The South Australian Government is fast-tracking heavy-freight reforms to reduce costs, increase productivity, and slash fuel usage by up to 18 per cent.
Reforms will take effect immediately and create 100 new network maps across state roads, unlocking access to more efficient trailer and truck configurations while increasing operational flexibility.
Additional networks allow for the operation of tri-drive rigid trucks and prime movers, which are more productive and capable of transporting larger payloads than dual-drive trucks. Tri-drive trucks feature three drive axles rather than two.
The new networks allow for the use of quad-axle trailer configurations for larger truck combinations travelling long distances on regional roads such as the Lincoln Highway.
“From today, freight companies operating in South Australia will have greater flexibility to configure their trucks and trailers to best suit their specific needs,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“Put simply, this means fewer trucks, less fuel, more freight and lower costs for transport businesses.
“This vital reform will also deliver significant benefits to our primary producers, who have done it tough through drought only to confront rising fuel costs.”
Before these reforms, only tri- and tandem-axle trailers were approved for these roads, and the new approved quad-axle trailer systems will increase the maximum weight limit of an average B-double by up to 13 per cent, to 77 tonnes.
By carrying a larger payload per trip, trucks will use up to 18 per cent less fuel per tonne of cargo.
Additional changes include new measures to improve the productivity of livestock transport. The government hopes that the combined effect of the changes will ensure supply lines reach regional and rural communities across the state.
The government refined these changes in coordination with a range of stakeholders and industry bodies, such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Primary Producers SA, RAA, South Australian Freight Council, South Australian Road Transport Association and the Motor Trade Association.
“We are pulling every lever we can to ensure that goods keep moving across the state and that vital supplies continue to flow to regional and remote communities,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs said.
“Road safety remains our top priority, and every network opened under these new measures has been thoroughly assessed and approved for being able to support these heavier-vehicle combinations safely.”
South Australia’s introduction of the reforms follows the Federal Government’s announcement of the National Fuel Security Plan, and both governments continue to work together on the issue.
The SA Government will continue to assess the heavy-vehicle network to ease the pressure on fuel.c
Extracted in full from: https://psnews.com.au/sa-pushes-through-freight-reforms-to-ease-pressure-on-fuel-starved-transport-firms/176507/
