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Ministry-backed high-gross tests include 44-tonner

16th January 1970
Page 22
Page 22, 16th January 1970 — Ministry-backed high-gross tests include 44-tonner
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• The Ministry of Transport has asked the Road Research Laboratory to begin a programme of commercial vehicle tests as part of the assessment of new gross weight limits. These tests will involve tractor-trailer and artic combinations loaded with containers to higher gross weights than the current legal maxima. Evaluation of the characteristics of such vehicles in respect of the effect on roads and bridges, delay to other road users, noise, handling, hill-climbing and braking will be included in these trials.

The types to be tested give some indication of the gross weight limits that may in future be applied to artics of various configurations. The test artics are a 43/44-ton three-axle tractive unit and tandem-axle semi-trailer (no doubt the tractive unit will be a 6 x 4); a 36-ton g.c.w. three-axle twin-steer or 6 x 2 tractive unit with a tandem-axle semi-trailer; and a 36-ton-gross two-axle tractive unit with a three-axle semi-trailer. The two latter outfits will permit assessment of the suitability of single drive for 36 tons and the difference in handling of the various configurations of five-axle artics.

In addition, a 30/32-ton-gross four-axle attic will be tested, permitting comparisons to be made between higher-gross and current maximum outfits. The rigid vehicle/drawbar trailer outfit to be tested is planned to run at a maximum train weight of 50 tons.

In all cases, tests will be of combinations with fully laden containers having their centres of gravity at about mid-height.

As well as indicating maxirrium weights under consideration, which largely confirm the possibilities previously reported in CM, the planned programme also confirms that the introduction of higher weights for maximum-gross vehicles (and presumably for intermediate categories such as sixwheelers, too) is some way off.

It is unlikely that the MoT will make any move to raise the limits until the tests are completed and the results fully considered, and this could take well over a year.

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport

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