Revised Requirements for Video Supervision of Bridge Crossings

Heavy Vehicle Operations (HVO) undertook an audit review to establish the level of industry compliance with the permit operating conditions relating to Road Transport Update 19/95 “Bridge Supervision Use of Video Camera” attached to “Single Trip Extra-Mass Permits” and “Single Trip Combination Permits” (mass and dimension).  As a result, HVO are implementing revised permit operating conditions for video supervision of bridge crossings, in order to ensure compliance and consistency within the transport industry with the aim of enhancing structure protection against wear and damage.

In November 2009, all operators and permit holders who utilised permits requiring video supervision conditions in the past 12 months were advised of the forthcoming revision.

While the revised permit operating conditions are largely the same as those that are currently in place, changes have been made to the process and format of video recordings for bridge crossings and to traffic management requirements.

Periodic audits will be conducted to ascertain compliance with the revised permit operating conditions.  The audit process will require the permit holder to provide specific recordings of bridge crossings as evidence of compliance to permit operating conditions requiring bridge video supervision.

Where operators or permit holders are identified as not complying with the new bridge video supervision permit operating conditions, Main Roads may impose restrictions on an operator or permit holder in respect to obtaining further permits that are subject to video supervision of bridge crossings.  These restrictions will remain in force until such time as the operator or permit holder can satisfy Main Roads that they have implemented adequate procedures to ensure future compliance.  While operators may still be able to operate at higher axle mass limits, the mass may be reduced to a level that does not require Bridge Video Supervision.

The new permit operating conditions for bridge video supervision will come into effect from Friday 1 January 2010.

Bridge video supervision provisions apply when the permit specifies it is required for certain bridge crossings.  To avoid your permit potentially being conditioned with video supervision, it is recommended that the operator decreases overall mass and/or increase Ground Contact Width (GCW) known as trailer spreads.

Contact

Enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the Main Roads Customer Contact Centre on 138 138, or to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au

Dennis O’Reilly
Acting Director Heavy Vehicle Operations
31 December 2009