Land Transport Rule
Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011
Rule 41001/6
Note: This Rule should be read in conjunction with the consolidated version of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002, which includes previous Rule amendments.
Contents
Section 2 Amendments to Rule requirements
- 2.1 Determining the appropriate loading of a vehicle
- 2.2 Dimension requirements for vehicles
- 2.3 High-productivity motor vehicle sign
- 2.4 Lighting requirements for overdimension vehicles
- 2.5 Travel times
- 2.6 Specific route restrictions
Objective of the Rule
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011 amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 (the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule). The Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule specifies requirements for dimension and mass limits for vehicles operating on New Zealand roads. The Rule sets in place a regulatory regime so that vehicles, in particular, heavy truck and trailer combinations, are operated safely.
The objective of the amendment Rule is to amend the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule to:
- assist logging truck operators in determining that the height of the load on their vehicle complies with the static rollover threshold requirements for ensuring the stability of vehicles operating on New Zealand roads;
- support the changes made in the 2010 amendment Rule to allow rigid buses with an overall length of greater than 12.6 metres and up to 13.5 metres by increasing the allowable maximum dimensions for rear overhang of these buses;
- update the reference to a standard so that it refers to the current version of the standard;
- remove the requirement for revolving beacons to be fitted at night to an overdimension load that is 2.7 metres or less in width on a standard motor vehicle, which will enhance their effectiveness as a road safety measure for all larger motor vehicles that are still required to fit them;
- address an issue of concern for the road transport industry, while maintaining road safety, by removing the requirement for additional lights to be fitted at the front and rear of an overdimension load that is 2.7 metres or less in width on a standard motor vehicle;
- remove the travel time restrictions that apply to overdimension vehicles, or vehicles with overdimension loads, that are required by certain authorities to undertake essential tasks in emergency circumstances;
- update the overdimension motor vehicle specific route restrictions to take into account the building of new and upgraded motorways and changes to traffic control organisations.
Extent of consultation
For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 and five other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single draft Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2010 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule).
On 23 November 2010, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 1800 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended. The draft Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the NZTA Contact Centre and, together with Questions and Answers, was also made available on the NZTA's website. The availability of the draft for comment was publicised in the metropolitan daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and in the New Zealand Gazette. The NZTA received 26 submissions on the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which 21 commented on the proposed amendments to the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Rule.
Following consultation, the provisions in the draft Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into six separate amendment Rules, including this Rule. The submissions that were received were taken into account in drafting this amendment Rule before it was submitted to the Minister of Transport for signing.
Section 1 Application
1.1 Title
This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011.
1.2 Date when Rule comes into force
This Rule comes into force on 1 April 2011.
1.3 Scope of Rule
This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.
Section 2 Amendments to Rule requirements
2.1 Determining the appropriate loading of a vehicle
Clause 3.5 is amended by inserting the following subclause:
- “3.5(5) For a load of logs, the maximum allowable load height shall be determined by the following method:
- “(a) measuring the height above ground of the highest point of the load; and
- “(b) if the height in (a) does not comply with the SRT, then measuring the height above ground of the highest point at each end of the highest packet and calculating an average of the two measurements; and
- “(c) if the height in (a) or (b) does not comply with the SRT, and the load comprises multiple packets and the highest points of all of the packets differ in height by no more than 1 m, measuring the average height of each packet by the method described in (b) and calculating an average height of all packets.”
