Productivity improvements in the road freight sector have been largely facilitated over the years by progressive improvements in vehicle technology and associated changes to prescribed standards such as increased gross vehicle mass, increased vehicle dimensions and permitted axle loads, higher safety and environmental standards, etc. Most of these reforms have been associated with, or made possible by, upgrades in road infrastructure such as stronger pavements, stronger bridges and improved road geometry. However, these productivity improvements have stalled, with little improvement since the mid-1990s. It can be argued that Australia is not realising the potential economic, safety and environmental benefits which could result from productivity improvements in the road freight sector. A roundtable discussion was held by ARRB Group in partnership with Roads Australia in Melbourne in March 2012 to examine current challenges in road transport reforms, road infrastructure financing and productivity, and attempt to seek common ground on pragmatic actions that could achieve beneficial results. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting