O. Reg. 668/00: GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS"

O. Reg. 668/00: GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS, Filed December 18, 2000 under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8

ONTARIO regulation 668/00

made under the

highway traffic act

Made: December 13, 2000
Filed: December 18, 2000

Amending Reg. 597 of R.R.O. 1990

(Gross Vehicle Weights)

1. The title to Regulation 597 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 is revoked and the following substituted:

vehicle and axle weights

2. (1) The Regulation is amended by inserting before section 1 the following heading:

Definitions

(2) Section 1 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following definitions:

“axle spread” means the longitudinal distance between the centres of the foremost and rearmost axles of an axle unit;

“carbon dioxide tank semi-trailer” means a triaxle tank semi-trailer that is in carbon dioxide service and that,

(a) was built to Transport Canada specification TC331 or United States Department of Transportation specification MC331, and

(b) bears the appropriate specification number on the compliance label or manufacturer’s identification plate affixed to the vehicle;

“cryogenic tank semi-trailer” means a tank semi-trailer that was built to Canadian Gas Association specification CGA341 or Transport Canada specification TC341 and bears the appropriate specification number on the compliance label or manufacturer’s identification plate affixed to the vehicle;

“effective overhang” means the longitudinal distance from the centre of the tandem axle, in the case of a self-steer triaxle semi-trailer, or from the centre of the tridem axle, in the case of a self-steer quad semi-trailer, to its rearmost point, including any load;

“end dump semi-trailer” means a semi-trailer to which is permanently attached a body or box that is hinged and can be raised to dump from the rear of the semi-trailer;

“inter-axle spacing” means the longitudinal distance separating two consecutive axle units within a vehicle or combination of vehicles, measured from the centre of the rearmost axle of the foremost axle unit to the centre of the foremost axle of the other axle unit;

“self-steering axle” means an assembly of two or more wheels whose centres are in one transverse vertical plane and whose wheels can articulate in response to forces generated between the tires and the road or through mechanisms and linkages that operate independently of the driver;

“single semi-trailer” means a semi-trailer that is the only trailer in a tractor-trailer combination;

“tag-axle tank semi-trailer” means a tank semi-trailer,

(a) that is not more than 14.65 metres in length,

(b) that is equipped with a rear single axle and a front tandem axle, whose inter-axle spacing is more than 2.5 metres,

(i) is a self-steering axle capable of turning 20 degrees in either direction, and

(ii) is not a liftable axle, and

(d) whose axles automatically load equalize;

“tandem axle” means a dual axle that does not include a liftable axle or a self-steering axle and that has the same number of tires on each wheel;

“tank semi-trailer” means a triaxle semi-trailer that is permanently attached to a closed tank having a capacity of 2.3 kilolitres or more;

“tractor” means a commercial motor vehicle designed to draw one or more semi-trailers to which it is coupled by means of a fifth wheel assembly;

“triaxle semi-trailer” means any three-axle single semi-trailer that does not have a tridem axle;

“tridem axle” means a triple axle that does not include a liftable axle or a self-steering axle and that has the same number of tires on each wheel;

“wheelbase” means the longitudinal distance from the centre of the kingpin to the centre of the tandem or tridem axle of the semi-trailer, as the case may be.

3. (1) The Regulation is amended by inserting before section 2 the following heading:

Allowable Gross Vehicle Weights

(2) Section 2 of the Regulation is amended by striking out “the Regulation” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “this Regulation”.

4. The Regulation is amended by inserting before section 3 the following heading:

Aggregate Vehicles

5. The Regulation is amended by adding the following sections:

Self-Steer Triaxle Semi-Trailer

4. (1) For the purposes of sections 6, 8 and 9, a semi-trailer is a self-steer triaxle semi-trailer if,

(a) the combination of vehicles of which it forms part meets the description shown in Figure 1;

(b) the tractor is as described in subsection (2);

(d) the semi-trailer shows evidence of,

(i) compliance under subsection (4) with respect to its manufacture, or

(ii) compliance under subsection (5) with respect to its conversion.

Insert regs\Graphics\Source Law\2000\668\668fg01ae.tif

(2) The tractor has the following characteristics:

1. It has a front axle equipped with single tires and a rear tandem axle that has an axle spread of 1.2 to 1.85 metres.

2. It is not equipped with a liftable axle or a self-steering axle, whether raised, lowered or rendered inoperative.

3. If the single axle of the semi-trailer is liftable, the tractor,

i. is not equipped with nor does it contain any device, whether remote or manual, that would allow the liftable axle to be controlled by the driver, and

ii. is not equipped with automatic controls that activate other than when reversing.

(3) The semi-trailer has the following characteristics:

1. It does not exceed 14.65 metres in length.

2. It has three axles, consisting of a front single axle and a rear tandem axle.

3. The inter-axle spacing between the single axle and the tandem axle is more than 2.5 metres but not more than 3 metres.

