Following a lengthy delay, the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) is now in the process of deploying five of its new Mobile Roller Brake Test units.

The new machines – which enable roadside brake testing for heavy commercial vehicles – were launched to the media in early 2022 and were scheduled for deployment later that year.

Among the reasons cited for the delay have been issues related to the design of trailers for transporting the units, an extended test and development programme, and also driver training required for officers who would be transporting the units.

The February 2024 issue of New Zealand Truck & Driver reported five MRBT units were in storage at the CVST Stanley St facility in Auckland, with a sixth still to be completed.

Police planned to have the MRBT units deployed regionally around the country during 2022 to carry out random checking of heavy vehicle braking systems nationwide. The mobile units were to supplement the permanent roadside facilities in the Bay of Plenty and in North Canterbury.

Responding to further questions from NZ T&D last month, the Police media team says one unit has been operating (based from Auckland) for over 12 months while the unit based in the BOP and Waikato regions was deployed during August.

The MRBT machines are transported in purpose-built trailers towed by newly acquired Ford Ranger utes.

“After the successful completion of health and safety testing, there are five new Roller Brake Test Machines (RBTM) deployed to districts,” says Inspector Scott Webb, Acting National Manager: CVST.

“As part of our ongoing commitment alongside New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi to improve road safety in particularly with heavy motor vehicles, the mobile RBTMs will enable our staff to test and ensure the brakes of heavy motor vehicles are to standard.

“It’s a fantastic tool for our Commercial Vehicle Safety Teams and our partners at NZTA and they will play a pivotal part in the reduction of deaths and serious injuries on our roads that involve heavy motor vehicles.”

The mobile RBTMs can be used on the roadside and may be used in conjunction with a screening tool known as mobile thermal imaging device which detects an imbalance in brake temperature which may require further investigation.

“Using this equipment will enable Police to identify more vehicles with brake faults, therefore enabling more prevention and enforcement, which in turn will increase the safety of New Zealand road users,” Inspector Webb says.

“The RBTMs are currently deployed with two based in Auckland and Northland, one covering Waikato and Bay of Plenty. One has been allocated to be used in the central North Island and the other to be utilised across the South Island.”

The CVST opened tenders for the supply of six brake testing machines back in 2020. The tender requirement was for a roadside brake tester that had the capacity to test fully laden vehicles. It needed to be in a self-contained trailer with a generator and an overall weight around 3000kg.

Police selected the BM Autoteknik BM20200 system from Denmark capable of testing cars, vans, four-wheel-drives and heavy vehicles to a COF-B standard.

Another requirement was for the system to be set up using just two people and be ready for operation within 15 to 20 minutes of arrival at a site.