No. 28703 (New Rule): R912-8. Minimum Tire, Axle and Suspension Ratings for Heavy Vehicles and the Use of Retractable or Variable Load Suspension Axles in Utah

DAR File No.: 28703
Filed: 05/01/2006, 08:08
Received by: NL

 

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule was accidentally allowed to expire on 04/28/2006. This filing puts the rule back in place.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed rule sets minimum ratings for heavy vehicles.

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Sections 72-1-102, 72-7-404, 72-7-406, and 72-1-201

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This rule will have no new effect, either positive or negative on the state budget. The rule has been in effect up until 04/28/2006.

 

local governments:

This rule does not effect local governments because in Utah they do not operate trucks of the size regulated by this administrative rule; therefore, there is no cost to them.

 

other persons:

This rule will have no new effect, either positive or negative on the budget of other persons. The rule has been in effect up until 04/28/2006.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This rule will have no new effect, either positive or negative on the budget of other persons. The rule has been in effect up until 04/28/2006.

 

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

This rule will have no new affect, either positive or negative on the budget of businesses. The rule has been in effect up until 04/28/2006. John R. Njord, Executive Director

 

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Transportation
Motor Carrier, Ports of Entry
CALVIN L RAMPTON COMPLEX
4501 S 2700 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84119-5998

 

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

James Beadles at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4168, by FAX at 801-965-4796, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

 

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

06/14/2006

 

This rule may become effective on:

06/22/2006

 

Authorized by:

John R. Njord, Executive Director

 

 

RULE TEXT

R912. Transportation, Motor Carrier, Ports-of-Entry.

R912-8. Minimum Tire, Axle and Suspension Ratings for Heavy Vehicles and the Use of Retractable or Variable Load Suspension Axles in Utah.

R912-8-1. Authority.

Sections 72-1-102, 72-7-404, 72-7-406, 72-1-201.

 

R912-8-2. Definitions.

(1) "Axle Group" means any axles on a vehicle that are within eight feet of each other.

(2) "Bridge Formula" as defined in Section 72-7-404 of the Utah Code Annotated.

(3) "Fixed Axle" means an axle that is not steerable, self steering or retractable.

(4) "Legal Weight" as defined in Section 72-7-404 of the Utah Code Annotated.

(5) "Load Rating" means the maximum load that the equipment is rated to carry as designated by the Federal Motor Carrier standards.

(6) "Variable Load Suspension (VLS) Axle" means an axle that can be loaded mechanically to various capacities.

(7) "Retractable Axles" means an axle that can be lifted from the pavement surface, but cannot mechanically vary its weight-bearing capability.

(8) "Tire Scrubbing" means side movement of the tire associated with the turning movement of a vehicle.

(9) "Quad Axle Group" means a group of four consecutive fixed axles.

 

R912-8-3. Purpose.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to promote safety and reduce the pavement damage resulting from operating with underrated tires or suspensions and/or retractable or VLS axles. Some trucking firms have utilized underrated tires, axles and suspensions systems which cannot safely and practically support excess weight, and adjacent axles become overloaded. Fixed axles scrub sideways to some degree when a vehicle is operated through a turning movement. This scrubbing is damaging to the pavement surface. The degree to which a tire scrubs is related tot he distance between the extreme fixed axles in an axle group. Quad axle groups increase tire scrubbing considerably because of the extreme axle spacings involved.

(2) Some companies utilize retractable of VLS axles to improve the load-carrying flexibility of their vehicles. These axles increase the weight that the vehicle can legally carry, while providing needed maneuverability at loading and unloading sites. Concrete and construction companies have used these axles on their vehicles to transport materials to construction sites, causing a minimum of pavement and bridge damage. These axles can then be retracted or "unloaded" to allow a driver to more easily back up or steer. Since they can be misused and abused, it is in the best interest of safety and infrastructure preservation to establish and enforce specific operating requirements for vehicles so equipped in the state of Utah.

 

R912-8-4. Provisions.

(1) Vehicles with a gross vehicle rating exceeding 26,000 pounds are limited as follows:

(A) Axles shall not exceed their designed load capacity. Documentation of axle capacity, such as an attached data plate or written certification from a vendor, shall be available with each vehicle.

(B) Single tires shall be a minimum size of 8.25 x 20. All tires shall meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety load rating requirements.

(C) No more than three fixed axles shall be allowed in any group. Retractable or VLS axles installed after January 1990 shall be self-steering on power units and when augmenting a tridem group on trailers. Non-divisible loads may be exempt from these restrictions with written approval from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).

(D) No axle in a group with a retractable or VLS axle shall exceed legal or bridge formula weight requirements.

(E) Controls for raising and lowering retractable or VLS axles may be located in the cab of the power unit, but the controls regulating pressure to such axles shall be positioned outside the cab so as to be inaccessible to the driver when the vehicle is in motion.

(F) Tires, axles or suspension systems which are unusual or which vary from these requirements shall be reviewed and approved by UDOT prior to operation.

 

KEY: transportation, weight, ratings, permits

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2006

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-1-102; 72-7-404; 72-7-406; 72-1-201