Home » 2007 Issues » November 28, 2007 » TRN-48-07-00001-P Preferred Vehicle Configuration Definition and Type 9 Permit Requirements
TRN-48-07-00001-P Preferred Vehicle Configuration Definition and Type 9 Permit Requirements
11/28/07 N.Y. St. Reg. TRN-48-07-00001-P
NEW YORK STATE REGISTER
VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE 48
November 28, 2007
RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROPOSED RULE MAKING
NO HEARING(S) SCHEDULED
I.D No. TRN-48-07-00001-P
Preferred Vehicle Configuration Definition and Type 9 Permit Requirements
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following proposed rule:
Proposed action:
This is a consensus rule making to amend sections 154-2.2 and 154-2.4 of Title 17 NYCRR.
Statutory authority:
Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 385(15)
Subject:
Preferred vehicle configuration definition and type 9 permit requirements.
Purpose:
To introduce vehicle configurations and permit types that are more protective of the State's infrastructure.
Text of proposed rule:
Section 1. Section 154-2.2 of Subpart 154-2 of Part 154 of Title 17 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York is amended by adding a new subdivision (am) to read as follows:
(am) Preferred Vehicle Configuration shall mean a vehicle configuration that takes into account additional variables and the optimal ranges of existing variables, including a vehicle's gross axle weight ratings, grouping weights, spacing between axles, inner and outer bridge wheelbase, tires (number per axle, tire ratings and tire width), and use of self-adjusting air ride suspension, to determine more favorable groupings to be allowed for a specific permit type, and that the Department recognizes as more infrastructure friendly or safer to vehicles or the public.
Section 2. Section 154-2.4 of Subpart 154-2 of Part 154 of Title 17 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York is amended by adding new paragraphs (m) and (n) to read as follows:
(m.) F2 Type 9. On all state highways, other than state highways in New York City, a permit may be issued for the operation of a combination of vehicles which have a minimum of 7 axles and a wheelbase of at least 43 feet. The maximum gross weight of the vehicle combination shall not exceed 117,000 pounds, and shall be subject to bridge restrictions. The maximum axle and group weights shall not exceed the following:
(i) any other single axle 25,000 pounds;
(ii) any tandem-axle group 48,000 pounds;
(iii) any tridem-axle group 58,000 pounds; and
(iv) any quad-axle group 63,000 pounds.
(n.) For all permit types, consideration to use grouping weights on a permit will be provided to those vehicle or vehicle combinations using air ride suspensions.
Text of proposed rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:
Kenneth S. Dodge, Manager OS/OW Permit Program, Department of Transportation, Central Permit Office, 50 Wolf Rd., First Fl., Albany, NY 12232, (518) 457-1795, e-mail kdodge@dot.state.ny.us
Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:
Same as above.
Public comment will be received until:
45 days after publication of this notice.
Consensus Rule Making Determination
The Department of Transportation annually issues approximately 170,000 divisible load overweight permit certificates to over 5000 customers. Since April 2006, the Department has been meeting with customers and with associations that represent the trucking industry as well as holding a number of listening forums in an attempt to identify problems with the existing permitting process for hauling permits.
The trucking industry has been requesting heavier load carrying capacity for a number of years. The Department has been reluctant to grant this request due to the increased damage this would cause to the State's pavements and bridges. Recent research and vehicle developments have introduced a vehicle configuration that could minimize this damage. The newly proposed “Infrastructure Friendly Vehicle” (IFV) configurations would include additional axles while introducing engineering considerations such as limitations on axle spacings and weights to minimize pavement damage.
This engineering analysis is relatively new for pavements. Preliminary results will be used to introduce the initial IFV parameters for the preferred vehicle configuration (PVC). These vehicles will essentially operate with pavement damage factors similar to legally loaded vehicles. The Department has initiated research studies to further refine these results.
The procedures, which the proposed regulations will allow, should give the trucking industry the option of heavier loads and enable the Department to minimize adverse impact to pavements and bridges. It will also enable a more efficient process for approval of permit applications.
The Department has shared these proposed changes with the industry through recent meetings with industry groups, by direct mailing of the proposal to all 5000 divisible load overweight permit customers and by publication on the Department's official website:
This proposed revision to 17 NYCRR Subpart 154-2 introduces a new permit type authorized by Vehicle and Traffic Law (§ 385) that will allow the industry to carry heavier loads on preferred vehicle configurations (PVC) reflecting engineering considerations to lessen impacts to pavement and bridges. Based on comments received so far, the Department anticipates that the industry and individual permit applicants will support this proposal and that the Department will receive no substantive comments in opposition. Accordingly, the Department is treating this proposed change as a consensus rule making.
Job Impact Statement
This proposed revision to 17 NYCRR Subpart 154-2 introduces a new permit type authorized by Vehicle and Traffic Law (§ 385) that will allow the industry to carry heavier loads on preferred vehicle configurations (PVC) designed with engineering considerations to protect the pavements and bridges. Since this permit type is new, a job impact statement has not been submitted. The industry will be provided with new employment opportunities and there will be no adverse impact on jobs.
