Performance Based Standards (PBS)

The Performance Based Standards (PBS) Scheme was introduced in 2007. It is a national heavy vehicle scheme designed for safer and more productive movement of heavy vehicles. This scheme allows truck and transport operators to be more effective, sustainable, and safe through innovative and optimised vehicle design.

PBS contributes to less emissions, improved air quality, reduced congestion, and noise reduction. For example, in 2019, the Australian PBS fleet saved 200 million litres of fuel and 486,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. 

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Performance Based Standards

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How it works

• PBS matches the right vehicle to the right freight task according to set of rules and guidelines that are nationally consistent.
• National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) appoints assessors and certifiers to complete the PBS approval process.

Benefits:

• PBS focuses on enhanced vehicle safety and optimised performance with increased freight productivity and less impact on environment and road infrastructure.
• Based on the type of PBS vehicle and route, PBS vehicles can access the PBS road network in NSW by an access permit and/or a national PBS notice that provides details of operation conditions²¹.
• NHVR National Network Map
• PBS works to ensure safety while increasing productivity by using innovation.

Typical use case:

Special purpose vehicles, truck fleets, buses, agriculture and mining vehicles, emergency vehicles.

Implications for operations:

Specialised knowledge and expertise for vehicle design, evaluation, and approval are required.

²⁰ Australian Government, Performance Based Standards – A guide for road managers, https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201810-0924-pbs-a-guide-for-road-managers.pdf.

²¹ NSW government, Transport for NSW, Performance Based Standards, https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/roads-and-waterways/business-and-industry/heavy-vehicles/road-access/performance-based