TCA will soon commence type-approval of OBM systems against the new specification
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) released its On-Board Mass (OBM) System Functional and Technical Specification yesterday.
The specification is designed to help achieve consistency and accuracy through performance-based open standards and performance of OBM systems that meet both industry and regulatory requirements.
TCA CEO Chris Koniditsiotis says one of its key purposes was creating an ability to use OBM systems to support future road access and productivity moves.
“With transport operators continuing to adopt OBM systems to manage commercial obligations, mass compliance and chain of responsibility requirements, having assurance in the use of OBM systems is crucial,” Koniditsiotis says.
“The ability to obtain assurance in the measurement of vehicle mass, as well as individual axle groups, provides a new way of managing infrastructure utilisation, and the opportunity for greater productivity and improved safety of the road network.”
The Specification includes requirements for:
- physical characteristics
- environmental characteristics
- data collection
- record generation
- functionality
- data storage
- data security and transfer
- interconnection to a telematics in-vehicle unit
- installation, calibration, operation and maintenance
- provision of OBM system for type-approval.
Koniditsiotis says it will help achieve consistency through performance-based open standards while reducing the cost to industry and pushing competition.
TCA will soon begin type-approval of OBM systems against the Specification to provide transport operators with greater confidence in their use.
The Specification can be used by:
- suppliers of OBM systems who are investigating and/or planning to apply for type-approval
- end-users who are investigating and comparing different OBM systems against the Specification.
“The specification is positioned to support the need for assurance in OBM systems both locally and internationally, where the effective management of mass loadings is required to manage the safe and productive movement of vehicles and loads,” Koniditsiotis says.
The specification was developed following consultation with government agencies, the OBM system, telematics and transport industries.
It is consistent with the principles of the National Telematics Framework and the policy framework for Intelligent Transport Systems in Australia.
It is also consistent with current developments and proposals by the European Commission to better manage mass loadings of heavy vehicles in a cost effective, sustainable manner, Koniditsiotis says.
The specification can be found here.