Allowing quad road trains and tri-axle dollies in SA is a win for national productivity, NHVR CEO says
Recent improvements to heavy vehicle regulations in South Australia will have national productivity benefits, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto believes.
Speaking in the wake of changes by the South Australian Government, Petroccitto says the decision to allow road trains to utilise tri-axle dollies and permit quad road trains has brought the state in line with the rest of the country.
“Prior to this, quad road trains could not be used for the Adelaide to Darwin route,” Petroccitto says.
“One of these combinations can now be used for all 3,000km of that route to carry up to 20t of extra mass over the traditional triple road train.”
While the decision on quad roads trains took effect on June 4, tri-axle dollies could not be used on road trains until this week.
“Road trains will now be able to use tri-axle dollies for interstate trips into and out of South Australia,” Petroccitto continues.
“This brings South Australia into line with the rest of the nation.”
“This removes previous suspension, draw bar and turntable requirements for tri-axle dollies in South Australia, and for such vehicles to go through the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme.
“A quad road train can carry about the same freight as 3.5 semi-trailers, and in addition to productivity gains, can provide additional operational flexibility to operators when they are broken up for onward journeys.
“Tri-axle dollies are generally speaking as safe, if not safer, than tandem-axle dollies, and operators will be able to gain an additional 7t for a triple road train.”
The changes were on the back of a Government report announced in March that canvassed a number of stakeholders in the primary and transport industries.
The report predicted the addition of quad road trains would see an eight per cent productivity boost, while the tri-axle dollies would provide a six per cent increase.
“These improvements will not only benefit freight efficiency with South Australia, but will also benefit neighbouring states and the Northern Territory by removing cross-border differences in rules,” Petroccitto says.
“A key reason for setting up the NHVR was to remove cross-border inconsistencies, so it’s great to see initiatives like these coming from the cooperative approach of the NHVR, state governments and industry working together.”