Type Approvals and why they matter in the transport industry

Recently ARRB has been busy behind the scenes widening and improving its offerings under TIPES.

A big part of that has been listening to our members and understanding their journey towards becoming transport agencies - how established and proposed Product Type Approval are a key element of that journey and how to most effectively and efficiently identify innovative products, then evaluate them as a pre-cursor to their widespread introduction and usage.

In response, NTRO Certification has been formed as a specialist, dedicated business group within ARRB.

Internally, the successful chassis from the original TIPES framework has been homogenised so that it can now be used to seek certification for processes, services and training, as well as products, and is also readily transferrable from roads to bus, light rail and heavy rail modes.

The benefits of earlier engagement with state road agencies was also recognised, and has been successfully implemented. A prime example is ARRB and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)’s work under NACOE to establish local assessment supplements for high friction and coloured surfacing treatments. The incentive to suppliers is that a successful evaluation will lead to a place on the TMR Approved Lists for these materials.  

All of the behind-the-scenes work towards NTRO Certification has similarly led to ARRB being invited as an active member of a truly national, cross-mode, working group which is around 12 months into a project supporting the harmonisation of Product Type Approval schemes across transport sectors.

The working group has recently finalised a list of 10 key principles that should be followed in establishing or updating a Product Type Approval scheme and the ongoing development of a trial implementation framework.

Throughout these landmark tasks, NTRO Certification has been benchmarking, and is pleased to be able to say that its own internal protocols are totally consistent with where things are going nationally and the future for Product Type Approval.

Fields where we have been particularly active have been the evolution of a risk assessment led process (affording the opportunity for well worked, innovative ideas, to be fast tracked through to evaluation and reach transport agencies without frustrating delays or prospective suppliers having to jump through largely unnecessary layers of diplomacy with associated cost.

Similarly, products with little future or industry need, can be readily identified and avoid a long delay in reaching what might be a unpopular decision.  In short, being able to spot and support a fast-track candidate product from a lemon with little prospect of progressing to usage.

NTRO Certification will continue to support the National Working Group as it progresses towards its objectives. NTRO Certification can assist road and wider transport agencies to map and review their current Product Type Approval protocols which are in place across the modes, ensuring that they are consistent with current and likely future thinking of the National Working Group.

It can also conduct assessments / evaluations under any current or future Product Type Approval schemes, and the development and/or maintain industry, regional or national product registers.

From humble beginnings in 2014/15, TIPES has strengthened into NTRO Certification and all involved hope that the next 10-20 years will be as engaging, with the on-going support from the highways and wider transport industry, from both public and private sectors.

TESTIMONIAL – HOW TIPES WORKS AND ITS EFFECT

In 2016, Traffic & Access Solutions’ (TAS) Portaboom device became the first traffic control device to receive certification under TIPES.

Six years later, one of the organisation’s founding directors Mr Robert Cazzolli remains pleased that the company went through the process, firmly believing that it was a crucial step in the product successfully entering and flourishing in the Australian market.

“Fortunately we saw the value of the TIPES process very early on,” Mr Cazzolli said.

“Even preparing the application helped us understand more about our product, the needs of our clients, and the challenges of the working environment.

“TAS have substantially increased the number of Portaboom units now operating on numerous state and local roads, mitigating the very real risks to TCs associated with being located in live traffic lanes when operating STOP/SLOW bats.

“TAS applied for, and received, renewal of the TIPES Certificate in 2019 and have just recently renewed it for a further three-year term (to 2025).

“This is a strong step for TAS and reiterates the value placed on the process and ARRB as an approval entity through NTRO Certification.”

TIPES Governance Manager Mark Steidle was similarly pleased that TAS reached the decision to seek renewal for its certificate as this re-affirms the value of the certificate.

“A renewal is also significant as it means that we have not been made aware of any safety or operational issues with the device through either road agencies or private sector customers.”

A TIPES certificate can be re-evaluated and in the worst case, withdrawn, at any time if issues have become apparent and are proven.   

Further information relating to the TIPES scheme can be obtained from the ARRB website  www.arrb.com.au/tipes, or from Paul Hillier (paul.hillier@arrb.com.au or 0416 120 478)

Find out more about TIPES and its benefits

See the register of TIPES-approved products

What is TIPES and why is it important?