Smart Trucks, the future of product movement arrived a decade ago.

If your business could increase the payload on vehicles and decrease the number of vehicles travelling on public roads, would you invest? To PBS or not to PBS, a complex question, simply answered.

Since 2007, the use of the Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles (Smart Trucks) have been tested on South Africa’s roads. Proven to work efficiently in countries from Oceania to Europe. South Africa over the last decade has seen similar results.

PBS vehicles are currently also being used at the Maputo harbour carrying up to 72 Ton. Mozambican laws related to this are less stringent than in South Africa.

Over the last decade and more specifically in 2022, we have seen more businesses from various sectors applying for the use of PBS trucks and carrying up to 80 Ton of Gross Combination Mass on National Roads.

What differentiates PBS from Prescriptive Vehicles?

Advanced and optimized vehicle/trailer designs that are industry specific to increase payloads. The key is to pair the most aptly designed vehicle with its specific payload type to increase the laden volume, whilst remaining PBS compliant.

Whilst prescriptive/baseline vehicles constrain productivity and innovation through its design and governance, PBS Vehicles are proving their performance with longer trailers, higher capacities, and smarter designs.

Why opt for PBS instead of Prescriptive Vehicles?

Businesses changing to the PBS model have had an array of significant benefits.

Environmental Impact Reductions

Getting your Approvals

Phase 1 – Vehicle Approval

Approvals are done for the combination of the vehicle’s tractor/horse, trailer, tyres, and any other items requested. When submitting for approval, ensure that that all parts are the latest and not close to being made redundant. Any replacements parts need to be of the identical approved specification. If these parts cannot be supplied, a new approval application will need to be done.

RTMS accreditation has been a mandatory requirement.

Phase 2 – Weighing Approval

Before dispatching the vehicle onto Public Roads, you will need to have a means of monitoring the weights to ensure your vehicles do not exceed the 80 Ton limit. A special approval and capacity increase can be done to existing weighbridges. Whilst noting, the same concept as Vehicle Approval applies for replacement of spare parts. You should only submit the latest technology for approval.

Proven Efficiency in Industry????????????????

The Fuel, Timber, Mining, Coal Sugar and other industries have seen phenomenal results using PBS. Whilst the balance are still catching up to the open possibilities.

Conclusively, the investment to transform seems to pay its way back tenfold.

A case study done on the use of PBS in the fuel industry showed that Fuel companies save over ?USD 140000 per 1000 Ton of Fuel.

This is based on my research and personal experience assisting clients through the approval process. Over the last decade I have worked with businesses in the forestry, mining, coal and logistics sectors who were making the switch to the use of PBS Vehicles.

Should you have the experience and knowledge to add value or improvement to this research, you are welcome to contact me.