OBMUs now approved under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP)
September 2, 2013
Type-approved on-board mass units (OBMUs) are now approved under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP).
Transport Certification Australia (TCA), which oversees the IAP, confirms that it will administer use of the units – to be known as IAP Mass (IAPm) – describing the move as “another significant milestone in the national transport reform agenda”.
It comes two months after TCA said it would start
the type-approval of OBMUs against a nationally-agreed performance-based functional and technical specification, aimed at giving transport operators with greater confidence in their use.
Under the new arrangements, TCA will become responsible for the Queensland ‘interim OBM solution’, which has been administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
“TMR has shown leadership in this area by deploying the interim OBM solution which involves the operation of OBMUs with the IAP as well as facilitating access and major productivity gains through the use of Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles on key freight routes – such as between Toowoomba and the Port of Brisbane,’ TCA CEO Chris Koniditsiotis says.
“As TCA type-approved OBMUs become available, we will be able to introduce the availability of IAPm which – for the first time – will combine the use of in-vehicle telematics, type-approved OBMUs and associated services in an integrated, certified program administered nationally by TCA for the use of road managers, regulators and the transport industry. Critically, IAPm will apply the practical experience we’ve gained from the interim OBM solution.’
“IAPm will allow the highest level of vehicle location and mass assurance, where there are identified needs associated with granting road access for specific vehicle combinations.
“For transport operators already using OBMUs in Queensland with the IAP, TCA has consulted with IAP service providers and the OBMU industry to confirm there will be no immediate change to current operational arrangements in Queensland and stakeholders can be assured of a managed transition to IAPm.”
