New PBS Notice is progress – but not the end goal

A new Performance Based Standards (PBS) class 2 notice will introduce more nationally consistent conditions for road trains, supporting more seamless cross-border access and dramatically reducing requirements for permits.

HVIA is keen to support any changes to the national PBS network that facilitates better access according to National Policy and Government Relations Manager, Greg Forbes.

“We welcome the latest notice as a step in the right direction,” Mr Forbes said.

“However, there is still l lot of work to do.

“In particular, HVIA would like to see more extensive national networks for combinations using triaxle dollies.

“Moving towards vehicle combinations being defined in terms of axle groups and spacings, rather than traditional descriptions, will open up access for more innovative combinations.”

Operators of eligible vehicles can now access key freight routes in New South Wales under the National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2022.

The NHVR says the notice replaces thousands of permits, saving administrative time and cost for industry and government.

“The new network supports access for higher productivity PBS vehicles to travel under notice on more than 15,000km of New South Wales state roads, including vital routes for freight – the Hume and Newell highways and the Sydney Motorway network,” the NHVR says.

• PBS level 2B tandem dolly A-doubles
• 3 designs of Tier 3 PBS 2B A-doubles at up to 85.0 tonnes (HML)
• Tier 3 PBS Level 1 Quad Axle semi-trailers (up to 20m in length), meeting or exceeding the minimum axle spacing requirements on the PBS Level 1 HML state road network at 50.5 tonnes
• Tier 3 PBS 2B Quad Axle B-doubles up to 77.5 tonnes (HML)
• 20m PBS Level 2 Truck and Dog combinations and B-doubles respectively up to 57.5 tonnes on the Great Western Highway between Emu Plains and Marrangaroo.

The Notice was first published in November last year for Victorian networks.

“One of the biggest benefits for operators is that there are shared vehicle templates between New South Wales and Victoria,” the regulator says.

You can find the new networks on the NSW Performance Based Standards interactive maps and see these vehicle templates in the Operator’s Guide here.

Image credit: Vawdrey Trailers