Those wanting to know more about the Road Transport Management System (RTMS), or who would like to have a say with regard to good citizenship within the road transport sector, are invited to take part in a quick survey on the subject.

Masters student at Wits University, Abdool Kamdar, is conducting research for a project titled: Perceptions of the Road Transport Management System (RTMS): ‘How an increase in voluntary certification can be promoted.’

His aim is to gather perspectives from various stakeholders involved in road transport in South Africa, including road transport operators, consignees, consignors, insurers, transport authorities, financial institutions and road traffic authorities. The findings may, in future, be used to improve the benefits road transporters obtain through RTMS certification.

RTMS seeks, through its self-regulatory nature, to guide road transport companies to use a systems approach to run their businesses better.

Key focus areas of RTMS are:

· Load optimisation
· Driver wellness
· Vehicle maintenance
· Operational productivity

RTMS certified operators report significant improvements in all aspects of their performance. By way of examples:

• Barloworld Logistics: 66% reduction in the number of crashes in 2012 (owner-driver fleet)
• City of Cape Town: 40.67% improvement in fuel consumption
• Mondi Pulp: 12% reduction in total cost per ton moved

Given the results achieved, it is necessary to understand what needs to change in order to attract more road transport operators to become RTMS certified. Kamdar believes South Africa has adequate legislation governing road transport and road safety. He says stricter legislation may not necessarily improve the status quo.

Please complete the online survey here

Anyone requiring a summary of the survey results can indicate their interest by entering their email address in the survey form.