❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the Minister for Transport regarding new telemetry and mass monitoring requirements for heavy lift tow trucks in WA, citing cost and lack of similar regulations in other states. The Minister defends the requirements based on safety concerns identified in an independent assessment.
AnsweredQoN 978Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MAIN ROADS — HEAVY VEHICLE SERVICES
978. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the minister's answer concerning Main Roads Western Australia's
heavy vehicle services' revised Heavy lift tow truck
period permit operating conditions .
(1) What specific
vehicle telemetry equipment must heavy lift tow truck operators fit to their
fleet to satisfy the pre-permit requirement to continue operating in Western Australia?
(2) What is the cost of this
equipment?
(3) Noting that
no other state or territory in Australia has introduced comparable permit
conditions upon their heavy lift tow truck operators, including a requirement
to install telematic and/or smart on-board mass monitoring equipment, what
justification is there for compelling Western Australian operators to comply
with this new requirement?
978. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the minister's answer concerning Main Roads Western Australia's
heavy vehicle services' revised Heavy lift tow truck
period permit operating conditions .
(1) What specific
vehicle telemetry equipment must heavy lift tow truck operators fit to their
fleet to satisfy the pre-permit requirement to continue operating in Western Australia?
(2) What is the cost of this
equipment?
(3) Noting that
no other state or territory in Australia has introduced comparable permit
conditions upon their heavy lift tow truck operators, including a requirement
to install telematic and/or smart on-board mass monitoring equipment, what
justification is there for compelling Western Australian operators to comply
with this new requirement?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
heavy lift tow truck period permit was introduced after an independent
engineering assessment identified safety concerns with the previous regime.
Vehicles operating under the
permit are provided generous mass and dimension concessions, but must be fitted
with in-vehicle telemetry that can monitor the location and speed of the
vehicle. This is to ensure the vehicle is
travelling on approved routes, not crossing restricted structures, and
operating at safe speeds . Further, a smart on-board mass management
system must be fitted to each axle of the tow truck to ensure the operator
complies with mass requirements, because not doing so has the potential to
adversely impact vehicle safety and road infrastructure.
Based on cost estimates provided by
suppliers, the cost is approximately $5 000 to $10 000, depending on the
vehicle.
As stated yesterday, other state
jurisdictions are now considering following WA's lead in introducing
such conditions.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
heavy lift tow truck period permit was introduced after an independent
engineering assessment identified safety concerns with the previous regime.
Vehicles operating under the
permit are provided generous mass and dimension concessions, but must be fitted
with in-vehicle telemetry that can monitor the location and speed of the
vehicle. This is to ensure the vehicle is
travelling on approved routes, not crossing restricted structures, and
operating at safe speeds . Further, a smart on-board mass management
system must be fitted to each axle of the tow truck to ensure the operator
complies with mass requirements, because not doing so has the potential to
adversely impact vehicle safety and road infrastructure.
Based on cost estimates provided by
suppliers, the cost is approximately $5 000 to $10 000, depending on the
vehicle.
As stated yesterday, other state
jurisdictions are now considering following WA's lead in introducing
such conditions.
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