1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2003

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/01/2003

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Contents >> Transport >> Road transport organisations

AUSTROADS

AUSTROADS is the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities; its purpose is to contribute to the achievement of improved Australian and New Zealand transport related outcomes by:

developing and promoting best practice for the safe and effective management and use of the road system

providing professional support and advice to member organisations and national and international bodies

acting as a common vehicle for national and international action

undertaking performance assessment and development of Australian and New Zealand standards

developing and managing the National Strategic Research Program for roads and their use.

AUSTROADS aims to provide strategic direction for the integrated development, management and operation of the Australian and New Zealand road system, through the promotion of national uniformity and harmony, elimination of unnecessary duplication and the identification and application of world best practice. Its membership comprises the six Australian state and two territory road transport and traffic authorities, DOTRS, the Australian Local Government Association and Transit New Zealand.

National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS)

NEVDIS has been developed under the authority of AUSTROADS. It is a national database that provides access to all registered vehicles and licenced drivers in Australia. It was implemented in an effort to reduce license fraud, vehicle theft and vehicle fraud. The aim of the NEVDIS registration module is to ensure that vehicles in Australia can be uniquely identified through the vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and that a vehicle can only be identified and registered in one state at any given time.

A review of NEVDIS commenced during the final quarter of 2001. The purpose of the review was to map out future direction, key functions and indicative costs to ensure NEVDIS achieves its original objectives and is capable of meeting future demands placed on the system.

ARRB Transport Research Ltd

ARRB Transport Research Ltd is a leading provider of value-added technology and research services addressing land transport problems. The company's National Strategic Research Program, performed under contract to AUSTROADS, keeps Australia at the leading edge of developments in the road transport industry.

ARRB Transport Research Ltd employs over 100 people who form a multi-disciplinary pool of scientists, engineers, and specialist technical and support staff for infrastructure design, asset management, construction quality, materials testing, traffic operations, safety analysis, environmental sustainability, and freight issues.

The company has its headquarters in Melbourne, with extensive laboratory and testing facilities, and offices in Perth, Queensland and Jakarta. It also has business links in North and South America and Europe.

National Road Transport Commission (NRTC)

The NRTC is a small, independent body established in 1991. Its charter is to develop nationally uniform or consistent policies, practices and laws that improve the safety and efficiency of road transport, and reduce its environmental impacts and the costs of administration. Much of the focus is on heavy vehicles because this delivers major benefits to Australia. The NRTC and its national transport legislation were to have expired in January 1998, but have been extended until 2004.

Transport reforms are developed in close consultation with the Commonwealth Government, the state and territory governments, the road transport industry, road user groups and other interested persons and organisations, for approval by Australia's transport ministers.