Vehicles travelling on New Zealand roads must be within the national weight limit (referred to as the 'Class 1 weight limits'). These limits are set out in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016.
But sometimes heavier vehicles also need to use the road. In these cases overweight permits (including High Productivity Motor Vehicle permits) may be available to exceed the national weight limits.
OPermit
- The NZ Transport Agency has a software package called OPermit for assessing the availability of highway routes for overweight vehicles (those vehicles exceeding 'Class 1' weight limits).
- OPermit is operated and managed by the Transport Agency. All state highway routes are in the system.
- OPermit assesses the capacity of roads and bridges for specific vehicles on specific routes.
- OPermit is available to other road controlling authorities (RCAs).
- Most RCAs use OPermit only for their strategic ‘overweight routes’ which are usually only a small part of their roading network with links to the state highway system, however some use it more widely.
- An OPermit user guide is available.
What does OPermit do?
- OPermit automates the assessment of vehicle load effects on roads and bridges.
- OPermit can place conditions on the overweight vehicle, such as reducing its speed or transverse position on a bridge, in order for it to be allowed to cross.
- An overweight permit is generated by OPermit with all the conditions of travel for the vehicle and the route under consideration.
Permit applications
- Transport operators apply for an overweight permit(external link) by submitting the required vehicle and route information to the Transport Agency regional Permit Issuing Officer (PIO).
- The PIO uses OPermit to assess the capability of the route to accommodate the overweight vehicle.
- Currently some RCAs delegate responsibility for assessing their routes using OPermit to the NZ Transport Agency PIO. An RCA can of course appoint their own PIO if they wish.
OPermit use by road controlling authorities
OPermit is the computer system used to check state highways and agreed bypasses for overweight loads. This information is also available to download as a PDF factsheet [PDF, 129 KB].
Costs and requirements
- The NZ Transport Agency does not currently charge other RCAs for the use of OPermit.
- Bridge modelling costs are not paid for by the NZ Transport Agency.
- An RCA will be required to provide appropriate information for the route and bridges to enable OPermit to operate.
- Bridge information is usually provided by the RCA’s bridge consultant. The cost to model bridges will be dependent on the availability of structural data.
Benefits
- The system provides rapid and consistent outcomes.
- Labour intensive analysis is avoided.
- OPermit provides a process to effectively manage the risk of bridges being overloaded, thereby reducing the likelihood of sudden failure and extending their effective life.
Visit other Transport Agency pages for further information:
For further information contact overweightinquiries@nzta.govt.nz.
