Oversize load

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Long Bridge Beam Oversize Load with Pilot Car Escort Oversize Bridge Beam - LONG.jpg
Long Bridge Beam Oversize Load with Pilot Car Escort

In road transport, an oversize load (or overweight load) is a load that exceeds the standard or ordinary legal size and/or weight limits for a truck to convey on a specified portion of road, highway, or other transport infrastructure, such as air freight or water freight. In Europe, it may be referred to as special transport or heavy and oversized transportation. There may also be load-per-axle limits. However, a load that exceeds the per-axle limits but not the overall weight limits is considered overweight. [1] Examples of oversize/overweight loads include construction machines (cranes, front loaders, backhoes, etc.), pre-built homes, containers, and construction elements (bridge beams, generators, windmill propellers, rocket stages, and industrial equipment).

Contents

Overview

125 feet (38 m) long oversize load "Superload" 125 foot long bridge beam.jpg
125 feet (38 m) long oversize load "Superload"

The legal dimensions and weights vary between countries and regions within a country. [2] A vehicle which exceeds the legal dimensions usually requires a special permit which requires extra fees to be paid in order for the oversize/overweight vehicle to legally travel on the roadways. [3] The permit usually specifies a route the load must follow as well as the dates and times during which the load may travel.

When a load cannot be dismantled into units that can be transported without exceeding the limitations in terms of the dimensions and/or mass, it is classified as an abnormal load. Another definition can be summarized as follows: an abnormal indivisible load ('AIL') is one which cannot be divided into two or more loads for transporting (on roads). [4] Also, break bulk is used to define the freight that cannot be loaded into any ocean container or too large for air cargo.

Any road transport is framed by the CMR Convention (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road), [5] which relates to various legal issues concerning transportation of cargo, predominantly by lorries, by road.

Cargo loading and securement

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study [6] 7% of U.S. trucking accidents are caused by improper cargo securement or cargo shifts. Shifting cargo can cause the truck to destabilize or the load can fall off completely leading to serious public safety issues.

Load shifting is prohibited by law and it is the responsibility of the shipper, motor carrier, driver, receiver, and the securing device manufacturer to ensure the cargo is completely secured. [7]

International perspectives

Belgium. Railroad bridge span being moved (backwards); the tracks have been covered with thick boards. Haren - Camion et nouveau tablier de pont de la ligne 26 - 2019-04-22.jpg
Belgium. Railroad bridge span being moved (backwards); the tracks have been covered with thick boards.
Delivery trip of a brand-new Ile-de-France tram-train U 25500 on truck 01.jpg
Delivery trip of a brand-new Île-de-France tram-train

In a specific country, the roads are built in a way that allows a vehicle with dimensions within the standard legal limits to safely (though not necessarily easily) drive and turn. Roads that do not allow large vehicles may be marked with the traffic signs. [8] These may include per-axle load, height, width, or overall length limits.

Europe

Trucks must have special signs of "convoi exceptionnel" and lights that warn the oversized cargo. The escort car has also special signs, depending the country within it operates. Special permits are issued by local authorities to allow a transporter to operate on a public road for a limited period and for a certain and given route. [9]

Heavy transport companies tend to focus on renewables, civil and infrastructure, offshore, oil and gas, heavy engineering and power generation industries. Other companies across Europe have also collaborated to form the Route To Space Alliance. [10]

The Netherlands

Due to its strategic location, there are many Dutch-based special transport companies, but due to the relatively small size of the country, these companies, such as Van der Vlist have often started to spread further afield to increase their market and take advantage of the freedom of movement offered through the EU. [11]

Romania

In Romania, if the total dimensions (truck+load) exceed 16.5 by 2.5 by 4 metres (54.1 ft × 8.2 ft × 13.1 ft) × 40 tonnes (39 long tons; 44 short tons) (or if it does not fit into a tilt truck), then a transport is considered out of gauge. A table of maximum dimensions and weight as well as best practices is available for European countries on the following industry resource site. [12]

