Transport Certification Australia

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions. If your question is not listed below, email your query to us. The information will then be added to this list.

Who is TCA?
Transport Certification Australia Limited (TCA) was established to administer the IAP, and to certify and audit IAP Service Providers.

Back to top

What does TCA do?
TCA’s function is to:

manage the certification and auditing regime for the IAP;
certify, audit and cancel the certification of IAP Service Providers;
select and coordinate IAP Auditors;
be a focal point for the IAP;
undertake communication and disseminate information on the IAP;
monitor technological developments, and
liaise with government authorities and IAP Service Providers.

Does TCA establish IAP Applications?
No. 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

Back to top

What is the IAP?
The IAP is a voluntary program which provides heavy vehicles with access, or improved access, to the Australian road network in return for monitoring of compliance with specific access conditions by vehicle telematics solutions.

Back to top

How does someone participate in the IAP?
Individuals or organisations can participate in the IAP in the capacity of transport operator, transport operator, IAP Service Provider, IAP Auditor or as a jurisdiction (road authority).

Transport operators can use the IAP to negotiate with road authorities to gain enhanced access to the road network in return for participation in the program.

Companies that provide telematics services, such as hardware, software and associated processes can become IAP Service Providers by meeting the necessary functional and technical, probity and prudential requirements and applying for certification with Transport Certification Australia.

Road authorities can use the IAP to monitor participating transport operators’ compliance with the conditions and restrictions that apply to their use of the road network.

Back to top

How does the IAP work?
A transport operator applies to the relevant road authority to join an IAP Application developed and made available by that authority, or propose a unique IAP Application that suits their particular business needs. The IAP Application includes a set of IAP road access conditions (IAP Conditions) designed by the road authority and agreed to by the transport operator.

After selecting the IAP Application, the transport operator must engage an IAP Service Provider on a fee-for-service basis. The IAP Service Provider fits a telematics and Global Positioning System device (referred to as the in-vehicle-unit or IVU) to the vehicle.

The IAP Service Provider then monitors the vehicle’s compliance against the IAP Conditions. Ideally, the IAP Service Provider combines these services with other fleet management services that it may provide.

If a vehicle is non-compliant with the agreed IAP conditions, the IAP Service Provider notifies the road authority of the non-compliance through a Non-Compliance Report. A Non-Compliance Report does not necessarily mean an offence.

Back to top

What are transport operator’s responsibilities?
To enter and remain eligible to participate in the IAP, a transport operator must:

enter into an IAP Service Provider/ Transport Operator Agreement with a chosen IAP Service Provider and maintain a valid contract for service;
ensure that there is no conflict of interest with the IAP Service Provider;
not permit tampering of an IVU and report instances of tampering or malfunction to the IAP Service Provider;
ensure that drivers are aware that their vehicles are being monitored, for the purposes of the IAP;
instruct drivers to immediately notify the transport operator of any malfunction of the IVU;
notify the Road Authority, within a prescribed time as set by the authority, of any cessation or modification to operations that may have an effect on the eligibility to continue in an IAP Application; and
comply with the conditions set in the IAP Application.

Can a transport operator opt out of the IAP at any point?

Yes. A transport operator, in conjunction with their IAP Service Provider, can request that an IAP Application to be cancelled, and have the in-vehicle unit (IVU) removed from the vehicle. It should be noted however that even though a transport operator withdraws from the IAP, they may still have an ongoing service fee commitment to the IAP Service Provider, particularly in relation to the cost of the IVU supplied. Additionally, opting out of the IAP Application means that the transport operator no longer reaps the benefits associated with the application.

Back to top

Can drivers be identified or monitored under the IAP?
No. The IAP does not identify the vehicle driver and it does not monitor the driver.

Back to top

Should the transport operator or driver undertake any maintenance or repairs to the in-vehicle unit?
No, only the IAP Service Provider is permitted to install, operate and maintain the in-vehicle unit.

Back to top

What obligations does a transport operator have towards its drivers?
The transport operator is obligated to inform drivers that their vehicle is monitored for the purpose of the IAP. Additionally, if a driver detects or believes the in-vehicle unit is mal-functioning, has been tampered with or is damaged he/she should report it to the operator as soon as practicable. The driver must not tamper with the in-vehicle equipment.

Back to top

What is an IAP Service Provider?
An operator of an intelligent transport system who is certified by TCA as suitable to provide IAP services.

Back to top

Are IAP Service Providers currently available?
Available IAP Service Providers are listed on the IAP website. Click here to visit the IAP website.

Back to top

Who can provide monitoring services for the IAP?
Only IAP Service Providers can provide monitoring services for the IAP.

