190 likes | 205 Views
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
E N D
Moving Freight in the Urban Environment – Looking Beyond the DollarNational Local Roads & Transport Congress 11 July 2006Stuart St ClairChief 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 NationalWealth • 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 B-doubles = 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 closeworking 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