Abnormal transporters hit out at ‘unfair’ proposals

The latest draft of the technical recommendations for highways (TRH11) contradicts regulations in the National Road Traffic Act, 1996, and remains an on-going argument between abnormal vehicle operators and the department of transport and provincial authorities, according to Carl Webb, MD of abnormal and project transport specialists, Project Logistics Management. He also accused this new version of restricting the abnormal carriers’ freedom to optimise their vehicle usage. The argument started when the new TRH11 – compiled by the CSIR and approved by the abnormal load technical committee of the DoT/ provincial authorities – first became public. “When the draft was discussed with the transport industry, a number of issues were raised,” Webb told FTW. “But all of these concerns were either ignored or over-ridden.” This frustrating situation, he added, destroyed a lot of the planning done by the abnormal carriers over a lengthy period. “The industry over the years has, in conjunction with the TRH11, designed vehicles that accommodate the recommendations of the guideline – yet are still flexible enough to be viable. “The idea was to optimise vehicle utilisation, so you get laden trips both ways.” That, the truckers argued, led to fewer vehicles on the road, and allowed the abnormal carriers to remain competitive – with benefits for the SA economy. But the latest version of the TRH11 doesn’t want to see abnormal vehicles carrying ordinary, containerised cargo, according to Webb, and is designed to protect normal carriers. The new proposed legislation says that no abnormal permits will be granted for the transportation of containers on abnormal vehicle (AV) registered equipment. In fact, no equipment will be eligible for registration as an abnormal if fitted with container locks. And the current legislation expressly forbids containers from being transported, unless the vehicle is fitted with four working container locks. “All this,” Webb added, “means that we will see these abnormal vehicles – say on the Johannesburg to Durban run – having to travel empty, and running alongside full, normal container carriers. “This makes no sense whatsoever, as it is no financial advantage for AVs, only helps in optimising their usage.” The AV fraternity is, therefore, appealing to the various provincial traffic authorities, which can override the TRH11 – and which is, said Webb, not a legislative document, but merely a “guideline” for the authorities.