Australian B-Triple Baseline dimensions and loads

As im attempting to cover the local B-triple debate regularly, for any curious international reader please find this quick snap shot I've taken of the diagram from the Smart "Blueprint B-Triple specifications sheet" a document by the National Transport Commission Australia. The document provides specifications for a B-Triple that is deemed to satisfy Level 3 Performance Based Standard Requirements.

For the full version pdf document download please click here

Author unknown (July 2007). Blueprint B-Triple specifications sheet. National Transport Commission [online] ntc.gov.au. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 23 July 2009].

B-TRIPLE TRUCKS ON TRIAL

B-triple trucks could travel through Colac this year as part of a Victorian trial.

A spokesman for Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the State Government expected a trial of B-triples to “begin in coming months.”

“VicRoads is still working on determining the routes for the trial,” the spokesman said.

The government announced its plan to consider introducing 36-metre long B-triples last August.

Information leaked from Mr Pallas’ office identified Colac as a possible route for the trucks.

Colac Roadsafe chairman Cliff McAliece and Member for Polwarth and opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder have raised concerns about the Princes Highway’s ability to carry the trucks safely.

Mr Pallas’ spokesman was unable to confirm yesterday whether Colac was in the current list of possible B-triple routes.

Howden-Chitty, G (22 May 2009). B-Triple Trucks on Trial. Colac Herald Page 2 [online] terrymulder.com.au. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 19 July 2009].

Mainroads QLD - B-triple road network access

Establishing a national B-triple network is a key freight-efficiency initiative under the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

B-triples have been successfully operating in Queensland since 1996 and have been proven as a freight-efficient heavy vehicle combination that contributes to regional development, improving road safety and reducing adverse environmental impacts through fewer trips.

Typically, one B-triple has equivalent carrying capacity of two semi-trailers.

Queensland provides an extensive road network for B-triple access, with most areas west of the Great Dividing Range approved for access, covering approximately 21,700 km of the arterial network.

A B-triple network map (PDF, 3.29 MB) is available that outlines Queensland’s approved B-triple network.

Work is currently underway to extend existing B-triple network access to key freight hubs, such as Townsville and Gladstone, where this can be safely achieved.

Mainroads QLD Government Update (30 June 2009). B-triple road network access. Mainroads [online] mainroads.qld.gov.au. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 13 July 2009].

Call for calm over ‘B-triple’ trucks

The state’s peak transport group has called for calm over the looming arrival of B-triple trucks in the region, claiming they would reduce emissions, fuel consumption and improve road safety.
South Australian Road Transport Association director Steve Shearer’s comments follow confirmation from the State Government that B-triples will be considered for operation in the South East.

This follows Grant District Council writing to Transport Minister Pat Conlon requesting information about the possible arrival of B-triples.

B-triple trucks, which have been operating in the north of the state for five years, are prime movers that tow three trailers, weigh up to 82 tonnes and are up to 36 metres long.

The possible introduction of B-triples across country Victoria, including the Green Triangle, has sparked a backlash from nearly 80 councils. The move to allow B-triples into the Green Triangle has been triggered by the looming bluegum harvest.

Transport company Noske Group has flagged operating modified vehicles to haul woodchips to the Port of Portland.

Mr Shearer told The Border Watch yesterday the community should embrace these trucks because they would increase road safety and reduce the wear and tear on roads by 15pc.

While anticipating a “little hysteria and nervousness” because of the size of these trucks, he said the community’s fears would fade after they started operating.

“The community will forget what all the fuss was about,” Mr Shearer said.

He said B-triples would reduce the amount of trucks on South East roads by half, also emissions and fuel consumption.

“B-triples have been travelling through northern metropolitan Adelaide for some years. They have proven not to be a problem,” Mr Shearer said.

He said these trucks would only use roads that were accessed as suitable by Transport SA.

But Member for MacKillop Mitch Williams warned road infrastructure would need to be upgraded to cope with the arrival of B-triples.

He also fired a broadside at the State Government, claiming it had failed to plan for their arrival in the region.

“There has been very little or any action from the State Government,” said MrWilliams, who claimed passing lanes would need to be lengthened to cope.

He also raised questions about whether these trucks would come into the centre of Mount Gambier and if the northern bypass could accommodate B-triples.

Meanwhile, Grant District Council chief executive Russell Peate said his council wanted more information on the impact of B-triples and whether community consultation would be undertaken.

He said council would approach a Transport SA representative to attend its next meeting to discuss the issue.

Mr Peate said the issue, which was expected to be debated at last night’s meeting, had triggered a number of initial concerns, particularly surrounding the need for road upgrades and road safety.

He said it was not clear at this stage if the $3m northern bypass route could accommodate these large trucks.

City of Mount Gambier operational services director Daryl Sexton said council was compiling a report into the impact of B-triples on the city.

No comment was available from Mr Conlon’s office yesterday.

Morello, S., (December 16th, 2008). Call for calm over ‘B-triple’ trucks. The Border Watch [online] borderwatch.com.au. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 9 July 2009].

Victorian councils want no truck with B-triple monsters

COUNCILS across Victoria do not want giant B-triple trucks rumbling through streets or small country towns.

