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ALC calls for national heavy vehicle operating standard

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has called on Australian Governments to consider the development of a national operating standard for heavy vehicle operators as part of a review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

For some years, the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has called on Australian Governments to consider the development of a national operating standard for heavy vehicle operators, most recently in a submission made to the National Transport Commission in response to a consultation regulatory impact statement (RIS) prepared on possible changes to the HVNL.

ALC proposes the creation of a national standard in which every heavy vehicle operator would provide the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator with a list of heavy vehicles it operates and garaging information about the vehicle.

It also highlights the national standard would ensure that each heavy vehicle has installed, and uses equipment meeting international standards that records information regarding driving hours and location that can be used in the investigation of alleged breaches of the HVNL as well as providing operators with data that can be used to manage safety outcomes or otherwise provide road owners with information that can be used when applying for access to routes.

It could also be used, according to ALC, to provide operators with data that can be used to manage safety outcomes by maintaining a safety management system (SMS) that meets standards established in the HVNL.

The ALC also wants regulations introduced to ensure each registered transport operator can prove it has enough capital available to ensure safe and efficient operation of its heavy vehicles.

It is expected that a meeting of Infrastructure Ministers will happen in the middle of this year to approve changes to the HVNL flowing from the RIS process.

According to the ALC, it will be an opportunity lost if the national operating standard concept is not adopted as part of the HVNL.

Over the coming weeks, ALC said it will explain in greater detail the advantages that adoption of a national operating standard will offer heavy vehicle operators and other road users from both safety and productivity perspectives.

 

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