Good progress is being made implementing the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule to the benefit of the economy, according to an independent report commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
The Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment Rule 2010 (VDM Rule) came into effect in May 2010, allowing for high productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs) to carry longer and/or heavier loads by way of a permit.
The independent report on implementation progress has estimated the use of HPMVs generated approximately $9 million of national economic benefits during the VDM Rule’s first year. This is on track with expectations. Gross domestic product (GDP) gains are likely to be substantially higher than $9 million as the national benefits flow through the economy.
At the end of January, 1310 permits had been approved since the rule came into effect in May 2010. As more permits are issued for HPMVs and more routes are opened up, the national economic benefits are set to grow further.
The NZTA is proposing $60 million in investment over the period 2012 to 2015 to strengthen state highway and local road structures for heavier vehicles. Subject to local authorities agreeing to upgrade their portion of the end-to-end routes this could open up a further 4500km of state highway suitable for HPMVs.
However, it’s not all smooth running according to Ken Shirley, chief executive officer of the Road Transport Forum, “We welcome the policy, it’s part of the government’s progress towards efficiency, but it can be very frustrating with all the changes,
‘We realise it’s an evolving process, but as things change it’s difficult for some truck operators to keep up and complied. Having said that, we support the policy’s direction, but we think that there’s a need for operators to sit down with the police and the NZTA and thrash out some of the problems.”
