Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age
Operations are now underway at the country’s newest commercial vehicle safety centre (CVSC), on State Highway 1/3 at Ohakea in Manawatū.
This will streamline travel for heavy vehicle operators, deliver targeted enforcement by NZ Police, and efficient monitoring for heavy vehicle compliance.
NZTA Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme Manager Sean Bridge is confident the new CVSC will improve travel efficiencies for compliant heavy vehicle operators and level the playing field for commercial transport operators in the region.
“A CVSC screens heavy vehicles travelling past and provides data on operator and truck behaviour such as heavy vehicle weight, Certificate of Fitness status, and driver fatigue. This information is used to direct operators into the centre for inspection by NZ Police,” says Mr Bridge.
“These centres will help to improve compliance at the same time as improving travel times for operators, because those not flagged during screening won’t need to pull into the centre.
“The data we collect will give us insight into the behaviour of heavy vehicles on the network. Using this data, we’ll be able to target our education and compliance work toward where safety issues are found.
“This ensures everyone is paying their fair share for use of the road; keeps compliant operators moving through more smoothly and reduces the damage caused to the road by overloading, ultimately boosting safety and efficiency for all road users.”
The Ohakea CVSC is one of 12 being built on important freight routes that will monitor the behaviour of heavy vehicles across the country.
How the CVSC works:
The CVSC is connected to in-road scales, number plate recognition cameras and electronic signage on State Highway 1/3, leading to and from the centre.
This technology collects data on passing vehicles 24/7 such as COF status, vehicle weight, load status, permit compliance, and if drivers are taking appropriate breaks.
Where a heavy vehicle is required for inspection, its number plate will be displayed on the electronic signage, indicating it needs to pull into the centre for safe inspection by the NZ Police.
The construction of a new roundabout on the state highway also means trucks can safely enter from both directions.
