Safety, Productivity and Environment Construction Transport Scheme (SPECTS)
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Updates and announcements
In July 2019, the NSW Government announced some important changes to SPECTS based on industry and local government feedback.
It is now easier and more cost effective for vehicles to participate in the Scheme. Operators can use existing telematics and mass assurance systems to provide information about their loads and movements.
About SPECTS
The voluntary Safety, Productivity and Environment Construction Transport Scheme (SPECTS) is designed to improve the safety, environmental performance and productivity of heavy vehicles used in the construction industry in the greater Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong area.
SPECTS allows participating heavy vehicles greater network access and the ability to carry more construction materials, in return for meeting higher environmental, safety and compliance standards. This is defined in the New South Wales Class 2 Safety, Productivity & Environment Construction Transport Authorisation Notice 2016 (Notice).
Participating vehicles are required to meet the following requirements in return for improved access:
- Performance Based Standards (PBS) approved
- fitted with at least a Euro 5 engine
- fitted with a range of safety features
- fitted with satellite tracking
- mass assurance systems to ensure the vehicle is travelling at the right weights.
Participation is also subject to the conditions contained in the SPECTS Business Rules. The Notice and Business Rules (PDF, 170.85 KB) are available for download.
SPECTS changes - July 2019
From 8 July 2019, it is now easier and more cost effective for eligible vehicles to participate in the Scheme.
We have removed the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) requirement. Operators can now use existing telematics systems and will simply need to participate in the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) application with Transport Certification Australia (TCA).
This involves filling out a participation form and sending data files in an approved format to TCA. It is important to note all individual data is held, secured and protected by TCA’s legal and privacy obligations. Only de-identified, aggregated data is used for reporting purposes to Transport for NSW and participating local councils.
The On-Board Mass Monitoring (OBMM) system requirement has also been removed. Operators can now use alternative systems such as weighbridges, load cells technology, air pressure transducers and strain gauge sensors to provide the vehicle’s loaded mass to the driver.
The SPECTS Business Rules set out the administrative framework and additional obligations for participants. Participants must comply with the Business Rules as a condition of operating under the Notice.
Operators must use the latest version of the SPECTS Business Rules (PDF, 170.85 KB). They are not entitled to rely on any earlier version of the SPECT Business Rules as a reason for non-compliance with the latest version.
SPECTS eligible vehicles and mass limits
SPECTS eligible vehicles may operate up to the maximum SPECTS approved mass limits set out in the table below on routes shown on the SPECTS Network Map.
Eligible vehicle | SPECTS approved mass (maximum) |
PBS Level 1 and 2A 3 or 4 axle truck towing 3 axle dog trailer* | Up to 54 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 and 2A 3 or 4 axle truck towing 4 axle dog trailer* | Up to 57.5 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 and 2A 4 axle truck (without twin steer) towing 3 axle dog trailer* | Up to 57.5 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 prime mover semi trailer combination with quad axle group* | Up to 50.5 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 concrete agitator prime mover semi trailer combination with quad axle group* | Up to 50.5 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 prime mover semi trailer combination with tri-axle group* | Up to 46 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 concrete agitator prime mover semi trailer combination with tri-axle combination* | Up to 46 tonnes |
PBS Level 1 rigid concrete agitator | As per PBS Vehicle Approval |
* Overall combination length is limited to a maximum of 20 metres
An operator must not exceed the mass available under the PBS Vehicle Approval and must comply with the lower of the relevant mass set out above or the mass stated in the PBS Vehicle Approval.
The above eligible vehicles may apply for enrolment in the Scheme if they are a PBS approved vehicle that meets the PBS Bridge Loading standard at Tier 1.
Vehicle requirements
Eligible vehicles must have the following safety and environmental features set out in the Scheme Business Rules:
- electronic Stability Control (ESC) – on vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2017 as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- roll-over control system on trailer – to be fitted to vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2017 in conjunction with ESC as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- systems to improve visibility and detection of vulnerable road users, such as blind spot mirrors as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- reversing lights on both truck and trailer as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- enhanced vehicle visibility markings – using retro-reflective tape to provide a contour outline of the vehicle as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- “Smart” reversing alarm, which adjusts the noise level to be appropriate for the environment that the vehicle operates in, on both the truck and trailer as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- a Euro 5 diesel engine (or later) as defined in the SPECTS Business Rules.
