The New Zealand Transport Agency says it is very happy with the uptake of the 50MAX concept and the support its receiving from local councils and business that own and move freight.
Up until July 7, more than 1111 50MAX permits were issued, which NZTA says translates to more than 600 50MAX combinations driving on New Zealand roads.
NZTA freight portfolio director Harry Wilson, says that more than 60% of all local councils in New Zealand signed up to the 50MAX network concept in the first nine months of operation.
Wilson says the level of co-ordination and co-operation across all 46 partners in 50MAX has been significant. He says that more than 300 transport operators have made significant capital investment to enable their access to the network.
“We recorded a 200% increase in 50MAX kilometres travelled from April through to June,” says Wilson.
“Demand for 50MAX permit is steady and constant, with most new equipment coming online being 50MAX capable,” he says.
Wilson says that permits are consistently delivered on the same or next day from a complete application being submitted and that the number of bridge restrictions on the state highway network continues to fall with investment route programmes.
“New areas are becoming available to 50MAX all the time,” he says.
“The different types of 50MAX combinations are suitable for much of the road network, with some exceptions for bridges with limited carrying capacity on routes unsuitable for longer vehicles.
“As they have high safety standards set out in their permit conditions 50MAX combinations are replacing other trucks that operate at lower standards. The other advantage is that they need fewer trips to carry the same amount of freight.
“Fewer truck trips means that there is inherently a lower crash risk and an improved safety outcome. As vehicle innovation continues, we will continue to review requirements for 50MAX to allow for newer, better vehicles and combinations to be included. Any changes will involve industry consultation and transitional arrangements.” says Wilson.
No discernable increase in sales
DAF and Kenworth distributor SouthPac trucks says there has been no discernible increase in sales of its heavy trucks due to the introduction of the 50MAX programme, more than nine months ago.
However, general sales manager Richard Smart says the company has focussed on making sure it has the right trucks in stock and on order to suit its requirements.
“Our European product has been able to run at 58 tonnes for many years, and Kenworth has been way in excess of that figure,” says Smart. “We’ve had to focus on the products specification such – as wheelbase and overhangs to ensure it meets the criteria for operators who want to use it for 50MAX purposes.”
Some permits have been shut off
However NZTA has shut off permit applications for 23-25 metre high productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs) of which a small number have been involved in a limited access trial on a few specific routes.
No further permits will be issued by the agency until an access policy is developed later in the year.
In the meantime the NZ Transport Agency is working with the trial operators to determine a way forward which will enable some of the longer vehicles to continue to operate in a limited capacity on suitable short haul routes, says Wilson.
“The purpose of the trial was to understand how these special use longer HPMVs operate, identify any problems and to determine a final access framework for these vehicles in the future,” he says.
“This has taken some time, but we want to make sure the process is robust and provided certainty for industry and operators when they are planning their future investment in new vehicles. We also wanted to ensure that safety was not compromised.
“Video recordings of the vehicles in the trial have shown that tracking of the vehicles on certain corners needs improving. At some pinch points on the network the trial vehicles occupied the full lane width, creating a safety risk.
“The extra length and time taken when tracking around corners means that these vehicles are not suitable for travel on much of New Zealand’s road network; however there are routes where they can operate safely and provide significant productivity and safety benefits. The trial has allowed us to prove this.
“The 23-25m trial has been part of the Transport Agency’s priority work programme to move more freight on fewer trucks, where the road infrastructure and the vehicles are suitable to carry heavier and/or longer loads, and most importantly, where road safety is not compromised.” he says.
“We have developed a number of different options available for improving the efficiency of road freight using heavier and/or longer HPMVs. It is for industry to determine the type of vehicle that best suits their freight task and we are working with local councils to then determine and make available the routes and networks suitable for these HPMVs.
“There is good evidence to show the productivity benefits of HPMV use – being 14% for longer, 20% for heavier and around 15% for 50MAX.
“There are also clear safety benefits in moving to HPMVs such as having fewer trucks on the road, thus reducing the crash risk. Additionally many of the new builds coming into service, and all of the 50MAX and 20-23 meter pro-forma HPMVs, all have additional safety features than the standard trucks they are replacing.
“With HPMVs now making up almost 18% of all heavy truck movements, there will be economic and safety benefits for New Zealand,” says Wilson.
