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Heavy vehicle access - Paul Starling
- 2. Under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012, the Commissioner of Main Roads is responsible for granting road access to Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs). The Commissioner carries out this function through Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS). HVS administers the route assessment process. Legal Responsibility
- 3. Access approvals are granted via either a RAV Notice or a RAV Permit. Permits include: - Oversize Permits - Oversize Road Train Permits - Concessional Loading Permits - Tri Drive Road Train Permits - Exceptional Circumstances Permits Types of Approvals
- 6. Where heavy vehicle access is requested and the road has not been approved for the particular type of vehicle previously, a route assessment must be conducted. Different vehicles have different dynamic performance characteristics. Route Assessment Guidelines have been developed based on the vehicle performance characteristics. Route Assessments Process
- 7. Main Roads is currently working with Local Governments to establish strategic networks. This will ensure through traffic is directed onto roads that are receiving appropriate maintenance funding. Local access will still be provided, however conditions will be applied to these roads to maintain a level of control for Local Government. Route Assessments Process
- 8. Road Safety Infrastructure Protection Network Sustainability Public Amenity Route Assessments Process
- 9. Route Assessment Process The route assessment process includes conducting physical route assessments. HVS, Main Roads Regional Offices, Local Governments and Consultants conduct the route assessments.
- 10. Road width Gradients Overhead Clearances Swept Paths Stacking Distances Bridge Assessments Route Assessment Process
- 11. Road Widths Road widths must be sufficient for the particular category of vehicle. Vehicle combinations use road widths greater than the width of the vehicle itself. Tracking of a vehicle combination is effected by speed, road cross fall, differing vehicle characteristics etc.
- 12. Gradients Steep grades impact the performance of heavy vehicles and increase the risk of: - Loss of traction - Stalling - Brake failure
- 13. Overhead Clearances Overhead clearances are checked including: - Bridges - Trees - Powerlines
- 14. Swept Paths Swept Paths for all turns to ensure the vehicle is not encroaching on verges, footpaths and oncoming traffic.
- 15. Stacking Distances Stacking distances are measured where a railway crossing is adjacent to an intersection to ensure the vehicle will not encroach on the railway line or the through road.
- 16. Bridge Assessments Bridge assessments are conducted to ensure the bridge is suitably rated for the mass of the proposed vehicle.
- 17. Applicant must obtain written endorsement from the road owner. Applicant forwards a request to HVS along with written endorsement from the road owner. Application Process
- 18. Route assessment will then be conducted. All route assessments conducted are forwarded to HVS for approval. Route Assessment Process
- 19. RAV Mapping Tool
- 21. Questions
Editor's Notes
- Under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act, the Commissioner of Main Roads is responsible for granting road access to Restricted Access Vehicles. This applies to all roads available for public use, including State roads, Local Government roads, Port Authority roads and some privately owned roads. The Commissioner of Main Roads carries out this function through Main Roads Heavy Vehicles Services. To meet the Commissioner’s legal responsibility, Heavy Vehicle Services administers the route assessment process.
- Access approvals are granted via either a RAV Notice or a RAV Permit. Some examples of permits are: Oversize Permits Oversize Road Train Permits, including the divisible products permits for hay and wool. Concessional Loading Permits Tri Drive Road Train Permits Exceptional Circumstances Permits, primarily issued for the transport of livestock during flooding or drought, however recently issued as part of the fire relief efforts to allow hay to be transported into Waroona and Harvey.
- Notices include the Prime Mover, Trailer Combinations Notice, providing access to the 10 categories of vehicles on the corresponding 10 RAV Networks.
- And the Truck, Trailer Combinations Notice. We also have the Harvest Mass Management Notice during harvest season, which allows concessions for vehicles being loaded off paddocks.
- Where heavy vehicle access is requested and the road has not been approved for the particular type of vehicle previously, a route assessment must be conducted. Different vehicles combinations have different dynamic performance characteristics, which need to be taken into account when assessing a road. The Route Assessment Guidelines have been developed based on specific vehicle performance characteristics.
- Main Roads is currently working with Local Governments to establish strategic networks, which will overlay the RAV Networks. Heavy vehicle through traffic will be required to use the strategic networks, which will ensure the bulk heavy vehicle traffic are using roads that are receiving appropriate maintenance funding. Local access, or last mile access, will still be provided, however conditions will be applied to these roads to maintain a level of control for Local Government.
- When conducting route assessments, the key focus is on: Road safety Infrastructure protection, such overhead head bridges, drive on bridges, and roadside furniture (traffic signals, signage, lighting, etc) Network sustainability, i.e. getting the most out of the road infrastructure, however being able to keep up with maintenance of roads Public Amenity – a key consideration for Local Governments
- The route assessment process includes conducting on site route assessments. Depending on the location, HVS or our Regional Office will conduct the route assessment. We have recently accepted route assessment from Local Governments and Consultants, provided they have attended a HVS Training Session. Using consultants is efficient and may fast track an application, as Main Roads does not need to conduct site visits.
- During the route assessment, we need consider factors such as: Road width Gradients Overhead Clearances Swept Paths Stacking Distances Bridge assessments
- Road widths must be sufficient to ensure oncoming vehicles can safety pass, taking into consideration the tracking of a multi-trailer heavy vehicle. Vehicle combinations use road widths greater than the width of the vehicle itself. Tracking of a vehicle combination is effected by speed, road cross fall, differing vehicle characteristics etc. These factors are taken into consideration in the route assessment guidelines.
- Steep grades impact the performance of heavy vehicles and increase the risk of: Loss of traction, both under acceleration up hill and under braking downhill. Stalling if the correct gear is not selected or the vehicles lacks horsepower. Brake failure on longer descents.
- Overhead Clearances are checked and take bridges, trees and powerlines into consideration.
- Swept Paths for all turns to ensure the vehicle is not encroaching on verges, footpaths and oncoming traffic.
- Stacking distances are measured where a railway crossing is adjacent to an intersection to ensure the vehicle will not encroach on the through road or on the railway line.
- Bridge assessments are conducted to ensure the bridges are suitably rated for the mass of the proposed vehicle combination.
- Prior to Heavy Vehicle Services conducting a route assessment, an application must be submitted. Operators need to submit their applications as early as possible, as significant work needs to go into a route assessment, particularly if a site visit is required. Where roads are identified as not being Main Roads owned assets, written approval from the relevant road owner must be obtained and submitted with the application. These may include local government or port authorities. This written endorsement from the owner plus a detailed description of what is requested must then be forwarded to HVS. An application form is available on the Main Roads website.
- The route assessment will then be conducted and the completed assessment will be returned to Heavy Vehicle Services. Heavy Vehicle Services will ensure the road meets the standards outlined in the Route Assessment Guidelines. The application will be approved or declined accordingly.
- The RAV Networks can be viewed on the RAV Mapping Tool, available on the Main Roads website. We are currently in the process of expanding the different types of networks that can be viewed on the mapping tool. In the near future the mapping tool will include other networks such as concessional networks, tri drive networks, oversize road train networks.
- The route assessment process for oversize vehicles is different. These are done on a single trip basis, whereas roads added to the RAV network are open to all RAV operators to use.