The latest part of a nationwide network aimed at improving road safety and regulatory compliance for heavy vehicles is up and running.

The new Mackays Crossing Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC), located on State Highway 59, between the Mackays Crossing and Paekākāriki interchanges, is the eighth of 12 planned CVSC facilities around the country to become operational.

The cost of the new Mackays Crossing CVSC is approximately $13.3 million and the facility enables vehicle screening with weigh-in-motion

(in-road) scales, automatic number plate recognition cameras and electronic signs working together to identify potentially overweight vehicles.

The combined information from the scales and cameras is assessed by a vehicle screening system to see if a vehicle complies with its permitted weight. If the system identifies that a heavy vehicle is potentially overweight, its number plate will be displayed on an electronic sign along with a message to stop at the CVSC.

Approximately 13,300 vehicles travel in each direction along the adjacent section of SH1 per day, with around 6.5% of them being heavy vehicles. The Mackays Crossing CVSC inspection bays can fit a maximum of eight trucks at a time.

Tara Macmillan, Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, says the facility is a significant advancement in the way NZTA/Waka Kotahi targets unsafe heavy vehicles and supports safer freight movement.

“The new approach for CVSCs allows us to identify potentially unsafe heavy vehicles in real time and intervene quickly when needed. That means safer roads for everyone.

“It is also good news for the vast majority of freight operators who do the right thing every day. Targeting those that flout the rules or try to short-cut the system means operators doing the right thing are not being undercut by those who choose not to. This creates a more level playing field when it comes to doing business,” Ms Macmillan says.

The centres are already proving their worth. Ms Macmillan says where CVSCs are operating, compliance is improving.

“Even when physical centres are not open, vehicle screening is occurring 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing valuable data for compliance follow up.

“We have seen decreases in the numbers of overloaded vehicles and trucks with expired Certificates of Fitness. That is great news for road safety,” Ms Macmillan says

Ms Macmillan thanks the Kāpiti community for their understanding as the local CVSC has been built and highway infrastructure put in place.

“The work required at State Highway 1 at Mackays Crossing has not been without its challenges. We know the lane closures and night works needed for getting the gantries and in-road weigh stations in place did affect road users.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding they showed at the time. We know this new facility will deliver significant benefits for the wider Wellington region,” Ms Macmillan says.

As well as supporting compliance activity, the Mackays CVSC will provide valuable information about heavy vehicle movements on the Kāpiti Coast. This will help NZTA/Waka Kotahi identify emerging risks and make better-informed safety decisions.