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This consultation closed on Friday, 11 September 2026. We thank all contributors who provided feedback or took part in discussions.
Implementation of the revised Pavement Horizonal Loading Standard in the PBS scheme (PDF, 677KB)
This consultation paper outlines the revised Pavement Horizonal Loading Standard (PHLS) within the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme and the proposed implementation approach.
Who should participate
If you or your business is involved in the design, manufacturing, assessment or certification of PBS vehicles, this may be of interest. The NHVR welcomes industry responses to the proposed changes and implementation approach, and we encourage you to forward this consultation paper to others who may wish to be involved in the feedback process.
Overview
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is currently reviewing the Pavement Horizonal Loading Standard (PHLS) within the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme.
This work aims to modernise the standard by replacing the existing prescriptive requirement with a performance-based measure, leading to improved road safety, enhanced productivity and greater innovation. The existing criteria relating to maximum Gross Combination Mass (GCM) will be replaced with performance limits that better control a vehicle's actual pavement impact. The revised standard has been approved by infrastructure and transport ministers and assesses the shear stress applied to the pavement during a low-speed turn. The proposed stress limits have been informed by the performance of the existing PBS fleet and as a result, the introduction of the revised standard is expected to have minimal impact on industry.
The Industry Consultation Paper outlines both the intended changes and approach to implementation.
Purpose of consultation
The NHVR seeks to collaborate with its stakeholders to ensure the changes are both aligned to industry needs and practical to deliver. Your input is important to help ensure the plan is effective, workable and appropriate for a range of industry stakeholders.