Longer artics on the way but new restrictions, too
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By H. BRIAN COTTEE ARTICULATED vehicles up to 49 ft. 2 in. (15 metres) long, drawbar trailers up to 39 ft. 3f in. (12m.) long, and new restrictions on the movement of long artics—these are the main changes embodied in proposals which the Minister of Transport has now circulated for comment to interested parties.
If approved, these alterations to the Construction and Use Regulations 1966 would at last permit sensible designs for 32-ton-gross artics on four axles—previously inhibited by the 38 ft. outer-axle spread limitation which had to be achieved within an overall length of 42 ft. 7in.
The changes also presage the designation of prohibited routes for general freight traffic on vehicles at or near the new maxima, while the operator associations are very concerned at some of the proposed new limitations.
Announcing the new proposals, the Ministry of Transport said:—
"British road transport operators have a large and important share of the rapidly growing volume of road goods traffic between Great 13ritain and European countries. The more restrictive limit which our regulations impose upon the length of articulated vehicles —13m. (42 ft. 71 in.) compared with 15m. in most countries—is a serious obstacle to the continuation and development of this traffic. The efficiency of international transport is being greatly increased by the use of containers which can be up to 40 ft. long; 15m. vehicles are needed to carry the longest containers.
"The present maximum length of 7m. (22 ft. 11 in.) for drawbar trailers is also markedly out of line with practice abroad. It is therefore proposed to raise this to 12m., without changing the existing limit of 18m. (59 ft. 1 in.) on the length of a combination of motor vehicle and drawbar trailer which is generally applicable abroad.
"In the interests of safety the Minister proposes also that these increases be coupled with tighter control of movements of vehicles with loads which project to the front or rear. These proposals would involve obligations (a) to notify the police in advance of any movement of an articulated vehicle of which the length including any load overhang exceeds 50 ft.; and (b) to use a marker board of the prescribed kind when rear overhang of a load (or special appliance) exceeds 3 ft. 6 in. (at present rear projections up to 10 ft. are allowed without the marker board requirement).
"The Minister is also considering suggestions that very long vehicles or vehicle combinations should display rear markings to indicate their exceptional length to overtaking drivers and that lights or reflectors should be required along the sides of these vehicles.
"Safeguards proposed in connection with the increase in drawbar trailer lengths consist of conditions that trailers above 7m. long must have at least four Wheels and minimum axle spacing not less than three-fifths of the overall length; they must be drawn by a motor vehicle of at least 2 tons unladen weight; where two trailers are drawn at once only one may ex
ceed 7m. and where three are drawn none may exceed that length.
"Since it is possible that longer vehicles might cause unacceptable difficulties in some roads and streets of limited capacity, the Minister points out that the traffic authorities have powers, which she hopes will be used where appropriate, to restrict or pro hibit the use of long vehicles in such situations. More detailed advice on this is being included in material in course of preparation in the Ministry to give guidance on traffic management in general."
Welcoming the new permitted lengths, both the Road Haulage Association and the Traders Road Transport Association expressed concern at the requirement to notify movement of artics measuring over 50 ft. (At present notification is required only when the "rigid length", e.g. semitrailer and load, exceeds 60 ft.) The TRTA said on Wednesday that this could mean notification for many normal loads carried by members and it intends to raise this matter with the Ministry when it makes its formal comments.
The RHA vehicles committee discussed the proposals on Tuesday and felt that the over-50 ft. notification could cause endless complications and problems—not least for drivers picking up long loads away from base. It was considered that the requirement could lead to a flood of notifications to the police and much unnecessary work.
The RHA also feels strongly that the increase in maximum length for artics should be accompanied by an increase in gross weight—the Association has already asked for a new limit of 38 tons.
Another RHA objection is that the need for marker boards on load projections over 3 ft. 6 in. could lead to the odd situation of the 5 ft.-long marker board projecting beyond the overhanging load.
Certainly the drastic reduction to 3 ft. 6 in. from the existing 10 ft. may cause trouble and expense for some operators but the object is understandable when seen in the light of the new maximum-length provisions, which will permit 40 ft. platforms capable of accommodating, say, two 20 ft. containers without overhang.
The provision for longer drawbar trailers— though not for longer tractor-trailer train lengths —is an interesting move at a time when the possibility of dispensing with mates on such combinations has become a topic for discussion. It could lead to new interest in drawbar outfits— especially as these provide readymade split loads for local shunting of trunk traffic.
One must hope that the Ministry will give a clear lead -to local authorities empowered to restrict the movement of large vehicles, otherwise there could be confused and unnecessarily restrictive conditions throughout the country.
On the ball
Quick off the mark were York Trailer Co. Ltd., who announced on Wednesday that Teamster platform and Freightmaster van semitrailers were already available at 40 ft. length and that the company had already published a schedule of charges for lengthening existing trailers where appropriate.