Swept Paths

A swept path (otherwise known as a tracking curve) assessment is required for developments with parking areas to demonstrate that manouvering can be undertaken on site. Manouvering may be required for light vehicles (cars), loading vehicles (usually an 8m truck), buses, or heavy commercial vehicles.

An accurate swept path assessment allows developers to ensure that manouvering can be achieved for the design vehicle, while ensuring that pavement areas are limited to that required. Design feedback is given if amendments to the site layout are required.

As a specialist swept path consultant, Swept Path NZ is able to respond to enquiries quickly with accurate assessments. Assessments are undertaken with either site specific design vehicles or the design vehicle required by the local District Plan. The assessment output can be either DWG, PDF or JPG files.

Light vehicle assessments

Light vehicle assessments are undertaken for car parking areas. The design vehicle is usually an 85% car, or the design vehicle required by the District Plan.

The design vehicle used is typically the 85th percentile vehicle given in AS/NZS 2890. This is 4.91m long vehicle. The actual vehicle used for a particular site will be that specified in the relevant District Plan, which may differ slightly from the AS/NZS standard vehicle. Clearance for light vehicles is 300mm, as specified in the AS/NZS standard

Loading assessments

Loading assessments are required wherever a site will be serviced by delivery and rubbish trucks, and to ensure that access for fire appliances is provided. The standard design vehicle for these assessments is an 8m truck. Criteria such as grades and corner radius can also be confirmed for these vehicles where required.

Heavy commercial vehicle assessments

Typical heavy commercial design vehicles include the following:

• Medium rigid truck, 8m long. Models a rubbish truck, food delivery truck and small fire appliance).
• Large rigid truck, 11.5m long. Used for commercial and industrial deliveries.
• Semi-trailer, 18m long. Can carry a 40 or 45 foot shipping container. This is usually the critical swept path assessed for roads and industrial sites in New Zealand.
• Tour coach, 12.6m long, and city bus, 11.3m long.
• B-train, 20m long. Commonly used to transport aggregate, stock, and milk tankers etc.

Designs can also be undertaken for site specific vehicles such as larger 50MAX HPMV vehicles and oversized vehicles. Clearance for all truck assessments is 500mm, as per the Australia/New Zealand Standard 2890:2004.