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.

In this sound clip, Adrian van Tonder, senior manager of Road Transport Management Systems (RTMS) and Performance Based Standards (PBS) at Barloworld Logistics, gives an overview of RTMS adoption in South Africa.

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 the 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.