What is the Road Transport Management System (RTMS)

(Obtained from the official RTMS website @ www.rtms.co.za)

RTMS is an industry-led, voluntary self-regulation scheme that encourages consignees, consignors and transport operators engaged in the road logistics value chain to implement a vehicle management system that preserves road infrastructure, improves road safety and increases the productivity of the logistics value chain. This scheme also supports the Department of Transport’s National Freight Logistics Strategy.

 

All stakeholders in the road logistics value chain are aware of the problems concerning road logistics that affect their industries. The road infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly due to overloading and poor maintenance. Furthermore, the large number of accidents attributed to heavy trucks is unacceptable. Both road safety and road infrastructure are public concerns subject to strict regulation by governments, particularly when abused. Overregulation, road deterioration and high accident rates pose a significant threat to the long term sustainability and global competitiveness of the road logistics value chain.

This has prompted users of road haulage (consignors and consignees) and providers of road haulage (hauliers) to jointly develop strategies aimed at protecting the road network, improving road safety and transport productivity for the benefit of the country’s citizens and the industry itself.

The industry also recognises that poor compliance to transport regulations creates an unfair competitive environment. It is therefore felt that a self-regulation scheme is required to create standard rules for the industry, and that these rules should become the “business norm” – supporting principles of good corporate governance. It is for this reason that industry is leading this initiative, to ensure its quick adoption by all businesses participating in the road logistics value chain.

Furthermore, industry recognises its critical role in the economy’s growth. Efficient movement of goods between a country’s centres of production and its shipping ports boosts competitiveness in international markets. RTMS is one of the innovative and pro-active initiatives that will make this possible.

 

Benefits of Accreditation

Transport operators who invest in becoming RTMS accredited are recognised for their commitment to responsible business through a series of concessions.

The most notable is the opportunity to investigate the implementation of Performance Based Standards (PBS). This in short means that a vehicle can be designed outside the current legal limits, whilst still complying with certain safety and other requirements and can, therefore, carry heavier payloads. The Minister of Transport has given permission for the development of two such vehicles in the forestry industry which will be used on a trial basis. These pilots will run for three years and will be closely monitored in terms of safety and a host of other characteristics, such as productivity, cost, fuel economy, etc.

Both Sappi and Mondi have invested in the development of two PBS vehicles, one being operated by Timber 24 and the other by Super Group Transport. The initial results are very favourable.

A second concession (Weighless) has been successfully negotiated in KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in certified hauliers not being stopped when weighbridges are full.

 

How to Become Accredited

Accreditation is built on three principles: loading within the legal load limit, driver wellness and vehicle fitness.

Ten rules and requirements have been developed around these principles:

  1. Maintain an inventory of nominated vehicles
  2. Assess the vehicle mass before each laden trip
  3. Verify the mass determination method
  4. Maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition
  5. Ensure vehicle and load safety
  6. Manage driver wellness
  7. Provide training and education
  8. Assign tasks and responsibilities
  9. Keep records and documentation
  10. Perform an internal review (self-audit)

 

Riteload can assist in a number of ways to help prospective operators in becoming accredited through direct consultation by our panel of industry experts.  In addition to this, the Riteload Software Solution will allow the operator to determine, monitor and confirm their respective loads independently and also confirm adherence through its comprehensive auditing report capabilities. ”

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