Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) says its new Heavy Vehicle Structural Assessment Permit System (HVSAPS) is eliminating the need for most manual bridge and culvert assessments.
The Department says the technology is dramatically reducing wait times – cutting approval times from up to six months to days – and slashing costs that can reach up to $30,000 for manual assessments.
More than 60% of assessments are now completed within 30 minutes at no cost to operators.
Before the system was introduced, engineers would manually undertake around 1,000 bridge and culvert assessments every year.
“Our new technology is cutting time and slashing costs for our freight operators,” said Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne.
“We are making investments in new technology to keep goods moving across Victoria as efficiently as possible.”
Already, the HVSAPS has processed more than 4,000 assessments – boosting efficiencies by 300%.
It is expected that 95% of assessments will be fully automated by September.
The HVSAPS is an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Business Acceleration Fund.
“We are continuing to work with government to support Victoria’s heavy vehicle industry, and we’re pleased to already see the benefits of this new system and permit application process within NHVR Go,” said National Heavy Vehicle Regulator CEO, Nicole Rosie.
