Where do route restrictions apply?
Placardable loads dangerous goods must not be transported in the following areas of Western Australia:
- dangerous goods:
- the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel
- explosives (Category 2 and 3 quantities):
- Perth central business district (CBD), unless being delivered to the CBD
- the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel
- Fremantle CBD, unless being delivered to the CBD.
Route selection
The following general criteria apply when transporting dangerous goods or explosives.
The routes should:
- not include restricted transport areas unless permitted or in accordance with an exemption has been granted by the department’s Chief Dangerous Goods Officer
- avoid heavily populated or congested areas, including regional cities and towns
- avoid congested crossings, tunnels, major bridges, narrow streets and alleys
- avoid sites where there may be concentrations of people, including medical centres, hospitals, nursing homes and homes for the elderly, schools at start or finish times, and shopping centres during opening or peak hours
- avoid underground water protection areas, water catchment areas for potable and sensitive environmental areas
- not include the Narrows and Mount Henry Bridges.
Explosives
When transporting explosives, drivers of placarded vehicles should:
- avoid travel during peak-hour traffic
- minimise the need to refuel vehicle while transporting explosives.
Furthermore, for placarded vehicles transporting explosives within the Perth metropolitan area:
- Risk Category 2 quantity loads should follow primary roads (district or minor roads for pick-ups or deliveries may be used at the start or end of journeys where primary roads are unavailable)
- Risk Category 3 loads of explosives must follow approved routes in the Perth region.
Vehicle stopping
Apart from when loading or unloading, or as required by law, there are restrictions on where a placarded vehicle is allowed to be parked or left standing (e.g. to detach a trailer).
In the event of a breakdown, towing or repair must be arranged quickly and local police must be notified.