National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Truck-Mounted Attenuator) Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Truck-Mounted Attenuator) Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to exempt heavy motor vehicles fitted with an attenuator and actively engaged in an approved task from certain prescribed heavy vehicle standards.

2.    Authorising Provision

This notice is made under section 61 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in each participating jurisdiction.

3.    Commencement

This notice commences on 24 April 2022.

4.    Expiry

This notice expires on 23 April 2027.

5.    Definitions

1)        Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

2)        In this notice—

Approved task means the attenuator is engaged in a road construction, repair or maintenance, traffic control operations or road incident response task.

Attenuator means an implement fitted to the rear of a heavy motor vehicle intended to absorb the energy of a vehicle crash in order to protect persons carrying out an approved task.

Deployed means the attenuator is in a lowered or extended position so that it may perform the intended function.

MDL Regulation means the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, as amended from time to time.

Warning pattern means a pattern covering an area of at least 0.16m2 and consisting of diagonal stripes at least 100mm wide and alternately coloured—

1)        red and white;

2)        black and yellow;

3)        black and white; or

4)        red and yellow.

6.    Title

This notice may be cited as the National Heavy Vehicle Standards (Truck-Mounted Attenuator) Exemption Notice 2022 (No. 1).

7.    Application

1)        This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.

2)        This notice applies to a heavy motor vehicle fitted with an attenuator.

8.    Exemption from Prescribed Vehicle Standards

A heavy motor vehicle fitted with an attenuator is exempt from complying with Schedule 2 Section 34(1) of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation, in so far as it requires compliance with the following dimension requirements prescribed by the MDL Regulation:

1)        Schedule 6 Section 5(1) Length—rear overhang

2)        Schedule 6 Section 3(1)(g) Length – general.

9.    Conditions

1)        When the attenuator is not deployed, the vehicle must comply with the prescribed dimension requirements for rear overhang and overall length.

2)        The attenuator must only be deployed when the vehicle is actively engaged in an approved task.

3)        When the attenuator is deployed, the vehicle must not exceed the following dimensions:

a)      rear overhang — 7.6 metres; and

b)      overall length — 15.0 metres.

4)        When the attenuator is deployed during the daytime, the vehicle must have its low beam headlights or daytime running lights on.

5)        When the attenuator is deployed, both sides and the rear of the attenuator must be fitted with the warning pattern.

6)        The vehicle must be fitted with a warning light that is lit when the attenuator is deployed and:

a)      be clearly visible at a distance of 500 metres in all directions; or

b)      be supplemented by 1 or more additional warning lights so that the light emanating from at least 1 of them is clearly visible at a distance of 500 metres in any direction.

7)        When switched on, a warning light mention under 6) must:

a)      not be a strobe light; and

b)      emit a yellow coloured light of rotating and flashing effect; and

c)       flash between 120 and 240 times a minute; and

d)      must not be of an intensity that is likely to dazzle another road user.

Peter Austin

Director, Vehicle Safety and Performance

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator