Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Notice 2002

Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Notice 2002

The Transport Commission makes the following notice under regulation 45(1) of the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2001 .

PART 1 - Preliminary

1.   Short title

This notice may be cited as the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Notice 2002 .

2.   Commencement

This notice takes effect on the day on which its making is notified in the Gazette.

3.   Interpretation

(1)  In this notice –

[Clause 3 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2002, No. 134, Applied:29 Nov 2002] approved mass management scheme means a mass management scheme –

(a) administered by the responsible Department in relation to the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 ; or

(b) administered or recognised by an equivalent authority in another State or a Territory;

road-friendly suspension means vehicle suspension certified as complying with performance criteria specified in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 11 - "Certification of Road-friendly Suspension Systems" published by the Federal Office of Road Safety in April 1999, as amended from time to time;

truck and dog trailer combination means a vehicle towing a dog trailer;

Vehicle Operations Regulations means the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2001 .

(2)  A word or phrase that is defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 or the Vehicle Operations Regulations and used in this notice has the same meaning in this notice as defined in that Act or those regulations.

(3)  The Acts Interpretation Act 1931 applies to the interpretation of this notice as if it were regulations within the meaning of that Act.

PART 2 - B-doubles

4.   Exemption of B-doubles

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 5 , regulations 13 and 22(7)(a) and (d) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a B-double.

5.   Conditions exemption of B-doubles

The exemption under clause 4 in respect of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a B-double is subject to the following conditions:

(a) if the B-double is being used on a road other than a road specified in Schedule 1 , the B-double must not –

(i) exceed 21 metres in length, or 21.3 metres if it is fitted with a guard to prevent logs from shifting rearwards; or

(ii) exceed 50 tonnes in mass; or

(iii) be fitted with more than 7 axles;

(b) if the B-double is being used on a road specified in Schedule 1 , the B-double must not exceed –

(i) 25 metres in length; or

(ii) 62.5 tonnes in mass;

(c) if the B-double exceeds 22 metres in length, it must be fitted with a long vehicle sign in accordance with Division 4 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations;

(d) the B-double must comply with the axle spacing requirements set out in Schedule 2 .

PART 3 - Truck and dog trailer combinations

6.   Exemption of truck and dog trailer combinations

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 7 , regulations 13 , 21 and 22(7)(a) and (d) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a truck and dog trailer combination.

7.   Conditions on exemption of truck and dog trailer combinations

The exemption under clause 6 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a truck and dog trailer combination is subject to the following conditions:

(a) if the combination is being used on a road other than a road specified in Schedule 1 , the combination must not –

(i) exceed 21 metres in length, or 21.3 metres if it is fitted with a guard to prevent logs from shifting rearwards; or

(ii) exceed 50 tonnes in mass;

(b) if the combination is being used on a road specified in Schedule 1 , the combination must not exceed –

(i) 25 metres in length; or

(ii) 60.5 tonnes in mass;

(c) the mass of the dog trailer must not exceed the mass of the towing vehicle unless the combination has a gross mass in excess of 42.5 tonnes;

(d) if the combination has a gross mass in excess of 42.5 tonnes, all axle groups, except the steer axle, must have road-friendly suspension;

(e) if the combination has a gross mass in excess of 50 tonnes, the trailer couplings must have a coupling strength with a D value of at least 13.5;

(f) if the combination exceeds 22 metres in length, it must be fitted with a long vehicle sign in accordance with Division 4 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations;

(g) the combination must comply with the axle spacing requirements set out in Schedule 2 .

PART 4 - Higher mass limits for vehicles with road-friendly suspension

8.   Exemption of vehicles with road-friendly suspension

[Clause 8 Substituted by S.R. 2002, No. 134, Applied:29 Nov 2002] Subject to the conditions listed in clause 9 , regulations 22(1)(b) , (2) , (3) , (4) , (7)(a) and (d) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle if the vehicle is –

(a) fitted with one or more road-friendly suspension systems; and

(b) being operated by a person who is –

(i) accredited under an approved mass management scheme; or

(ii) authorised by a person accredited under such a scheme to operate under that person's accreditation in accordance with the scheme.

