TMR has reviewed its heavy vehicle access management approach for Class 1 oversize overmass heavy vehicles including low loaders, load platforms and mobile cranes. These vehicles pose the greatest risk to roads and bridges due to their higher and more concentrated mass. Current access rules are outdated, inconsistent, unsustainable and don’t meet industry needs.
Together with an Industry Working Group, TMR has co-design a new regime to optimise safe and sustainable access while balancing the growing demands for Class 1 heavy vehicle movements within the existing constraints of its network and available funding. The co-design approach together with collaboration from local governments and port road mangers, has ensured the perspectives of all parties have been considered so that the new regime is comprehensive, robust, and aligns with the evolving needs of TMR, road managers and industry users.
The new access regime is based on four integrated pillars, and by leveraging the combined knowledge and experience of stakeholders, it will provide a significant yet positive once-in-a-generational change to the way TMR will manage access for Class 1 heavy vehicles on its road network.
The Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Access Management System will be central to the new regime’s success. The system, combined with other tools, will provide consistency, timeliness, certainty, transparency, and a customer focus to access while aligning with national heavy vehicle access initiatives.
The presentation will share insights from review of the current access regime, benefits of co-designing a new regime in partnership with industry, and showcase TMR’s journey towards implementing a new approach to Class 1 heavy vehicle access in early 2025.