Back to top

Can existing telematics service providers be used?
A transport operator needs to use a service provider that has been certified by TCA as being an IAP Service Provider. Only an IAP Service Provider can provide IAP Services. If an existing service provider has been certified by TCA, then the existing telematics service provider can be used for IAP.

Back to top

Can an IAP Service Providers be chosen?
Yes, but the provider must be certified by TCA as an IAP Service Provider. A list of IAP Service Providers is available on the IAP website and will also be provided by the road authority when an IAP Application is made.

Back to top

How is an IAP Service Provider selected?
Selecting an IAP Service Provider is a business decision.

Back to top

Can the same IAP Service Provider be used in all States and Territories that have IAP Application?
Yes.

Back to top

Can an IAP Service Provider provide other non-IAP services?
Yes. Ideally, an IAP Service Provider will combine their IAP services with other services that they currently provide to a transport operator such as fleet management.

Back to top

Is an IAP Service Provider needed before entering an IAP Application?
No. Its is a design feature of the IAP that a transport operator only engages an IAP Service Provider after it has secured an IAP Application with a road authority.

Back to top

How long does the certification process take?
The duration of the certification process for applicants seeking to become certified as IAP Service Providers is dependent primarily on the preparedness of the applicants’ hardware, software and systems ready to provide the IAP service. It is expected that the certification process may take up to six months for an Applicant for which no significant problems are encountered regarding, for example, probity and technical issues.

Back to top

What is the process associated with an Applicant seeking to become an IAP Service Provider?
The process involves the Applicant demonstrating that it meets each of four broad standards, as follows:

Probity,
Financial,
Functional, and
Technical.
There are five stages in the certification process.

Back to top

Does re-certification of an IAP Service Provider always incur costs?
No. The statutory nature of the IAP necessitates that any changes made to its systems and/ or technical equipment by the IAP Service Provider is presented to TCA for re-certification and approval prior to it being implemented. Re-certification does not necessarily incur a financial cost for the IAP Service Provider. Re-certification activities which involve further testing and/or audit activities by TCA more likely to incur a cost.

Back to top

What are the criteria associated with the financial aspects of the certification of applicants?
There are no set criteria. TCA intends to cater for the larger and the smaller operator if that is what the marketplace wants. The assessment of the financial status of an Applicant is aimed at ensuring the Applicant has the financial capability and stability to deliver an ongoing IAP service. A significant issue here will be the maximum number of vehicles which the Applicant proposes to monitor. Hence, a small but sound Applicant may well succeed in being certified in respect of a relatively lower number of nominated vehicles, whereas a relatively higher nominated number might be considered problematic for that Applicant. Clearly the greater the number of vehicles, the greater will be the operational capability, systems and processes expected of the Applicant and hence the necessary resources to deliver and maintain these systems.

Back to top

Do all IAP parameters have to be monitored by each IAP Application?
Monitoring of vehicle route compliance is required under all IAP Applications. Monitoring of other IAP parameters is optional, depending on whether the road authority requires these parameters for the particular IAP Application.

Each IAP Application will clearly specify the IAP parameters that need to be monitored under it. This will be detailed in the IAP Application guideline (issued by the road authority) and the associated Intelligent Access Condition (IAC).

Back to top

What is an IAC?
The Intelligent Access Condition (IAC) is the instrument by which a specified transport operator and their vehicle are granted access to road networks under a particular IAP Application, on condition that the vehicle complies with certain conditions (IAP Conditions) which are referenced in the IAC. The IAC contains details about the transport operator, the vehicle, the IAP Service Provider, the in-vehicle equipment that has been fitted and the validity period of the IAC.

Back to top

Why is an IAC needed?
An Intelligent Access Condition (IAC) is required so that the transport operator and vehicle details along with the IAP Conditions are agreed by both the road authority and transport operator and conveyed in a form understood by the IAP Service Provider.

Back to top

How is the vehicle’s position monitored?
The in-vehicle unit (IVU) determines and records the vehicle’s position every 30 seconds using signals from GPS satellites.

Back to top

How does the in-vehicle unit measure speed?
Vehicle speed is measured every three seconds using incoming GPS signals. As each speed measurement is recorded, a ‘rolling average speed’ for the previous 30 seconds is determined and used to determine compliance with a particular IAP Condition.

Back to top

What equipment is required for the IAP?
An in-vehicle unit (IVU) is required for the IAP. It is provided and installed by an IAP Service Provider, and a trailer identification device (TID), if required by the specific IAP Application.

Back to top

What is an IVU?
The in-vehicle unit (IVU) is a telematics unit that monitors and stores both GPS and vehicle data, and transmits that data to the IAP Service Provider.

