Trucks that can 'see' danger trialled on roads

A new smart technology which allows trucks to ‘see’ around corners is being tested in the largest trial of its kind in Australia.

The system is called CITI, the Co-operative Intelligent Transport Initiative, and is planned to roll out into all heavy vehicles across the state within five years.

Transport engineers are using cutting edge radio technology to share information between heavy vehicles, allowing them see one kilometre ahead around corners, over hills and through obstacles to slash the number of major truck accidents.

The US department of transport suggests Australia could have a positive effect on about 82 per cent of crashes that do not involve an impaired driver.

CITI uses two high tech radios, one receiving information from other vehicles and one sending information out ten times per second, similar to a pulse wave, moving ahead of the vehicle, giving drivers an additional one kilometre to react to a crisis.

“When I'm in a B double, you've got 64 and a half tonnes behind you, so it all helps,” Truck driver Mark said.

Thirty trucks have now been fitted out with the new high-tech warning systems.

The technology is currently being tested on a route between Port Kembla and Sydney to trial it in all conditions.