National government body responsible for transport technology calls NSW move a major productivity initiative
Speaking in the lead up to the upcoming Safety, Productivity & Environment Construction Transport Scheme (SPECTS) in New South Wales, Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has welcomed the “major productivity gains” the scheme will offer for the NSW Urban Zone.
The first-of-its-kind initative, which will open the majority of roads through Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong for vehicles and trailers that meet emissions and Performance Based Standards (PBS), begins on July 1 and promises efficiency gains for operators and safety benefits for the community.
TCA CEO Chris Koniditsiotis says the “the significance of SPECTS being introduced cannot be underestimated.”
He says “it provides a practical demonstration of how productivity, safety and environmental outcomes can be advanced together.”
Under the scheme, approved vehicles will be able to travel all government roads, except the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Gasworks Bridge in Parramatta, should they be involved in carting infrastructure and construction materials.
“SPECTS will allow participating transport operators to obtain the equivalent of General Access to the state road network throughout Greater Sydney,” Koniditsiotis says.
“The vehicle configurations able to operate under SPECTS are otherwise restricted to PBS Level 2 networks, which broadly equates to the access made available to B-double combinations.”
SPECTS allows 6-axle Truck and Dog (Tri-Dog) to reach a GCM of 49.5-tonne, a 7-axle Truck and Dog (Quad-Dog) to reach 57.5-tonne, and 7-axle semi-trailers (up to 20m long with quad-axle group on trailer) to reach 50.5-tonne.
To monitor these weights, the scheme requires operators to fit weigh-scales and telematics solutions in the vehicles.
The On-Board Mass systems must also be linked to the operator’s enrolment in the Intelligent Access Program (IAP).
“The ability to offer the equivalent of General Access arrangements on state roads, for vehicles that are otherwise subject to restricted access arrangements, has only been possible through the use of OBM systems linked to the IAP,” Koniditsiotis says.
Speaking with ATN last month, Transtech regulatory program and partner manager Anthony Laras says the modelling makes “it very, very attractive” for transport operators.
“The modelling that NSW RMS did, based upon all of these cost factors, indicated that transport operators could realise a productivity benefit of around $80,000 per vehicle in the first year alone,” he says.
“Once you have a look at the map and the network and have a look at how flexible you can now be in being able to get to your customers… I think what we are now talking about is world first transport heavy vehicle access through regulatory telematics.”
The SPECTS begins on July 1.
Read our interview with approved suppliers Teletrac Navman and Transtech last month for all the details on the scheme restrictions, requirements, and opportunities for operators and drivers.