Following recent debate over heavy vehicle warning signs, the Heavy Vehicle Road Signage Reference Group (HVRSRG) meeting has decided on the latest options available for Western Australian heavy vehicle operators.
From now, operators now have the option to use the new Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) warning signs.
The HVRSRG meeting was held in October to respond to concerns raised by the WA transport industry on the new RAV warning sign requirement that were meant to come into effect on January 1 next year.
The meeting, held on October 18 and chaired by Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Meredith Hammat, resulted in transport operators not having to replace the current ‘Long Vehicle’ and ‘Road Train’ signs with the new RAV warning signs.
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The HVRSRG included eight representatives from different areas of the transport industry, including organisations such as the Western Roads Federation, WA Livestock and Rural Transport Association, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and various transport companies dealing with general freight, dangerous goods and fuel.
The outcome of the meeting determined that there will be no mandatory new signs required, with sign options made available for long vehicles.
Vehicles longer than 22m long will mean operators can choose between the existing ‘Long Vehicle’ and ‘Road Train’ signs or new graphic signs showing the length of the vehicle.
The new RAV warning signs are now optional, but Main Roads WA says they offer several benefits, including providing more information to other road users, helping them decide if it is safe to overtake the road train or long vehicle.
The signs also educate drivers about the length of road trains using clear images and car graphics for comparison.
Operators can use the new signs instead of, or in addition to, the traditional ‘Road Train’ or ‘Long Vehicle’ signs. This flexibility allows operators to choose the best signage for their specific vehicle length and configuration.
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