HVS Industry Information / Awareness Sessions

By Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services spokesperson

Over the next six months, Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) will continue to provide Industry Workshops / Information Sessions across Western Australia so that regional transport operators have the opportunity to attend in their local area.

HVS recommenced these sessions in September 2020. Workshops held so far in the Wheatbelt, South West, Mid West and Metropolitan Regions have been very well received.

The objective of these sessions is to provide us with an opportunity to develop closer relationships with industry to ensure when new products are developed, or changes to processes and policies are being considered, they are done so with a better understanding of industry needs. It also allows updates on industry related information or upcoming projects to be shared.

The sessions take the form of an interactive workshop in which trending issues are discussed between small groups from across industry, and our subject matter experts. Topics include WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation, Compliance, Permits, Access, and Department of Transport matters.

The focus of discussion is ‘What can we do together to make this work better?’ Participants are encouraged to raise concerns, issues and potential solutions.

Partly as a result of feedback from earlier sessions, we developed and implemented our ‘Bigger Than You’ Campaign designed to educate drivers on how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles. This is an example of how we can work together to provide the best outcomes for transport operators across WA.

Regional sessions will be held in the Kimberley and Pilbara during July and August. A Perth Metropolitan session will

Use of Road Train Assembly Areas (RTAAs)

Main Roads continues to receive complaints from the transport industry that some operators are leaving trucks, trailers and equipment parked in Road Train Assembly Areas (RTAAs) for extended periods of time. This is being experienced at various RTAAs State-wide but particularly at Abernethy Road, Forrestfield.

The issues relate to operators parking trailers in the designated oversize load path through the RTAA on Abernethy Road, or leaving trailers in the RTAA for extended periods.

RTAAs are not to be used as depots and excessive stays should be reported to HVS.

Main Roads reminds operators as follows: • RTAAs are primarily for the breakdown and assembly of Restricted Access

Vehicles (RAVs) that do not have the appropriate access to the network.

RTAAs are not to be used as transport yards or for the garaging of equipment.

Vehicles should not be left in RTAAs more than 24 hours. • With regards to the Forrestfield RTAA, operators are reminded that companies with yards on Abernethy Road or in close proximity to it should not be using the

RTAA, and no light vehicles are to be parked within it. Vehicles must not block the path required for access by oversize loads through the RTAA. Main Roads is currently investigating the potential for installing lockable bollards across both

The focus of discussion is ‘What can we do together to make this work better?’ Participants are encouraged to raise concerns, issues and potential solutions

be held on 27 October. Limited places are available. To register your interest and secure your place, please email hvs@ mainroads.wa.gov.au or call the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486.

Additional dates will be published on our website once confirmed – click on the Heavy Vehicles tab at www. mainroads.wa.gov.au

Do you have a topic that you think the transport industry would like to know more about? Are there any issues that you would like to discuss or learn more about? We encourage you to email your suggestions for session topics to us at hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au

ends of the oversize crossover to prevent parking in that zone. • Main Roads is developing a Traffic

Management Plan for the Forrestfield site, including the enhancement of signage to reflect the terms of use for the RTAA. Main Roads is also liaising with other agencies to establish a management order over the RTAA to allow a wider range of options to be taken against vehicles parked contrary to the terms of use.

In the meantime operators can assist Main Roads by emailing hvs@mainroads. wa.gov.au or calling 138 486.

Thank you for your co-operation.