Romania has an active market for special transporters where, as mentioned above, companies such as Schnell Trans, deal with international transportation projects. Trailers suitable for special loads have different characteristics depending on the number of axles, height from the ground to the platform, extensions or load capacity. Each of these trucks can carry loads such as trams, energy transformers, construction machines, metallic structures or wooden boxes/crates. [13]

United Kingdom

An Abnormal Load sign in the Western Cape, South Africa Abnormal Load.jpg
An Abnormal Load sign in the Western Cape, South Africa

An abnormal load is defined as

  • a load with a weight of more than 44 tonnes
  • an axle load of more than 10 tonnes for a single non-driving axle and 11.5 tonnes for a single driving axle
  • a width of more than 2.9 metres
  • a rigid length of more than 18.65 metres

Anyone wishing to transport an abnormal load must notify the police, highway authorities and any on-route bridge and structure owners such as Network Rail. [14] National Highways operates a system known as "Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads" (ESDAL) for the purpose of supporting notifications. [15]

New Zealand

A rear view of an oversize load on Interstate 84 East near The Dalles, Oregon Oversize Load on the Road.jpg
A rear view of an oversize load on Interstate 84 East near The Dalles, Oregon

In New Zealand, an oversize load is a vehicle and/or load that is wider than 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in) or higher than 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in). Overlength limits vary depending on the type and the configuration of vehicle, but the overall maximum forward distance (i.e. the length from the front of the vehicle to the centre axis of the rear axle set) is 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in), the overall maximum single vehicle length is 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in) (some buses can be longer), and the overall maximum combination length is 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in). Loads must be indivisible, except when the vehicle is oversize itself where it can carry divisible loads as long as the divisible load fits within the standard load limits. Permits are not required for oversize vehicles which are under 25.0 m (82 ft 0 in) long, under 5.00 m (16 ft 5 in) high, and fit within a set combination of width and forward distance; but they must comply with certain rules regarding piloting, travel times and obstructions. [16] [17]

United States

In the United States, an oversize load is a vehicle and/or load that is wider than 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m). Each individual state has different requirements regarding height and length (most states are 13 ft 6 in or 4.11 m tall), and a driver must purchase a permit for each state he/she will be traveling through. In many states, a load must be considered "nondivisible" to qualify for a permit (i.e. an object which cannot be broken down into smaller pieces), although some states allow divisible loads to be granted permits. [18]

ODC load being carried on an Ashok Leyland tractor trailer combination in Indore, India Truck carrying a large load in Indore (front view).JPG
ODC load being carried on an Ashok Leyland tractor trailer combination in Indore, India

India

In India, any load which protrudes the platform of the vehicle which is defined in CMVR 1989 is considered ODC (Over Dimensional Cargo). Dimensions of a load with the height of 4 mtr or width of 2.6 mtr or length of 12mtr in case of rigid vehicle and 18 mtr in case of tractor trailer combination [19] needs to obtain state specific permissions, but no load can exceed the GVW of the vehicle. Loads above 55 tons can only be moved on HMT (hydraulic modular trailer) and puller tractor combination, for which a nationalized permission must be obtained via MORTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India) portal with HMT payload of 18 ton per axle excluding the weight of the puller tractor. [20] Loads not complying with rules are fined by the RTO (Regional Transport Office) officers individually, three for each dimension and one for weight. [21]

Signaling

Typical pilot car / escort / flag car in the United States Pilot Car.jpg
Typical pilot car / escort / flag car in the United States
Pilot car / escort vehicle shown with required safety equipment Pilot car escort with equipment.jpg
Pilot car / escort vehicle shown with required safety equipment

A pilot car driver may temporarily block traffic at intersections to ensure the safe passage of the truck. [22]

Hazards

This oversize truck struck an overhead support and caused the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse. Skagit bridge truck.jpg
This oversize truck struck an overhead support and caused the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse.

