NEF6116 - Exploration of heavy freight vehicle dimensions: productivity, safety and other considerations

⁠⁠⁠ The purpose of this project is to examine the effects (safety and otherwise) of increasing current width limits for Australian heavy freight vehicles and, as warranted, provide evidence for consideration of policy and regulatory changes to support national on-road introduction of wider freight vehicles than currently allowable.

The project will:

• review current regulatory arrangements, and their impact on safety and productivty outcomes
• examine possible amendments to relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and in-service vehicle standards as applicable
• examine the impact for road managers and authorities of the effects of other heavy vehicle width for the purposes of network access
• consider issues with harmonising Australian mass and dimension limits with other major heavy vehicle supply markets.

Deliverables

• An internal report - describing the benefits and disadvantages of increasing heavy freight vehicle width in Australia. The report must include defendable and evidence based arguments to support any recommendations put forward. The content of the report must be suitable to use towards the development of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIS) by DIRDAC for changes to the ADRs and the National Transport Commission (NTC) (or NHVR) for the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation and associated laws.
• A dissemination webinar (internal audience).