The Australian Trucking Association has backed the National Transport Commission’s proposed work program for 2015-2019, which it says will seek to improve productivity across the industry.

Australian Trucking Association chief Christopher Melham says a productivity focus is needed for the industry to address the growing national freight task in a safe and efficient manner.

“The national freight task is expected to grow by 80 per cent between 2011 and 2031, with the trucking industry handling a large part of this extra freight,” Melham says.

“[The] Australian Infrastructure Audit Report warned that governments must focus on policy reforms to improve higher productivity vehicle use, and the performance of highway infrastructure.

“It’s fantastic to see the NTC taking this advice seriously.”

The NTC’s work program for the next five years seeks to develop new options to increase load volumes to boost productivity.

It will also see authorities investigate possible improvements to the performance-based standards system.

The ATA could add a couple of items to that agenda.

“NTC still needs to increase its focus on measures that will deliver productivity improvements in the short term,” he says.

In particular, the ATA wants the NTC to look at projects to:

  • Increase the steer axle mass limit
  • Carefully investigate the use of ultrawide tyres
  • Support recognition of third-party accreditation programs
  • Reconsider the "outdated" formula for assessing the maximum weights allowed on bridges
  • Examine a potential increase in vehicle lengths – so that the industry can begin handling 45-foot containers.

“With these additional projects added to the approach outlined in the NTC work program, the transport sector would be well positioned to support Australia’s growing freight transport needs,” Melham says.