Resource Roads and Radio Use Changes 2007 SAFETY IMPLICATIONS

Why is this necessary? too many crashes and close calls because of lack of communication or miscommunication inconsistencies in calling procedures, signage, area frequencies too many channel changes, especially in multiple user situations (other industries, more than one mill or contractor, etc) mobility of trucks – moving around the province, working in different areas because of weather and seasonal changes, truck shortages, BCTS, longer hauls, 2 way hauls, mountain pine beetle, dimension logs, specialized mills....

Why is this necessary? to reduce incidences of crashes in the bush because somebody was on the wrong channel to ensure that wherever you are in the province, you have the right channel in your radio to clear channels of non-forestry users Both these incidents were loaded trucks rearending other loaded trucks in adverse weather conditions – top, dust, Summer 06; bottom, fog, Winter 06. Fortunately both drivers lived; both weren’t on the right channel because they were short term hauls, so didn’t get channels programmed into their radios.

How will this make the roads safer? every radio-equipped vehicle will have the same resource road safety channels programmed in across the province dedicated resource road safety channels will be clearly identified by specific signage, which will ensure clear communication road channels will not be used for loading channels

Forestry TruckSafe’s Commitment education of road users around new radio channels and usage communication with road users through Forest Safety Council website, Rumblings newsletter, presentations, media, public meetings exploring options on finding funding assistance for re-programming with new channels in pilot areas communications with Industry Canada and BC Timber Sales re: radio- use related incidents on roads development of regional “radio calling procedures” with stakeholders

Forestry TruckSafe’s Commitment cont’d to support BCTS contractors by providing information packages to educate non-forestry resource road users – oil & gas, mining, guiding, tourism, service industry to provide web-based on-going support that will allow road users to identify what channels are used where; who is using them, what the “rules of the road are” and what the radio calling protocols are provide “hotline” support to deal with issues as they arise

Because the bottom line is.....

Contact Info: MaryAnne Arcand Director, Forestry TruckSafe & Northern Initiatives or “unsafe is unacceptable”