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IAP update

Following Transport Certification Australia’s announcement of Minorplanet Asia Pacific Pty Ltd achieving certification as an IAP Service Provider, the RTA provided an IAP update to transport operators pre-enrolled for the IAP in New South Wales and Victoria.
 
Minorplanet Asia Pacific joins Transtech Driven, certified in July this year, as being able to provide IAP services to transport operators wanting to participate in the IAP.
 
IAP in New South Wales
 
Included in the update was a map providing an overview of the Higher Mass Limit (HML) network of state roads in New South Wales.
 
The state-wide HML network is only available for vehicles that become fully enrolled in the IAP by engaging an IAP Service Provider and having IAP equipment installed into eligible vehicles.
 
The RTA says it is continually assessing its road network for suitably for use by HML vehicles. Full details of the HML network are made available to transport operators that become fully enrolled in the IAP.
 
The update reminded operators that RTA transition arrangements for all pre-enrolled operators draw to a close on 30 June 2009. With all vehicles needing to be fully enrolled in the IAP to obtain ongoing HML access entitlements in New South Wales from 1 July 2009, the RTA encouraged operators to start planning their transition now.
 
There was also a reminder that the RTA’s HML Route Confirmation Service is available for transport operators wanting to confirm whether HML access is available on specific roads or routes of interest to their business. To use the service transport operators can complete the ‘HML route confirmation form’ available on the RTA website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.
 
More on IAP access
 
On the subject of IAP access, TCA chief executive officer Chris Koniditsiotis said the IAP had been specifically designed to ensure transport operators had negotiated the access they needed before they engaged an IAP Service Provider.
 
“It isn’t a matter of buy the IAP equipment and then find out if you can get the access you need – in fact it is the opposite,” Mr Koniditsiotis said.
 
“Before they can engage an IAP Service Provider for IAP services, a transport operator must be issued with an Interim Intelligent Access Condition (IAC) by the relevant road authority, which indicates the intention of the road authority to grant the access provided the transport operator engages an IAP Service Provider to provide IAP services.
 
“It is quite clear the IAP was designed to ensure transport operators had the necessary access prior to acquiring any IAP services,” he said. 
 
Mr Koniditsiotis said it was also important for transport operators to understand that the data collected under the IAP was owned by them and could be accessed for other purposes.
 
“The IAP supports and promotes commercial telematic services. A transport operator can negotiate with their chosen IAP Service Provider to supply commercial services, what we call non-IAP services. Transport operators can also negotiate to have their data sent directly to their own back office systems to run their operational systems, as they may already be doing. Effectively there is little change in any existing back office commercial systems an operator may have.”
 
IAP in Victoria 
 
TCA welcomed the announcement in November by the Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports the Hon. Tim Pallas, MP, of the introduction of the IAP for heavy cranes and concrete pump trucks in Victoria.
 
According to Minister Pallas, the introduction of IAP technology will allow the provision of ‘increased access to vehicles on the approved routes’. The announcement also highlighted a number of benefits the IAP can provide, including improved road safety and increased road transport industry efficiency and productivity.
 
The IAP has also been named in the Victorian Government’s Freight Futures – Victorian Freight Network Strategy document, described as an ‘important companion’ to the Victorian Transport Plan. The IAP will be a condition of access for a trial of High Productivity Freight Vehicles in the ‘Green Triangle’ region of western Victoria and key metropolitan freeways.
 
Mr Koniditisiotis praised how the IAP is being used.
 
“It’s great to see the transport industry and government, including at the local level, begin to appreciate how the IAP can be used as a way of managing and delivering on the expectations of the community.
 
“In particular I would like to acknowledge those transport operators and associations that recognise that public acceptability in relation to heavy vehicles is an important issue and view the IAP as providing them access that they wouldn’t otherwise have,” he said.
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