4. The single axle is a self-steering axle and is capable of turning 20 degrees in either direction.

5. The tandem axle has an axle spread of at least 1.2 metres.

6. The three axles automatically load equalize when the single axle is deployed.

7. The effective overhang does not exceed 35 per cent of the semi-trailer’s wheelbase.

8. If section 6 provides that it is to have a rear impact guard, it is equipped with a rear impact guard that meets the requirements of section 6.

9. If the single axle of the semi-trailer is liftable, the semi-trailer may be equipped with manual controls but may not be equipped with automatic controls that activate other than when reversing.

(4) The semi-trailer bears its original compliance label and the notation “Reg 597(Ont) — 3”, signifying that the semi-trailer was manufactured to the specifications in subsection (3), is on that label or the semi-trailer’s manufacturer’s identification plate.

(5) If the semi-trailer was not manufactured to the specifications in subsection (3),

(a) it has been converted by a company authorized under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) to apply a national safety mark or by an authorized dealer of such a company;

(b) the person who converted it placed a label adjacent to the original compliance label indicating revised gross vehicle and axle weight ratings; and

(c) the notation “Reg 597(Ont) — 3”, signifying that the trailer was converted to the specifications in subsection (3), is on that label.

Self-Steer Quad Semi-Trailer

5. (1) For the purposes of sections 6, 7 and 10, a semi-trailer is a self-steer quad semi-trailer if,

(a) the combination of vehicles of which it forms part meets the description shown in Figure 2;

(b) the distance between the rear axle of the tractor and the single axle of the trailer is as described in subsection (2);

(d) the semi-trailer shows evidence of,

(i) compliance under subsection (4) with respect to its manufacture, or

(ii) compliance under subsection (5) with respect to its conversion.

Insert regs\Graphics\Source Law\2000\668\668fg02ae.tif

(2) The distance between the rear axle of the tractor and the single axle of the trailer is,

(a) at least 6 metres, if the axle spread of the tridem axle of the semi-trailer is at least 3 metres and less than 3.6 metres; and

(b) at least 5.5 metres, if the axle spread of the tridem axle of the semi-trailer is at least 3.6 metres and not more than 3.7 metres.

(3) The tractor has the following characteristics:

1. It has a front axle equipped with single tires and a rear tandem axle that has an axle spread of at least 1.2 metres and not more than 1.85 metres.

2. It is not equipped with a liftable axle or a self-steering axle, whether raised, lowered or rendered inoperative.

3. If the single axle of the semi-trailer is liftable, the tractor,

i. is not equipped with nor does it contain any device, whether remote or manual, that would allow the liftable axle to be controlled by the driver, and

ii. is not equipped with automatic controls that activate other than when reversing.

(4) The semi-trailer has the following characteristics:

1. Its length does not exceed 14.65 metres.

2. It has four axles, consisting of a front single axle and a rear tridem axle.

3. The inter-axle spacing between the single axle and the tridem axle is more than 2.5 metres but not more than 3 metres.

4. The single axle is a self-steering axle and is capable of turning 20 degrees in either direction.

5. If the single axle is equipped with single tires, the width is imprinted on each of them and is least,

i. 365 millimetres, if the axle spread of the tridem axle is at least 3 metres and less than 3.6 metres, or

ii. 385 millimetres, if the axle spread of the tridem axle is at least 3.6 and not more than 3.7 metres.

6. The tridem axle has an axle spread of at least 3 metres and not more than 3.7 metres.

7. The four axles automatically load equalize when the single axle is deployed.

8. The effective overhang does not exceed 35 per cent of the semi-trailer’s wheelbase.

9. If it is required under section 6 to have a rear impact guard, it is equipped with a rear impact guard that meets the requirements of that section.

10. If the single axle of the semi-trailer is liftable, the semi-trailer may be equipped with manual controls but may not be equipped with automatic controls that activate other than when reversing.

11. It is equipped with,

i. a device that accurately displays the total weight on the trailer axles in kilograms, or

ii. a device and a table or chart, from the combined use of which the total weight on the trailer axles in kilograms may be readily and accurately obtained.

(5) The semi-trailer bears its original compliance label and the notation “Reg 597 (Ont) — 4”, signifying that the semi-trailer was manufactured to the specifications set out in subsection (4), is on that label or the semi-trailer’s manufacturer’s identification plate.

(6) If the semi-trailer was not manufactured to the specifications set out in subsection (4),

(a) it has been converted by a company authorized under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) to apply a national safety mark or by an authorized dealer of such a company;

(b) that person placed a label adjacent to the original compliance label indicating revised gross vehicle and axle weight ratings; and

(c) that label includes the notation “Reg 597 (Ont) — 4”, signifying that the trailer was converted to the specifications in subsection (4).

Rear Impact Guards

6. (1) This section applies with respect to every self-steer triaxle semi-trailer described in section 4 and every self-steer quad semi-trailer described in section 5,

(a) that has an axle unit that can slide or is fixed so that the rear of the rearmost tire is more than 0.3 metres in from the rear of the trailer; and

(b) whose rear structure is more than 0.56 metres above the ground when the trailer is unladen on a level surface.

