TCA says Queensland's decision to grant PBS 2B access will significantly benefit trucking industry
December 8, 2010
Queensland’s decision to grant access for larger trucks from Toowoomba to the Port of Brisbane will deliver significant benefits, Transport Certification Australia (TCA) says.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads now allows a truck carrying two 40-foot containers to operate instead of a single combination.
TCA CEO Chris Koniditsiotis says the decision means a truck will need to make 2400 trips to carry 120,000 tonnes a year compared to 4800 trips with a single container.
He says modelling from the department shows using the larger vehicles reduces the number of kilometres to deliver goods by 624,000.
“This equates to an estimated saving of approximately 230,000 litres of fuel and a greenhouse emissions reduction of around 490 tonnes or 40 percent,” Koniditsiotis says.
“Australia’s freight task is growing so it is important that we look at innovative ways to drive improved productivity, efficiency and safety.”
The trucks must be monitored under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) to ensure they stay on a set route capable of supporting them. Under IAP, GPS units are installed in trucks to track their movements.
IAP is run by the TCA, which is responsible for certifying the GPS providers.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has long called for governments to support wider use of higher productivity vehicles, which are currently restricted to areas such as ports and the Green Triangle in South Australia and Victoria.
Correction: An earlier report incorrectly stated that the approval was for super B-doubles. The approval is actually for vehicles under PBS 2B (performance based standards).