OPINION: An increase of over-height trucks in tunnels means checking loads is more crucial than ever.
Since the transition of services in New South Wales to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) back in August 2022, the NHVR has worked closely with Transport for NSW and NSW Police on over-height truck incidents. Recently, there’s no denying there has been an influx of over height trucks attempting to enter tunnels in the Sydney region.
As of Thursday, June 8, the NHVR and NSW Government made a joint announcement that the NHVR will refer all over-height breaches to Transport for NSW. This is because even the smallest breach is repeatedly threatening safety on Sydney roads. This has caused a tremendous amount of congestion in city traffic, particularly at the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
Under the existing road transport regulation, Transport for NSW can suspend the truck’s registration and take them off the road once an incident has been referred by the NHVR.
Additionally, the NSW Government has approved the deployment of $5 million in infrastructure upgrades which will include moving over-height sensors back along the Warringah Freeway. We are hoping that this will allow drivers to take earlier and more evasive action to avoid blocking traffic at the tunnel portal.
New South Wales has more bridges and tunnels with low clearances of 4.6m or less than any other state in Australia.
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Prevention is always the best approach, particularly when dealing with tunnel height clearances. It’s important to have any restrictions assessed prior to commencing a journey to ensure you have suitable control measures in place in the event your trip is altered.
Drivers should ensure they obey all road rules and be aware of any critical locations before starting their journey and throughout. We also want to urge both drivers and operators to measure the height of their trucks and plan their journeys ahead of time to ensure they comply with tunnel height clearances. Non-compliant heavy vehicles and operators can pose a serious risk to other road users.
Route limitations
Prescribed dimension requirements for heavy vehicles are set out under our Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. It is an offence to drive on a road a heavy vehicle that, together with its load, does not comply with the dimension limitations of that route. Depending on the class or type of vehicle, a notice or permit is required for any heavy vehicle over the standard height limit.
The height limit for heavy vehicles is 4.3 metres unless it is a:
- Vehicle built to carry cattle, horses, pigs or sheep – 4.6 metres
- Vehicle built with at least two decks for carrying vehicles – 4.6 metres
- Double-decker bus – 4.4. metres.
Knowing the maximum legal height for heavy vehicles is important but knowing the height limit of the road you intend to travel on is just as important. Even if your heavy vehicle is compliant in height does not mean it is able to travel on all road routes.
The NHVR provides practical advice to help heavy vehicle drivers and operators comply with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). If you’d like to learn more about some of the methods we use to assess compliance with heavy vehicle dimension requirements, go to www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201706-0174-ce3-dimension-assessment.pdf.
For a general overview of mass, dimension and loading requirements, you can view our road access page which covers General Access Vehicles (GAV), Concessional Mass Limits (CML), Higher Mass Limits (HML) and general mass and dimension limits at www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/mass-dimension-and-loading.
Recently, the NHVR partnered with government agencies and launched a video to raise awareness on over-height trucks in tunnels. The video showcases how our Safety and Compliance Officers work alongside other agencies like Transport for NSW and NSW Police during an over height incident. We work collaboratively with both agencies to deliver and increase safety, productivity and efficiency in the heavy vehicle industry. To view the video, go www.nhvr.gov.au/overheight.
The NHVR, Transport for NSW and NSW Police are here to keep the network moving and keep motorists safe.
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*Brett Patterson is the NHVR director operations, Central Region.