Oversize loads present a hazard to roadway structures as well as to road traffic. Because they exceed design clearances, there is a risk that such vehicles can hit bridges and other overhead structures. Over-height vehicle impacts are a frequent cause of damage to bridges, and truss bridges are particularly vulnerable, due to having critical support members over the roadway. An over-height load struck the overhead beams on the I-5 Skagit River bridge in 2013, which caused the bridge to collapse. [23]

Licensing

Different countries have different approaches to licensing oversize/overweight loads. Licenses may be issued for a specific load, for a period of time, or to a specific company. In most jurisdictions, the permit specifies the exact route a vehicle must take, and includes clearance warnings. However, in some places, such as Washington state, drivers are responsible for choosing their own route. The carrier can choose to obtain the required permits themselves or go through a permit service. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-trailer truck</span> Combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight

A semi-trailer truck, is the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer attaches to the tractor with a type of hitch called a fifth wheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truck</span> Commercial or utilitarian motor vehicle

A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction, with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle. Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment, such as in the case of refuse trucks, fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a "straight truck" while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a "tractor".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road transport</span> Collective term for all forms of transport which takes place on roads

Road transport or road transportation is a type of transport using roads. Transport on roads can be roughly grouped into the transportation of goods and transportation of people. In many countries licensing requirements and safety regulations ensure a separation of the two industries. Movement along roads may be by bike, automobile, bus, truck, or by animal such as horse or oxen. Standard networks of roads were adopted by Romans, Persians, Aztec, and other early empires, and may be regarded as a feature of empires. Cargo may be transported by trucking companies, while passengers may be transported via mass transit. Commonly defined features of modern roads include defined lanes and signage. Various classes of road exist, from two-lane local roads with at-grade intersections to controlled-access highways with all cross traffic grade-separated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road train</span> Type of trucking vehicle

A road train, also known as a land train or long combination vehicle (LCV) is a trucking vehicle used to move road freight more efficiently than semi-trailer trucks. It consists of one semi-trailer or more connected together with or without a tractor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intermodal freight transport</span> Cargo transport using multiple containers

Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation, without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damage and loss, and allows freight to be transported faster. Reduced costs over road trucking is the key benefit for inter-continental use. This may be offset by reduced timings for road transport over shorter distances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidelifter</span>

A sidelifter is a specialised vehicle or semi-trailer used to hoist and transport ISO standard intermodal containers over longer distances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trailer (vehicle)</span> Towed cargo vehicle

A trailer is an unpowered vehicle towed by a powered vehicle. It is commonly used for the transport of goods and materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Large goods vehicle</span> Category of vehicle

A large goods vehicle (LGV), or heavy goods vehicle (HGV), in the European Union (EU) is any lorry with a gross combination mass (GCM) of over 3,500 kg (7,700 lb). Sub-category N2 is used for vehicles between 3,500 kg and 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) and N3 for all goods vehicles over 12,000 kg as defined in Directive 2001/116/EC. The term medium goods vehicle is used within parts of the UK government to refer to goods vehicles of between 3,500 and 7,500 kg which according to the EU are also "large goods vehicles."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dump truck</span> Truck which can tip its bed, dumping its contents

A dump truck, known also as a dumping truck, dump trailer, dumper trailer, dump lorry or dumper lorry or a dumper for short, is used for transporting materials for construction as well as coal. A typical dump truck is equipped with an open-box bed, which is hinged at the rear and equipped with hydraulic rams to lift the front, allowing the material in the bed to be deposited ("dumped") on the ground behind the truck at the site of delivery. In the UK, Australia, South Africa and India the term applies to off-road construction plants only and the road vehicle is known as a tip lorry, tipper lorry, tipper truck, tip truck, tip trailer or tipper trailer or simply a tipper.

