Improving regulation of heavy vehicles: performance based standards

Australia has been working to develop a performance-based regulatory approach to controlling heavy vehicle impacts. This new regulatory system comprises standards to control: 1. safety risks associated with the ability of vehicles to start, stop, turn and fit on roads; 2. pavement, surfacing and bridge impacts; and 3. environmental and amenity impacts. Alongside these standards, a system is being developed of administering the performance standards and ensuring they are achieved once vehicles are using the road system. The Performance Based Standards (PBS) approach will rely on performance assessments that consider the risks involved, and identify appropriate operating conditions and compliance verification requirements that will ensure the standards are met. Vehicles and operators will need to be separately certified to show they can meet the requirements of a PBS approval, with multiple vehicles and operators able to operate under the one approval. A number of checks and balances have been included in the regulatory framework to clarify the role of governments and ensure their accountabilities are adequately addressed.