The -Train Network in the North West of Victoria

Introduction • Maximum Height – 4.3 metres (for combinations not transporting )

• The bulk of Road-Trains operating in the North West of Victoria Maximum Height – 4.6 metres (for livestock either originate in or service combinations – see conditions below) companies in that State. It is therefore important that the • Maximum Width – 2.5 metres access arrangements are consistent across the borders. To that end, Victoria has harmonised its operating conditions and mass and dimension limits for Road Trains operating in the What are the operating conditions on the North West of the State to reflect those conditions and limits allowed in New South Wales. expanded network for livestock and non- livestock vehicles?

What are the specific mass limits and axle In a bid to establish cross-border consistency, the operating spacings? conditions for Road-Trains has been harmonised with those operating conditions that apply to Road-Trains operating in New South Wales.3 The mass limits for Road-Trains operating on the network are as follows: In light of that, Road-Train operators transporting livestock • Steer Axle – 6.0 tonnes under the expanded network must provide proof that the • Steer Axle – 6.5 tonnes (where the tyre section width company and driver are enrolled in the New South Wales is at least 295mm)1 Livestock Loading Scheme. • Steer Axle – 6.7 tonnes (where the tyre section width is at least 375mm) For Road-Train combinations that do not transport livestock, the • Drive Axle or Tandem Axle Group () – 16.5 following conditions apply: tonnes (General Mass Limits) • When operating at Higher Mass Limits (85.5 tonnes), • Drive Axle or Tandem Axle Group (Dolly) – 17.0 the is fitted with a GPS device accredited tonnes (Concessional or Higher Mass Limits) under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP);4 • Tri-Axle Group – 20.0 tonnes (General Mass Limits) • When operating at Higher Mass Limits, the road train • Tri-Axle Group – 21.0 tonnes (Concessional Mass (prime mover and trailers) is accredited under the Limits) Mass Management module of the National Heavy • Tri-Axle Group – 22.5 tonnes (Higher Mass Limits) Vehicle Accreditation Scheme; • Overall – 79.5 tonnes (General Mass Limits) • When operating in excess of 20.0 tonnes on a tri-axle • Overall – 81.5 tonnes (Concessional Mass Limits) group, certified Road Friendly Suspension (RFS) is • Overall – 85.5 tonnes (Higher Mass Limits) fitted to the road train; • The road train does not exceed a speed of 90 km/h or In relation to axle spacings, the combination must meet the any lower speed limit applying to the route; following minimum and maximum axle spacings to safely cross • The drawbar length on the road train is not less than all the structures on the network (the figures are in metres):2 3.0 metres; and • The road train displays a “road train” warning sign at the front and rear.

What are the specific dimension limits? Where Can I Operate?

The dimension limits for road trains operating on the expanded As noted, the approved network is for Road-Trains operating in network are as follows: the North West of Victoria. Routes approved under that network can be found here. • Maximum Length – 36.5 metres 3 More information on New South Wales’ conditions for

1 the operation of Road-Trains can be found here: If the tyre section width is less than 295mm the steer axle may https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy- still be 6.5 tonne as long as the prime movers meet the vehicles/road-access/restricted-access-vehicles/road- conditions set out in Schedule 3 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, trains.html Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. 4 In line with New South Wales Modular B-Triples that are 2 If the combination has an axle spacing that is less than those given access to Victoria’s Road-Train network do not stated above or exceeds the maximum limits of 7.23 need to be enrolled in IAP. However, B-Triples and AB- metres and 7.32 metres a assessment will be required. Triples that are provided access to the network do need to be enrolled into IAP.

The Road-Train Network in the North West of Victoria Do I need a permit to operate on this owner must obtain a permit from the Over Dimension Load team as part of the Department of Economic Development, network? Jobs, Transport and Resources. Applications stating the length of the Road-Train and the time of day(s) of the journey must be If you are operating on marked as orange on the network sent to [email protected]. Please be aware that you will require a permit to operate. applications can take up to five days to process.

The limited number of roads marked as green are in Mildura For more information please contact the following number – and adjoin the New South Wales border. These green roads (03) 8392 7720. (More information can also be found at the are covered in Schedule 4 of the National Class 2 Heavy Department’s website). Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2014 and therefore access to this small network does not require a permit. Arrangements for Road Trains Transporting

Can I operate a Road-Train that doesn’t Hay and Feed to Drought Affected Areas in match the above axle-spacings? New South Wales &

Yes, you may apply to operate a Road-Train that doesn’t In addition to the above, for the purposes of transporting Hay comply with axle-spacings stated above. This combination, and Feed to drought affected farms in New South Wales and however, will need a bridge assessment to ensure it can safely Queensland, we have expanded the Road-Train network to operate across the structures in the North West of the State. include the route south of Ouyen to Horsham, from Please note that this assessment takes between 1 to 2 weeks. Warracknabeal to Dimboola and from Dimboola to the South The operating and dimension conditions stated above also Australian border. Permits to operate will be for a six-month apply. period and operators will be required to comply with the following conditions: Can I operate a Road-Train with a tri-axle dolly or a B-Triple? Hay

• As with a Road-Train that doesn’t comply with the axle-spacing The height of the combination not to exceed 4.6 you may also apply for other combination types, whether it’s a metres; Road-Train with a tri-axle group, a B-Triple or an A-B-Triple • The width of the combination not to exceed 2.83 combination. Again, these combinations will require a bridge metres; assessment that generally takes between 1 to 2 weeks to • The mass of the combination not to exceed the GML complete. mass for that combination (e.g. 79.5 tonnes for a

The operating and dimension conditions stated above also Road-Train, 83.0 tonnes for a B-Triple, etc) apply. • Operators comply with the Guidelines for transporting hay and the operating conditions outlined in this Please note that the combinations longer than 36.5 metres document. will not be considered. Feed Where can I apply for a permit? • The height of the combination not to exceed 4.3 Class 2 heavy vehicle permits can be obtained from the metres; National Heavy Vehicle Regulator via their Portal. • The width of the combination not to exceed 2.5 If the combination complies with the mass, axle-spacings, metres; dimensions limits and operating conditions above the NHVR will • The mass of the combination not to exceed the HML issue a permit as soon as practicable. mass for that combination (e.g. 85.5 tonnes for a Road-Train, 91.0 tonnes for a B-Triple, etc)5 Can I cross rail level crossings? • Operators comply with the operating conditions outlined in this document. The network features a number of active rail level crossings including those at Ouyen, Managatang and Swan Hill. Note: All permit applications must also include first mile In line with the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act access requests. 1983, heavy vehicles that exceed 26.0 metres in length require a permit before they are allowed to cross a rail .

Consequently, prior to operating the combination, the registered 5 Combinations operating at HML will need to be fitted with IAP.