TCA release On-Board Mass (OBM) system functional and technical specification
Transport Certification Australia (TCA), the national government body responsible for providing assurance in the use of telematics and related intelligent technologies, today released the On-Board Mass (OBM) System Functional and Technical Specification.
TCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Koniditsiotis said, “The Specification represents a major step forward in establishing performance-based outcomes for the accuracy, integrity and performance of OBM systems which can satisfy the needs of both industry and government.”
“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.”
“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 ability to use OBM systems to support future road access and productivity initiatives has been at the forefront of the development of the Specification.”
“Consistent with the principles of the National Telematics Framework, and the Policy Framework for ITS in Australia, the availability of the Specification will minimise cost to industry and achieve consistency through performance-based open standards, while promoting competition and innovation.”
TCA will soon commence type-approval of OBM systems against the Specification to provide transport operators with greater confidence in their use. The Specification may therefore be used in two ways:
- By suppliers of OBM systems investigating and/or planning to apply for type-approval
- By end-users investigating and comparing different OBM systems against the Specification.
End-users will also benefit from having competition and choice in type-approved OBM systems, as they become available in the marketplace.
The move towards the Specification and type-approval of OBM systems follows considerable work by TCA in consultation with government agencies, the OBM system, telematics and transport industries – including an in-service evaluation of OBM systems, which informed the development of the Specificaton through operational learnings.
“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.”
“It should also be noted that the Specification is consistent with current developments and proposals by the European Commission to better manage mass loadings of heavy vehicles in a cost effective, sustainable manner,” Mr Koniditsiotis said.
TCA acknowledges the breadth of stakeholders who provided valuable feedback and insights during the development of the Specification.