HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards A-Double (Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane) Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1)

1         Purpose

(1)    The purpose of this Notice is to authorise Performance Based Standards (PBS) A-doubles to access a special PBS network running from Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane up to a Gross Combination Mass of 85 tonnes.

(2)    This Notice revokes and replaces the Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards A-Double (Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane) Authorisation Notice 2019 (No.2).

Note: This Notice amends the Intelligent Access Program provisions. All other conditions and access are unchanged.

2         Authorising Provision

This Notice is made under section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

3         Title

This Notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards A-Double (Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane) Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1).

4         Commencement

This Notice commences on 5 December 2022.

5         Expiry

This Notice expires on 8 October 2023.

6         Definitions

(1)    Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

(2)    In this Notice:

A-double means a combination consisting of a prime mover towing two semitrailers, with the first semitrailer being attached directly to the prime mover by a fifth wheel coupling, and the second trailer attached to the first by a converter dolly.

Eligible PBS A-Double means an A-double that meets the requirements of this Notice.

PBS Vehicle Approval means a current approval issued for a heavy vehicle by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) under section 23 of the HVNL.

7         Application

This Notice applies to eligible PBS A-Doubles operating in Queensland.

8         Conditions – Approved Routes

(1)    An eligible PBS A-Double may  operate on the following contiguous route between Toowoomba and the Port of Brisbane:

a)      Toowoomba Connection Road; and

b)      Warrego Highway; and

c)       Ipswich Motorway; and

d)      Logan Motorway; and

e)      Gateway Motorway; and

f)        Port of Brisbane Motorway; and

g)       Port Drive.

Note:  The Toowoomba Connection Road and the Warrego Highway intersect, and operators may use the most appropriate of these routes.

(2)    An eligible PBS A-double  may also operate on the following roads in the Port of Brisbane:

a)      Port Drive

b)      Lucinda Drive

c)       Bishop Drive

d)      Whimbrel Street

e)      Bingera Drive

f)        Curlew Street

g)       Bulk Terminals Drive

h)      Seafarers Street

i)        River Drive

j)        Peregrine Drive

k)       Sandpiper Avenue

l)        Port Central Avenue

m)    Kite Street

n)      Osprey Drive

o)      Howard Smith Drive

p)      Radar Street

(3)    An eligible PBS A-double  may also operate on roads in Toowoomba Regional Council:

a)      Adams Lane.

(4)    Travel is permitted (laden) in both directions for the approved route.

9         Conditions – PBS A-Doubles

(1)    An A-double operating under this notice must meet all of the following requirements:

a)      Be manufactured in compliance with, and certified under, a PBS Vehicle Approval; and

b)      Complies with the axle spacing requirements in Appendix 1 of this Notice; and

c)       Complies with the following mass requirements:

1. 79.5 tonnes when operating at General Mass Limits; and
2. 81.5 tonnes when operating at Concessional Mass Limits; and
3. manufacturers ratings for any of the components of the A-double combination; and
4. mass stated in the PBS Vehicle Approval for the A-double combination.

d)      Maximum length - 30 metres.

Note: the requirements in Appendix 1 do not apply to Port of Brisbane Roads.

10     Conditions – 81.5 to 85 tonne GVM A-Doubles operating under Higher Mass Limits

(1)    In addition to all other conditions under this Notice, an otherwise eligible PBS A-double that has a Gross Combination Mass of up to 85 tonnes must have in its PBS vehicle approval an express provision stating that TMR has consented to the vehicle may operate under this Notice.

(2)    An operator with a PBS A-double combination seeking to operate at up to 85 tonne GVM that has not been previously assessed and approved by TMR for access on the Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane must seek a Class 2 access consent from TMR through the NHVR Portal. The Case Number for the application and reflecting TMR’s consent will be recorded on the combination’s Vehicle Approval. 

11     Conditions – Higher Mass Limits for Port of Brisbane Roads

A-doubles accessing Port of Brisbane roads are able to operate at Higher Mass Limits up to 85.5 tonnes, provided HML is stated in the PBS Vehicle Approval.

12     Conditions – General

(1)    The driver of an eligible PBS A-Double must carry this notice whenever the vehicle is operating under this Notice.

(2)    The driver of an eligible PBS A-Double must carry a copy of the PBS Vehicle Approval issued for the combination.

(3)    An eligible vehicle may use specified areas or routes at any time.

(4)    An eligible A-double combination must not exceed 90km/h.

13     Conditions - Queensland Class 2 PBS A-Double Operators Guide

(1)    An eligible PBS A-double operating under this notice must comply with the following requirements set out in the Queensland Class 2 PBS A-Double Operators Guide, as updated from time to time:

a)      Signage

b)      CML and HML requirements when operating at masses over 79.5 tonnes GVM

Note: the Queensland Class 2 PBS A-Double Operators Guide is published by the NHVR and is available on the NHVR website.

14     Intelligent Access Conditions

(1)    Pursuant to s402(1)(a) and (b) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, the following conditions of this Notice are intelligent access program conditions:

a)      any condition relating to mass or dimensions; and

b)      any condition relating to stated areas or routes to which the authority applies, including any relating to speed or time of travel.

(2)    Pursuant to s402(1)(c) of Chapter 7 of the HVNL, an eligible vehicle must be monitored by an approved intelligent transport system as set out in this section.

(3)    An eligible PBS A-double operating under this notice must be enrolled in and comply with one of the following approved intelligent transport systems, approved by Transport Certification Australia:

a)      For vehicles enrolled from 1 December 2022:

– Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA); and

- Smart On-Board Mass Monitoring

b)      For vehicles enrolled before 1 December 2022:

– Intelligent Access Program (IAP); and

– Interim On-Board Mass Monitoring

Note: The option in subsection (1)(b) to comply using IAP and interim On-Board Mass monitoring will be removed from 1 June 2024.

(2)    In this section, Intelligent Access Program means the approved intelligent transport system of that name administered by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

(3)    In this section, Interim On-Board Mass Monitoring means the approved intelligent transport system of that name administered by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

(4)    At the time of operation under this notice, an eligible vehicle to which this section applies must be enrolled in and be compliant with all the conditions of the required approved intelligent transport system.

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Appendix 1: Eligible A-Double Axle Spacing Requirements

The conditions in this Appendix do not apply to Port of Brisbane roads.

1         Conditions - Axle Spacing Requirements

(1)    Eligible vehicles operating under this Notice must comply with the axle spacing requirements set out in this Appendix.

A-double Reference Vehicle 1 (standard)

Table 1: Internal Spacing (centre to centre, measured in metres)

A-double Reference Vehicle 2 (long cab)

Table 2: Internal Spacing (centre to centre, measured in metres)

A-double Reference Vehicle 3 (short drawbar)

Table 3: Internal Spacing (centre to centre, measured in metres)