Product Type Approval Framework

Transport for NSW and Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) Victoria have launched a pivotal strategic initiative with an objective to standardise the type approval of products across transport and asset classes. 

The objective is to implement a consistent product type approval assessment procedure that ensures harmonisation and compliance with specified performance and technical requirements. Approval is conferred on product that meet critical regulatory, technical and safety requirements ensuring suitability for deployment of the product within the transport infrastructure.

Historically type approvals have been inconsistent across jurisdictions and modes of transport, leading to inefficiencies and a reluctance to adopt novel products that may offer better asset life cycle performance and operational efficiency. Feedback from industry stakeholders has highlighted the existing processes are complex, time-consuming and challenging to navigate, which stifles innovation and value creation.

This initiative promises substantial ongoing savings for both the industry and government agencies by streamlining processes and reducing duplication of effort. 

Transport for NSW has led a working group to develop the draft national Product Type Approval (PTA) Framework in collaboration with 49 members from different modes and jurisdiction across Australia, industry experts, transport operations and industry bodies.

The draft PTA Framework is built around ten core principles intended to foster knowledge sharing build trust and reduce duplication of effort through shared assessments across different jurisdictions and transport modes. These principles are designed to support a risk-based, efficient and timely approval of products.

The ten core principles developed by the project team and presented to industry stakeholders are provided below.

Product Type Approval core principles

Trial and Evaluation of the PTA Framework

The PTA Framework is presently in a trial stage, moving towards full acceptance and implementation by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and DTP Victoria. The pilot test involves trial across 17 products across different asset classes in both road and rail. 

The trial phase of the PTA Framework is being conducted in partnership between Transport for NSW and DTP Victoria. This phase also includes collaboration with and contribution from Transport Certification Australia (TCA), National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), AECOM, ARTC, Queensland Rail and other industry partners to assess the framework’s effectiveness prior to its approval.

Benefits of the Product Type Approval National Framework

The harmonised framework aims to remove barriers to innovation by facilitating a more effective way for approval and introduction of new technologies on the transport networks. This is achieved by establishing a governance to eliminate the duplication of effort across jurisdiction. This initiative aligns with the National Rail Action Plan to enhance safety and promote regulatory consistency across Australian transport networks.

The harmonised framework will provide a consistent national approach for managing the type approval process across all modes of transport and jurisdictions across Australia.

Next Steps

  • The immediate future involves internal endorsement within Transport for NSW and DTP Victoria. Furthermore, TfNSW and DTP Victoria have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and enter into a binding agreement to adopt the PTA Framework. The MoU records the intention of the parties to adopt the core principles underpinning the PTA Framework and share product type approval assessment consistent with the PTA Framework and the MoU.

  • The PTA Framework will minimise duplication of effort and deliver value creation which will be achieved by proactively sharing product type approval assessments thus reducing costs and improving efficiencies.

  • Change management and consultation with regards to any upcoming changes to existing processes.

Project Leadership

Sponsor: Christian Christodoulou (Director Engineering) 
Project Champion TfNSW: Lidija Dumbaloska (Director Energy Networks & Systems)

Project Champion DTP Victoria:  Andrew Brenchley (Executive Director, Standards and Transport Engineering)

Project Manager: Paul Wellington (Manager – Road Engineering Standards, DTP Victoria)

By leveraging the strengths and resources of both agencies including ARTC, Queensland Rail, industry partners and industry bodies, both agencies seek to achieve sustainable outcomes for the transport industry.