Back to top

Who pays for the IVU?
This will depend on the financial package offered by the individual IAP Service Provider. The options may include:

outright purchase of the IVU;
lease of the IVU, and
included as part of a broader package of services any other innovative commercial arrangement that does not contravene IAP obligations.

Who maintains the IVU?
The IVU is supplied and maintained by the IAP Service Provider.

Back to top

How often does the IVU need to be serviced or inspected?
There are no prescribed requirements for the periodical maintenance or inspection of IVU. The IAP Functional and Technical Specification sets out performance based requirements which IVUs and IAP Service Providers’ systems must meet in order to demonstrate that they are functioning properly. How often an IVU needs to be maintained or inspected will be determined by the IAP Service Provider in designing and developing the IVU and their systems to meet these performance based requirements.

Back to top

Is the IVU a standard device?
TCA will type-approve each IAP Service Provider’s IVU(s) and trailer identification device(s) as part of the certification process. It is permissible for two (or more) IAP Service Providers to seek and receive type-approval for the same type of in-vehicle unit.

Where are IVUs available?
When a transport operator joins the IAP, their selected IAP Service Provider will provide and fit a type-approved IVU to the vehicle.

Back to top

What happens if the IVU is damaged or not working?
Each IVU has different characteristics and may be mounted at a different position in the vehicle. The IVU has been programmed to report to the IAP Service Provider, and should this fail, the IAP Service Provider should be in contact with the transport operator. The IAP Service Provider will, as part of its audit, check that communication with the IVU is working.

Back to top

What happens if a vehicle is not in communication coverage range?
If the vehicle is outside communication coverage range when the IVU attempts to report data to the IAP Service Provider, the IVU will report the data within five minutes of communication coverage being re-established.

Back to top

What data does the IVU montior for the purposes of the IAP?
The IVU can monitor the following types of data: (depending on the actual IAP Application)

vehicle position;
vehicle direction of travel;
vehicle speed;
the quality of GPS data received;
alarms that indicate potential mal-functions or attempts at tampering, and
the date and time that the above data is recorded.

Can the IVU monitor data other than that required for the IAP?

Yes. The IAP Service Provider can provide (subject to it meeting certification requirements) other services including commercial and its associated data.

Back to top

How long is information kept by the IAP Service Provider?
The IAP Service Provider is required to hold all the data collected for one year from the date on which it was received, and to destroy the data at the expiration of that year. However, where the data forms the the basis of a Non-Compliance Report (NCR) the data will be kept for four years to allow for its use in compliance.

Back to top

What information is passed on to the road authorities?
Any non-compliance with IAP Conditions detected by the IAP Service Provider will be reported to the relevant road authority. The non-compliance will also be reported under the Participants Report generated by the IAP Service Provider for an individual road authority. This report covers a specified period, aggregating the number of non-compliant incidences for each individual IAC issued by the road authority. This information may also be made available to TCA and IAP Auditors as part of the ongoing review and audit program of IAP Service Providers.

Back to top

Is the IAP a ‘real time’ reporting system?
No, the IAP is not a real time reporting system. Data recorded by the in-vehicle unit (IVU) is stored and reported to the IAP Service Provider at a later time.

Back to top

How often does the IVU report (disseminate the stored data) to the IAP Service Provider?
It is a minimum requirement of the IAP, that the IVU must transmit data to the IAP Service Provider at least every 24 hours. IAP Service Providers can however opt for more frequent reporting if this suits their systems and business needs or is required by transport operator needs.

Back to top

What happens to other telematics data monitored and stored by the IAP Service Provider for non-IAP purposes?
What happens to non-IAP telematics data is not within the control of TCA. It might be expected that non-IAP telematics data would be monitored, stored and made available to the transport operator in accordance with the commercial monitoring arrangements agreed to between the transport operator and the IAP Service Provider.

Back to top

What is a NCR?
A Non-Compliance Report (NCR) is the report sent to the road authority by the IAP Service Provider when it identifies any non-compliance with the IAP Conditions (contained in the IAC) issued by the Road Authority to the transport operator for the participating vehicle.

Back to top

How does the road authority deal with a NCR?
An NCR does not necessarily mean an offence. All non-compliance reports are treated on a case-by-case basis, and it will be up to the relevant road authority to decide what action to take, if any.

Back to top

How far off route or outside a permitted zone does a vehicle need to be before a NCR is generated?
An NCR will not be generated until the vehicle is at least 100 metres from the approved route (taken from the centre-line of the road) or outside a permitted zone.

Back to top

If your question is not listed below, email your query to us. The information will then be added to this list.