Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS

Continued from the December 2022 edition of WA Transport Magazine

During our scheduled regional workshops and information sessions, HVS received queries from industry in relation to increasing OSOM vehicle axle spacings range, the bridge assessment process for OSOM vehicles and why certain permit conditions are applied by Main Roads Structures Engineering Branch (SEB). In response to these requests, HVS hosted a specific industry information session during June where SEB Engineers attended to provide greater insight into their OSOM vehicle bridge assessment processes. It was well supported by industry with attendance both in person and online.

At the session, SEB Engineers provided a series of presentations commencing with a summary of the various construction types used for bridges in WA, bridge design life, the common bridge defects found in WA, and the role of SEB in managing bridges to ensure vehicles crossing are not overloading them. The presentations also provided a detailed look at the specific criteria SEB is required to use when assessing OSOM vehicles crossing a particular bridge. Ahead of the session, attendees were invited to submit any questions they had relating to the SEB bridge assessments process, which provided the opportunity for them to be addressed as part of the presentations and/ or have them directly answered by SEB Engineers.

SEB engineers explained the reasoning why single trip permits can only be issued for a single trip and up to one month, which is due to the safety factors and currency of the bridge information considered in the bridge assessment process. Allowing more than one trip and/ or extending the timeframe would see an increase in the safety factors applied and would likely require a reduction in the allowable loads for a particular bridge.

Feedback received about the session was very positive, with attendees appreciating the opportunity to have their questions answered directly by SEB Engineers.

SEB has since published a revised guide for bridges on common OSOM routes. The new guide, which is available on the website, is based on the previous table published under HVO Update 33-2008 but is a more user-friendly version and includes many common routes.

HVS and SEB worked together to develop a new 8 Tyre Per Axle Low Loader Period Permit to allow access on an approved network of roads, which has been developed using historical permit data. Using a network approach allows operators to apply to have additional roads added to the network, subject to the necessary bridge assessments.

CCTV cameras are being installed at the Forrestfield RTAA on Abernethy Road, and the stopping bay on Great Eastern Highway at Greenmount Hill. The Forrestfield RTAA is well used by the road transport industry and availability is often limited due to vehicles, trailers and equipment being parked for excessive periods of time. Following a number of complaints from industry, it is hoped that the cameras will help deter transport operators who park their vehicles and equipment contrary to the RTAA’s terms of use, and improve the availability of parking spaces within the RTAA. The cameras should also provide greater assurance for transport operators around the security of vehicles within the RTAA.

The CCTV will monitor the RTAA 24 hours per day, seven days a week, and will retain the footage for a 72-hour period. Should an incident occur within the RTAA, the transport industry will need to report the incident to the WA Police and obtain an incident number.

The transport operator must provide the incident number to Main Roads, along with the date and approximate time of the incident so that if the footage is requested by WA Police, Main Roads can provide a copy to assist in their investigation.

Similarly, CCTV cameras are

HVS is trialling new road train warning signs that provide road users with a better visual indication of what type of vehicle is actually in front of them. This safety initiative is designed to help road users make more informed decisions about how they share the road and interact with road trains.

The existing “Long Vehicle” and “Road Train” warning signs are vague in terms of what type of vehicle is actually in front of you. The new signage being trialled will replace them and provide an illustrative example of the vehicle combination, and an indication of the length of the vehicle combination it is fitted to. The signs also align to the “road train route” signs that are often seen on regional highways.

A suite of signs have been developed to cover the standard 27.5 metre, 36.5 metre, and 53.5 metre combinations, as well as Performance Based Standards (PBS) Scheme 30 metre, 32 metre and 42 metre combinations. A special sign is already in use for 60 metre PBS road trains.

Centurion Transport and Qube Bulk are participating in the trial by fitting the signs to some of their vehicles. Other operators are welcome to participate in the trial and require an approval letter from HVS. All operators will need to supply their own signage.

