Heavy Vehicle Amendment - Act now

**scracha** · 9th June 2009, 09:09

Gah. As if they haven't destroyed the roads enough already, plans are afoot to allow vehicles to operate with up to 55 tonnes laden weight as opposed to the current 44 tonne limit. Watch this space for when this goes to consultation and lets do something about this.

Heavy Vehicle Amendment
HortNZ staff met with the Ministry of Transport officials recently to discuss the amendment to allow heavier vehicles on our roads. This would allow for vehicles to operate up to 55 tonnes laden weight rather than the present 44 tonne limit. Trials have shown a potential 20 percent gain in fuel efficiency and emissions could be made, providing bridges are up to taking the weight.
Bridges on all state highways are being checked for their tolerance of an increase.
The rule amendment will be out for consultation in June and it is hoped the
amendment will be passed by December 2009.

**NordieBoy** · 9th June 2009, 09:23

They need to make some dedicated roads out of say... steel to handle the weight and then they could link up lots of trailers and pull really heavy loads.

**bogan** · 9th June 2009, 09:29

i wober if they have even factored in the road damage, all good to get 20% more fuel efficiency, but if it costs more than that to repair the roads then its fucking pointless.

Then again we all know whatd hapen anyway, roads wont even be repaired till they're completely fucked.

NordieBoys suggestions is far better that increasing weight limit

**Slyer** · 9th June 2009, 09:30

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

They need to make some dedicated roads out of say... steel to handle the weight and then they could link up lots of trailers and pull really heavy loads.

Impossible! It's never been done before!

**R6_kid:Me** · 9th June 2009, 09:54

How does making a truck 25% heavier give it a 20% fuel efficienyc gain?

**CookMySock** · 9th June 2009, 09:59

Yeah but they get charged a lot more money to use the roads. The real problem is the govt pulling money out of the roading fund and squandering it elsewhere.

Steve

**Winston001** · 9th June 2009, 10:03

Originally Posted by R6_kid

How does making a truck 25% heavier give it a 20% fuel efficiency gain?

Because 5 trucks are currently needed to carry what 4 trucks can manage. Seems sensible to me.

As for road damage, that depends upon the number of axles and tyres. The more there are, the less damage.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 9th June 2009, 10:10

Originally Posted by Winston001

Because 5 trucks are currently needed to carry what 4 trucks can manage. Seems sensible to me.

As for road damage, that depends upon the number of axles and tyres. The more there are, the less damage.

also depends on the road, and how much maintenance it gets I guess... main National highways should be okay... provincial highway should be ok as well... other roads debatable I have see trucks on the side roads that rip the road up... but being a side road it gets no maintenacne...

**cowpoos** · 9th June 2009, 10:22

Originally Posted by R6_kid

How does making a truck 25% heavier give it a 20% fuel efficienyc gain?

it equates to removing 1 in five trucks.

and...I know everyone doesn't like the damage...but...I think your pointing your fingers at the wrong group to be honest...mordern trucks are pretty dam good on roads...shame about morden roads!!

**Elysium** · 9th June 2009, 10:36

Again we have a rail network that was built for this very purpose being ignored. I'm sure it costs less to maintain a rail network then roads.

**Mschvs** · 9th June 2009, 10:36

Bring back trains! Pro's and cons

PRO"S -

1. I locomotive can carry over 10 times as much as 1 truck (depending on the loco)
2. Don't cause ANY damage to the roads, as long as maintenance is kept up at crossings.
3. Don't hold up traffic, or require massive slow downs and passing lanes to be up every hill
4. Are much more environmentally friendly due to their capacity
5. Do I need to say more ...

CONS -

1. Um ......
2. Loss of truck driving jobs ...
3. Um ....

**Cajun** · 9th June 2009, 10:37

there is a special bit of totora st @ the mount, which is legal for heavy trucks to use with move containers from a storage dept to the whafts.

This bit of road is meant deisnged ot handle the heavy loads, but still gets a fair bit of mantaince on it,

but in turn the trucks are also accelrating from a stand still which help damage it quicker.

**Mschvs** · 9th June 2009, 10:37

Less truck related crashes on the roads .... probably cutting road accidents down by half!!

**The Pastor** · 9th June 2009, 10:50

yeah we NEED trains. Trains are so much better than trucks.

Still need the trucks to get to and from the train station tho, but it should see alot of trucks off the main roads