Queensland 'must think smart' on freight

By Rob McKay -www.lloydslistdcn.com.au

ATC has called for smarter use of road and rail freight networks to accommodate the 90 per cent increase in freight growth for the region by 2026 forecast in a freight study it has just released.
The study found that even with projects outlined in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP) coming to fruition, more efficient and innovative use of infrastructure to support the region’s expected growth in freight volume was needed.
The study forecast a 97 per cent increase in road freight movements to the port of Brisbane, more than three-fold increase in the international airfreight through Brisbane Airport and more than two and a half times the current levels of domestic airfreight through Brisbane Airport.
More intelligent transport systems were a priority in meeting the freight growth for the region, as well as additional and more flexible rail services, according to ATC general manager Brett Fraser.
“By 2026, Queensland will need smarter transport initiatives to cope with the expected freight volume increases to and from this important region,” Fraser said.
“With road transport share continuing to dominate, the data reinforces the value of the current investment in road infrastructure.
"However, even with SEQIPP projects coming online, we cannot continue to build our way out of trouble.
“It is imperative that authorities look beyond purely new infrastructure solutions and take a more sustainable and long-term view to managing road freight movements.”
Such initiatives could include intelligent transport systems incorporating incident management processes; optimised vehicle configurations; a greater focus on agency interaction to minimise disruption and maximise outcomes; replacing open-level crossings with overpasses on high-freight usage routes; and a plan to address network redundancy.

Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au