Telematics

A small operator with 2 prime movers, 2 dollies and 2 trailers runs a family business with a couple of additional drivers who service local companies and undertakes a variety of work.

Work task

Work is generally of an ad hoc nature and often done on short notice. For the operator to compete for work in a compliant manner, they need to have timely access to the network with clear visibility of their travel conditions.

Costs

The National Automated Access System (NAAS) is free to use. The cost to fit Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) and Smart On-board Mass management (Smart OBM), will depend on the supplier. It's estimated the cost will be $6,990 for each prime mover, $4,650 for each dolly and $11,990 for each trailer which is a total estimated cost of $47,260 to fit the 2 class 1 heavy vehicles combinations with the required telematics.

The installation and ongoing annual service cost of TMA and Smart OBM will be offset by the reduction in required permits and administrative costs. The costs will be further offset through the industry operators' business not missing out on work while waiting for a permit, and through improved assurance from telematics. It is proposed that operators re-invest these savings into mandatory telematics with a transition period through until 1July 2028. Our cost benefit economic analysis has shown the return on investment for this small operator business is within 1 year.

Main benefits

The small operator will gain immediate certainly and visibility of the available road network and access conditions for their Class 1 vehicles without needing to request a permit, provided the NAAS entry conditions are met.

Their administrative costs and workload will be reduced because dynamic access under notice will allow them to plan for access decisions quickly and confidently and schedule in a larger amount of moves under notice without having to apply for permits.

Where conditions and restrictions change, they'll be able to see changes in the NAAS via Queensland maps, providing greater transparency and access certainty. The NAAS maps will show all restricted bridges and roads so the operator can explore options to facilitate Notice access such as reducing the load mass, changing vehicle configuration by adding additional axles, or finding an alternative route, all within the system. This removes the need for the operator to check multiple systems to find the access conditions and restrictions.

If a customer phones to undertake a work task, an operator can check the access provisions and conditions while talking to the customer in real time using the NAAS. Before quoting, the operator can discuss with their customer how the requested task can be undertaken, including alternative masses, routes, configurations and pilot-escort requirements.

If these options do not produce a viable route for the journey under notice, a NHVR Permit will be required through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) GO Portal. The permit and access conditions will be individualised to align to the duration, frequency, and specifics of the work task.

Additionally, the small NAAS maps as their competitors (large or small) giving them a level playing field to plan and compete for work.

Large operator has 16 Class 1 heavy vehicles which includes prime mover, heavy load platform and dolly combinations. The operator has several sites in key locations throughout Queensland and services the mining and resources sectors as primary contractors.

Work task

To service their customers the operator will have the ability to see the same access information daily and have contractual requirements which need to be met. They need to move regularly across the network and will often have a schedule of work to plan their moves. On occasion, they'll be asked to move a load at short notice.

Costs

The NAAS system is free to use. The cost of installing telematics, however, may require a large investment. Additional planning for telematics installations will be required to limit the impact to operations.

The cost to fit TMA and Smart OBM is estimated to be $6,990 for each prime mover, $4,650 for each dolly and $11,990 for each trailer. This totals $378,080 to fit the large operator's fleet of 16 Class 1 heavy vehicle combinations with the required telematics.

Our cost benefit analysis has shown installation and ongoing yearly service costs of TMA and Smart OBM is offset by the reduction in required permits and administrative costs. It is proposed that operators re-invest these savings into mandatory telematics with a transition period through until 1July 2028. The return on investment for the large operator is within three years.

Main benefits

The large operator will gain immediate certainly and visibility of the available road network and access conditions for their Class 1 vehicles without needing to request a permit, provided the NAAS entry conditions are met. This certainty will enable them to better manage their large fleet movements and schedule work with confidence.

NAAS will allow the operator to plan and coordinate movements across the road network in real time. Within minutes they will know if a movement can occur under notice. If the movement cannot occur under notice, they'll have the opportunity to explore options within the system to gain access under notice such as reducing the load mass, changing vehicle configuration (adding additional axles to spread the load) or finding an alternative route.

The operator will also be able to visualise access conditions on the generated NAAS map for a specific vehicle. These conditions may include dimensional and mass constraints, pilot and escort requirements, and specific travel conditions over bridges. The benefit to the operator is that this information removes the need for them to check multiple systems to ascertain the access conditions and restrictions.

Like a small operator, if a customer phones to undertake a work task, the large operator, while talking to the customer, may check the access provisions and conditions in real time using the NAAS. Before quoting, the operator can discuss with their customer how the requested task can be undertaken, including alternative masses, routes, configurations and pilot-escort requirements.

Having Smart OBM telematics fitted will provide the operator with real time loaded mass data and assist them in meeting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations because they will know the masses are correct before their vehicle moves on the network. If a permit is required, the new approach aligns the permit duration and conditions to the specifics of the task. For example, some large operators move a high frequency of identical loads, using the same equipment on the same routes. If a permit application is granted, an operator will have one permit to cover the full activity for the duration of the task. This will reduce the overall permit and administrative costs required to complete the task.