The regulatory reforms necessary to enable more low- and zero-emissions vehicles on Australian roads is charging ahead, with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads releasing the first network map for zero-emissions heavy vehicles – as well as key details on the new axle mass limits and vehicle specification requirements.
This follows last month’s announcement of an increase in axle mass limits to allow ZEHVs to operate on selected state-controlled highways.
The map focuses on the south-east corner of the state, extending from the New South Wales border at the Gold Coast to Bundaberg and as far west as Toowoomba and Warwick. It includes selected, but not all, state-controlled roads within this area.
A Department spokesperson says TMR and the NHVR will continue to work with local governments to include appropriate council roads on the new ZEHV network to enable first and last mile connections for industry.
ROADBOSS can also reveal access to the ZEHV network will be limited to three-axle rigid trucks and three-axle prime movers with a maximum vehicle mass limit of 25.5 tonnes; and three-axle prime movers towing up to three-axle semi-trailer combinations with a maximum combined mass limit of 45.5 tonnes.
The TMR spokesperson says both vehicles will be allowed to operate at masses of up to eight tonnes on the steer axle; and 18.5 tonnes on the tandem drive axle. This is 1.5 tonnes additional on the steer axle and two tonnes additional on the tandem drive, however, the overall mass increase is limited to a maximum increase of 2.5 tonnes.
The spokesperson also confirms both vehicles will be required to meet certain axle spacing and tyre size requirements to assist in mitigating impacts to the network.
Vehicles will also be required to be equipped with telematics monitoring applications, on-board mass systems and road-friendly suspension.
These systems will support TMR to better understand the impacts additional mass may have on the state-controlled network, the spokesperson says.
In consultation with the NHVR, TMR is seeking alignment to the recently-announced ‘Safer Freight Vehicles’ for new low- and zero-emissions vehicles irrespective of the width. This includes devices for indirect vision and lane departure warning systems. Converted vehicles will also need to meet a minimum set of safety requirements that are currently being finalised.
At the same time, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has revealed further details of its LZEV axle mass increase scheme.
TfNSW says the NSW network is not yet available to view, but work is progressing to make the network visible in the NHVR’s online access portal.
It has also revealed that access for a range of heavy vehicle combinations will eventually be provided under a series of Notices, following the release of the approved networks online. Each Notice will describe a vehicle dimensional envelope and maximum axle loads.
Vehicles complying with the mass and dimension limits of the Notice will be able to operate under permit; while vehicles not complying with the limits of the Notice can still apply but may necessitate additional infrastructure assessments.
Encouragingly, TfNSW confirms that the access networks tied to each notice will generally match the networks currently allowed for the equivalent ‘as-of-right’ combinations. This means that a B-double with a low- or zero-emission prime mover operating at the increased axle mass limits will have access to a network that closely matches the conventional B-double network.
TfNSW also disclosed that some telematics conditions (for example, on-board mass) will apply to some vehicles operating at increased axle loads.
All low- and zero-emissions heavy vehicle manufacturers and importers should be in touch with TfNSW to ensure that their vehicles are captured in the Notices.
Similarly, industry members that may eventually seek to operate under the Notices are advised to register their interest with TfNSW.
Transport for New South Wales can be contacted at freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.
