Transportation, Motor Carrier, Ports of Entry

Rule R912-8

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

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Repeal)

DAR File No.: 36865
Filed: 09/27/2012 02:17:55 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being repealed because its provisions will be included in the repealed and reenacted Rule R909-2, Utah Size and Weight Rule. (DAR NOTE: The proposed repeal and reenactment of Rule R909-2 is under DAR No. 36863 in this issue, October 15, 2012, of the Bulletin.)

Summary of the rule or change:

This rule is repealed in its entirety.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 72-7-406
• Section 72-7-404
• Section 72-1-201

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to local government because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to small businesses because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to small businesses, businesses, or local government entities because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There is no anticipated compliance cost for affected persons because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

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

There is no anticipated fiscal impact on businesses because the provisions of this rule are only being moved to Rule R909-2.

John 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:

• Christine Newman at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4026, by FAX at 801-965-4338, or by Internet E-mail at cwnewman@utah.gov

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:

11/14/2012

This rule may become effective on:

11/21/2012

Authorized by:

John Njord, Executive Director

[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.

This rule is authorized by Sections 72-7-404, 72-7-406, and 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" is defined in Section 72-7-404.

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

(4) "Legal Weight" is defined in Section 72-7-404.

(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 to the 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 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 must be reviewed and approved by UDOT prior to operation.

 

KEY: transportation, weight, ratings, permits

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: June 22, 2006

Notice of Continuation: February 17, 2011

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