Drivers are legally bound to abide by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection’s Driver Fatigue Management Guidelines, which specify working conditions and fatigue operating standards for Commercial Vehicle Drivers in Western Australia, in addition to the National Standards specified for interstate work. The state and national regulations require drivers to spend greater periods of time out of their cabs in an effort to reduce fatigue, thus aiming to improve driver health and working conditions. The regulations are designed to reduce the total number of accidents and deaths involving heavy vehicles on Australian roads thus improving overall road safety for ALL road users.

Heather noticed a lack of infrastructure to support the ability to abide by the above standards, which include increased mandatory stops and less hours spent behind the wheel. Therefore, she set about designing a solution with a genuine concern for the health of drivers and a determination to decrease road deaths in Australia. Truck Inn is an exciting and direct response to that need.

Findings of numerous recent studies into the health and lifestyle of professional drivers have highlighted again and again that the food available at rest areas increased driver fatigue. Largely, this is due to the fatty nature of the instant and fast foods drivers are forced to eat, as a direct result of the lack of healthy and nutritious alternatives available in accessible venues whilst working .

Therefore, Truck Inn will provide a solution to those and other working condition issues, in addition to providing a comfortable and quiet rest zone in this prototype development. The initial site, located in Hazelmere, Western Australia, has direct and easy heavy vehicle (Classes 1-5) access from Roe Highway and the Great Eastern Highway Bypass, thus all major arteries in and throughout the state.

The site will be divided into two distinct zones: the public area and the overnight user-pays area. Swipe card activated security gates will be used to control vehicle access to and egress from the rear half of the property where a combination of permanent and overnight patrons will park their trucks. A maximum number for permanent rentals has been set so that the overnight service is available to long haul North-South and East-West drivers.

The following services and facilities, currently being planned for construction during early 2007, will be provided on site for use by both long haul and local drivers:

• Large truck parking area which has the capacity for up to 70 vehicles, ranging from pilot vehicles right through to road trains (8 – 40 metres)
• 24 hour restaurant (open to the public) providing healthy “home cooked” style meals and snacks available for eat in or take away, including a supply of basic day to day personal hygiene products and consumables (i.e.: shampoo, shavers, newspapers, bandaids, Panadol, etc)
• 20 accommodation units for singles or couples (linen supplied) if drivers prefer not to sleep in their cab
• 24 hour gymnasium with trainer and a variety of equipment (that will be rotated every couple of months)
• 24 hour lounge area equipped with entertainment unit, kitchen facilities for drivers to make their own meals if they so choose, and internet kiosks so that drivers can keep in touch with family and friends or conduct their banking over the internet
• 24 hour showering and laundry facilities
• Landscaped garden and BBQ area overlooking a picturesque billabong
• 12 metre lap pool for swimming, relaxing and to facilitate low impact exercise (e.g. Walking in water is particularly good for back complaints, which is a common health problem suffered by many drivers)
• Self-funded fuel tank so that drivers can fuel up where they stay for the night thus saving time at the end of a busy day
• Large purpose-built workshop with inspection pit so that basic every day maintenance and safety checks can be carried out
• Wash bay facilities with pressure washer
• Fenced playground, so that families who meet on site for a meal are able to have a relaxed and enjoyable time together
• Board room facilities for transport meetings and training sessions
• Courtesy bus to deliver drivers to external services (doctors, dentists, supermarkets, etc) or pick drivers up if their vehicle has been delivered elsewhere for major servicing or repairs.

A number of lockable storage sheds will be available for rent. These will be particularly useful for drivers who permanently park at Truck Inn. A short-term parking area (up to two hours) for heavy vehicles has been included so that drivers who want to pay to use Truck Inn’s conveniences (showers, gym, restaurant, etc) are able to do so. In order to ensure that this site is not filled by holiday makers or other travellers, a current heavy vehicle license must be produced in order to use the facility.

The development includes transport and Truck Inn offices along with a caretaker’s residence, to supplement the existing Manager’s residence. Security lighting and cameras will be located throughout the property; the footage will be broadcast to manned areas (caretakers and manager’s residences) in addition to those areas occupied by drivers (gym, lounge area, restaurant) so that drivers can see their trucks, knowing the site is constantly under surveillance, thus encouraging them to restrain their behaviour and become part of the surveillance team.