The ATA has provided a measured response to the NHVR’s proposed updates to the Performance Based Standards for Static Rollover Threshold (SRT), Rearward Amplification (RA) and High Speed Transient Offtracking (HSTO).
The ATA submission supports the overall direction of the reforms, particularly the intent to incorporate modern stability control technology better and to clarify the SRT requirements for dangerous goods vehicles.
The submission also identifies several areas requiring further development to ensure the revised standards are practical, consistent and effective.
The ATA, in its submission, cautions that the proposed ESC/RSC modelling approach is incomplete, with key behaviours not yet represented, creating the risk of inconsistent assessments.
New dynamic test manoeuvres also remain in proof-of-concept form and will require defined criteria before they are implemented.
The submission states: “The new dynamic manoeuvres proposed for validating the alternative SRT pathway, the roundabout profile and the J entry to transient curve, remain proof of concept. Entry speeds, tolerances, severity definitions and pass / fail criteria are still to be determined. These details must be settled before the tests can operate as reliable equivalence checks against the 0.35g SRT baseline.”
The ATA submission stressed the need for nationally consistent guidance on RA and HSTO pathways, broader clarification on the use of Lateral Transfer Ratio and robust protocols for reduced speed testing. It also emphasises the need to ensure the in-service performance of stability systems through complementary compliance measures.
On that issue, the ATA submission says: “Permitting stability control systems to activate during RA and HSTO testing is appropriate; however, replacing the constant speed requirement with an entry speed allowance significantly alters test comparability. Without precise guidance on acceptable speed decay, steering path tolerances and dynamic thresholds, assessments may vary between operators and assessors. Clear, prescriptive instructions will be required to maintain national consistency.”
Read the full submission here.
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