Quad-axle blueprint designs on NTC website

<p>Blueprint designs for higher productivity trucks were now available for the industry to seek road access, the National Transport Council (NTC) said on Friday (July 27).</p> <p>Design blueprints for quad-axle semi-trailers, quad-axle B-doubles and a B-triple were available on the NTC website. </p> <p>The designs were pre-approved to meet performance-based standards, which assure governments and the community of the vehicles’ ability to turn, stop and travel safely on the road.</p> <p>NTC chief executive Nick Dimopoulos said operators could &#8220use the truck blueprints to apply for access on approved routes. </p> <p>&#8220If operators prefer to develop a different vehicle design to suit their specific needs, its road safety must be similarly assessed using the PBS process.&#8221</p> <p>Current blueprint heavy vehicles approved include:</p> <p>50.0 tonne GCM quad axle semi-trailer</p> <p>72.5 tonne GCM quad-tri B-double</p> <p>77.0 tonne GCM quad-quad B-double and</p> <p>&#822482.5 tonne GCM B-triple.</p> <p>The NTC encouraged governments to map strategic freight routes for quad-axle group trucks to connect ports, rail heads and freight centres. </p> <p>&#8220Quad-axle semi-trailers and B-doubles can move heavy loads more safely and efficiently particularly for bulk exports, such as meat and wine,&#8221 Mr Dimopoulos said. </p> <p>&#8220Increasing road access for these more productive vehicles is the best possible way to drive down road freight costs and improve Australia’s export competitiveness.&#8221</p> <p>The blueprints can be found at:</p> <p>http:&#47&#47www.ntc.gov.au&#47ViewPage.aspx?page=A02410301500030020</p> <br />