Road test for longer log trucks

Longer logging trucks are plying North Island roads in a limited 30-day trial approved by the Land Transport Safety Authority.

Seven 22m log trucks operating under special permits are using roads in Northland, the East Coast and the central North Island. The trucks are 2m longer than formerly permitted.

The trial, which began yesterday, follows a proposal from the Log Transport Safety Council suggesting that safety could be improved by reducing the heights of some loads from 4.25m to 3.2m. Loads would have to be reconfigured, increasing their length by 2m and exceeding the 20m limit.

The trucks will be put through a series of handling tests in a controlled off-road environment to see if results of computer modelling can be repeated in practice.

Each of the longer trucks will bear an 0800 LOG TRUCK sign and public comments from the free phone line will be used in assessing the trial.