On Board Mass (OBM)

Transport for NSW is updating the requirements for heavy vehicles operating with OBM systems in NSW in response to advancements in telematics technology. OBM systems approved by TCA and linked to the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) or the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) may be used as a risk management option by road managers to allow specific access requested by transport operators on their managed road networks in NSW.

About OBM

OBM systems monitor all the axle groups in the vehicle combination and provide the mass readings of these axle groups to the IAP system.

Approved OBM systems linked to TMA or IAP are administered by Transport Certification Australia (TCA) and allow Transport for NSW and other road managers in NSW to grant access to routes approved as suitable that may have previously been unavailable for these vehicle types due to identified infrastructure risks.

Operators must only use TCA type-approved OBM systems that are linked to TMA or IAP by certified providers.

Why is OBM required and what are the benefits

OBM provides greater assurance to Transport for NSW (and other road managers) that the heavy vehicles are operating within the approved mass limit for that part of the network and on routes that have been approved as suitable for their use.

Operators can also use OBM as part of managing heavy vehicle safety and regulatory compliance.

Changes to OBM

With advancements in telematics technology, Transport for NSW is transitioning from interim OBM to Smart OBM systems. Smart OBM systems are devices that use digital technology to collect and transmit mass data from vehicles in a reliable and standardised way. With Smart OBM operators currently have the choice to enrol in either TMA or the IAP.

Transition Arrangements and Smart OBM

Operators currently operating under Interim OBM arrangements may still use these systems but will be required to transition to a Smart OBM system by 1 June 2024. In many cases it’s possible for an existing OBM system to be upgraded to a Smart OBM system, please contact the supplier of your OBM system or TCA for further information.

From 1 June 2024 Smart OBM operators will need to be enrolled in a NSW TMA mass monitoring scheme through their Application Service Provider and be able to produce a Certificate of Enrolment in the relevant scheme.

Operators with heavy vehicles fitted with Smart OBM systems may enrol their vehicles for operation in NSW.

Vehicles requiring OBM

Approved OBM systems linked to TMA or IAP are currently in use by Transport for NSW as an agreed road access condition for specific access for Performance Based Standards (PBS) combinations operating on approved Transport for NSW managed roads in NSW.

OBM is currently required as a road access condition for the following:

PBS access for travel southbound on the Princes Highway descending Mount Ousely at masses over 68.5 tonnes (HML B-double)
PBS access for travel southbound on the Pacific Highway over the Hexham Bridge (across the Hunter River) at 68.5 tonnes (HML B-double)

When assessing heavy vehicle access applications received from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Transport for NSW takes into consideration the application of OBM as an additional assurance tool for providing greater access across sensitive infrastructure. In cases where OBM provides greater access across sensitive infrastructure, Transport for NSW will apply the OBM condition on its road manager consent responses to the NHVR. This condition is then reflected on access permits issued by the NHVR.

Enrol in a TMA or IAP scheme that requires OBM

Where OBM is an agreed condition of road access in NSW, the vehicle must have a NSW TMA or IAP certificate of Enrolment showing that the vehicle type enrolled in TMA or IAP and that it is monitored in a scheme that requires OBM

Please note: If the vehicle is already enrolled in TMA or IAP in another jurisdiction, the vehicle will still be required to separately enrol in TMA or IAP with Transport for NSW for travel in NSW.

To enrol in a scheme that requires OBM, registered operators must follow the steps shown in Enrol in the IAP with Transport for NSW.

Enrol in the OBM under IAP

Where OBM is an agreed condition of road access in NSW, the vehicle must have an NSW IAP Certificate of Enrolment showing the vehicle type enrolled in the IAP and that it is monitored in an OBM scheme.

Please note: If the vehicle is already enrolled in the IAP or OBM in another jurisdiction, the vehicle will still be required to separately enrol in the IAP OBM with Transport for NSW for travel in NSW.

To enrol in the OBM, registered operators must follow the steps shown in Enrol in the IAP with Transport for NSW.

All enrolments in the IAP or OBM are processed free of charge.

Your vehicle will require an access permit to operate in NSW for the vehicle type enrolled in the IAP, please apply for an access permit from the NHVR.

Why is OBM required and what are the benefits?

OBM enables Transport for NSW and other road managers to provide greater access to their managed road network, particularly infrastructure which is restricted due to heavy vehicle mass capacity, by provided greater assurance to Transport for NSW (and other road managers) that the heavy vehicles are operating within the approved mass limit for that part of the network and on routes that have been approved as suitable for their use.