While a series of safety-focused videos on oversize loads was the most visible initiative of the past year, the Heavy Haulage Association has also been working behind the scenes to streamline rules and processes for the oversize transport sector, says NZ Heavy Haulage Association Chief Executive Jonathan Bhana-Thomson.
The release of three different videos to promote the on-road safety around overdimension and overweight loads was the culmination of the work by a number of members who contributed to raising the profile of the sector.
Notably, one for other road users, and then another for other truckies on the road, helped to increase knowledge about what to do when road users see a pilot vehicle ahead of them, and what actions they need to take. The videos were released to all the major social media platforms, and they had great pickup and feedback.
Ongoing, we are encouraging freight companies to use the specific video that communicates key messages to the wider heavy-vehicle road-user sector, incorporating it into drivers’ health and safety or training sessions.
Alongside this, over the last 12 months work continued with honing potential rule changes to make the transport of overdimension loads more efficient and safer. The VDAM Rule was last consulted on for significant changes 10 years ago and there is certainly a need to update a number of items for technology reasons, as well as to improve safety with enhances signage on load pilots.
In addition, we have identified a number of changes to the operating rules for overdimension vehicles that will make the transport of goods more efficient and therefore there will be productivity gains for the industry.
These include one of our longest bugbears about the lack of travel on toll roads for overdimension loads. While we have been able to get special approvals for travel on these roads, these often take some time to achieve with the NZTA and the delay is costing time and money to our clients.
The major achievement for access this year has been the approval for loads up to certain sizes to be able to travel through the Johnstones Hill Tunnel as part of the Northern Gateway Toll Road.
The alternative route through Orewa and over the hill to Waiwera was becoming more and more difficult to use on a regular basis for oversize loads. The safety and efficiency benefits are significant, with a conservative estimate of $400,000 annually saved in time and resources from oversize loads being able to travel through the Northern Gateway route.
Another change that we will be seeking as part of the engagement around different phases of the VDAM Rule review is having greater access to Auckland motorways for overdimension loads. As usual, use of these roads will be off-peak and for specific routes but the benefits will be significant as the alternative is using local Auckland Transport roads which often have infrastructure restrictions, as well the need to manage oncoming traffic.
Changes to permitting
The Association is continuing to seek changes to the permitting and regulatory framework that oversees permission to use routes.
Changes in the past year to bring in greater scrutiny around the safety of the vehicles and drivers of overdimension loads has meant greater administration requirements for operators, and the need to more closely monitor the process for complying with the requirements. If this results in outcomes that mean a more even playing field then this is acceptable, however the jury is still out about whether the benefits are worth the extra cost placed on the industry.
The overweight industry was pleased to welcome a significant upgrade to the process for applying and maintaining overweight permits for the State Highway network in the last year as a new permitting portal was released for use.
This enables better management for operators of the many overweight permits they need to have for their various transporter combinations across the country. While this still requires some improvements, it is a step in the right direction by the NZTA – and we continue to encourage local councils to use the same tool for managing the overweight transport permits that they issue.
What is lacking is the same technology upgrade for overdimension permits, and it is disappointing that this project will not being continuing for the moment. We understand that the development of the project for overdimension permitting is on hold and kick-starting this will be a focus for the Association over the course of this year.
Interaction between Oversize and Roadworks
The major roadworks maintenance project over the last 15 months on SH1 between Tirau and Waiouru shows what can be achieved when a project has good communications and project oversight at its disposal, and where planned access for oversize loads through worksites can be coordinated.
However, across New Zealand at any one time there are hundreds of roadworks sites being planned and put in place on the roads used for the transport of oversize loads. In addition, the move over recent years to undertake more works at night, and also with the use of full road closures, has meant that the job of moving oversize loads has become far more difficult.
In the roadworking space, the growing adoption of the risk-based Guide to TTM means that contractors have more control over the design of the works and traffic management. What they should also be doing as one of their contingency measures is to plan for what happens when an oversize load needs to travel through their worksite.
The other major change coming this year that will affect the transport of oversize loads is the new IDM model of delivering maintenance on the State Highway network. While this should make the practices and roadworks more consistent, at the same time the need to communicate what’s going on, and where, has to be an integral part of the new delivery model.
Further, this needs to include specific two-way communications between the wider freight industry and the road maintenance contractors. The Association looks forward to engaging with the new delivery contractors to ensure that there are good outcomes for all parties.
Looking forward
The environment for the oversize industry continues to evolve and be pushed and pulled by other factors going on in our regulatory and operating environment.
The Association will keep the interests of our membership front and centre as we push forward to ensure a productive oversize freight sector.