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TCA and VTA to join forces to promote the IAP to the transport industry
Monday, 31 July 2006
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) announced today that it has joined forces with the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) to ensure the transport industry reaps the productivity gains available by the Intelligent Access Program (IAP).
TCA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Koniditsiotis said it will work closely with the VTA to ensure that its members and the transport industry as a whole gain a better understanding of the IAP and how it can be used to achieve their business requirements.
“Transport operators should focus on what the IAP can offer them and the productivity gains they can derive from the IAP, in return for demonstrating to the road authorities that they are complying with the agreed access conditions”, said Mr Koniditsiotis.
VTA Chief Executive Philip Lovel believes that transport operators should consider using the IAP as a means to gaining productivity increases through improved access, reduced trip times, higher permitted loads and lower safety risks associated with particular routes.
“It is now common knowledge that Australia’s freight task is expected to double, at least, by 2020. IAP goes a long way towards responding to many of our members’ demands regarding greater access for the different vehicle configurations and additional mass,” Mr Lovel said.
“What VTA is constantly lobbying for, calling for and campaigning for are programs and initiatives that assist transport operators in achieving their business and operational needs,” he said.
TCA’s role is to administer the IAP and to certify and audit IAP Service Providers, while the actual application of IAP is managed by the road authorities. TCA is in effect the ‘wholesaler’ of the IAP, and the road authorities are the ‘retailers’, who apply the IAP to specific uses.
Both the VTA and TCA are encouraging industry not to simply sit back and wait for regulators to prescribe IAP uses (otherwise known as Applications), but rather, to be proactive in developing Applications which will suit their particular business requirements.
“IAP Applications developed by the road authorities are offered to all transport operators, and we are aware that some IAP Applications may suit some transport operators but not others. A transport operator must make a business decision to determine whether it’s worth participating in a specific IAP Application”, said Mr Koniditsiotis.
“Our members know their business needs and the road access that is required to meet those needs. If a regulator has identified restrictions on access resulting from bridges or whatever other infrastructure constraints – any operator affected by such restrictions should consider IAP and how it might be used to address their needs and to achieve an easing of the restriction,” Mr Lovel concluded.
TCA recently announced that the IAP will be launched by the end of 2006. During the coming months, TCA will be working closely with the transport industry to ensure that operators derive the maximum benefit from the IAP and understand how they apply the IAP to achieve their business requirements.
Ends –
- For more information contact VTA Chief Executive Philip Lovel on 03) 9646 8590.
- Photos are available from TCA Communications Manager – Thea Robotis on (03) 8601 4689.
View media release
Above: Philip Lovel, CEO Victorian Transport Association (left) and Chris Koniditsiotis CEO Transport Certification Australia
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