We are multidisciplinary engineers focused on road transport with decades of involvement and experience in road safety. We are also adept at computer technologies, being digital natives before the phrase “digital natives” was a thing.
Our combination of Road Safety and Technological expertise is a major advantage in the age of increasing information and automation. We are well positioned to provide sound advice and guidance to authorities and businesses seeking to maximise progress and development of the communities they serve.
Who we are
History
TVL was founded in 2013 with the goal of building systems to improve road transport and integrate technological change. Back then, we could see how emerging technologies would rapidly alter the road transport landscape.
Since then, we have contributed to projects from diverse industries in a myriad of ways, from project management for government authorities, to management of ICT and innovations for a multinational public transport operator, to auditing self-illuminating signage and light displays on road infrastructure.
As traffic and road safety engineers, we have ongoing expertise in addressing road trauma by improving road infrastructure, following the Safe System Approach.
Now
The recent years have seen the growth in mass market adoption of in-vehicle driver assistance technologies, collectively known as Advanced Driver Asistance Systems (ADAS). These are stepping stone technologies towards fully automated vehicles (also called Self-Driving Cars, Autonomous Vehicles and Robotaxis).
At TVL, we are poised to assist this transition at many levels, be it in the development of future government policy, to the provision of advice to fleet operators in how to satisfy their OH&S obligations towards their employees in a vehicular workplace.
How do we do this? By a combination of understanding and expertise in computer technology and road transport.
We understand the machine sensors and processing of computer systems including their capabilities and limitations.
We also understand the on-road dynamics and tactics of driver behaviour, controlling an increasingly complex vehicle on growing road networks with ever evolving design standards.
Most importantly, we have worked with policy makers, infrastructure owners and fleet operators in managing the resulting growth and change.
People
Our founding principal is Johann Tay, who has two lifelong interests: cars and computers. A self-confessed computer nerd, he has taken these seeds, added a dose of curiosity, and grown them into a career, then a business that is focused on innovating using digital technology to improve the safety and efficiency of road transport.
During his early career, Johann has gained experience from all sides of the proverbial fence, making him extremely versatile and empathetic. Prior to founding TVL, he was employed in a myriad of roles spanning local and state government, research/academia, consulting and public policy.
His natural curiosity and thirst for learning has led him to accummulate Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from The University of Melbourne. He also has Master of Traffic and Master of Transport degrees from Monash University, which coincided with him winning the Monash Business School Prize for Managing Innovation.
Values
The Safe System philosophy underpins everything that we do.
Empathetic – we listen to you, and we know where you’re coming from.
Curious – we approach challenges with an open mind as to the end state, seeking the best outcome for client’s and community’s priorities. We love to try different ways of doing things because this is an effective way of learning what works in a world that is always changing.
Efficient – we abhor waste, including wasted opportunities. We seek to maximise client and community benefits for any given expenditure, as this promotes greater sustainability. As such, we are also great fans of the circular economy.
Analytical – we thrive on technically complex situations. We value detail and depth of knowledge. We are the problem solvers to compliment your vision. You know your Why and What, and we’ll bring the How.
Responsible – your trust in us is not taken for granted. We work diligently to achieve your goals and solve your problems, communicating each step of the way. Our duty is to meet your needs, and to improve the standard of transport for society.
What we do
Services
We are engineers and problem solvers. If you know what outcome you want (or know what risks you want to avoid), then we can help. And even if everything is going well, we can help you prepare for the inevitable challenges ahead.
We find that most of our work can be divided into one of two streams: road infrastructure, or vehicles. Sometimes, work will cross over and cover elements from both – we love those projects as it gives us the opportunity to add significant value to a client’s outcomes.
Aside from technical expertise, we are also adept project managers. We have led many small to medium projects for government and commercial entities in road transport and safety, and are comfortable taking a hands-on approach to deliver successful outcomes.
Project Management
Here are some example projects we have successfully completed in the past for clients:
Retrofit of ADAS product into heavy vehicles
In-vehicle deployment of telematics platform
Vehicle safety portfolio for a state government entity
Innovation and ICT projects for a multinational public transport operator
Vertically integrated design, procurement and fitout of operational control centre
Grant applications for LGAs and community organisations
Business proces mapping
Data analysis of an infrastructure needs survey undertaken by a transport policy group
Infrastructure
We frequently conduct or contribute to the following project types:
Road Safety Audits
Safe System Assessments
Infrastructure project development
Training
Fatal crash reporting
Road safety strategies
Traffic Impact Assessments
Transport modelling, SIDRA, microsimulation
Pedestrian and cycling sustainability projects
Vehicles
Our automotive consulting work is primarily focused on new and emerging technologies, particularly where they contain road safety implications. We undertake feasibility studies, manage deployments, conduct research and develop policy for the following subject areas:
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)
Telematics
Fleet operations
Automated Driving Systems (and their Entities)
Cooperative ITS, V2X communications
Occupant safety and child restraints
As computer and communications technology continues to pervade vehicles and the driving task, TVL is well positioned to assist governments, fleets and operators to navigate the issues arising from these changes.
Other
As innovators who value developing solutions from first principles, we thrive on situations where there just aren’t any guidelines or standards, and have to walk the unbeaten path.
Transport innovation and ideation
Transport Research
Expert witness for legal cases
Evaluation of road transport-related products, policies or initiatives
Past projects
Here is a list of past projects that we have either led outright or provided significant contributions towards. Further details are available on request or as part of a proposal – contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Evaluation of New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi and Safe System Solutions joint delivery of Safe System Audit training in New Zealand
Retrofit Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) feasibility investigations and advice for an Australian state government entity
Project management of a telematics platform deployment for a multinational public transport operator
Road safety framework for Connected/Automated Vehicle (CAV) trials for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Fatal Crash Investigations for Regional Roads Victoria (RRV, DTP/VicRoads)
Forensic crash analysis and reconstruction (private clients)
Delivery and integration of an operations control centre for ComfortDelGro Australia
Safe System Assessments (e.g. Templestowe Rd duplication, part of the North East Link project)
Traffic Impact Assessments (numerous)
Development of infrastructure projects for local Councils (e.g. Safer Roads Infrastructure Program, Federal Blackspot Program)
Market Research on technology deployment on school buses for the Bus Association of Victoria (BusVic)
Data analytics for RACV’s Growing Pains infrastructure advocacy program
Private industrial site road safety assessments for Opal paper mill, Maryvale
Our clients
Market Sectors
The transport technology landscape is always changing. We aim to be responsive to market needs and opportunities as technologies emerge.
Transport Operators
Our skills and experience are well suited to being able to assist commercial vehicle operators in the public transport and logistics industries. Whether it be undertaking feasibility studies of proposed innovations and any regulatory impacts, to addressing operational challenges, we can assist with the advice and management required to address your needs.
Fleet Risk
There is increasing realisation amongst employers that their obligation to provide a safe workplace also extends to the vehicles that employees use in the course of their duties. With the increasing capability and complexity of new cars, alongside the distraction effect of always-connected workplaces brought about by the smartphone, the scope for OH&S risks to emerge has increased.
Our expertise is also relevant to private vehicle fleet risk taken on by insurers. The accelerating market penetration of advanced technology in new vehicles and the increasing reliability of old ones means that private fleet has never been more diverse, with a commensurate increase in the variety of risks requiring management.
Automated Driving System Entities and related suppliers
As of 2024, government regulators are developing the rules that will govern the playing field in which automated vehicles will operate. Entities intending to operate vehicles capable of automated operation will be running along a path so far uncharted in Australia. We have the technical understanding, the established safety principles, and the existing relationships in order to address challenges as they arise, maximising the chances of success.
Governments and Regulators
Governments have the challenging task of managing the present while preparing for the future in a world where technological change is rapid and unpredictable. Whether it be uplifting the safety capabilities of the existing vehicle fleet, or setting new regulations to maximise the community benefits of emerging technology, we have the technical knowledge from first principles to provide advice and manage outcomes for our clients.
Individuals
While we are experts in all elements of the road transport system, we are drivers first, and therefore acutely understand the changing landscape within which drivers are expected to perform safely. Fundamentally, we can empathise with drivers on how the complex road system can make simple mistakes turn into grave consequences under specific circumstances.
We are well placed to impassionately analyse any given incident and identify causal factors from all system elements, be they the infrastructure, vehicle or road user, to ensure that legal avenues following unfortunate incidents result in the fairest outcome.
Clients
The gallery below represents a selection of current and past clients for whom we have undertaken work, either as principal consultant or sub-consultant.
Get in touch
Office location
Our office address is Suite 934, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia.
Our contact telephone number is +61 425 802 068.
Service areas
While we are based in Melbourne, Australia, we are available to work interstate and internationally, using a combination of in-person and online communication that is sensitive to each project’s requirements.
