The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is seeking feedback on proposed updates to several Performance-Based Standards (PBS) regulations.
The NHVR is currently reviewing three high-speed and stability standards within the PBS scheme to help improve road safety, enhance productivity and promote innovation.
The standards under review include:
- Static Rollover Threshold (SRT)
- Rearward Amplification (RA)
- High-Speed Transient Offtracking (HSTO)
“These standards play a critical role in ensuring the safety of PBS vehicles,” the NHVR said.
“The review aims to modernise the standards to better reflect contemporary vehicle technology and ensure we can maintain a safe heavy vehicle industry.”
The NHVR has been progressively reviewing all of the PBS standards.
Significant advancements have been made in braking and stability control technologies such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Roll Stability Control (RSC) since the scheme was established.
“Additionally, previous feedback from the industry indicates that some standards may act as barriers to participation for certain vehicle types, without necessarily improving safety outcomes,” the NHVR said.
Through this consultation, the NHVR aims to confirm whether the existing standards remain fit for purpose while understanding the impacts of current standards on industry participation.
The consultation will also allow the NHVR to explore potential updates to reflect modern vehicle technology and ensure continued safety benefits while enabling productivity improvements.
The options presented in the NHVR’s technical discussion paper have been developed in consultation with the PBS Review Panel and outline several options for the future of each standard.
These include:
- whether existing performance limits and test procedures should be retained or amended;
- options to recognise the role of stability control technology in managing high-speed and stability performance;
- opportunities to reduce compliance barriers for certain vehicle types; and
- possible amendments to PBS test procedures to align with real-world performance.
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In other news, Port of Auckland is selling its Nexus Logistics subsidiary to Qube Holdings.