2.2 Dimension requirements for vehicles
Table 4.1 is amended by substituting the following for the row relating to “Rear overhang”:
| “Rear overhang | |
|---|---|
| Heavy rigid vehicle whose rearmost axle is a non-steering axle | 4.0 or 70% of wheelbase (whichever is less) |
| Heavy rigid vehicle whose rearmost axle is a steering axle | 4.25 or 70% of wheelbase (whichever is less) |
| Rigid bus that exceeds 12.6 in overall length | 4.5 or 72% of wheelbase (whichever is less) |
| Articulated bus, heavy simple trailer, heavy pole trailer with one axle set | 4.0 or 50% of forward distance (whichever is less) |
| Heavy semi-trailer other than a Class TC caravan trailer | 4.3 or 50% of forward distance (whichever is less) |
| Heavy full trailer, heavy pole trailer with two axle sets | 4.0 or 50% of wheelbase (whichever is less) |
| Class TC caravan trailer that is a semi-trailer | 4.0 or 65% of forward distance (whichever is less) |
| All other vehicles | 4.0” |
2.3 High-productivity motor vehicle sign
Clause 5.7 is amended by substituting the following for paragraph 5.7(1)(e):
- “(e) comply with AS/NZS 1906.1.2007, Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes, Part 1: Retroreflective materials.”
2.4 Lighting requirements for overdimension motor vehicles
2.4(1) Table 6.1 is amended by:
- (a) substituting “Additional lamps and amber beacon if required by 6.7” for “Revolving amber light (see also 6.7)” in the row relating to Category 1; and
- (b) substituting “Amber beacon” for “Revolving amber light” in the rows relating to Category 2(a), Category 2(b), Category 3(a), Category 3(b) and Category 4.
2.4(2) Subclause 6.7(2) is amended by inserting “unless 6.7(7) applies” after “overdimension motor vehicle”.
2.4(3) Subclause 6.7(4) is amended by:
- (a) substituting “6.7(4)” for “(4)”; and
- (b) inserting “unless 6.7(7) applies,” after “overdimension motor vehicle”.
2.4(4) Clause 6.7 is amended by inserting the following subclause:
- “6.7(7) Despite 6.7(2) and 6.7(4), the lamps and beacons referred to in those subclauses may, but are not required to, be fitted to and operated on a standard motor vehicle that is transporting an overdimension load that does not exceed the overall length limits in section 4 and does not exceed 2.7 m in width.”
2.5 Travel times
2.5(1) Clause 6.12 is amended by substituting “6.12(9), 6.12(10) and 6.12(11)” for “6.12(9) and 6.12(10)” where it occurs in subclauses 6.12(2), 6.12(4) and 6.12(7).
2.5(2) Clause 6.12 is amended by inserting the following subclause:
- “6.12(11) Travel time restrictions in this clause do not apply to a motor vehicle that is being used in an emergency if the operator of the vehicle can provide evidence that the vehicle was required by:
- “(a) a road controlling authority to repair, or restore access to, a road, railway or bridge; or
- “(b) a territorial authority, or a public utility provider, to restore a public utility service; or
- “(c) the New Zealand Police to attend an incident or accident; or
- “(d) a territorial or local authority to stabilise land or otherwise reduce an imminent risk to persons or property; or
- “(e) the Controller, or any member of the New Zealand Police, or any person acting under their authority, to carry out emergency response work during a state of emergency declared under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.”
2.6 Specific route restrictions
2.6(1) Schedule 7 is amended by deleting the items relating to:
- (a) “Auckland Harbour Bridge”; and
- (b) “Auckland Motorway”; and
- (c) “McKay's Level Crossing North Island Main Trunk Line/SH 1 Paekakariki”.
2.6(2) Schedule 7 is amended by adding the following items:
- (a) “Auckland Harbour Bridge: Maximum height 4.8 m; maximum width 3.1 m. A vehicle exceeding these limits must contact the NZTA Traffic Operations Centre and may travel on this route provided it is accompanied by a Class 1 Pilot Vehicle as authorised by the NZTA Traffic Operations Centre.”;
- (b) “Auckland Motorways: No travel on Auckland Motorways if the width exceeds 3.1 m or the height exceeds 4.25 m except for the following:
- “(a) Loads that do not exceed 4.7 m in height are permitted to travel on State Highway 1 from Ramarama Interchange (Ararimu Road Underpass) to the southern end of the Auckland Southern Motorway.”
- “(b) Loads that exceed 3.1 m in width or 4.25 m in height, or both, are permitted to travel on State Highway 18 between Buckley Avenue and the Old Albany Highway.”
Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Amendment 2011 - Rule 41001/6
NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi