HVIA Calls On VIC To Follow NSW Lead On HV Access

HVIA will call on the Victorian Government to follow the lead of NSW and change the basis for heavy vehicle access decision making from preserving assets to optimising the use of those assets by safe, productive and sustainable vehicles.

In its draft response to the Government’s discussion paper seeking input into its planned update of the Victorian Freight Plan, the association contends the best way of improving the safety and productivity of road freight transport while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and environmental impacts is to encourage the uptake of:

• Newer vehicles with better safety features and more advanced emissions equipment;
• Performance Based Standards (PBS) and other high-productivity combinations; and
• Vehicles that use alternative fuels and energy sources.

“HVIA notes that infrastructure deficiencies are often raised as long-standing impediments to increasing heavy vehicle productivity and access. HVIA does not dismiss those concerns but calls on DTP to formally adopt the Transport for New South Wales position outlined in its recent Draft Heavy Vehicle Access Policy, namely that ‘… the basis for access decision-making must move from preserving assets to optimising the use of those assets by safe, productive and sustainable vehicles …’,” the draft submission says.

It also argues the Victorian Government needs to focus on working with the other states to develop end-to-end networks for high-productivity combinations with consistent access policies and conditions between key points of origin and destination across the country.

HVIA is calling on the Government to encourage increased use of PBS and other high-productivity combinations

Additionally, HVIA will repeat calls for the Victorian Government to change its approach to charging for bridge assessments for access permits for many heavy vehicle combinations, including B-doubles, A-doubles, Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles, quad-axle semi-trailers, and vehicle featuring next-generation low- and-zero emissions vehicles (LZHEVs).

What’s more, HVIA will also argue for the extension of road networks for LZHEVs.

“HVIA acknowledges the important work completed and the release of the Victorian network map for LZEHVs operating at increased truck axle loads, but is concerned that as it currently stands, it only allows access for a specific set of LZEHVs,” the submission says.

“HVIA calls for its expansion to accommodate LZEHVs of all types … and to include the West Gate Bridge, as the critical infrastructure link between Melbourne’s East and West.”

HVIA is calling on the Government to urgently expand access to accommodate LZEHVs of all types

Moreover, HVIA’s Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger contends changing the attitudes of all jurisdictions to one of optimising the use of assets is the key to increasing the use of higher-productivity vehicles.

“It is clear that high-productivity vehicles are safer, reduce congestion, reduce road wear and tear, are more efficient fuel efficient and lead to lower emissions.

“The heavy vehicle industry has focussed on making vehicles and combinations safer and more productive for decades, and these efforts must be met with equivalent regulatory action to fully realise the benefits they offer,” he says.

HVIA’s draft response is available on request. Interested members should contact Adam Ritzinger or Greg Forbes to obtain a copy and provide feedback.

Submissions are due by Sunday, June 30.