Ask Phoebe: Big vehicles mean savings - more freight, fewer trips, better safety

The Road Code still states when driving a heavy vehicle or heavy vehicles towing trailers you must ensure you don't drive faster than 90km/h in a 100km/h zone. Photo / Thinkstock

I would be interested to know how many H (high-productivity motor vehicle ) licences have been issued. These are the licences used by extra-heavy trucks. I seem to recall when they were first announced that the number nationally was to be limited to 250. These seem to be becoming increasingly obvious around Auckland. Graham Hunter, Ellerslie.

The Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimension Mass was amended on May 1, 2010 to allow a special category of high-productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs). HPMVs are heavier and/or longer trucks that achieve greater freight efficiency by enabling a 14 per cent to 20 per cent decrease in truck trips - fewer trips are needed to move the same amount of freight. HPMVs also provide safety benefits as they have better safety features, improved braking capability and a reduced risk of rollover.

Reducing the number of truck trips also lowers the crash risk. There are different types of HPMVs, including 50MAX which has been designed to access a larger part of the road network than other heavier HPMVs.

Freight transport operators can apply for permits to use these vehicles and there is no limit to the number allowed in operation. Permits are only issued if the route and the vehicle are suitable and safe. In many cases, existing trucks are used if these can safely handle the extra load.

As of this month, 13,717 HPMV permits (including 1753 50MAX permits) have been issued nationally. There will be a number of them travelling on Auckland roads because of the high volumes of freight moved in and through the city, many making multiple trips a day. The feedback to the Transport Agency from freight businesses is that using HPMVs has allowed them to make significant reductions in the number of standard truck trips.

As the economy grows, the amount of freight in New Zealand is increasing with volumes forecast to increase in Auckland by around 78 per cent (from an estimated 50 million to 88 million tonnes each year by 2042). Managing this increase, reducing the cost of moving freight and improving safety will reduce the cost of the goods and help grow New Zealand's economy.

Did I miss a memo? Since when have large trucks and trailers driven on the open road been allowed to exceed 90km/h? It seems most trucks/trailers and cars towing trailers are travelling well over this speed, especially on motorways. Has the Road Code been changed? Phil Faidley, Pukekohe.

No, you didn't miss a memo, Mr Faidley. The Road Code still states when driving a heavy vehicle (defined as a gross vehicle mass of over 3500kg) and heavy vehicles towing trailers you must ensure you don't drive faster than 90km/h in a 100km/h zone (90 km/h is the maximum open road speed limit for all heavy vehicles, except school buses which are limited to 80km/h). The 90km/h speed limit in a 100km/h zone also applies to light vehicles towing a trailer.

And at all times, you must drive to the road, traffic and weather conditions and reduce speed if required.