Construction is complete on the commercial vehicle safety centre (CVSC) on Pukenui Road outside RNZAF Base Ohakea, in Manawatū.
The Ohakea CVSC replaces the old New Zealand Police weigh station on State Highway 1 and State Highway 3 near Bulls.
It’s one of 12 facilities NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for the NZ Police to operate. These facilities are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP) which is developing an integrated network of cameras, in road weigh-in-motion scales and safety centres covering strategic routes across the country. These facilities aim to improve road safety, ensure a level playing field for the industry and encourage compliant vehicle productivity.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP)
About the commercial vehicle safety centres
Vehicle screening – how it works
View larger map of the CVSC site [PDF, 109 KB]
About the Ohakea CVSC project
The new, high-tech facility has been built on Pukenui Road, near where the new permanent roundabout has been constructed on State Highway 1/3.
This location was chosen because it’s a vital link to the central and lower North Island and is a high-volume freight route with more than 2000 heavy vehicle passing daily. The construction of the new permanent roundabout on the state highway also means trucks can safely enter from both directions.
The CVSC advances roadside technology to screen passing vehicles 24/7, such as weigh-in-motion or in-road scales, number plate recognition cameras and Variable Message Signage (VMS).
View larger map of the roadside technology of the CVSC site [PDF, 211 KB]
Ohakea Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC) factsheet – February 2024 [PDF, 432 KB]
Heavy vehicles of interest will be directed into the CVSC for inspection.
About 2km before the centre on SH1/3, in both directions there are in-road weigh-in-motion scales and number plate recognition cameras. These screen heavy vehicles for compliance and risk.
If your truck is flagged, Variable Message Signage (VMS) further down the road will display your licence plate, signalling you to pull into the centre.
The VMS may also say ‘All Heavy Vehicle Stop’. If this message is displayed all heavy vehicles are required to pull into the centre.
If you are signalled to pull into the centre, you must do so. If you don’t pull into the centre you could get a $1000 fine.
While you’re on site CVST might also carry out more compliance checks, such as checking for RUC, Certificate of Fitness, logbooks and worktime, drug and alcohol impairment, or completing a vehicle inspection.
Everyday motorists (light vehicles) are also assessed but won’t be directed into the CVSC. Light vehicle data is anonymised and used for analysis, insights, and reporting.
This upgraded technology on SH1/3 will help increase efficiency and streamline travel for compliant operators, because those not flagged during screening won’t need to pull into the CVSC. Using data, we will be able to focus education and compliance work toward operators who aren’t compliant on our roads, making sure they’re paying their fair share of road maintenance costs.
The other CVSCs which are now operational include Glasnevin, Rakaia southbound, Paengaroa and Stanley St.