This paper outlines the approach taken to manage Victoria's arterial road infrastructure for the introduction of increased vehicle mass limits for vehicles fitted with "road-friendly" suspensions. Research identified major national economic benefits which could be achieved by allowing increased mass limits for vehicles fitted with air suspensions. These suspensions produce no net increase in pavement wear although some bridge types would require strengthening to accommodate the increased static and dynamic loading effects. Victoria has embraced the recommendations effective from 1 July 1999 allowing access to the entire arterial road network except for routes constrained by bridge adequacy. A strategic approach has been taken to identify bridge adequacy constraints using the inventory information available, to evaluate bridge types by generic analyses and model testing and to evaluate observed in-service performance relative to theoretical results. Risk management principles have been applied where a gap is identified. To achieve maximum economic benefits from available funding, bridge upgrading and replacement works have been targeted to achieve maximum route length available for increased mass vehicles on high capacity strategic freight routes. Continuity of route accessibility is an essential criterion. The approach taken has brought together the skills and knowledge of the regional asset managers, the structural analysts and commercial vehicle operations staff across the VicRoads organisation, with a common focus on the outcome of achieving improved road freight efficiency. In the process, major gains have been achieved in knowledge of the bridge inventory, modelling of bridge performance characteristics, cost effective options for bridge strengthening, and understanding freight movement patterns on the arterial road network. (a)
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