Further Concessions for Gas Vehicles
Page 24
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The Minister of Transport Redeems His Promises concerning the Weight and Speed-limit Regulations for Goods and Passenger Vehicles
DRAFT Regulations circulated by the Ministry of Transport to the respective organizations indicate further concessionsto gas-propelled vehicles.
A weight allowance has already been given for taxation purposes. Now similar weight allowances for purposes other than taxation will obviate difficulties as to lower speed limits, the drawing of trailers, vocational licences and attendants on trailers.
(1) In the case of public-service vehicles (i) registered before November 1, 1939, (a) the laden weight of a four-wheeled vehicle shall not exceed 9 tons for a single-decker, or 101 tons for a double-decker (with more than four wheels it may not exceed 121 tons) ; (b) the weight transmitted by any two wheels on a vehicle in line transversely may not exceed 6 tons for a single-decker or 7 tons for a doubledecker.
(2) In the case of a vehicle registered on or after November 1, 1939, each of the weights permitted by para. 1 may be increased by 10 cwt.
(3) Where vehicles carry containers for holding any fuel wholly gaseous at 60 degrees F. under a pressure of 30 ins, of mercury or plant and materials for producing such fuel, each of the weights permitted by paras. 1 or 2 may he increased by 15 cwt.
(4) For the purpose of these regulations, the laden weight may be taken as the vehicle fully equipped for service with water, oil and fuel and loaded with weights of 140 lb. per person placed in the correct relative positions for each passenger for whom a seat is provided and for the driver and conductor (if carried).
Affecting Goods Models The Construction and Use Regulations are provisionally amended as follow :Regulation 3 of the principal Regulations and 4 of the Track Laying Regulations shall have effect as though, in each case, the following additions were inserted. " Gas " means any fuel wholly gaseous at 60 degrees F. under a pressure of 30 ins, of mercury ; " gas equipment," a container or containers for holding, or plant and materials for producing gas ; "gas trailer " means one used solely for gas equipment.
To regulation 63 is added the proviso that in the case of a wheeled trailer drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motorcar or motorcar propelled by gas, the laden weight of the trailer with that of the drawing vehicle may, if all wheels of bot14, be on pneumatics, equal, but not exceed, 23 tons.
To Regulation 64 is added that in the case of a heavy motorcar or motorcar carrying as equipment for its propulsion (i) the laden weight may equal but not exceed (a) with a four-wheeler, 121 tons. (b) with more than four but not more than six, 20 tons, (c) with more than sixwheels, 23 tons ; (ii) the weight transmitted by any two wheels in line transversely may not exceed 81 tons.
The Articulated Vehicle
The amendment to Regulation 65 is that in the case of a two-wheeled trailer forming part of an articulated vehicle and carrying gas equipment for propulsion, the total weight trans/flitted may not exceed Si tons if all wheels of the articulated vehicle are on pneumatics, and the total weight of the vehicle transmitted by all the wheels must not exceed 20 tons..
Regulations 85 is modified by the following :—(vi).' where the gas trailer is drawn by a heavy motorcar or motorcar.
Regulation 87 will have effect as though in each case were added after the word "trailer " the words " other than a gas trailer."
Regulation 49 of the Track Laying Regulations is amended so that where a trailer is drawn by a motor tractor, heavy motorcar or motorcar propelled by gas, the total laden weight of the combination may not exceed 23 tons.
To Regulation 50 of the Track Laying Regulations is added that in the case of a heavy motorcar or motorcar carrying gas equipment, the weight transmitted by any two wheels in line transversely may not exceed, in the case of a two-wheeled vehicle, 81 tons; in the case of one with more than two 'wheels, 81 tons, whilst the sum of the weights transmitted by all the wheels and tracks may not exceed 23 tons.
Regulation 71 of the Track Laying Regulations will have the addition:— (v) where a gas trailer is drawn by a heavy motorcar or motorcar.
The 50-cwt, Class In the class of motor vehicles defined as motorcars in the Road Traffic Act, 1930, those constructed or adapted to carry goons, and having containers to hold gas fuel for their propulsion or materials for producing this, may have a maximum unladen weight of 3 tons.
As regards the speed limits, the First Schedule to the Road Traffic Act, 1930, will be varied, so that the word. " trailer " shall not include one drawn by a heavy motorcar or motorcar. while, in either case, it is being used as a public-service vehicle or goods vehicle, if the trailer be employed solely for the carriage of gas containers or plant for producing • such gas (as previously defined).