Interstate Road Transport Regulations (Amendment) (Cth)

1 343

Statutory Rules 1991 No.

Interstate Road Transport Regulations2

(Amendment)

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and under section 4 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, make the following Regulations under the Interstate Road Transport Act 1985.

Dated 4 November 1991.

BILL HAYDEN

Governor-General

By His Excellency's Command,

Minister of State for Land Transport

1. Commencement

1.1 These Regulations commence on 15 November 1991.

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2. Amendment

2.1 The Interstate Road Transport Regulations are amended as set out in

these Regulations.

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3. Regulation 2 (Interpretation)

3.1 Subregulation 2(1), (definition of "load sharing suspension system"):

Omit:

"'load sharing suspension system', in "relation to an axle group of a

vehicle, means a suspension system that—

substitute:

"'load sharing', in relation to an axle group of a vehicle, means load

sharing by means of a suspension system that:".

3.2 Subregulation 2 (1) (definitions of "prime mover", "semi-trailer",

"single axle", "tandem axle group" and "triaxle group"):

Omit the definitions, substitute:

"'prime mover' means a rigid motor vehicle designed to haul a semi-

trailer;

'semi-trailer' means a trailer that is designed so that:

(a)	it has a single axle group towards its rear and a means of attachment to a prime mover; and
(b)	when it is attached to a prime mover, part of the mass of the trailer is borne by the prime mover;

'single axle', in relation to a vehicle, means:

(a) one axle; or

(b) 2 axles with centres between transverse, parallel, vertical planes spaced less than 1 metre apart;

'tandem axle group', in relation to a vehicle, means a combination of 2

axles which are not less than 1 metre or more than 2 metres apart;

'triaxle group', in relation to a vehicle, means a combination of 3 axles in

which the front and rear axles are not less than 2 metres or more than 3.2

metres apart;".

3.3 Subregulation 2 (1):

Insert the following definitions:

"'Administrator' means the Administrator of Vehicle Standards within

the meaning of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989;

'administering authority' means the Department, or a State or Territory

body responsible for vehicle registration or for the conditions on which

vehicles use roads in a State or Territory;

'articulated vehicle' means a vehicle (other than a B-double) that consists

of a combination of a prime mover and a semi-trailer;

'Australian Standard' means a standard approved for publication on behalf of the Council of the Standards Association of Australia, being the association of that name incorporated by Royal Charter;

'axle group' means a single axle, a tandem axle group, a triaxle group-or^a

close coupled axle group;

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'British Standard' means a standard issued by the British Standards

Institution established under Royal Charter;

'close coupled axle group' means a group of:

(a) 2 axles whose centres are not more than 1 metre apart; or

(b)	3 axles whose centres are not more than 2 metres apart; or
(c)	4 or more axles whose centres are not more than 3.2 metres apart;

'compliance plate' has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle

Standards Act 1989;

'D-value', in relation to a rigid goods vehicle and trailer, an articulated

vehicle or a B-double, means a rating:

(a) based on the dynamic longitudinal force experienced by:

(i) a fifth wheel; or

(ii) a kingpin or pin type coupling;

for the particular combination and its load; and

(b) calculated in accordance with Australian Standard 1773-1989 'Articulated Vehicles—Fifth Wheel Assemblies' or Australian Standard 2213-1984 "50mm Pin Type Couplings and Drawbar Eyes for Trailers", as the case requires;

'fifth wheel', in relation to a prime mover or a dolly trailer, means a

device used:

(a)	to permit quick coupling and uncoupling of a semi-trailer with the prime mover or dolly trailer; and
(b)	to provide for the articulation of the combination;

'kingpin', in relation to a trailer, means the pin attached to the trailer that is used to connect it to the fifth wheel of a prime mover, a dolly trailer or a semi trailer;

'least favoured brake chamber', in relation to a B-double, means the brake chamber with the longest line to the treadle valve in the B-double's prime mover;

'national standard' has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle

Standards Act 1989;

'supply line', in relation to a trailer, means the path by which the stored

energy required to actuate or release the trailer's brakes is supplied from

the coupling head on the towing vehicle to the spring brake control valve

or similar significant device in the trailer's brake system;

system that automatically adjusts the braking force at the vehicle's axles to 'variable proportioning brake system', in relation to a vehicle, means a

compensate for vehicle static axle load or dynamic weight transfe^tfetween

axles during deceleration;

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'vehicle identification number', in relation to a vehicle, means the

number that:

(a) is located on the compliance plate of the vehicle; and

(b) identifies the vehicle and sets it apart from similar vehicles;".

3.4 Add at the end:

"(3) In these regulations, a reference to the centre of an axle or an axle group, is a reference:

(a)	in relation to a single axle—to the centre of the axle; and
(b)	in relation to a tandem axle group or a close coupled axle group of 2 axles:

(i) if the axles are fitted with an equal number of tyres— to a line located half way between the axles; and

(ii) if one axle is fitted with twice the number of tyres of the other—to a line located one third of the way from that axle towards the axle fitted with fewer tyres; and

(c)	in relation to a twin steer axle group—to a line located half way between the axles; and
(d)	in relation to a triaxle group or a close coupled axle group with more than 2 axles—to a line located half way between the extreme axles of the group.".

4. Regulation 5A (Maximum road speed limiting—heavy motor

vehicles)

4.1 Subregulation 5A (1):

After paragraph (1) (a), insert:

"and (aa) to each B-double (except a B-double to which paragraph (b) or (c) applies) that is first registered, or has its registration renewed under the Act, after 15 November 1991;".

5. 12A (Permitted gross mass limits)

5.1 Subregulation 12A (1):

Omit "The maximum", substitute 'Tor the purposes of paragraphs

12B (2) (a) and 13 (1) (aa) of the Act, the maximum".

5.2 Subregulation 12A (2):

Omit "semi-trailer", substitute "the combined semi-trailers of a B-double or a semi-trailer".

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5.3 Add at the end:

"(3) In spite of subregulation (1) the maximum permitted loaded mass of a B-double is the least of:

(a)	the maximum permitted gross mass of the B-double determined under subregulation (1); and
(b)	the gross combination mass value specified by the manufacturer of its prime mover; and

(c) if the B-double has not more than 7 axles—55.5 tonnes; and

(d) 59 tonnes.".

6. Regulation 12B (Axle loads)

6.1 Subregulation 12B (1):

Omit "The maximum", substitute "For the purposes of paragraphs

12B (2) (a) and 13 (1) (aa) of the Act, the maximum".

6.2 Paragraph 12B (1) (a):

Add at the end "and".

6.3 Paragraph 12B (1) (b):

Add at the end "and".

6.4 Subregulation 12B (1):

Add at the end:

";and (e) in the case of an axle group that is not load sharing—in relation to an axle group specified in column 2 of an item in Schedule IB, the gross mass specified in column 5 of that item."

7. Regulation 12H (Overloaded vehicle)

7.1 Add at the end:

"(4) This regulation does not apply to a B-double or to a component of a B-double.

[NOTE: Provision is made for offences involving the operation of B-doubles in section

12DoftheAct.]".

8. Regulation 121 (Weighing vehicles)

8.1 Subregulation 121 (1):

After "or trailer" (first occurring), insert	other than a vehicle or/trailer^
operated as part of a B-double,".
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8.2 After subregulation 121 (1), insert:

"(1A) For the purposes of paragraph 12B (2) (h) of the Act, a police officer or an inspector may direct the driver of a B-double to cause the B- double to be driven or towed to a weighing station:

(a) to be weighed; and

(b) if necessary, to be unloaded;

to ensure that the B-double complies with the Act and these Regulations.".

8.3 Subregulation 121 (2):

Omit "paragraph", substitute "paragraphs 12B (2) (h) and".

8.4 Subregulation 121 (3):

Omit "or a direction referred to in subregulation (2)".

8.5 After subregulation 121 (3), insert:

"(3A) The driver of a B-double must not, without reasonable excuse, contravene a direction under subregulation ( lA).

[NOTE: Provision is made for offences involving the operation of B-doubles in section

12D of the Act.]".

"(3B) The driver of a motor vehicle or trailer must not, without

reasonable excuse, contravene a direction referred to in subregulation (2).

Maximum penalty:for the driver of a vehicle other than a B-double—

$3,000.

[NOTE: Provision is made for offences involving the operation of B-doubles in section

12D of the Act.]".

8.6 Subregulation 121 (4):

After "subregulation (1)", insert "or ( lA)".

9. Regulation 12K (Unloading overloaded vehicles)

9.1 Subregulation 12K(1):

Omit "paragraph", substitute "paragraphs 12B (2) (h) and".

9.2 Subregulation 12K (2):

Omit the penalty, substitute:

"Maximum penalty: for the driver of a vehicle other than a B-double—

$2,000.

[NOTE: Provision is made for offences involving the operation of B-doubles in section^

12D of the Act.]".

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10. New Division

10.1 After Division 2A of Part II, insert:

"Division 2B—B-doubles

On which routes may a B-double operate?

"12L. (1) Subject to subregulation (2), a person must not, without

reasonable excuse, operate a B-double except on a federal route.

Maximum penalty: $ 1,000.

"(2) A B-double may only operate in a State or Territory in a place other than a federal route:

(a)	if the administering authority in the State or Territory requires the driver or operator of a B-double to hold a permit to operate the B-double in that place or in that State or Territory generally—if the driver or operator of the B-double holds a current permit permitting that operation; or
(b)	if the administering authority in the State or Territory does not require the driver or operator of a B-double that complies with these Regulations to hold a permit of a kind referred to in paragraph (a)—if the B-double complies with these Regulations; or
(c)	if the driver or operator of the B-double is required by these regulations to operate that B-double in that place.

General specifications for B-doubles

"12M. A vehicle that:

(a)	is first registered, or has its registrtation under the Act renewed, after 15 November 1992; and
(b)	is a component of a B-double;

must comply with whichever of:

(c) the national standards; or (d) Australian Design Rules;

(as amended and in force from time to time) applicable to B-doubles are

appropriate in the circumstances.

How must a B-double be identified?

"12N. The prime mover and each trailer that constitutes a B-double must be permanently marked with

(a) a vehicle identification number; or

(b) a unique chassis number.

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Dimensions of a B-double—height

"12O (1) Except as provided in subregulation (2), the height (including any of the vehicle's equipment) of any motor vehicle or trailer that constitutes part of a B-double:

(a) if subregulation (2) applies to the motor vehicle or trailer— must not exceed 4.6 metres; and

(b) in any other case—must not exceed 4.3 metres.

"(2) In an area in a State or Territory approved by the administering authority of the State or Territory for the purposes of this subregulation, the height of a livestock trailer of a B-double, or its prime mover, may exceed 4.3 metres:

(a) if the prime mover has tandem driven rear axles; and

(b)	when an interaxle differential is fitted to the prime mover—if the prime mover's interaxle differential is of the positive locking type; and
(c)	when the lower decks of a multi-deck stock crate are not fully laden—if there are no livestock in its upper deck.

Dimensions of a B-double—overall length

"12P. The overall length of a B-double (including any of the vehicle's equipment) must not exceed 23 metres.

Dimensions of a B-double—minimum axle spacing?

"12Q. On a B-double:

(a)	any single axle with dual tyres or single wide tyres must be located not less than 5 metres from the centre of any adjacent tandem group or triaxle group; and
(b)	adjacent pairs of tandem axle groups with dual tyres or single wide tyres must be located so that there is not less than 6 metres between the centres of the axle groups; and
(c)	the centre of any tandem axle group with dual tyres or single wide tyres must be located not less than 7 metres from the centre of any adjacent triaxle group; and
(d)	there must not be adjacent pairs of triaxle groups.

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Starting and running a B-double on grade

"12R. A B-double constituted by a prime mover and 2 fully laden trailers must be able to start from rest on a 10% grade and be capable of maintaining 70 kilometres per hour on a 1% grade when operating at its gross combination mass.

Service brakes—pneumatic systems

"12S. (1) In spite of regulation 12M, if a B-double is fitted with brakes that use compressed air as the brake operating fluid, the brake system of the prime mover must be such that:

(a)	the pressure measured in an 800 millilitre vessel connected to a 2 metre pipe at the coupling head reaches at least 420 kilopascals within 400 milliseconds after the foot operated brake control is rapidly and completely applied; and
(b)	if the brakes are applied fully—the pressure in the vessel falls, within 500 milliseconds after the foot operated brake control is released, to below 35 kilopascals.

"(2) In spite of regulation 12M, if a B-double is fitted with brakes that use compressed air as the brake operating fluid, its brake system must be such that:

(a)	the pressure within the least favoured brake chamber of the B-double reaches at least 420 kilopascals within 1 second after the foot operated brake control is rapidly and completely applied; and
(b)	if the brakes are applied fully—the pressure within the least favoured brake chamber falls, within 1 second after the foot operated brake control is released, to (or below) the greater of:

(i) 35 kilopascals; or

(ii) the pressure at which the friction materials cease to contact each other; and

(c) the prime mover's air pressure recovers to 490 kilopascals (or more) withinl minute when:

(i) its engine is running at its maximum speed; and

(ii) its initial air pressure is not less than 650 kilopascals;

(iii)	the governor cut-in pressure is no higher than that and
recommended by the manufacturer or, if there is no
recommendation by the manufacturer, 550
kilopascals; and

(iv) 3 full brake operations are applied within 10 seconds.

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Brake line failure protection

"12T.(1) If a B-double uses compressed air as the brake operating fluid, its brake system must include protection against loss of supply line air, or control signal air, if any of the supply line brake hoses connecting one vehicle to another fail.

"(2) The protection must be automatic and must warn the driver that loss of supply line air or control signal air is cnxurring.

"(3) The couplings for the hoses for the supply and control lines must be polarised in accordance with Australian Standard D8—1971 'Hose Couplings for Use with Vacuum and Air-Pressure Braking Systems on Prime-Movers, Trailers and Semi-trailers' if that standard applies to those hoses.

"(4) Couplings for supply line air hoses must not be interchangeable with couplings for control line air hoses.

