Regulation - LGIC
Vehicle Weight and Dimension Reforms
Regulation Number(s):
413/05
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act
Summary of Decision:
On December 3, 2010, Regulation 457/10 amending Regulation 413/05 was filed with the Registrar of Regulation. The amendments incorporate the last phase of the Vehicle Weight and Dimension Reforms project. This last phase addresses trucks, truck-trailer combinations, buses and some specialty combinations. The amendments also introduce some modifications affecting designated combinations defined in the previous phases of the project.
Further Information:
Introductory Pages to Consultation Paper Phase 4
Regulation 413
Proposal Number:
10-MTO011
Posting Date:
August 30, 2010
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario’s Vehicle Weights and Dimensions (VW&D) Reform Project is a multi-year effort to cause the migration of commercial motor vehicles and trailers to designs that are Safe, Productive and Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF). SPIF vehicles minimize weight impacts on roads since they are equipped with axles that do not need to be raised for cornering and are designed to automatically distribute the weight between the axles. Safety is promoted by adherence to equipment and configuration rules that maximize operational performance.
The VW&D Reform Project is entering the last of its four planned phases. The first three phases dealt with all single and double tractor-trailer combinations. Phase 4 covers all remaining vehicles – straight trucks, pony trailers, full trailers, buses and specialty combinations – operating on Ontario highways. All new vehicles of the types covered by Phase 4 will need to meet SPIF standards or face sanctions. Sanctions may range from a significant reduction in the allowable gross weight of the vehicle to not being allowed to operate on public highways. Phase 4 vehicles built prior to the proposed amendments coming into effect will be grandfathered and may continue to operate at existing weight allowances. The amendments recognize 7 truck designs and 5 full trailer designs that meet SPIF standards. The trucks may operate as a single vehicle or, in most cases, may be combined with any of the SPIF trailers. Three SPIF bus/recreational vehicle designs will also be regulated.
Phase 4 will include some rules applicable to all commercial motor vehicles and trailers and some amendments to existing provisions dealing with tractor-trailers. Three new SPIF tractor-trailer combinations are included. The methodology for determining allowable gross weight for both SPIF and non-SPIF vehicles is simplified. The current allowable gross weight reduction for aggregate vehicles is eliminated for SPIF vehicles. The current requirement that no axle on a SPIF vehicle may be loaded beyond its manufacturer’s rating is extended to all non-SPIF vehicles and to new SPIF vehicles.
The Ministry has consulted extensively on its Phase 4 proposal through release of a technical consultation paper and stakeholder meetings. Attached to this summary is an excerpt from the paper describing the proposal in greater detail.
The VW&D Reform Project is entering the last of its four planned phases. The first three phases dealt with all single and double tractor-trailer combinations. Phase 4 covers all remaining vehicles – straight trucks, pony trailers, full trailers, buses and specialty combinations – operating on Ontario highways. All new vehicles of the types covered by Phase 4 will need to meet SPIF standards or face sanctions. Sanctions may range from a significant reduction in the allowable gross weight of the vehicle to not being allowed to operate on public highways. Phase 4 vehicles built prior to the proposed amendments coming into effect will be grandfathered and may continue to operate at existing weight allowances. The amendments recognize 7 truck designs and 5 full trailer designs that meet SPIF standards. The trucks may operate as a single vehicle or, in most cases, may be combined with any of the SPIF trailers. Three SPIF bus/recreational vehicle designs will also be regulated.
Phase 4 will include some rules applicable to all commercial motor vehicles and trailers and some amendments to existing provisions dealing with tractor-trailers. Three new SPIF tractor-trailer combinations are included. The methodology for determining allowable gross weight for both SPIF and non-SPIF vehicles is simplified. The current allowable gross weight reduction for aggregate vehicles is eliminated for SPIF vehicles. The current requirement that no axle on a SPIF vehicle may be loaded beyond its manufacturer’s rating is extended to all non-SPIF vehicles and to new SPIF vehicles.
The Ministry has consulted extensively on its Phase 4 proposal through release of a technical consultation paper and stakeholder meetings. Attached to this summary is an excerpt from the paper describing the proposal in greater detail.
Contact Address:
Alfonso Corredor
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Goods Movement Policy Office
777 Bay Street, 30th floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J8
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Goods Movement Policy Office
777 Bay Street, 30th floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J8
Effective Date:
July 1, 2011
Decision:
Approved