The Andrews Labor Government is launching an innovative heavy vehicle monitoring camera trial as we work with community, industry, and local government to clarify existing truck curfews and restrictions for trucks moving through Melbourne’s inner west.
In a first for the Department of Transport (DoT), video analytics technology will be applied to capture heavy vehicle compliance data and detect, identify, categorise, and report on different heavy vehicle types using Somerville Road.
The outcomes would help determine the roll-out of the technology on other key routes in the inner west to ensure the ongoing safety and amenity for the community.
In collaboration with Maribyrnong City Council, DoT is also installing truck advisory signs. These signs will make restriction messages clearer, warning truck drivers that A-Double and B-Double trucks are not permitted on specific sections of Somerville Road, Yarraville.
DoT has also developed a simple guide published in six different languages to help inform truck drivers about where and when they can travel and to help industry better plan their journeys to port.
The inner west’s proximity to the Port of Melbourne and the high number of warehousing and logistics businesses in the area generates a large volume of heavy truck traffic.
The measures are a result of collaboration between local residents, industry, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and local government to ensure the needs of the thriving community and the long-term viability of the freight task and transport network are balanced.
These actions will assist DoT to continue to develop a monitoring and compliance response strategy for key inner west routes subject to truck bans when the West Gate Tunnel opens.
When open, the West Gate Tunnel will take 9000 trucks off roads in the inner west and allow for the introduction of 24-hour truck bans on six local roads including Blackshaws Road, Hudsons Road, Francis Street, Somerville Road, Buckley Street and Moore Street.
Truck curfews are monitored by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Victoria Police to support compliance and enforce penalties for non-compliance.
For more information on truck curfews and mass access restrictions for heavy vehicles across the state, visit Victoria’s Truck Curfew
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
“The transport challenges in this growing and rapidly changing area are complex and require an integrated response across government to ensure the safety and amenity of this vibrant community.’’
“This means creating more direct freight connections, shifting more freight to rail, and streamlining access to the port to meet our growing freight task.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“Initiatives such as the heavy vehicle monitoring cameras and our guide developed to educate truck drivers about where and when they can travel will improve safety for inner west residents and provide further clarity for industry.’’
“We’re working with community, local government and the NHVR to instal additional truck advisory signs on key routes to make restrictions and messaging clearer for everyone.’’
Quote attributable to Local Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“We’ve listened to industry and the community, and are taking steps to make the restrictions clearer, protecting local amenity and air quality, and improving safety for everyone.’’
Reviewed 29 September 2022