AB-Triple Train

FACT SHEET MR 1574 12/15

This fact sheet provides information on the expanded route access for AB-triple (formally known as an AB-double in South ) and the load limits operating under permit within .

A review of the access conditions for AB-triples operating under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in South Australia has been undertaken and access for these combinations has been expanded to include operation at Concessional Mass Limits (CML) and reduced Higher Mass Limits (HML) under a Class 2 permit issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Eligible Vehicles AB-triples which meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for a permit to operate at the Gross Combination Mass (GCM) limits for General Mass Limits (GML), CML and reduced HML operation:

Dimension Limits  Length: 36.5 metres  Width: 2.5 metres  Height: 4.3 metres

Gross Combination Mass Limits

13 axles – 5 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 2 axle converter and tri / tri B-double GCM No steer axle exemption With steer axle exemption GML 95.5t 96.0t CML 97.5t 98.0t HML 102.0t 102.5t

13 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 2 axle converter dolly and tri / B-double trailer GCM No steer axle exemption With steer axle exemption GML 95.5t 96.0t CML 97.5t 98.0t Reduced HML 100.5t 100.5t

14 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 3 axle converter dolly and tri / bogie B-double trailer GCM No steer axle exemption With steer axle exemption GML 99.0t 99.5t CML 101.0t 101.5t Reduced HML 103.8t 103.8t

14 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 2 axle converter dolly and tri / tri B-double trailers GCM No steer axle exemption With steer axle exemption GML 99.0 t 99.5t CML 101.0t 101.5t Reduced HML 105.4t 105.4t

15 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 3 axle converter dolly and tri / tri B-double trailers GCM No steer axle exemption With steer axle exemption GML 102.5t 103.0t CML 104.5t 105.0t Reduced HML 108.0t 108.0t

Minimum Axle Spacings (metres)

13 axles – 5 axle prime mover and semitrailer 13 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 2 axle converter dolly and tri / combination, 2 axle converter dolly and tri / tri B-double trailer bogie B-double trailer Axles Minimum Axle Spacings Axles Minimum Axle Spacings 1 – 13 27.7m 1 – 13 27.7m 2 – 13 25.7m 2 – 13 25.7m 2 – 5 6.8m 2 – 6 8.0m 4 – 7 6.8m 4 – 8 8.0m 6 – 10 8.0m 7 – 11 8.0m 8 – 13 9.2m 9 – 13 8.0m

14 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer 14 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 3 axle converter dolly and tri / combination, 2 axle converter dolly and tri / bogie B-double trailer tri B-double trailers Axles Minimum Axle Spacings Axles Minimum Axle Spacings 1 – 14 28.8m 1 – 14 28.8m 2 – 14 26.8m 2 – 14 26.8m 2 – 6 8.0m 2 – 6 8.0m 4 – 9 9.2m 4 – 8 8.0m 7 – 12 9.2m 7 – 11 8.0m 10 – 14 8.0m 9 – 14 9.2m

15 axles – 6 axle prime mover and semitrailer combination, 3 axle converter dolly and tri / tri B-double trailers Axles Minimum Axle Spacings 1 – 15 30.0m 2 – 15 28.0m 2 – 6 8.0m 4 – 9 9.2m 7 – 12 9.2m 10 – 15 9.2m

Why reduced HML? The eligible AB-triples operating in South Australia were assessed against the Performance Based Standards (PBS) template vehicle approved for access to the Level 3A network. The assessment showed that the AB-triples listed above have a more severe impact on structures as compared with the PBS template vehicle due to the differences in axle spacing and loads. As a result of this, the maximum HML cannot be offered to vehicles operating under the pre-approval provided to the Regulator.

Note: In order to obtain mass limits greater than those outlined above, the vehicle combination would need to be assessed through the PBS process to demonstrate that it meets the necessary standards and performance criteria and to verify the vehicle complies with the Tier 1 formula at 110 tonnes.

Approved areas or routes An AB-triple is permitted to operate on the PBS Level 3A network at GML, CML and in some cases at reduced HML on the South Australian RAVnet Map System (http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/ravnet) and in accordance with any conditions or limitations for those routes or the mass limits specified in the permit.

How to apply Operators with eligible vehicles are able to access this initiative via a permit issued by the NHVR.

For more information on the NHVR For more information on this fact sheet, contact DPTI Call: 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487) Call: 1300 882 249 Visit: www.nhvr.gov.au Visit: www.sa.gov.au/heavyvehicles Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]