Eligible vehicles must also:
- be fitted with satellite tracking and have mass assurance systems as outlined in the SPECTS Business Rules
- be currently registered in an Australian jurisdiction
- be issued and comply with the PBS Vehicle Approval, which sets out the approved combination and the required national operating conditions
- comply with all the conditions set out in the SPECTS Business Rules and the Notice.
Construction materials
Material | Details |
Bitumen | Resinous or tar-like substance used for road construction and for roofing. |
Bricks and masonry | Includes fired clay blocks; stone blocks; glass blocks; and concrete blocks (often but not always bound with mortar) for construction, also includes clay, glass, concrete and terra cotta tiles. |
Cement and concrete | Cement powder; concrete in wet mix form; crushed concrete; and pre-cast concrete products used for construction (such as noise walls), drainage and landscaping. |
Fly ash and slag | Fly ash is a fine grey powder used in the production of concrete and mortar. |
Glass | Includes glass used for internal and external glazing, as a structural item (e.g. curtain walls) and for decorative purposes. Does not include non-fixed items made from or including glass such as shelves, table tops and household products. |
Plasterboard | Solid sheets of gypsum between sheets of paper used for walling, includes buckets, tape and other fixings for the installation of plasterboard. |
Quarry products (including aggregates and sand) | Aggregates (crushed rocks) and sand (including manufactured sand) for example, as used in concrete production and as a road base. |
Spoil and demolition waste | Spoil is dirt and rock excavated from a construction site. Demolition waste is waste material from the demolition of an existing structure including:
Does not include hazardous waste such as contaminated soil or material removed from a structure prior to its demolition. |
Steel | An alloy of iron and carbon commonly used in construction as structural beams, roofing and concrete reinforcement. May be in the form of rods, sheets, coils or mesh and also includes fabricated items such as stairways, doors and window frames. |
Timber | Milled or dressed timber intended for use in construction including as a structural item, for internal or external flooring or cladding, also includes plywood and particleboard. |
Drivers are required to carry a document to identify the construction materials being carried, as well as the driver’s origin and destination. A load being carried in or on a nominated vehicle of an operator may comprise more than one type of construction material. Loads consisting of one or more construction materials together with other types of goods are not permitted.
SPECTS Map
The SPECTS Network map shows approved network routes in an interactive map format for the SPECTS eligible vehicles.
Contact us
Transport for NSW welcomes feedback. Please send your comments or questions to roadfreight@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 364 847.
Using the SPECTS Network Map
The SPECTS Network Map offers pan/zoom, map/satellite view, location search and access to local street images.
Approved routes are shown for SPECTS eligible vehicles.
By using the zoom and drag features you may view or print maps at the level of detail and covering the area you need. The search function allows you to centre the map on a geographic location based on an address, town, post code, or a set of coordinates.
Disclaimer
The interactive SPECTS Network Map displays approved routes and restrictions as an overlay on Google Maps. Transport for NSW has no responsibility for, and does not guarantee the accuracy or currency of, the underlying web mapping content published by Google Maps.
Travel conditions and signposted restrictions must be observed at all times. This map should be read in conjunction with the New South Wales Class 2 Safety, Productivity & Environment Construction Transport Authorisation Notice 2016.
Eligible vehicles must be participating and monitored in the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) application with Transport Certification Australia (TCA) and have a mass assurance system as set out in the SPECTS Business Rules.
Fact sheets
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG). If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
- Community fact sheet (PDF, 232.83 KB)
- Council fact sheet (PDF, 290.41 KB)
- Safety fact sheet (PDF, 88.16 KB)
- Environment fact sheet (PDF, 289.29 KB)
- Pavement wear fact sheet (PDF, 589.99 KB)
- Productivity fact sheet (PDF, 302.6 KB)
- Business rules (PDF, 170.85 KB)