9.   Conditions on exemption of vehicles with road-friendly suspension

The exemption under clause 8 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle fitted with one or more road-friendly suspension systems is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the mass of an 8 tyred tandem axle group must not exceed 17 tonnes;

(b) the mass of a 12 tyred triaxle group must not exceed 22.5 tonnes;

(c) the mass of a 2 tyred single axle on a bus must not exceed 10 tonnes;

(d) the mass of a 6 tyred tandem axle group on a bus must not exceed 14 tonnes;

(e) the mass of a combination must not exceed the sum of the allowable axle masses of the axle groups in the combination;

(f) an axle or axle group fitted after 1 January 2000 must be certified by the manufacturer as road friendly;

(g) the vehicle must comply with the axle spacing requirements set out in Schedule 2 ;

(h) [Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2002, No. 134, Applied:29 Nov 2002] the vehicle must be used only on the routes set out in Schedule 6 ;

(i) [Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2002, No. 134, Applied:29 Nov 2002] evidence of the accreditation of the operator of the vehicle under an approved mass management scheme or of the person's authority referred to in clause 8(b)(ii) is carried in, or on, the vehicle and produced on demand to a police officer or authorised officer.

PART 5 - Oversize and overmass vehicles

Division 1 - Oversize and overmass vehicles

10.   Exemption of oversize and overmass vehicles

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 11 , regulations 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 and 22(7)(a) and (d) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, an oversize vehicle or overmass vehicle that is not a B-double or a truck and dog trailer combination.

11.   Conditions on exemption of oversize and overmass vehicles

The exemption under clause 10 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, an oversize vehicle or overmass vehicle is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the vehicle must not exceed the limits set out in the table in Schedule 3 ;

(b) the vehicle must not be used if visibility is less than 250 metres in the daytime or if the headlights of a vehicle approaching within 250 metres cannot be seen at night;

(c) the vehicle must display an oversize vehicle sign in accordance with Division 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations on the front and rear of the vehicle;

(d) the vehicle must have its headlights switched on to low beam while travelling in the daytime;

(e) if the vehicle or its load is over 3 metres wide, the vehicle must display warning lights in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations;

(f) the vehicle must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle in accordance with –

(i) Schedule 4 ; and

(ii) Part 3 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations.

Division 2 - Tandem-drive prime movers carting heavy equipment

12.   Exemption of tandem-drive prime movers

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 13 , regulation 22 of the Vehicle Operations Regulations does not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a tandem-drive prime mover towing one of the following for the purpose of carting heavy equipment:

(a) a low loader;

(b) a dolly and a low loader;

(c) a pole trailer;

(d) a dolly and a pole trailer.

13.   Conditions on exemption of tandem-drive prime movers

The exemption under clause 12 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a tandem-drive prime mover is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the combination must have axle groups with at least 1.2 metre spacings;

(b) the combination must comply with the mass limits set out in Schedule 5 ;

(c) the manufacturer's axle load limits and tyre load limits must not be exceeded;

(d) the gross mass of the combination must not exceed the lesser of the following:

(i) the manufacturer's GCM;

(ii) if the distance between the centre of the rear drive axle and the centre of the first trailer axle is 6 metres or more, 49.50 tonnes;

(iii) if the distance between the centre of the rear drive axle and the centre of the first trailer axle is less than 6 metres, 49.50 tonnes decreased by 1 tonne for each 300 millimetres by which that distance is less than 6 metres.

Division 3 - Transport of rowing boats, surfboats and gliders

14.   Exemption of trailers

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 15 , regulations 13 and 14(3) of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a trailer built for carrying rowing boats, surfboats or gliders.

15.   Conditions on exemption of trailers

The exemption under clause 14 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a trailer is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the rear overhang of the trailer must not exceed 5 metres;

(b) if travelling in daylight, a red flag must be affixed to the rearmost point of the load;

(c) if travelling at night, a red light must be affixed within 200 millimetres of the rearmost point of the load;

(d) the trailer must not exceed 2.5 metres in width.

Division 4 - Transport of hay

16.   Exemption of vehicles or combinations carrying hay

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 17 , regulations 10 and 16 of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle or combination carrying hay in bales or rolls.

17.   Conditions on exemption of vehicles or combinations carrying hay

The exemption under clause 16 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle or combination carrying hay is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the vehicle or combination must not exceed 4.3 metres in height and 3 metres in width unless it is –

(i) a tri-axle semi-trailer carrying bales of hay; or

(ii) a step-deck or drop-well tri-axle semi-trailer with a maximum deck height of 1.2 metres;

(b) a tri-axle semi-trailer carrying bales of hay may be loaded to a maximum height of 4.6 metres only if its width does not exceed 2.5 metres;

(c) a step-deck or drop-well tri-axle semi-trailer with a maximum deck height of 1.2 metres carrying bales of hay may be loaded to a maximum height of 4.6 metres only if its width does not exceed 3 metres;

(d) if the vehicle or combination is more than 2.5 metres wide, an oversize vehicle sign in accordance with Division 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Vehicle Operations Regulations must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle or combination.

