Up to 45 road deaths could be avoided every year if just 15 per cent of ‘contestable’ road freight was transferred to rail. This was revealed recently in an article published on the latest issue of the Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety.
“A simple shift to rail of the 15 per cent of road freight said to be transferable (or contestable) could save up to 45 lives annually (calculated on the basis of roughly three deaths for every 1 per cent of freight hauled).”
The article, written by independent transport and road safety researcher Peter MacKenzie, also suggests that by shifting the same amount of freight from road to rail, 275 people or more could be saved from paraplegia, quadriplegia, brain damage and other long-term serious disabilities. In economic terms, it is estimated that the potential saving to the nation would be more than 1 billion dollars.
Bryan Nye, chief executive of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) said: “I want to be very clear in that this is not a competition with the trucking industry, we are simply advocating for the optimisation of the best mode of transport for each type of freight task.
“Our vision is that where there is a viable rail network, such as between the capital cities, freight is transported by an efficient rail network to integrated inter-modal terminals where it is forwarded to its city location by smaller trucks, preferably avoiding peak periods of congestion,” Mr Nye said.
The ARA calls for governments of all persuasions to do everything possible to help rail take freight off the road.
Mr Nye said: “We have developed a National Freight Strategy with specific and clear recommendations to create a competitive, efficient and cost-effective freight transport system. But this needs to be done by industry and governments working collaboratively.
“Putting more or heavier trucks on the road is not a sustainable solution for the nation,” Mr Nye said.
Entries (RSS)
June 26th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Posted by Peter Mackenzie at Jun 10, 2010 02:08 PM on www.railexpress.com.au
“If readers could cut and paste a copy of this letter and send it to their local politicians, senators etc and also please send me a copy to petermac1984@hotmail.com
Dear XXXXXX
The Australian and state governments give strong in- principle support to the shift of freight from road to rail, as it is safer, reduces emissions, fuel use and road damage, as well as limiting urban congestion and traffic.
flows through regional cities and towns.
All jurisdictions also strongly support the “Safe Systems” approach to road safety, requiring safer roads, road users and vehicles.
However, while the National Transport Policy and Freight Strategies are still being developed, due to various factors, freight continues to be be diverted from rail to road on transport routes across Australia, including highly inflammable fuel products onto roads know to be unsafe and congested, and without due regard for the safety and fuel efficiency of vehicles used.
This flies in the face of stated aims and approaches,including the “Safe System”.
I urge you to write to Minister Albanese to urgently request a moratorium on any further transfer of freight from road to rail until a full investigation into the practices involved can be made, and resolution sought.”
July 7th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Worth also taking a look at the Federal Government’s Nation Building Website particularly on Heavy Transport investment - see www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au
July 16th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Transports and Logistics News on-line 16 July 2010
Melbourne port trucks to get a long tunnel
Details of two major road projects for Melbourne’s western suburbs have been released by the Victorian Government as it battles to tackle congestion, provide a long-term alternative to the West Gate Bridge and take trucks off local streets.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said WestLink and the Truck Action Plan (TAP) were vital road projects to secure liveability and long-term economic development in the west.
Mr Pallas said three route options had been short-listed for the WestLink project for further community and stakeholder consultation following several months of investigations.
All WestLink options involve upgrades to Paramount Road and Dempster Street:
* The first option involves a tunnel linking the Port of Melbourne precinct with an industrial area in Footscray West, then travelling north of Sunshine Road as a surface road, before crossing back south of Sunshine Road to join with the Western Ring Road, avoiding any residential acquisition.
* The second option has the same tunnel route as the first, however the surface road section travels through industrial areas in Brooklyn and Tottenham before joining with the Western Ring Road north of Boundary Road. This option would require the acquisition of five residential properties.
* The third option involves a longer tunnel, starting in the Port of Melbourne but travelling 1.5 kilometres further, emerging in an industrial area around Paramount Road, completely avoiding residential areas.
“Importantly, as there is no reservation in place for this project, to have two options that do not require any acquisition of people’s homes is a great outcome for the community,” Mr Pallas said.
“All three short-listed options provide important benefits for Melbourne’s west, including direct access to the Port of Melbourne for heavy vehicles and catering for future population growth.
“In relation to freight movements, our investigations have shown that WestLink would reduce congestion and take heavy vehicles off local roads in the inner west, particularly Somerville Road, Francis Street, Barkly Street and Buckley Street.
“Significantly, the project will also provide an essential alternative to the West Gate Bridge for motorists and those moving goods and services between our eastern and western suburbs.”
The Linking Melbourne Authority will determine a preferred route by the end of the year.
“The TAP will also reduce the number of trucks using Francis Street and Somerville Road by up to 70 per cent by providing a new route for freight, including Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV), servicing the Port of Melbourne,” he said.
The preferred route for the $380 million Truck Action Plan has been the subject of extensive consultation by VicRoads and addresses the primary aim to get trucks off local streets and minimise impacts on property and the environment.
The alignment involves the construction of new on and off ramps to provide access between Hyde Street and the West Gate Freeway to the west.
Hyde, Whitehall and Moreland Streets will be upgraded and Shepherd Bridge is being widened and strengthened to ensure appropriate access for larger freight-carrying vehicles.
The TAP planning study has identified that the preferred alignment could directly impact up to 21 homes as part of the project.
“We will endeavour to minimise the number of properties that will need to be acquired through the design and development phase of the project wherever possible,” Mr Pallas said.
Property owners and interested parties affected by acquisition will be eligible for compensation under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986. VicRoads will continue to talk to residents and businesses whose property may be impacted by the construction of the project.
For more information on the Truck Action Plan preferred route, visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/ and for the WestLink route options, www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au/.