Feedback is welcome via our survey available on the trial page on My Say Transport or via the QR Code. We’re particularly interested in feedback from the general public to see if the signs are more informative and meaningful.

If the trial is successful, HVS will implement the new signage for all Class being installed in the stopping bay on Greenmount Hill to monitor the compliance of vehicles with their access conditions. As per the existing signage, all laden Permit and Notice vehicles are required to stop in the mandatory stopping bay. Transport operators are reminded not to use this as a parking bay as there is limited space available and it will affect other operators’ ability to comply with the requirement to stop.

Installation of CCTV cameras at both sites is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

2 and 3 Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) in Western Australia, including B-doubles, road trains and rigid truck and trailer combinations. HVS will also liaise with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to share the feedback received and encourage them to adopt the same signage.

It’s important to note that interstate operators will not be disadvantaged or penalised. HVS will continue to recognise and accept “Long Vehicle” and “Road Train” warning signage requirements specified in other jurisdictions when RAVs travel across the border into Western Australia.

Throughout 2022 HVS worked with Western Power to develop a program of work to underground power lines, predominantly along Great Eastern Highway and Great Northern Highway. 14 work packages have been identified to be delivered over a period of five years, with the first package expected to commence in early 2023.

Planned work will be detailed at mainroads.wa.gov.au and industry will have the opportunity to nominate power lines not listed in the program for consideration.

You may have seen us at any one of a number of Community or Agricultural Shows, where we were on hand to discuss all things Heavy Vehicle. Our crew recently attended the Dowerin Field Day, where there was significant interest in the Bindoon Bypass and Eastlink Projects. We also participated in the Kununurra Agricultural Show, Newdegate Machinery Field Days, Wagin Woolorama and the Perth Boat Show.

There was keen interest in our consultation with many operators taking the opportunity to highlight what is working well and collaborate with us by contributing ideas on potential improvements to assist the industry. Free sessions were held in the Metropolitan area, Northam, Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Katanning, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Bunbury and Albany.

Some of the key themes to emerge from these encompassed economy-wide issues affecting the industry and HVS such as the general shortage of workers. The aspects specific to HVS included communication of changes, website navigation, permit timeframes, MOVES potential, Pilot training, Accreditation administration, Access issues and Compliance enforcement.

Important upgrades to rest area facilities for heavy vehicle operators were announced across 13 locations in WA as part of the $50 million Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvement Program.

The program, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Government, includes improvements that will allow for safer turning movements, improvements to parking and breakdown areas for combination vehicles reducing noise and dust, and the construction of ablution blocks at some locations.

• Marble Bar Road - Minor rest area

improvements, construct ablution block ($170,000) • Great Northern Highway at Karijini

Drive - Upgrade rest area, construct ablution block ($1.2 million) • Great Northern Highway at Bell Street - Minor Road Train Assembly Area improvements, construct ablution block ($280,000) • Great Northern Highway, Newman -

Construct new Road Train Assembly

Area and ablution block ($12.2 million) • Great Northern Highway, Munjina -

Construct new rest area ($3.4 million) • Great Northern Highway, Redmont - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($170,000)

• Great Northern Highway, Wubin - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000) • Great Northern Highway 115 kilometres north of Wubin - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000) • North West Coastal Highway,

Northampton - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000) • Minilya Exmouth Road - Minor rest area improvements, construct shower and ablution block ($400,000)

• Great Eastern Highway, Northam - Minor Road Train Assembly Area improvements, construct ablution block ($100,000)

• Main Reef Road (Goldfields Highway),

Leonora - Extend Road Train Assembly

Area, construct ablution block ($1.6 million)

• Willinge Drive, Bunbury - Minor Road

Train Assembly Area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000)

These priority projects were identified through extensive consultation with peak industry groups, including the Transport Workers Union (WA Branch), the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA and Western Roads Federation.

Consultation with industry is continuing to ensure the appropriate priority areas for drivers are identified for forward works planning.