Road managers
Accessibility tools
The NHVR has welcomed the outcomes of a review into Australia’s Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the four recommendations would allow further strengthening of the PBS scheme, which makes up almost one-in-six new vehicles manufactured in Australia.
“Over the past decade the ability to design and develop innovative heavy vehicles that match a particular purpose has become a significant part of Australia’s landscape,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“This is an important opportunity to ensure that the PBS scheme continues to grow to meet Australia’s freight challenge over the next decade.
“In particular, I’m keen to expand our work with our 400 road managers to ensure they better understand how PBS vehicles can improve safety and reduce the impact on their infrastructure.”
NTC recommendations included:
- That states and territories identify PBS networks for each access level
- That Austroads and the NHVR compare the methodologies used to assess infrastructure and design a nationally consistent guideline to assess infrastructure
- That the NHVR review and revise the PBS standards every seven years
- That the NHVR develop and lead a comprehensive and ongoing communications plan.
A recent NTC study into PBS found savings of an estimated 94 million litres of fuel and reduced carbon emissions by about 250,000 tonnes.
PBS vehicles have also led to improved safety outcomes such as 46 per cent fewer crashes than conventional vehicles, per kilometres travelled.
The NHVR’s Q3 Quarterly Snapshot showed PBS combination approvals had doubled compared to the same period the previous year.