Part of the government’s $12.28 billion investment in the National Land Transport Programme will see $45 million channelled into developing a connected national high-productivity motor vehicle network, capable of supporting trucks of 53-ton.
The increased investment shows a strong commitment to remedying the country’s transport woes, and unlocking economic potential, with efficient freight movements a cornerstone of this goal as volumes are forecast to double by 2040.
Priority will be given to state highways and local roads that carry high volumes of freight traffic and provide access to areas of significant and sustainable freight production, consumption and distribution.
Kevin Smith of Iveco says that the HPMV changes are likely to benefit the local trailer building industry.
“In terms of the truck units these are largely unaffected, but the trailer and bodybuilding industry may well see an increase in orders as demand increases,” he says.
It is expected that 4500 kilometres of state highways and local roads will be available for full HPMV access by the end of the programme.
The NLTP states that: “The cost of moving freight directly impacts on the standard of living of all New Zealanders. Freight costs affect the price we pay for the goods we buy and the profits our importers and exporters receive for the goods they buy and sell,”
Delivering freight efficiencies reduces the cost of trade, which can result in cheaper goods for all New Zealanders, and increasing the competitive advantage for New Zealand importers and exporters. This will grow our economy and our wealth as a country.
The 2012-15 NLTP includes significant investments that will make freight movements more efficient.
The NZTA have also signalled great collaboration across the whole transport supply chain, stating: “Although land transport is the NZTA’s key area of responsibility, we appreciate that the movement of freight is not confined to a single means of transport. An integrated approach to freight recognises that each mode – sea, air, road, and rail – needs to play its part in providing a flexible, reliable, safe and efficient freight system.
This will incorporate careful planning at each link in the supply chain, including freight producers, freight transport operators, other network providers (such as KiwiRail) and providers of key infrastructure and services (such as ports, airport companies and coastal shipping operators), along with regional and local government.
As part of this work on improving planning for freight, the NZTA is working with the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA), Auckland Transport and KiwiRail on initiatives to reduce the costs of doing business in New Zealand – from an upper North Island point of view.
UNISA is made up of Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council, Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council.
The efficient movement of freight through the upper North Island is critical to New Zealand’s economic success. More than 55% of New Zealand’s freight travels through the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, and collectively these regions generate over 50% of New Zealand’s gross domestic product.
