CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS & CODES
The complexity of alternative aggregate spreaders, combined with their cost, has seen the implementation of new technology stall in favour of persisting with the simple reversing trucks.
THE TIME FOR CHANGE Significant investment will be required from the industry to convert current fleets to forward moving vehicles, and VicRoads has implemented a five year transition period (1 July 2017 – 30 June 2022) to phase in the new spreaders. VicRoads plan on introducing synchronised bitumen spraying and aggregate spreading machines that combine the application of the bitumen and aggregates as part of one operation. Synchronised sprayers have been available for many years mainly from Europe and America, and in more recent times from China. Forward moving aggregate spreaders have recently been developed in France, with two manufacturers currently trialling prototype units, and a handful of other companies, including some based in Australia, are also www.infrastructuremagazine.com.au
developing their own versions of this equipment. There may be issues with the French units complying with Australian regulations but locally designed units should be produced to conform. During the transition period, there is an additional payment of $0.50/m2 for works completed utilising forward moving spreading techniques. This payment is intended to help alleviate the anticipated costs of the initial purchase and ongoing costs of operating these alternative plant items. There is also an incentive payment to reward early adopters of forward moving spreading techniques, which recognises the potentially higher costs and risks for those contractors who purchase new plant items immediately and the disadvantage they face while trying to compete at the tender box with other companies that have not invested in the new equipment and technologies. The transition commenced on 1 July this year, however, because the sprayed sealing season does not commence until October each year there have not been any projects completed using the forward moving technology as yet.
November 2017 // ISSUE 5
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