Low-Speed Swept Path and Tail Swing options paper

As part of an on-going review of the PBS standards that kicked off in 2019, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has released a detailed options paper that explores possible improvements to the PBS low speed turning performance standard, and its related performance measures.

Currently, vehicle low-speed turning performance is assessed in PBS using a 90-degree, 12.5-metre radius turn, which the vehicles complete at no greater than 5 km/h.

The project is driven by possible misalignment between low speed turning performance of PBS and equivalent prescriptive vehicles, and differences between the low speed performance levels and the turning templates featured in the PBS network classification guidelines.  

The options paper proposes three possible actions:

• a review of the existing low speed turning performance levels
• a review of the existing network classification guidelines (including turning templates)
• introduction of an alternative low speed turning performance standard

Consultation is open until 31^st May 2023. Over the coming weeks, HVIA will consult with members regarding the options, and prepare a formal response to the NHVR.

Further background information on the NHVR’s review of the PBS standards is available here: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/performance-based-standards/pbs-review-project/pbs-standards-review

Members are welcome to submit comments at any time to either Greg Forbes or Adam Ritzinger. 

It should be noted that this work package is separate to the ‘PBS 2.0’ project, also currently being undertaken by the NHVR.