Improvements to the IAP get the go-ahead
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) today confirmed that improvements will be made to the Intelligent Access Program (IAP).
The IAP is an application of the National Telematics Framework, which provides a contemporary approach to the management of heavy vehicle access.
In May 2018 TCA was assigned responsibility to develop a business case with improvements to the IAP by November 2018.
TCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Koniditsiotis, said “The approved business case contains a range of enhancements to the IAP, as well as new applications and features to be offered through the National Telematics Framework. The business case was informed by extensive consultation with road managers, regulators, peak industry bodies and the telematics sector.”
“I want to acknowledge the valuable engagement we had with all stakeholders and the open, forthright discussions which directly informed the business case.”
“We found that although stakeholders recognised the need for the IAP application – which provides the highest level (Level 3) assurance and certificate-based evidence – there was concern the IAP was being used in ways that were not originally intended. In addition, transport operators were being asked to use the IAP application when certain access arrangements could be delivered with lower levels of assurance.”
“It was clear that other applications to manage heavy vehicle access and network utilisation, with lower levels of assurance, were needed to meet the needs of stakeholders.”
A stakeholder report was prepared by TCA, which consolidates the feedback received from stakeholders, to accompany the business case. A copy of the stakeholder report is available here.
The approved business case includes 16 improvements, including:
- Enhancements which relate specifically to the Level 3 assurance IAP application, to improve efficiency and reduce costs
- New applications of the National Telematics Framework, including the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) application (Level 1 assurance) and ‘IAP Lite’ application (Level 2 assurance)
- New features which can be used across applications of the National Telematics Framework (such as turn-by-turn navigation and restricted access vehicle route guidance).
“With the introduction of the new RIM and ‘IAP Lite’ applications, road managers and regulators will have the choice of three separate access applications to cater for different infrastructure capacity and operator risks.”
“Seven of the 16 improvements are already being progressed as part of TCA’s work program for 2018-19, with the remaining improvements to be prioritised in future work streams,” said Mr Koniditsiotis.
TCA will be holding a series of information sessions during the first half of 2019 to explain how different stakeholders can benefit from the improvements contained in the business case.
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