Case scenarios for the new access regime

There are many similarities between how the new access regime will benefit small and large operators as well as road managers. The scale of the benefits will vary based on the size of the operator, the fleet size, the ability to scale equipment and operations, the level of influence over the consignor and the available capital to have the most suitable equipment.

Find out what the new access regime means for a:

• small operator
• large operator
• road manager.

What the new access regime means for small operators

Case scenario

A small operator with 2 prime movers, 2 dollys and 2 trailers runs a family business with a couple of additional drivers who service local companies and undertakes a variety of work.

Work task

Work is generally of an ad hoc nature and often done on short notice. For the operator to compete for work in a compliant manner, they need to have timely access to the network with clear visibility of their travel conditions.

Costs

The Heavy Vehicle Access Management System (HVAMS) is free to use. The cost to fit Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) and Smart On-board Mass management (Smart OBM), will depend on the supplier. It's estimated the cost will be $6,990 for each prime mover, $4,650 for each dolly and $11,990 for each trailer which is a total estimated cost of $47,260 to fit the 2 class 1 heavy vehicles combinations with the required telematics.

The installation and ongoing yearly service cost of TMA and Smart OBM will be offset by the reduction in required permits and administrative costs. The costs will be further offset through the industry operators' business not missing out on work while waiting for a permit, and through improved assurance from TMA and Smart OBM. Our cost benefit economic analysis has shown the return on investment for this small operator business is within 1 year.

Main benefits

The small operator will gain immediate certainly and visibility of the available road network and access conditions for their Class 1 vehicles without needing to request a permit, provided the HVAMS entry conditions are met.

Their administrative costs and workload will be reduced because dynamic access under Notice will allow them to plan for access decisions quickly and confidently and schedule in a larger amount of moves under Notice without having to apply for permits.

Where conditions and restrictions change, they'll be able to see the changes in HVAMS via Queensland maps, providing greater transparency and access certainty. HVAMS maps will show all restricted bridges and roads so the operator can explore options to facilitate Notice access such as reducing the load mass, changing vehicle configuration by adding additional axles, or finding an alternative route, all within the system. This removes the need for the operator to check multiple systems to find the access conditions and restrictions.

If a customer phones to undertake a work task, an operator can check the access provisions and conditions while talking to the customer in real time using HVAMS. Before quoting, the operator can discuss with their customer how the requested task can be undertaken, including alternative masses, routes, configurations and pilot-escort requirements.

If these options do not produce a viable route for the journey under Notice, a Special Access Permit will be required through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Portal. The permit and access conditions will be individualised to align to the duration, frequency, and specifics of the work task.

Additionally, the small operator will have the ability to see the same access information in HVAMS maps as their competitors (large or small) giving them a level playing field to plan and compete for work.

What the new access regime means for a large operator

Case scenario

Large operator has 16 Class 1 heavy vehicles which includes prime mover, heavy load platform and dolly combinations. The operator has several sites in key locations throughout Queensland and services the mining and resources sectors as primary contractors.

Work task

To service their customers daily and have contractual requirements which need to be met. They need to move regularly across the network and will often have a schedule of work to plan their moves. On occasion, they'll be asked to move a load at short notice.

Costs

The HVAMS system is free to use. The cost of installing telematics, however, may require a large investment. Additional planning for telematics installations will be required to limit the impact to operations.

The cost to fit TMA and Smart OBM is estimated to be $6,990 for each prime mover, $4,650 for each dolly and $11,990 for each trailer. This totals $378,080 to fit the large operator's fleet of 16 Class 1 heavy vehicle combinations with the required telematics.

Our cost benefit analysis has shown installation and ongoing yearly service costs of TMA and Smart OBM is offset by the reduction in required permits and administrative costs. The return on investment for the large operator is within 3 years.

Main benefits

The large operator will gain immediate certainly and visibility of the available road network and access conditions for their Class 1 vehicles without needing to request a permit, provided the HVAMS entry conditions are met. This certainty will enable them to better manage their large fleet movements and schedule work with confidence.

HVAMS will allow the operator to plan and coordinate movements across the road network in real time. Within minutes they will know if a movement can occur under Notice. If the movement cannot occur under Notice, they'll have the opportunity to explore options within the system to gain access under Notice such as reducing the load mass, changing vehicle configuration (adding additional axles to spread the load) or finding an alternative route.

The operator will also be able to visualise access conditions on the generated HVAMS map for a specific vehicle. These conditions may include dimensional and mass constraints, pilot and escort requirements, and specific travel conditions over bridges. The benefit to the operator is that this information removes the need for them to check multiple systems to ascertain the access conditions and restrictions.

Like a small operator, if a customer phones to undertake a work task, the large operator, while talking to the customer, may check the access provisions and conditions in real time using HVAMS. Before quoting, the operator can discuss with their customer how the requested task can be undertaken, including alternative masses, routes, configurations and pilot-escort requirements.

Having Smart OBM telematics fitted will provide the operator with real time loaded mass data and assist them in meeting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations because they will know the masses are correct before their vehicle moves on the network. If a permit is required, the new approach aligns the permit duration and conditions to the specifics of the task.

For example, some large operators move a high frequency of identical loads, using the same equipment on the same routes. If a permit application is granted, an operator will have 1 permit to cover the full activity. This will reduce the overall permit and administrative costs required to complete the task.

What the new access regime means for a road manager

Case scenario

A road manager that works for a local council which has a road network that covers 3,685 kms of local council roads (including bridges).

Work task

Approves access for Class 1 Oversize Overmass (OSOM) heavy vehicles who want to travel on their local council road network. Also sets access conditions in which the vehicle operates to allow for the efficient road transport of goods and to ensure the safety of all road users.

Costs

There is no cost for the road manager to use or access the HVAMS system as part of the new access regime.

In cases where the road manager has pre-approvals in place with the NHVR, these can be transitioned into HVAMS. There may be costs to generate their road network information so it can be entered into HVAMS if it's not already available from the NHVR Portal or other sources.

Main benefits

The new access regime will include a Queensland map of state-controlled and local council road networks displayed in HVAMS. Access will be determined on individual structural and network capacity and the load induced by the specific vehicle configuration.

This will provide the road manager with greater certainty of where Class 1 heavy vehicles can travel on their road network and any conditions. It will also help them in better understanding and managing their networks.

By using HVAMS this will reduce the need for the road manager to manually approve permits through the NHVR Portal because in approximately 80% of cases industry operators will not need to apply for access via a permit. There will be substantial administrative savings and reduction in work loads for the road manager.

With telematics a condition of access, road managers will have access to Class 1 heavy vehicle movement information which is currently not available under the existing vehicle access regime. This information will allow road managers to see where heavy vehicles are moving on their road network and how often, as well as what type of loads they are moving.

This will give road managers visibility of these movements across their networks for the first time and provide an opportunity to move from scheduled maintenance to predictive maintenance. It will allow them to be able to better understand and manage their networks and help them improve their asset management practices by applying a data standardisation process.

The new access regime can also provide the basis for road funding to shift from an ad hoc grant-based road funding model to a more sustainable needs-based funding model that is driven by data. It will also help local councils more easily identify exactly where investment and infrastructure uplift across the road network is required which will be significant to state economic growth. Local councils can transform to a more sustainable data-driven planning and investment approach.

Additionally, because the new access regime will include the latest version of the HVAMS, it will provide Queensland road managers a pathway to be part of the National Automated Access System (NAAS), which is based on the Tasmanian HVAMS and informed by the current HVAMS implementation projects underway in Tasmania, Queensland, and New South Wales.

More information

Email the program team for more information about the program.