On Board Mass Monitoring & Scale Integration

Using calibrated scales fitted to the vehicle, OBM systems monitor all the axle groups to provide the mass readings in real-time. Businesses are able to prove to road managers that they are compliant, can manage risk to infrastructure, and allow specific access to transport operators on their managed road network. This includes, bridges, last-mile roads and local ports, which can be crucial when you require specific vehicles to complete specific tasks. 

Access to the program is achieved by installing TCA type-approved on-board scales via an approved supplier, and a TCA type-approved telematics device from Teletrac Navman to operating vehicles, and applying to the appropriate scheme as outlined by the road manager.

The transport operator can then apply to gain access to Higher Mass Limits (HML) and the extended road-network, providing a unique set of productivity benefits.

Monitoring mass via Smart OBM can be very valuable for supporting your commercial operations. OBM systems provide you with critical information about the loading of your vehicles, which is important to manage safety and regulatory compliance while also maximising productivity.

Teletrac Navman is a certified provider and its telematics devices - the IVU, VT101 and VT102 – are type approved for Smart OBM and certified for use in the TMA program.

A Smart OBM system will measure and transmit the following information:

• Vehicle registration;
• Axle Group Mass;
• Gross Vehicle Mass; and
• Time and Date.

When a vehicle is enrolled in Smart OBM, vehicle configuration data is required from the device rather via a driver self-declaration.

Data is automatically transmitted to meet TMA scheme requirements, and can also view this mass data in TN360.

You’ll need a Smart OBM system if required by a road manager, regulator, or other party which specifies, as a condition, either enrolment in TMA or a combination of TMA and the IAP, where Smart OBM systems are required.

There are a number of various access arrangements where Smart OBM systems need to be fitted to vehicles, including but not limited to:

• Victorian High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) scheme;
• Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards (PBS) A-double;
• NSW – Certain PBS level 2 category B and level 3 category Quad axle B-double combinations;
• Tasmanian PBS Vehicle Monitoring Scheme; and
• Optional method for declaring mass for higher mass limits under TMA in NSW and QLD.

Please note that your requirements for Smart OBM can be very different from other businesses, between weighing system providers and telematics providers. They can even differ by state and jurisdiction. Teletrac Navman has a dedicated regulatory team who's sole job is to help and guide you at all times to ensure you're meeting the requirements set out. 

If you're looking for accuracy and reliability, real-time load management and compliance and safety, then going for a Category A OBM system is for you. Category A OBM systems have been type-approved, and may be suitable for a wide range of commercial uses, but do not comply with Smart OBM system requirements.

If you're after the above + a long list of productivity benefits linked to policies and programs made available by road managers and regulators through the National Telematics Framework (NTF), then a category B or C type-approved Smart OBM system is the right move. These two categories are application of the NTF and can be used by operators to gain better access from road managers or to meet permit conditions. 

What’s the difference between Category B and C?

Category B and C are both applications of the NTF, and the only main difference is that category C allows you as a business to operate with multiple ASP's within the vehicle for different applications. Category C is a rare case but is available to operators. 

View TCA's OBM fact sheet

From time-to-time, all OBM systems, whether just Type-Approved or Smart OBM, need to be calibrated to ensure they're operating correctly. 

When TCA type-approves a Smart OBM system, it also approves the supplier’s recommended methods for maintaining accurate and reliable mass measurements.

There are a few elements that the driver must understand, ensure or complete as part of operating a vehicle on Smart OBM. 

• Whenever the driver is operating a Smart OBM-enabled vehicle, they must know and understand the conditions the road manager or authority has set. 
• The driver and the transport operator, should at all times ensure that the permit is valid and kept on file, as it may be required to be presented to road-side enforcement.
• To get real-time mass at any point, the driver simply needs to tap the 'fetch mass' button in the Mass Manager app on the Teletrac Navman in-vehicle device. This ensures to the driver and the business that the load they are carrying is correct and compliant. 

Please note, the requirements of the driver may vary from business and permit conditions. Some may require no driver input, while other applications may require the driver to submit reported mass results. Use the above as a guide only. 

Gaining access simply refers to the process a transport company would undertake to operate on specific routes utilising larger or unique vehicle combinations to increase payload. This means that vehicle combinations that may never have been possible at Higher Mass Limits (HML) can be used to realise efficiency and productivity gains. There are a number of different types of access that can be attained that vary depending on the need of the operator to the requirements of being granted access.

Find out more about access.

1. Talk to us! We are an approved service provider, potential OBM suppliers and shop around. Our transport solution specialists will be able to work with you to figure out exactly what you need with an OBM solution. 
2. Have your chosen type-approved Smart OBM system installed in your vehicles, both the telematics required from the ASP and the on-board weighing scales. Please remember, both of these must be type-approved systems by TCA.   
3. If you don’t already have one, get a permit or carry a copy of the applicable Notice from your road authority or the NHVR that allows you to operate to mass specifications at the level that you need.

Based on your businesses requirements, your vehicles are able to carry either GML, CML or HML. All trucks are able to carry at GML levels, whereas permits and special requirements are required for CML and HML. 

Gross Mass Limits (GML) applies to general access vehicles with unrestricted access to the road system. The GML is the maximum mass and configuration a vehicle can freight prior to applying for permits.

Concessional Mass Limits (CML) means the operator can apply to carry more freight by managing the mass declarations of each vehicle prior to its journey resulting in a 5% increase in freight and increase in vehicle.

Higher Mass Limits (HML) means the operator can further apply to carry even more freight by managing the mass declarations of each vehicle prior to its journey through a restricted road network. Please note, Higher Mass Limits requires the operator to be enrolled under the IAP for NSW and QLD.