(2) The trailer shall be equipped with a rear impact guard that consists of a single horizontal beam that is rigidly attached to the trailer and that,

(a) extends to within 0.1 metres of each side of the trailer;

(b) is not more than 0.3 metres in front of the rear of the trailer and is as close to its rear as practicable; and

(3) A rear impact guard on a trailer, as shown in Figure 3, that is manufactured after January 26, 1998 shall meet the standards for such a guard under United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 224, which became effective on January 26, 1998, or a corresponding standard, if any, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada).

Insert regs\Graphics\Source Law\2000\668\668fg03ae.tif

Tire Exemption

7. The tires of the single axle of a self-steer quad semi-trailer are exempt from section 115 of the Act if they are single tires and comply with paragraph 5 of subsection 5 (4).

Triaxle Semi-Trailer Weight Reductions

8. (1) Maximum allowable gross vehicle weights for the purposes of section 118 for combinations of vehicles referred to in subsections (2), (3) and (4) shall be determined by subtracting the amounts in subsections (2), (3) and (4) from the lowest of the following amounts:

1. The maximum weight permitted on the front axle under section 116 of the Act plus the sum of the maximum allowable weights for all other axle units of the combination of vehicles determined under section 116 of the Act.

2. The maximum weight permitted on the front axle under section 116 of the Act plus the sum of the maximum allowable weights for any two axle groups or three axle groups, or any combination thereof, as set out in section 117 of the Act plus the maximum allowable weight of any axle unit or units excluding any axle unit or units that are part of axle group, as determined under section 116 of the Act.

3. The maximum allowable gross weight prescribed in section 2.

(2) Effective January 1, 2006, 3,000 kilograms shall be subtracted when the combination of vehicles includes a single semi-trailer that is a triaxle semi-trailer unless it is,

(a) a self-steer triaxle semi-trailer;

(b) an end dump semi-trailer ;

(d) a cryogenic tank semi-trailer; or

(e) a tag-axle tank semi-trailer.

(3) Effective January 1, 2011, 4,500 kilograms shall be subtracted when the combination of vehicles includes a single semi-trailer that is a triaxle semi-trailer unless it is a self-steer triaxle semi-trailer, an end dump semi-trailer or any type of tank semi-trailer.

(4) Effective January 1, 2021, 4,500 kilograms shall be subtracted when the combination of vehicles includes a single semi-trailer that is a tank semi-trailer unless it is a self-steer triaxle semi-trailer.

(5) In this section, a combination of vehicles which is subject to a reduction of maximum allowable gross vehicle weight shall remain subject to that reduction unless the amount of the reduction is increased.

Tandem Axle Weight Increases

9. (1) Tandem axles with an axle spread of at least 1.2 metres and less than 1.6 metres are prescribed axle units for the purposes of section 116 of the Act when they form part of,

(a) a three axle tractor that has both a front single axle equipped with single tires and a rear tandem axle, but does not have a liftable axle or self-steering axle whether raised, lowered or rendered inoperative;

(b) a single semi-trailer that has no other axles deployed; or

(2) Instead of the maximum allowable axle unit weights specified in Table 1 of Part VIII of the Act, the prescribed weight for the axle units prescribed in subsection (1) is 18,000 kilograms.

Self-Steer Quad Tridem Axle Increases

10. (1) Tridem axles with an axle spread of at least 3 metres and not more than 3.7 metres are prescribed for the purposes of section 116 of the Act when they form part of a self-steer quad semi-trailer whose single axle is deployed.

(2) Instead of the maximum allowable axle unit weights specified in Table 2 of Part VIII of the Act, the prescribed weights for the axle units prescribed in subsection (1) are,

(a) 24,000 kilograms, if the axle spread is at least 3 metres and less than 3.6 metres; and

(b) 25,500 kilograms, if the axle spread is at least 3.6 metres and not more than 3.7 metres.

Other Tridem Axle Weight Increases

11. (1) Tridem axles with an axle spread of at least 3 metres and not more than 3.7 metres are prescribed for the purposes of section 116 of the Act when they form part of a single semi-trailer that has no other axles deployed.

(2) From January 1, 2001 until December 31, 2005, instead of the maximum allowable axle unit weights specified in Table 2 of Part VIII of the Act, the prescribed weight for the axle units prescribed in subsection (1) with an axle spread of at least 3.6 metres and not more than 3.7 metres is 25,500 kilograms.

(3) Effective January 1, 2006, instead of the maximum allowable axle unit weights specified in Table 2 of Part VIII of the Act, the prescribed weights for the axle units prescribed in subsection (1) are,

(a) 24,000 kilograms, if the axle spread is at least 3 metres and less than 3.6 metres; and

(b) 26,000 kilograms, if the axle spread is at least 3.6 and not more than 3.7 metres.

6. This Regulation comes into force on January 1, 2001.