Division 5 - Transport of export containers

18.   Exemption of vehicles carrying export containers

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 19 , regulations 20 and 22 of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle carrying export containers.

19.   Conditions on exemption of vehicles carrying export containers

The exemption under clause 18 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a vehicle carrying export containers is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the vehicle must be a tandem-drive prime mover with a tri-axle trailer, both with road-friendly suspension;

(b) the vehicle must have a GCM of 46 tonnes or more;

(c) the containers must contain perishable commodities for export and must be being carried to the nearest railhead or port;

(d) the containers must be sealed export 12.2 metre containers;

(e) each container must be accompanied by documentation specifying –

(i) the origin and destination of the container; and

(ii) the nature of the commodity in the container; and

(iii) the container identification number;

(f) the vehicle must not exceed the mass limit set out in the following table:

Axle group	Mass (tonnes)
Steer axle	6
Tandem-drive axle group	17
Tri-axle group	22.5
	Total: 45.5

Division 6 - Transport of special-purpose logs

20.   Exemption of combinations carrying special-purpose logs

Subject to the conditions listed in clause 21 , regulations 13 and 14 of the Vehicle Operations Regulations do not apply to a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a combination carrying special-purpose logs.

21.   Conditions on exemption of combinations carrying special-purpose logs

The exemption under clause 20 of a person using, or causing or permitting the use of, a combination carrying special-purpose logs is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the combination must not exceed 25 metres in length and 2.5 metres in width;

(b) the rear overhang of the trailer must not exceed 5.5 metres.

PART 6 - Miscellaneous

22.   Restriction on use of vehicle or combination on certain bridges

An exemption under this notice does not authorise the use of a vehicle or combination on –

(a) the Tasman Bridge, if the vehicle or combination, and its load, exceeds 4.3 metres in height or 3 metres in width; or

(b) the Bridgewater Bridge, if the vehicle or combination, and its load, exceeds 4.3 metres in height or 2.5 metres in width.

23.   Period of exemption

An exemption under this notice remains in force for a period of 3 years beginning on 1 July 2002, unless sooner revoked.

SCHEDULE 1 - B-double and truck and dog trailer route network

Clause 5(a) and (b) and clause 7(a) and (b)

SCHEDULE 2 - Axle spacing requirements for B-double

Clause 5(d) , clause 7(g) and clause 9(g)

SCHEDULE 3 - Limits for oversize and overmass vehicles

Clause 11(a)

SCHEDULE 4 - Pilot vehicles

Clause 11(f)

1.   A pilot vehicle is required for a vehicle or combination if the vehicle or combination –

(a) exceeds 25 metres in length or 3.5 metres in width; or

(b) exceeds 22 metres in length or 3.1 metres in width and is being used at night; or

(c) exceeds 21 metres in length or 3.2 metres in width and is being used on any of the following roads:

(i) Blowhole Tourist Road (G183);

(ii) Channel Highway (B68) - Kettering to Gordon;

(iii) Corrina Dev Road (C247);

(iv) Cradle Mountain Tourist Road (C132) - Learys Corner to Chalet;

(v) Guilford Sec Road (C191);

(vi) Lake Dobson Tourist Road (C609);

(vii) Lake Highway (A5) - Breona to Golden Valley;

(viii) Lyell Highway (A10, B27) - Mount Arrowsmith to Strahan;

(ix) Mount Barrow Tourist Road (C609);

(x) Murchison Highway (A10) - Savage River to Waratah; Rosebery to Tullah (Mt Black); Henrietta to Parawee (Hellyer Gorge);

(xi) Notley Gorge Tourist Road (C731);

(xii) Storeys Creek Sec Road (B42);

(xiii) Tasmans Arch Tourist Road (C338);

(xiv) Tasman Highway (A3) - Gatehouse Marsh to Orford; Elephant Pass; St Marys Pass; Moorina to Goshen; Scottsdale to Nunamara.

SCHEDULE 5 - Mass limits for tandem-drive prime movers

Clause 13(b)

SCHEDULE 6 - Route network for vehicles with road-friendly suspension

Clause 9(h)

This notice was made by the Transport Commission at a meeting held on 28 June 2002.

The common seal of the Transport Commission was affixed on 28 June 2002, in the presence of –

R. RUTHERFORD

Commissioner

Displayed and numbered in accordance with the Rules Publication Act 1953.

Notified in the Gazette on 3 July 2002

This notice is administered in the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources.