By Lori Goyetche, Service Lead, RMV Modernization
It’s a wheely big deal.
Trucks that are moving oversized or overweight loads in Nova Scotia need to get a Special Move Permit before they can hit the road. Getting permit applications processed accurately and quickly is paramount to ensuring the timely delivery of essential goods.
Each year, the Nova Scotia government processes roughly 15,000 Special Move Permits to protect public safety and preserve highway infrastructure. If you’ve seen a portable classroom being transported to a school, a crane moving between construction sites, or the blades of a large windmill heading from the port to a wind farm, then you’ve seen vehicles that need a Special Move Permit to carry out their duties.
Keeping it between the lines.
Carriers have used the old system for Special Move Permits extensively over the years, with approximately one-third of all applications processed online annually. However, the system has reached its limits and can no longer keep pace with evolving configurations and operational demands. To remain effective and relevant, we must reimagine and redesign it to meet today’s needs and anticipate future industry trends.
Load it up, we are rolling out.
Earlier this year, the RMV Modernization Team embraced a service design approach to revamp the system with a user-first mindset. By using the excellent research and depth of knowledge provided to the team by Public Works and Service Nova Scotia’s Business Registration Unit (BRU), as well as researching carrier pain points, reviewing legislation, and exploring trends in other jurisdictions, the team identified key challenges and opportunities. This led to clear recommendations and priorities, and the creation of a prototype that showcases a forward-thinking solution designed to better meet user needs.
Let’s take this for a spin.
To ensure the prototype meets real-world needs, we invited a diverse group of carriers to test it. Participants represented a broad range of industry demographics, including urban, rural and out-of-province users. Both small and large businesses, that typically use either online or paper-based application methods, also took part. Their feedback provides valuable insights into how the service performs across different user scenarios.
Big rigs, bigger dreams.
In the trucking industry, time is money. Users need to be able to complete applications correctly the first time, without the back-and-forth to clarify details.
The results? Participants found it easy and intuitive to complete their permit applications in the new system. They could also quickly navigate the interface and review submissions with minimal effort. There was a clear sense of excitement about the system becoming smarter and less manual, with many users enthusiastic about the potential for increased efficiency and automation in their day-to-day processes.
Driven to deliver.
Having gathered valuable insights and feedback from carriers, we are now making plans for a new Special Move Permit service that will include dynamic workflows that are driven by business logic and visual images. The goal will be to speed up the application and permit issuance processes so that loads can get from A to B safely and efficiently.
Next time you’re on the highway and you pass one of those massive oversized and overweight loads on the highway, you’ll understand a bit of what it took to get it on the road.