At a meeting of the state's 79 councils on Friday, held by the Municipal Association of Victoria, municipalities voted to oppose the introduction of B-triple trucks on all urban roads and streets in the state. B-triples are prime movers that tow three trailers, can weigh up to 82 tonnes and are up to 36 metres long.

Documents leaked to Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder in August showed the Government had been secretly investigating the use of B-triples since January.

Under the Government's leaked plan, B-triple trucks eight times the length of a family car would be allowed to run on CityLink and many other main commuter routes.

A Department of Transport map showed the routes B-triples would take through Melbourne, and around Victoria, including EastLink, CityLink and the West Gate Freeway.

At present, B-triples are allowed on only one Victorian route: from Ford's Geelong plant to its Broadmeadows factory. Mr Mulder said the B-triple issue had worried councils because there had been "a total lack of consultation" by the State Government.

"That's created a sense of fear in communities that think they are going to have them forced on them," he said.

The president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, Dick Gross, agreed there was a "widespread fear and repugnance" of B-triples among the community, and councils did not want them in certain areas.

Cr Gross said there was "an acceptance" of a role for high-capacity vehicles, as B-triples are also known, but not in suburban streets or small country towns.

When the secret Department of Transport documents became public in August, Premier John Brumby said no decisions had been made.

"The Government is examining this issue, but before we made any decision in relation to B-triples, we would consult very widely," he said.

Running B-triple trucks would mean there would be fewer trucks on the road.

"And fewer trucks in local roads, that would be a good thing," he said.

Lucas, C., (October 20th, 2008). Victorian councils want no truck with B-triple monsters. The Age [online] theage.com.au. Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 9 July 2009].

AAP, Vic considering use of B-triple trucks.

Giant B-triple trucks could soon be allowed on Victorian roads under a state government plan to cut road congestion.

Giant B-triple trucks could soon be allowed on Victorian roads under a state government plan to cut road congestion.

The trucks, a prime mover towing three trailers, can weigh up to 82 tonnes and are up to 36 metres long.

The Victorian government is examining whether the trucks are the answer to reducing traffic congestion and bottlenecks in the freight system, News Limited newspapers reported on Thursday.

Documents obtained under freedom of information and stamped cabinet-in-confidence show the government has been investigating the use of B-triples since January last year but polling of focus groups was delayed following the Kerang rail disaster last June.

Eleven people died when a semi-trailer ploughed into a passenger train at a level crossing on the Murray Valley Highway near the town.

Small numbers of B-triple trucks travel between the Ford car factories at Broadmeadows and Geelong under strict permits.

A substantial B-triple road network was announced in NSW last year.

The government is considering the crash risks of the larger vehicles, whether their increased carrying capacity will cut congestion and what effect they may have on rail freight.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the government had a secret agenda to introduce the trucks.

"Ratepayers and their local councils may face unexpected, multi-million-dollar bills from road pavement damage if longer and heavier B-triples are allowed on numerous arterial and local roads," he told News Limited.

A spokesman for Roads Minister Tim Pallas said the investigation had not been completed but RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus backed the use of the trucks on some roads.

Author Unknown, (August 7, 2008). AAP, Vic considering use of B-triple trucks. [online] Drive Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 6 July 2009].

The First B-Triple test

Freightliner's revolutionary new Argosy cabover prime-mover has headed up the first maximum weight B-triple test on the Hume Highway in New South Wales.

One B-triple can replace two conventional articulated trucks and would significantly reduce truck numbers on the Hume Highway which carries one third of all interstate truck traffic in Australia.

B-triples are already in use in the Northern Territory and all mainland states except New South Wales.

They operate only on special routes deemed suitable for long vehicles.

The Albury to Campbelltown "Trial Evaluation" of the 33.5 metre long combination vehicle was under the close supervision of the NSW RTA and Police in mid-May.

The Argosy on the test was Freightliner's original Australian engineering prototype, now in Linfox colours with a 600 hp, 16 litre Caterpillar engine.

Big power and torque gave the Argosy B-triple ability to maintain speed on hills which is crucial in reducing the need for motorists to overtake the 33.5 metre combination vehicle.

"I wasn't below the speed limit on most of the two lane stretches", explained Linfox National Linehaul Manager Mick Best who drove the B-triple throughout the test. "I was amazed by the power on the hills", he added. "The test unit at 76 tonnes on 12 axles matched the road speed of half the B-doubles on the Hume."

The B-triple also stopped and did a "no problem" lift-off on Wagga Hill as part of the test. And at Marulan, the big unit demonstrated a 25 metre wall-to-wall turning circle for the RTA and Police.

The B-triple Trial Evaluation went off without any apparent problems, bringing Melbourne Sydney B-triples operation a step closer.

And the Freightliner Argosy will play a significant role when the barriers to B-triples operations fall.

Argosy comes with a 90t Gross Combined Mass rating which makes them B-triples capable in standard form.

Unknown Author; Autoweb (June 9th 2000). Argosy Powers NSW B-Triple Test on the Hume. Autoweb [online] autoweb.com.au Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 5 July 2009].