The Safer Freight Vehicles package has been published!
The Safer Freight Vehicles package is a collection of new and updated Australian Design Rules (ADRs) which allow for trucks to increase their maximum width allowance from 2500mm to 2550mm, paving the way for many next generation European trucks in particular to access the Australian market. The package was signed on September 14 and announced two weeks later on September 28 ahead of many changes coming into force on October 1st, 2023.
As per the announcement from the Australian Government, the scope of the package is as follows:
New ADRs in the package:
ADR 14/03 – Devices for Indirect Vision;
ADR 99/00 – Lane Departure Warning Systems;
ADR 105/00 – Blind Spot Information Systems; and
ADR 106/00 – Side Underrun Protection.
Amended ADRs in the package:
ADR – Definitions and Vehicle Categories;
ADR 13/00 – Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles;
ADR 14/02 – Rear Vision Mirrors;
ADR 35/07 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems;
ADR 43/04 – Vehicle Configuration and Dimensions; and
ADR 97/00 – Advanced Emergency Braking for Omnibuses, and Medium and Heavy Goods Vehicles.
The department’s release of the package was accompanied with some reasoning behind the new legislation via their email circular:
In deciding on implementation of the recommended regulatory package for Safer Freight Vehicles, the Minister weighed a number of factors – most importantly the net benefits to the Australian community. The implementation of the recommended option in the Impact Analysis through the Safer Freight Vehicle regulatory reforms is estimated to save 122 lives, avoid 2,789 serious injuries and generate net benefits to the Australian economy of $588 million over a period of 40 years. These benefits were determined through the benefit/cost analysis undertaken to facilitate the impact analysis.
Alongside the updated width allowances for vehicles meeting the required criteria, the following changes also are notable and should be considered when evaluating ongoing compliance:
Vehicle Type Approvals for 2550mm wide vehicles are no longer treated as substantially compliant provided they meet the requirements of the package
Vehicle Type Approvals can incorporate widths up to 2550mm and 2500mm on not eligible models within the same standard approval
Additional sensors and safety features can be fitted to trucks without being included within width and length restrictions
It should be noted that buses and trailers do not have access to this increased limit as part of the release.
Refer to the Australian Government’s media release for further commentary around the changes: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/brown/media-release/facilitating-safer-trucks-australia
Traversing new ADRs as they are released can be daunting and isolating important clauses to your situation can be difficult. Our team at BTT Engineering are experts in reading and interpreting ADRs and can assist any client with their queries regarding the new changes. Please contact us today if you require any assistance.