Transcript The Future of Road Infrastructure Chris Althaus CEO ATA

Moving Freight in the Urban
Environment – Looking
Beyond the Dollar
National Local Roads & Transport Congress
11 July 2006
Stuart St Clair
Chief Executive
Australian Trucking Association
Australian Trucking
Association
• Established in 1989
• Peak representative body for trucking
in Australia-a federation of state and
sector associations, & major logistics
companies
• Mission:
“To unite and represent a professional and
safe Australian trucking industry.”
Industry Creates National
Wealth
• We are a vital industry – create wealth
& improvement of national standard
of living
• We represent around 3.5% of the GDP
of this country (about $30b)
• Over 180,000 employees in the hire
and reward business of transport &
over 49,000 transport operators
• Trucking industry of world standard
ATA & Local Government
• Joined ATA as CEO in March 06
• Councillor for 12 years- 8 as Mayor
• Personal understanding of the importance
of the relationship between ATA and ALGA,
who are partners (with AAA & College of
Road Safety) in the SaferRoads Project
Trucking Pays Its Way
• Important to recognise that trucking pays
its way
• Trucking pays $1.8b for roads towards
construction and maintenance expenses
of just $1.62b
• All Australian Transport Ministers recently
rejected National Transport Commission’s
recommendations for diesel excise and
registration increases in 3rd HV Charges
Determination
Council of Australian
Governments (COAG)
• COAG( including ALGA President) agreed at
its meeting last February:
-Harmonise & reform rail and road regulation
within five years
-Strengthen and coordinate transport planning
and project appraisal processes
-Reduce current and projected urban transport
congestion.. informed by review.. options for
managing congestion focusing on national
freight corridors
Trucking’s Challenge
• COAG also initiated Productivity
Commission Inquiry into Road and Rail
Infrastructure Pricing
• ATA welcomed COAG initiatives
• ATA’s Productivity Commission
Submission = the further you drive, the
more tax you pay, and the heavier the load
the more tax you pay
Major Freight Task
• Major challenge for the trucking
industry = Government forecasts
Australia’s freight task will double
between 2000 & 2020
•
..forecasts suggest that most of the
growth will be on road, despite some
shifts to rail for port shuttles
Source: Twice the Task NTC 2006
• Report states that doing nothing will
lead to increased road/rail congestion
Road Freight Growth
• Currently estimates are that only 9-15% of
non bulk freight is contestable between
road and rail
• In Australia, there are 810,000 kms of
roads & about 44,000 kms of rail
• Emphasise that we are not anti rail- but it
should be assisted independently of road
• We do not want increased taxes and
charges on road freight operators to make
rail more competitive
Local Government Roads &
Transport Draft Strategy
• Agree with thrust of strategy, but reiterate
trucks do pay their way
• Note strategy acknowledges need to protect
freight corridors and supports more
productive vehicles
• We would support local government with
increased funding under Roads to Recovery
and other programs such as AusLink
Strategic Regional Program
Trucks
•
•
•
•
Trucks are increasingly needed
Emissions & noise standards of
trucks have greatly improved with
ADRs eg 80/01 & 80/02
Suspension improvements led to
noise reduction
Productivity improved with Bdoubles = 30-40% increase
Safety
• Trucks are not involved in 90% of fatal
accidents. Where trucks are involved, two
thirds are not responsible
• Australian Transport Safety Bureau
= 2000-2005 reduction of 22% in fatal
crashes involving articulated trucks
• NTC study ( 2006) noted 74% of drivers
surveyed felt no pressure to speed &
company policies were an effective
compliance measure
• Safe-T-Cam in SA = 99%+ compliance for
trucks over 8 months
Consultation re Freight Task
• Modern consumers demand an
increasing range of products quickly
• Trucking industry plays vital role in
economic lives of communities
• Need discussions with ALGA, &
through it local councils to manage &
improve urban road freight
• Reiterate ATA would support Councils
obtaining AusLink funds
Challenges
Raptour Report 2005 (Prof Kim Hassall)
highlights that heavy vehicles are regulated
but not LCVs and 4WDs now 2m+ which
“strangle the fluidity of our freight & passenger
arteries”
-
-Need harmonised regulation. In global
economy still have differences in Australia
eg NSW OH&S fatigue regulations
-
Also need sensible regulation eg some fatigue
regulations can increase congestion by
forcing driving in peak hours
Productivity Gains
• Performance Based Standards (PBS)
- Focuses on vehicle behaviour rather
than prescription for vehicle standards
- NTC Steering Committee
- ATA’s position
• Higher Mass Limits (HML)
- Essential for industry-AusLink
- In NSW crucial role for Councils in
permitting travel 100k from routes
Productivity Gains
• Industry uses cutting edge technology
for vehicles such as GPS- a
productivity/management tool: can be
utilised for tracking of loads etc
• Intermodal terminals
Important for logistics providers
Rail could be used at ports
• Enhanced distribution systems- may
reduce trip numbers
Productivity Gains
• Also for meeting community
expectations:
-dedicated freight lanes:
justified by freight volumes
-lane sharing: utilised with
bus & taxi lanes
-freight traffic preference periods:
avoid peak times
Conclusions
•
Appreciate being invited to be here
today
•
Essential that ALGA and ATA have
a close working relationship as
sector representatives
•
With co-operation & understanding
between local government and the
trucking industry, the ever
increasing road freight task can
be managed to deliver better
outcomes for communities
Australian Trucking
Association
Thank you