ONLY 52 vehicles have been approved under performance-based standards (PBS), with early adopters denied network access and other operators sceptical of the cost and complexity of the scheme.
A National Transport Commission (NTC) review into the PBS scheme has found uncertainty around road access is stifling growth.
The NTC is now recommending a number of changes to the approval process, including model legislation that could streamline access for PBS vehicles including B-triples.
Truck manufacturers could be allowed to assess their own vehicles and sell 'off-the-shelf' PBS-compliant trucks, while more 'blueprint' designs will be released to fast-track access.
The NTC report also admits having only 52 vehicles approved by June is low compared to the 15,000 heavy trucks sold per year.
The NTC said the industry had adopted a "wait and see" approach to participation because early adopters "have not realised the desired network access.”
The NTC report concluded there was clearly more work to be done in improving the access arrangements and information available in all states.
The NTC also desired a review of testing standards, criticising the current practice of static physical testing or numerical modelling for not taking into account active safety systems now standard in most vehicles.
B-triples could be the biggest winners out of the review, with the NTC proposing to map a network and limits for the high performance multi-combination vehicles as a way of appeasing nervous councils and road agencies.
A new PBS level for the vehicles would assess appropriate performance, length and swept path requirements.
A regulatory impact statement on the changes will be developed in the first quarter of 2010 to go before transport ministers.
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