To help keep freight moving in Victoria a trial of a new next generation High Productivity Freight Vehicles has commenced in Victoria.

The trial allows B-doubles up to 30 metres in length that meet safety and performance standards to travel on certain roads in the Green Triangle region in south western Victoria and on key metropolitan freeways which link the Port of Melbourne with major industrial areas in the west and north of Melbourne.

Guidelines for the trial of longer B-doubles are available and can be downloaded here: Guidelines for Next Generation High Productivity Freight Vehicle Trial in Victoria [PDF, 695KB, 12pp]

The Guidelines set out the performance criteria for participating vehicles and operating conditions, and contain maps of the routes that have been approved. Transport operators wishing to participate in the trial should contact the Manager - Heavy Vehicle Policy (Tel 03 9854 1830) for more information.

A framework has been developed that outlines how the HPFV Trial will be evaluated. In particular, five key areas will be considered when assessing the performance of the trial. These are:

a) Productivity – The analysis and reporting of detailed productivity information provided by operators, including trip-by-trip gross mass and payload records, fuel consumption, travel times and trip numbers for a given freight task;

b) Safety – The collation and analysis of any information reported to VicRoads in relation to incidents involving HPFVs;

c) Infrastructure – The bridge and pavement assessments of any limited extensions to the HPFV Trial network, specifically in the West and North of Melbourne, to take into account container depots around the Port of Melbourne area;

d) Compliance – The monitoring of route compliance through the use of IAP (GPS tracking) and VicRoads enforcement; and

e) Community acceptance – The review of media coverage using existing media monitoring agreements and the solicitation of public comment through the VicRoads website, Local Government and targeted surveys.