Regions report on MP's night light switch
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• The University of Newcastle has launched a .2100,000 study to determine regional variations in the road damage caused by HGVs as a precursor to regional guidelines for road design.
Funding is coming from the Transport Road Research Laboratory and the Science and Engineering Research Council. At least five pilot studies over three years will determine the proportion of rigids to artics on a given region's motorways, trunk roads, and other roads to calculate local road wear. This will then be compared with a national road wear average.
Senior research associate Dr Jessica Anderson reports that the first study, in Dorset, has been completed; the next study will start next April in Cheshire. • MPs have approved plans to make trucks and trailers more visible to other road users at night by uprating the lighting requirement.
The new regulations will extend lighting-up times to ensure that vehicle lights are used from "sunset to sunrise" instead of "during the hours of darkness", and on motorways and dual carriageways drivers will be allowed to use hazard lights to warn following drivers of obstructions.
The new requirements for lights on lorries will apply to vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1990, and will bring UK law into line with the European lighting directive. It also paves the way for rules that are expected to govern new lorries and trailers sold in the EC.
Amber side-marker lamps will be required at least every 3m down each side of all CVs. Trucks and trailers over 2.1 metres wide will be required to carry front and rear "end outline marker lamps" and an extra pair of front and rear position lamps.
From 1 October next, year, trailer manufacturers will be obliged to fit a pair of white front reflectors, and projecting loads will have to be marked with lamps as well as with reflectors.