Road Noise – Industry news
The inaugural Resilienz New Zealand Trucking Media Trucking Toward a Better Future competition concluded at the end of April. The competition sought to tap into the vast reservoir of intellectual property residing in the cabs of trucks – drivers, after all, have unparalleled access to every workplace in the country. The organisers believed this data ‘truck-anet’ would harbour a wide range of ideas for improving environmental outcomes and general efficiency in the supply chain at a macro and micro level.
“The timing of the competition proved spot on,” said co-organiser and Resilienz director Lindsay Wood. “The results were decided just as the Climate Change Commission’s first formal advice goes to the government, as the MoT consults on ‘Pathways to Net Zero by 2050’, and shortly after the sustainable transport sector announced its ‘lowcarbon freight pathway’ strategy.
“A key theme is the need to start decarbonising in ways that can be implemented while initiatives such as largescale hydrogen and biofuels are brought online. The two winning entries each fit with this approach.”
Although tomorrow’s world and the environment were underlying themes, entrants were encouraged not to restrict their thinking as any increase in efficiency should have pay-offs at many levels. “From our perspective, it was also a great opportunity to promote truck drivers in the wider community,” said New Zealand Trucking magazine editor Dave McCoid. “Truck drivers are as invested in their grandchildren’s world as any of us, and we wanted to show that.”
The winner of the competition was Aucklandbased owner-operator Alan Critchley. He based his submission on his frustration with the Oteha Valley Road junction on Auckland’s Northern Motorway. His entry highlighted the fuel inefficiencies of downhill offramps/uphill onramps on motorways. It also illustrated the potential for co-benefits from good climate solutions, including improved safety, lower driver stress, reduced wear on components such as tyres and brakes, and corresponding savings on operating costs.
Second-place-getter Frederico Bono, also from Auckland, reinforced the case for subsidies to help transition to lower-emission vehicles. The entry chimed with the Climate Change Commission, stressing “Aotearoa has one of the oldest heavy-transport fleets in the OECD”. With upfront capital cost a barrier to vehicle upgrades, especially to electric, any system that eased that path (subsidy or otherwise) would pay great climate dividends.
The organisers recruited the help of Carr & Haslam managing director Chris Carr and well-known business commentator Rod Oram in judging the entries.
“We want to extend a huge thank-you to both Chris and Rod for their support of the concept and competition right the way through,” said Wood.
As the overall winner, and winner of the ‘Big Picture’ category, Alan receives
$1250, and for second place, also in the ‘Big Picture’ category, Frederico wins
$500.
Although the organisers received a modest level of entries for the inaugural competition, they were not deterred in any way.
“I was clear from the outset this would likely be a slowgrind,” said McCoid. “I know the potential information that resides in-cab, and I also know extracting it can be like getting blood from a stone. They need to be a highly savvy but also reclusive lot. We’re invested in this. It’s great for the industry. My goal is always to show our people in the best light.”
“There are no bad ideas,” reinforced Wood. “No submission will ever be received with anything but the utmost respect.”