Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has announced a new access regime for Class 1 Vehicles. As part of the regime, Oversize Overmass (OSOM) vehicles exceeding 59.5 tonnes will require Regulatory Telematics.
All Class 1 OSOM vehicles exceeding 59.5 tonnes will be required to have Telematics Monitoring Applications (TMA) for access in QLD.
All Class 1 OSOM vehicles exceeding 59.5 tonnes, including trailers and dollies, must be equipped with Type-Approved On-Board Mass (OBM) systems, connected to their TMA system (i.e. making it a Smart OBM system) for access in QLD.
This new regime aims to ensure vehicles travel on routes suitable for their size and weight, reducing the risk of accidents and infrastructure damage, as well as significantly simplifying the process of evaluating and gaining access, which includes minimising the need for OSOM permits. These changes apply to OSOM vehicles over 59.5 tonnes that aren’t included in the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice by introducing a new access instrument, a dynamic notice, utilising the Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Access Management System (HVAMS) and in time its successor, the National Automated Access System (NAAS).
The new access system will provide real-time route access approval based on an assessment of each individual vehicle's mass and dimensions against the capacity of each road and bridge. In a matter of seconds, the system will generate a tailored access map for an individual vehicle and detail the associated access conditions. When released, operators cannot choose to bypass the new access system. The old permit system will no longer exist for vehicles that fall within the HVAMS/NAAS limits. Vehicles outside of the HVAMS/NAAS limits will still require a permit, where Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) and Smart On-board Mass (OBM) will be required.
Class 1 Oversize Overmass (OSOM) load carrying vehicles designed for the purpose of carrying a large indivisible item, including:
Currently, there are no TCA Type-Approved Hydraulic or Spring suspension OBM systems that can be used on OSOM combinations. This poses a significant technological challenge for existing OBM suppliers.
Due to the specific nature of OSOM combinations, which commonly include prime movers, dollies, and trailers with a range of different suspension types, OBM suppliers will need to offer individual sensors capable of measuring mass using a variety of technologies. These technologies include air pressure, hydraulic pressure, and strain or deflection sensors.
These OBM systems must also be able to combine the data from each of these different technologies to provide gross weight and ensure that this data can be provided to a TMA system. Although no Type-Approved OBM systems exist, many OBM suppliers already offer hydraulic and strain/deflection sensors. With some modifications to the hardware and/or software, these systems are likely to achieve Type-Approval between now and the Smart OBM deadline of June 2026.
Operators should immediately contact their OBM supplier for updates on developments in this space. It is crucial to understand that the same brand of OBM system needs to be installed on all assets of a combination (truck, dolly, trailers), as mixing and matching brands is not currently supported by any Smart OBM system.
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