Safety and productivity to be supported together: Koukoulas
Peak road authority organisation Austroads has sought to clarify its research direction on safety and productivity, after coming under fire from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).
The peak industry body raised concerns this week about the scope of a current Austroads study into heavy vehicle widths but Austroads sees the two bodies travelling down the same road.
The Austroads research is being undertaken to support national activities examining dimensional and safety issues for heavy vehicles.
Austroads chief executive Nick Koukoulas argues that while the current research is focused is on the effects of increasing heavy vehicle width to 2.55m it will also make recommendations about future considerations of other dimensions and will help guide upcoming studies.
Read the full scope of the ATA’s criticism of Austroads on this issue, here
“The expert enquiry into national freight and supply chain priorities made recommendations about common standards for the width of refrigerated truck trailers,” Koukoulas says.
“Similarly, the National Road Safety Action Plan identifies the minimisation of regulatory barriers to safer, cleaner heavy freight vehicles as a priority action.
“Austroads’ research into heavy vehicle width dimensions is investigating opportunities to support both objectives.
“Austroads shares the Australian Trucking Association’s desire to ensure all aspects of this complex area are considered and is working with government and industry to provide timely input into key issues.
“We are looking forward to further engaging with the ATA and the broader transport industry about important regulatory opportunities that could impact the safety and productivity of the heavy vehicle industry.”
Austroads project NEF6116 Exploration of heavy freight vehicle dimensions: productivity, safety and other considerations is due to be completed by the end of the year.