Investigating the benefits of the restricted access vehicle route assessment tool in local government's decision-making process

Abstract

The Restricted Access Vehicle Route Assessment Tool (RAV RAT) was developed in response to the implementation of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The HVNL requires Local Governments to perform the functions of a Road Manager to determine access for heavy vehicles (vehicles with a mass ≥ 4.5 tonnes). This paper presents on the background development of the RAV RAT and the assessment of its capability to aid Local Governments in assessing suitability for heavy vehicle access. Heavy vehicle policy and legislation was reviewed to determine how access to the public road network is granted. Heavy vehicles that do not meet the prescriptive regulations set out in the HVNL are classified as Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs), which are required to operate under commonwealth gazette notices (notices) or authorisation permits (permits). Local Governments may be required to conduct a route assessment when RAVs request access to routes that are not permitted under an existing notice or permit. The capabilities of RAV RAT were evaluated and assessed against the requirements of the Local Governments route assessment methodology to determine if the tool provides the capability required to assess the route and determine access. The results of the evaluation determined that the RAVRAT is a suitable tool to facilitate local government route assessments, improve road safety, and improve transport logistic efficiency. The RAVRAT also ensures legislative compliance resulting in better community road safety outcomes and productivity benefits to Local Governments.