Victorian Government commits to improving HPFV access

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Prime Mover Magazine  /  April 15, 2015

The Victorian Government has announced the launch of a set of digital maps that are able to provide real-time information on the State’s High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) network.

The Victorian Minister for Roads, Road Safety and Ports, the Hon. Luke Donnellan, presented the new online tool during a breakfast event hosted by the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) in Melbourne this week.

Available on the VicRoads website, the maps are part of a new HPFV policy that will see the Government focus stronger on providing access for longer heavy vehicles to improve freight productivity.

As such, Donnellan said they would not only indicate the maximum load capacities specified for each Victorian road, but also list the types of vehicles permitted.

They also include an overview of current access restrictions and potential obstacles, with live information on what authorities are planning to do to resolve each bottleneck.

“A simple mouse click will reveal details like construction status and a specific ‘due for completion’ date,” Donnellan said – pointing out that the tool would allow industry to hold the State Government accountable.

“That way we enable operators to organise the right equipment and obtain the relevant permissions in time for construction projects to be finished.”

Indicating that Higher Mass Limits (HML) are bound to become “the norm” in the State, Donnellan added the road network must be adjusted to deal with the more productive vehicles.

"We want to see the freight network throughout the State open to 30 meter (98.4 ft) HPFVs at Higher Mass Limits,” he said. “In regional areas, we will also permit combinations up to 36 meter (118.1 ft) long – as we are already doing on the road-train network in north-west Victoria."

VTA CEO Peter Anderson commented the new HPFV policy and maps were the start of a “State-based mapping system that will see transport operators use to strategise and plan within their freight businesses”.

He explained, “The VTA has worked closely with the Andrews Government and Vicroads to see this policy come together and we’re pleased it’s now a reality.

“These new HPFV network maps are a powerful tool for freight operators. Their interactivity and the depth of information available will help operators plan their journeys with certainty and, in turn, quote with certainty.”

While currently the HPFV map only displays information relevant to Super B-Doubles in both quad/tri and quad/quad configurations, it will reportedly receive on-going updates, with A-doubles up to 85.5 metric tonnes (188,495 lb) to be added over the coming months.