The BIC is busy responding to proposed NSW standards while a new bus ADR has been confirmed by the federal government
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) has confirmed a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) has been published for buses while also responding to requests for new NSW bus standards.
ADR 108/00 has been published on the federal register of legislation on reversing technologies and is harmonised with the United Nationals Regulation 158.
The new ADR mandates the installation of reversing technologies to increase driver awareness and the vision of vulnerable road users behind a vehicle.
BIC says ADR 108/00 is applicable to all new vehicles and specifies the performance requirements for reversing technologies, such as reversing sensors, reversing camera systems and rear-vision mirrors.
The effected vehicle categories include: MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, NA, NB, and NC; specific applicability is provided in Section 3 of the ADR.
ADR108/00 will apply from November 1, 2025 for new models and from November 1, 2027 for all new vehicles (light, medium and heavy vehicles), with exceptions for prime movers and vehicle types/applications where installation is not suitable for their on-road use.
The federal government intends that ADR108/00 will play a critical role in reducing the number of reversing collisions with pedestrians that result in severe or fatal injuries.
The government anticipates better road safety outcomes for the broader Australian community—estimated to save 13 lives and prevent 140 serious and 62 minor injuries over 45 years.
Alongside this new ADR are a list of new standards released by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for buses.
TfNSW has requested the BIC to submit an industry response on their proposed package of four new technical standards which specify the requirements for battery electric buses / zero emission bus safety, interoperability and functional range.
1. TS 00086 Battery Electric Buses – Electric Powertrain Safety
2. TS 00089 Battery Electric Buses – Charging Interoperability
3. TS 00090 Zero Emission Buses – Road Safety
4. TS 00091 Battery Electric Buses – Functional Range
Suggestions or feedback can be lodged to BIC before September 13.