The Evolution of a High Productivity Urban e-Commerce Delivery Vehicle using Australian Performance Based Standards

The introduction of High Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) in Australia, through the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme, was predicated on new mechanical engineering standards that were mandated especially for these new vehicles. These standards improved vehicle stability, general performance and safety, especially safety. Two national surveys showed both massive safety and productivity benefits compared to conventional Australian road freight fleets. The first Australian PBS vehicles operated under permits from 1997 but the formalized Australian scheme was implemented in 2006. So arguably the introduction of HPVs under permit and now under a formal regulatory PBS framework has allowed some 20 years of research observations. However, only one major type of single rigid, high productivity truck, without a trailer, has been active in an urban environment as a pilot, over that time. This paper examines this special urban High Productivity Vehicle which could be exceptionally useful for the urban freight task in many countries should they ever adopt it.