Australia should keep its technical design rules for trucks and heavy trailers, but completely harmonise its light vehicle rules with international standards, Australian Trucking Association Chair Mark Parry said today.
Mr Parry was releasing the ATA submission to the Government’s review of Australian Design Rule (ADR) harmonisation. The ADRs are technical standards that apply to new and used vehicles being provided to the Australian market for the first time.
Mr Parry said that Australia must retain its own design rules for heavy vehicles.
“Australia is the world leader in allowing long and heavy vehicles onto the road network. We have specific ADRs for issues relating to mass and the design of vehicles used in B-doubles and road trains. Other ADRs include technical requirements based on the needs of multi-combination vehicle users,” he said.
“In addition, Australia has a domestic truck and trailer manufacturing industry that provides an individual and customised product to the Australian market.
“Businesses that choose to purchase Australian built trucks and trailers for the long haul market, hostile environments or heavy haulage applications chose those vehicles because they suit their business needs.
“While the heavy vehicle ADRs should be harmonised with the United Nations regulations wherever possible, their development needs to evolve at a pace that can be met by Australia’s local manufacturers and international suppliers who develop specific Australian models,” he said.
Mr Parry said that Australia’s light vehicle ADRs should completely harmonised with the UN regulations, to enable global vehicle manufacturers to release new vehicles into our market with the latest technologies in a shorter time frame at lower cost.
“Light vehicles approved for release into the market would meet the latest global safety and emission standards. Australia would continue to have input into these global standards through the international standards development process,” he said.