Better use of roads

4.  Make better use of our roads

Aim: To significantly reduce the number of trucks entering or leaving the port empty through better scheduling, backloading and a truck booking system at the port.

Highlights

More efficient (container) truck operations

Better use can be made of the capacity of the road system at the Fremantle Port. Even with increased market share for rail, the number of trucks carrying containers by road will eventually grow over time unless action is taken to reduce the number of avoidable truck trips. It is increasingly important that road transport operates as efficiently as possible.

Annual traffic surveys around Fremantle Ports conducted by the Sea Freight Council show improvement in the container truck situation. The average loading per truck is going up and trucks with greater carrying capacity are increasingly being used.

In February 2004, Patrick and P&O Ports announced the “1-Stop” initiative, which will provide a generic information hub for their terminals at Fremantle, including a common vehicle booking system. This should be in place by the end of 2005. On 1 March 2004, bookings became compulsory for trucks delivering to or collecting containers from the wharf. This has introduced a higher level of discipline to port-related truck movements.

Container Movement Study

Consultants working for the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Fremantle Ports and Main Roads WA have completed the Fremantle Inner Harbour Container Movement Study. The study identified how, when, why and where containers move to and from the Inner Harbour. The study has provided valuable information, which is being used to progress a number of initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of container trucks.

The Container Movement Study also relates to two other points of the 6 Point Plan: Point 2: Put more freight on rail, and Point 3: Build inland container terminals.

Progress report