NHVR to fast-track applications with smarter access system

Australia’s heavy vehicle industry will soon have a one-stop shop for fast-tracked access applications as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) enters the final phase of testing for its national Access Management System (AMS).

NHVR CEO Richard Hancock says the NHVR and its partners have worked hard since early in 2013 to ensure that the AMS will work on a national basis.

“This is an immense project simply because it has never been done before in Australia. We have built Australia’s first cross-border, cross-authority IT system for managing heavy vehicle access to the nation’s road network.

"We need to make sure the AMS can handle an estimated 100,000 permit applications each year.

“With the AMS, operators will no longer need to apply for permits from multiple road managers. The NHVR will be a single contact for operators, dealing with the relevant state and territory road authorities and local governments to manage applications from start to finish," said Mr Hancock.

Together with vendor partners, HCL Technologies and Esri Australia, the NHVR has built the AMS in consultation with industry, road transport authorities and local governments to ensure that the entire application process is streamlined and the system delivers on its productivity benefits.

The AMS will cover all types of access requests including:

• interstate or territory freight tasks
• tasks involving local roads
• special access requests (eg. oversize, overmass, cranes)
• and special vehicle requests such as performance-based standards (PBS).

"While there are a number of ways to submit an application, using our online channel is the smart way to go, because it will be fast-tracked to the assessment stage," said Mr Hancock.

The AMS will allow operators to submit access applications entirely online with the following key features:

• The NHVR Journey Planner – an interactive online map service which will display approved routes for use by heavy vehicles. The Journey Planner will allow operators to plan their heavy vehicle journey and identify if an application for an access permit is required. Journeys can be saved and used in applications for an access permit. Road managers will use the Journey Planner to quickly identify where potential route assessments would need to be conducted or to suggest alternative routes.
• Digital signatures – applications can be completed on a computer and digitally signed; applicants don’t need to print out forms.
• Unique customer login – operators can register their details with the NHVR and have that information pre-filled on their applications when they login.
• Electronic tracking and documentation – applications are stored in the AMS database and any queries, advice or correspondence during the application process are added to an operator's record. All parties involved in the application will be kept informed of its progress.

The NHVR will also have dedicated resources to help operators transition to the new AMS, including:

• NHVR Journey Planner user guides, reference sheets, FAQs and e-learning videos to ensure industry can get the most out of this tool.
• Phone support line at 1300 MY NHVR (1300 686 987) – from registering your details to selecting the right form, NHVR Call Centre staff are trained to assist in all aspects of submitting an application.
• Specialist case managers – The NHVR will review all applications and has dedicated case managers to work through complex issues with customers to ensure the application is correct and has all the information a road manager needs to make a decision on access.

"Once it is live, the AMS means less time, money and paperwork for busy operators trying to get a vehicle on the right roads,” said Mr Hancock.

A successful testing phase is a critical milestone in the NHVR’s readiness plan for the commencement of the national law and next service release, to be discussed at a key meeting with Australia’s transport ministers in Brisbane, this week.

For further information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/ams or contact 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487).

ENDS…

Contact:
Orla Thompson
Manager – Marketing and Communication
Telephone | 07 3309 8609
Mobile | 0419 092 510
Email | media@nhvr.gov.au

Background

Who was contracted to build the AMS?

• HCL Technologies and GIS-mapping experts Esri Australia topped a pool of 18 vendors to win the IT contract to build the AMS.
• HCL Technologies is a $4.8 billion global company that brings IT and engineering services expertise under one roof to solve complex business problems for its clients. HCL have developed the core components of the access management processing system and will play a major role in supporting the end to end solution into the future.
• Esri Australia is the industry leader for Australia’s $2.1 billion geographic information system (GIS) technology sector and has developed the GIS application and sourced some of the data that will form the basis for the NHVR’s online Journey Planner.
• Contracts between the NHVR, and HCL and Esri Australia were awarded in January 2013.
• Both vendors were selected through an extensive tender process conducted by the NHVR Project Office throughout 2012 in strict accordance with the Queensland Government Invitation to Offer procurement rules.
• This procurement exercise was undertaken with advice from participating states and territories and was overseen by the Australian Government Solicitors Office, Queensland Government Crown Law and other independent tendering and contract experts.

What does this final testing phase involve?

• Following completion of internal testing for the AMS, the NHVR is now embarking on end-to-end user testing with road managers and operators.
• This final phase of testing is critical to ensure that the AMS systems and processes are robust and working as intended, and that we can communicate with our customers and partners as expected.
• This is an end-to-end test of processing an access permit from lodgement right through to notification, involving a set of test scenarios.
• All state and territory road agencies and local governments in all participating states and territories will be directly involved, as well as a number of industry representatives.