foundation for Rail Projects Victoria.
The aim of the training program is to train heavy vehicle drivers engaged on major rail infrastructure works in Melbourne (including the Melbourne Metropolitan Rail Project and the Cross Tunnel Project) on how to safely share the roads with vulnerable road users.
Key components:
The training program involves three components:
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An on-line module, introducing the key concepts and issues
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A classroom based program, where these concepts and issues are explored in more depth, including common scenarios presented by vulnerable road users
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An experiential component where truck drivers spend time on bikes and in common pedestrian scenarios to experience the road environment from different perspectives
The training package has been informed by overseas and interstate experience, and developed in consultation with industry, road safety and education experts and vulnerable road user groups. The package represents Australian best practice.
What you will see:
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Classroom – drivers being briefed on practical skills session and on-road ride.
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Getting familiar on the bike – truck drivers preparing to ride and basic skills testing.
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After the testing, drivers will ride a short route around South Melbourne including a pedestrian activity. Then return to MSAC for a ride debrief at around 1:30pm.
Interviews available
- Amy Gillett Foundation CEO Phoebe Dunn
- Rail Projects Victoria Director, Safety, Jamie Ross
- Truck drivers, comments on their views of the course
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