The Govt’s controlled permit system to allow some trucks to operate at up to 50 tonnes gross vehicle weight could lead to more heavy vehicles on the nation’s roads not less. Pacifica Transport Group MD, Rod Grout, says the assumptions behind the permit system are not backed up by overseas experience where increasing truck weights has boosted the mode’s share of road transport rather than cut truck numbers. Grout says it is highly unlikely any controlled permit system will ensure a given volume of domestic and import/ export freight will be carried on fewer trucks.

“In no country I know of has any programme that allowed bigger and heavier vehicles on the roads resulted in less trucks making less trips.”

He says it is likely a permit system will lead to an increase in the proportion of freight moved by road and a reduction by rail and coastal shipping which would lead to more congestion and reduced efficiency. Grout also dismisses claims from the Ministry the switch to heavier vehicles will improve road safety because fewer trucks will need to be employed for a given task. He says a 50 tonne truck has the potential to cause more fatal accidents than a lighter truck - a fact he says is also endorsed by overseas research results.

A better alternative to control permits would be to make better use of less than truckload consignments where vehicles are only partly filled to act as rolling warehouses which benefits customers of trucking companies, but boosts truck volumes. Greater use of rail and coastal shipping would also be a better alternative to allowing more trucks to carry heavier loads. Any permits issued should be restricted to just specialised road transport such as milk and fuel tankers.

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