Weigh-in-motion or weighing-in-motion (WIM) devices are designed to capture and record the axle weights and gross vehicle weights as vehicles drive over a measurement site. Unlike static scales, WIM systems are capable of measuring vehicles traveling at a reduced or normal traffic speed and do not require the vehicle to come to a stop. This makes the weighing process more efficient, and, in the case of commercial vehicles, allows for trucks under the weight limit to bypass static scales or inspection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truck driver</span> Person who earns a living as the driver of a truck

A truck driver is a person who earns a living as the driver of a truck, which is commonly defined as a large goods vehicle (LGV) or heavy goods vehicle (HGV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weigh station</span> Highway checkpoint to inspect vehicular weights

A weigh station is a checkpoint along a highway to inspect vehicular weights and safety compliance criteria. Usually, trucks and commercial vehicles are subject to the inspection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-trailer</span> Trailer vehicle without a front axle

A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. The combination of a semi-trailer and a tractor truck is called a semi-trailer truck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flatbed truck</span> Type of truck

A flatbed truck is a type of truck the bodywork of which is just an entirely flat, level 'bed' with no sides or roof. This allows for quick and easy loading of goods, and consequently they are used to transport heavy loads that are not delicate or vulnerable to rain, and also for abnormal loads that require more space than is available on a closed body. Flatbed trucks can be either articulated or rigid.

Truck classifications are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck, typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), and can vary among jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escort vehicle</span>

An escort vehicle, also called a pilot vehicle in most areas, is an automobile used to alert other road users of an upcoming trucks with large loads, convoys of large vehicles or to guide motorists through construction sites. They are also used to guide aircraft taxiing from the runway to the apron at many airports. In most instances, pilot vehicles are provided by companies that specialize in convoy escort, although escort duties are occasionally performed by police vehicles. Some escort companies have special authority for traffic control through state approval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula</span> Formula for estimating bridge weight limits

The Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula, also known as Bridge Formula B or the Federal Bridge Formula, is a mathematical formula in use in the United States by truck drivers and Department of Transportation (DOT) officials to determine the appropriate maximum gross weight for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) based on axle number and spacing. The formula is part of federal weight and size regulations regarding interstate commercial traffic. The formula is necessary to prevent heavy vehicles from damaging roads and bridges. CMVs are most often tractor-trailers or buses, but the formula is of most interest to truck drivers due to the heavy loads their vehicles often carry.

A specialized set of jargon describe the tools, equipment, and employment sectors used in the trucking industry in the United States. Some terms may be used within other English-speaking countries, or within the freight industry in general. For example, shore power is a term borrowed from shipping terminology, in which electrical power is transferred from shore to ship, instead of the ship relying upon idling its engines. Drawing power from land lines is more efficient than engine idling and eliminates localized air pollution. Another borrowed term is "landing gear", which refers to the legs which support the front end of a semi-trailer when it is not connected to a semi-truck. Some nicknames are obvious wordplay, such as "portable parking lot", in reference to a truck that carries automobiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I-5 Skagit River bridge collapse</span> Road bridge collapse in Mount Vernon, Washington

On May 23, 2013, at approximately 7:00 pm PDT, a span of the bridge carrying Interstate 5 over the Skagit River in the U.S. state of Washington collapsed. Three people in two different vehicles fell into the river below and were rescued by boat, escaping serious injury. The cause of the catastrophic failure was determined to be an oversize load striking several of the bridge's overhead support beams, leading to an immediate collapse of the northernmost span.

Vehicle weight is a measurement of wheeled motor vehicles; either an actual measured weight of the vehicle under defined conditions or a gross weight rating for its weight carrying capacity.

References

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  11. "Van der Vlist European Offices".
  12. "Best practices for transporting abnormal loads in Europe". Returnloads.net. ]
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  14. Transporting abnormal loads, accessed 25 February 2018
  15. Register with ESDAL, accessed 25 February 2018
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