Simultaneous parking brake application

"12U. (1) If the parking brake of the prime mover of a B-double is

applied, the parking brakes of each trailer that is part of the B-double must also be applied automatically by means of a supply line vent or similar arrangement.

"(2) After the parking brakes of a B-double are applied, they must remain applied by mechanical means only.

Selection of fifth wheel assemblies

"12V. (1) A B-double's fifth wheels must be of the single plate, single

oscillating type.

"(2) Unless a B-double would otherwise be acceptable by the Administrator as a new vehicle, the B-double's fifth wheels for 50 millimetre kingpins (including turn-table bases if they are used) must comply with the rating and functional and dimensional requirements of Australian Standard 1773—1990 'Articulated Vehicles—Fifth Wheel Assemblies' relevant to fifth wheels.

"(3) A B-double must not be fitted with a double oscillating fiftfar

wheel.

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Selection of fifth wheel kingpins

"12W. Unless a B-double would otherwise be acceptable by the Administrator as a new vehicle, the Bnlouble's fifth wheel 50 millimetre kingpins must comply with the relevant rating and dimensional requirements of Australian Standard 2175—1990 'Articulated Vehicles— Kingpins' at least to the standard required of an M rated kingpin.

Mounting of fifth wheel assemblies

"12X (1). Fifth wheel assemblies must be mounted on prime movers and semi-trailers in accordance with the requirements of Australian Standard 1771—1987 'Installation of Fifth Wheel and Turn-table Assemblies'.

"(2) The point of articulation on the prime mover of a B-double must be located in conformity with Australian Standard 2174—1978 'Recommendations for Positions and Heights of Fifth Wheels for Articulated Vehicles'.

Spray suppression devices

"12Y. (1) All axle groups of B-doubles must be fitted with spray suppression equipment that, unless otherwise approved by an administering authority, is in accordance with Parts 1 and 2 of British Standard AU 200—1984 'Spray Reducing Devices for Heavy Goods Vehicles', or in accordance with any relevant Australian Standard, as the case requires.

"(2) If a B-double is to be used on unsealed roads, an

administering authority may exempt the B-double from the requirements

of subregulation (1).

Tracking

"12Z. When a B-double is travelling in a straight line on a level road, each of its tyres must travel in a line within 100 millimetres of the path that would be taken by the tyre if it travelled in a perfectly straight line without any deviation.

Distribution of load

"12ZA. For each axle group on a B-double not equipped with a

variable proportioning brake system the ratio of the load borne by that axle group to its maximum legal load must not exceed by more than 20%"fhfeN

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ratio of the load borne by any other axle group in the B-double (being an axle group that is not equipped with a variable proportioning brake system) to its maximum legal load.".

11. Regulation 21 (Registration plate)

11.1 Subparagraph 21 (2) (b) (i):

After "limit'', insert "or the prime mover of a B-double".

11.2 Subparagraph 21 (2) (b) (ii):

Omit "a motor vehicle not so registered", substitute "any other motor vehicle".

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12. Schedule IB (AXLE GROUP TABLE)

12.1 Omit the Schedule, substitute:

SCHEDULE IB Sabregutatioii 12B (1)

AXLE GROUP TABLE

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Gross mass	Gross mass
limit not to	limit not to
exceed (in	exceed (in	Gross mass
tonnes)-	tonnes) -	not to exceed
highermass	higher mass	(in tonnes) -
limit not	limit	not load

Item Axle group applicable applicable sharing

1	Single axle fitted with	5.4	6.0	5.4
single tyres each of which is not a wide tyre

2	Single axle fitted with dual	8.5	9.0	8.5
tyres each of which is not a wide tyre
3	Single-steer axle fitted with	5.4	6.0	5.4
tyres each of which is a wide tyre
4	Other single axle fitted	6.0	6.7	6.0
with tyres each of which is a wide tyre
5	Twin-steer axle group that	10.0	11.0	—
is load sharing
6	Twin-steer axle group that	9.0	10.0	9.0
is not load sharing
7	Tandem axle group fitted	12.0	133	92
with tyres each of which is a wide tyre
8	Tandem axle group fitted	10.0	11.0	9.2
with 4 tyres each of which is not a wide tyre
9	Tandem axle group fitted	12.0	13.0	11.2
with 6 tyres each of which is not a wide tyre
10	Tandem axle group fitted	15.0	16.5	133
with 8 tyres each of which

is not a wide tyre

11	Triaxle group fitted with 12	18.0	20.0	1632
tyres
12	Triaxle group fitted with	18.0	20.0	1632
less than 12 tyres each of which is a wide tyre

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13	Triaxle group not referred	15.0	15.0	15.0
to in item 11 or 12

NOTES

/ 1991. 12 November

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on

2. Statutory Rules 1986 No. 291 as amended by 1986 No. 386; 1987 No. 141; 1988 No. 152; 1990 Nos 144 and 435.

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