Government and industry partnering for heavy vehicle on-road trial
08 August 2019
A
partnership between government and the heavy vehicle industry moves into
full swing this month with the first in a series of on-road trials
designed to test potential direct road
user charging options for heavy
vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and
Regional Development Michael McCormack said that while no decisions have
been made to change the way heavy vehicle charges are currently
collected, the first stage of the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot
will provide a way to test potential alternatives, well ahead of any
decisions being taken.
“The heavy vehicle on-road trials will be delivered as part of broader
Heavy Vehicle Road Reform, which is about creating stronger links
between road usage, charges and services for
road users,” Mr McCormack
said.
“The Government will continue to prioritise progress on reforms to
improve
infrastructure investment, while testing alternative options to
replace heavy vehicle registration fees and fuel-based charges.
“Decisions to implement a new way of collecting heavy vehicle charges
may be part of a potential future stage of Heavy Vehicle Road Reform.
These decisions are likely to be a number years away and will take on
board the real-life experience of industry following a full evaluation
of the trials.
“In progressing this reform, the
Australian Government will retain a
focus on making sure regional roads get a fair share of investment. I
encourage operators of all sizes across the sector, particularly those
from regional areas to be involved in the trials.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz
said the initial Small Scale On-Road Trial will not involve payment of
charges and will assess an alternative form of heavy vehicle charging
using mock invoices generated by on-board technology that measures the
distance travelled by heavy vehicles.
“The trial will involve partnerships with up to 11 heavy vehicle
operators of various sizes, totalling up to 111 vehicles,” Mr Buchholz
said.
“The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is collaborating with the
heavy vehicle industry, community stakeholders and all levels of
government to gain a genuine understanding of a potential alternative
system of heavy vehicle road user charging.
“Similar approaches to heavy vehicle charging reforms are being explored
worldwide, including in Europe and the United States.”
Planning is also underway for a Large Scale On-Road Trial, the next
stage of the National Pilot which will take place during 2020. Up to 100
businesses and 1,000 heavy vehicles are expected to be involved in this
trial. It will not involve payment of charges and will test a wider
range of alternative charging approaches.
Stakeholder engagement will continue during evaluation of the Small
Scale On-Road Trial and planning for the Large Scale On-Road Trial. A
recruitment campaign for the Large Scale On-Road Trial will begin over
the coming months.
Interested heavy vehicle operators are encouraged to email the National
Pilot team in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and
Regional Development
national.pilot@infrastructure.gov.au.
Further information about the National Pilot On-Road Trials can be accessed at www.infrastructure.gov.au/nationalpilot
.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: www.infrastructure.gov.au/nationalpilot
Recent news by: Australian Government