DAR File No. 28149

Transportation, Motor Carrier, Ports of Entry

R912-76

Single Tire Configuration

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 28149
Filed: 08/15/2005, 02:23
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule updates existing language to clarify the use of single tires.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendment clarifies the use of narrow single tires less than 14 inches wide. All axles having a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds shall be equipped with four tires per axle, or wide base single tires (14 inches wide or greater) as indicated by the manufacturer's sidewall rating. The rule change allows for an exemption: 14 inch wide single tire requirement does not apply to steering axles, or self-steering VLS (variable load suspension) retractable axles.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Sections 72-1-201 and 72-9-101

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There may be some additional costs incurred if state inspections result in citations for failure to comply with the new requirement. This would result in increases in administrative costs. Since this is a new program, however, it is impossible to say what the increased costs will be, if any.

local governments:

The state does not regulate local government motor carriers in this area. Therefore, this rule will not impose any costs on local governments.

other persons:

There may be some costs associated when a motor carrier discontinues using single tires or single axles.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There may be some costs to the industry if vehicles are not equipped with four tires or side base single tires (14 inches or greater) per axles having a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds.

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

The Department believes these changes are necessary to improve the safety of the public, which is this agency's primary mission in the regulation of motor carriers. The costs will be very small, and perhaps nonexistent, and outweighed by safety improvements. 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:

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 jbeadles@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:

10/03/2005

This rule may become effective on:

10/04/2005

Authorized by:

John R. Njord, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R912. Transportation, Motor Carrier, Ports of Entry.

R912-76. Single Tire Configuration.

[R912-76-1. Purpose.

The use of single tires on heavy vehicles has been indicated to be one of the factors damaging to pavements, in the form of increased fatigue and rutting. Rutting has been shown to have increased dramatically in recent years. Significant pavement rutting can result in an unsafe condition to the traveling public, and is very costly to correct, the Transportation Commission finds it in the best interest of the safety and convenience of the traveling public to limit and discourage the use of single tires in Utah.

R912-76-2. Authority.

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

R912-76-3. Provisions.

1. Tire loading on vehicles requiring an overweight or oversize permit shall not exceed 500 pounds per inch of tire width for tires eleven inches wide and greater, and 450 pounds per inch of tire width for tires less than eleven inches wide, as designated by the tire manufacturer on the side wall of the tire. Single axle loading shall not exceed 20,000 pounds, and tandem axle loading shall not exceed 34,000 pounds.

2. The use of single tires on any combination vehicle requiring an overweight or oversize permit shall not be allowed on single axles. A single axle is defined as one having more than eight feet between it and the nearest axle or group of axles on the vehicle.

3. Tire loading on permitted vehicles shall not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width as designated by the tire manufacturer on the sidewall.

D. Non-divisible loads may be exempt from these restrictions upon written approval from the Department.

E. No wheel on steering or castering axles shall exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width.

F. In no case shall any tire loading exceed the tire manufacturer maximum load rating (existing Federal requirement).

G. Studies presently underway on the safety and pavement damage done by single tires may lead to modifications to this rule in the near future. This may lead to the total elimination or expanded use of single tires on other than steering or castering axles.]

R912-76-1. Purpose.

The use of single tires on heavy vehicles has been indicated to be one of the factors damaging to pavements, in the form of increased fatigue and rutting. Significant pavement rutting can result in an unsafe condition to the traveling public, and is very costly to correct, the Utah Department of Transportation finds it in the best interest of the safety and convenience of the traveling public to limit and discourage the use of single tires in Utah.

R912-76-2. Authority.

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

R912-76-3. Tire Specifications for Overweight or Oversize Permitted Vehicles.

(1) The use of narrow single tires (less than 14 inches wide) on any combination vehicle requiring an overweight or oversize permit shall not be allowed on single axles, except for steering axles, including self steering VLS, or retractable axles, or wide base tires (14 inches or greater). All axles having a weight in excess of 10,000 lbs shall be equipped with four tires per axles, or wide base single tires (14 inches wide or greater as indicated by the manufacturer's sidewall rating).

(a) Exemption: 14 inch wide single tire requirement does not apply to steering axles, or self-steering VLS retractable axles.

(2) No tire shall exceed the manufacturer's tire rating as indicated on the sidewall.

(3) For Non-permitted/legal vehicles no tire shall exceed 600 per inch of tire width as indicated on the sidewall.

(4) Tire loading on vehicles requiring an overweight or oversize permit shall not exceed 500 pounds per inch of tire width for tires eleven inches wide and greater.

(5) Tire loading on vehicles requiring an overweight or oversize permit shall not exceed 450 pounds per inch of tire width for tires less than eleven inches wide, as designated by the tire manufacturer on the side wall of the tire.

(6) Except as provided in R912-76-3-1, single axle loading shall not exceed 20,000 pounds, and tandem axle loading shall not exceed 34,000 pounds.

(7) Non-divisible loads may be exempt from these restrictions upon written approval from the Department.

KEY: tires

[1993]2005

Notice of Continuation September 28, 2002

72-1-102

72-7-404

72-7-406

72-1-201

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact James Beadles at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4168, by FAX at 801-965-4796, or by Internet E-mail at jbeadles@utah.gov

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.