Pennsylvania Act 2017-31 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - FIRE APPARATUS, LENGTH OF VEHICLES AND FOR MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF VEHICLES

Act text

Session of 2017

No. 2017-31

SB 589

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for the definition of "stinger-steered automobile" or "boat transporter"; and, in size, weight and load, further providing for fire apparatus, for length of vehicles and for maximum gross weight of vehicles.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The definition of "stinger-steered automobile" or "boat transporter" in section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

§ 102. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

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"Stinger-steered automobile" or "boat transporter." A truck tractor-semitrailer combination [of a total length not greater than 75 feet exclusive of an overhang of not more than three feet on the front and four feet on the rear of the vehicle configured as a semitrailer combination] wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit.

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Section 2. Sections 4906 and 4923(a)(2), (b.1) and (c) of Title 75 are amended to read:

§ 4906. Fire apparatus and emergency vehicles .

This chapter does not apply to fire apparatus being operated on the highway unless specifically provided otherwise. The weight requirements of this chapter do not apply to emergency vehicles as defined in 23 U.S.C. § 127(r)(2) (relating to vehicle weight limitations-Interstate System). In lieu of the weight requirements of this chapter, the requirements of 23 U.S.C. § 127(r)(1) shall apply to emergency vehicles.

§ 4923. Length of vehicles.

(a) Motor vehicles.--

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(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the following:

(i) A motor vehicle equipped with a boom or boomlike device if the vehicle does not exceed 55 feet.

(ii) A bus, school bus or motor home which does not exceed 45 feet.

(iii) An articulated bus which does not exceed 63 feet.

(iv) An automobile or boat transporter which does not exceed 45 feet, exclusive of an overhang of not more than three feet on the front and four feet on the rear. An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul if the automobile transporter complies with the weight limitations for a motor vehicle.

(b.1) Combinations.--

(1) The length of a single trailer being towed by a truck tractor shall not exceed 53 feet provided the distance between the kingpin and the center line of the rear axle or rear axle group does not exceed 41 feet or, in the case of a trailer used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles in connection with motor sports competition events, does not exceed 46 feet.

(2) For a double trailer, the length of each trailer being towed in combination by a truck tractor shall not exceed 28 1/2 feet.

(3) The overall length of the combination of a truck tractor with a conventional fifth wheel and an auto or boat transporter shall not exceed 65 feet, exclusive of an overhang of not more than three feet on the front and four feet on the rear of the combination.

(4) The overall length of a stinger-steered auto or boat transporter combination shall not exceed [75] 80 feet, exclusive of an overhang of not more than [three] four feet on the front and [four] six feet on the rear of the combination. A stinger-steered automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul if the stinger-steered automobile transporter complies with the weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.

(5) The overall length of a saddle-mount combination shall not exceed 75 feet.

(6) The overall length of a maxi-cube combination shall not exceed 65 feet.

(7) A combination consisting of any tow truck towing a disabled motor vehicle to a place of repairs or other place of safety.

(8) A combination transporting articles that, themselves, do not exceed 70 feet in length and are nondivisible as to length.

(9) The overall length of a towaway trailer transporter combination shall not exceed 82 feet.

(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Automobile or boat transporter." A truck of a total length not greater than 45 feet, exclusive of an overhang of not more than three feet on the front and four feet on the rear of the vehicle configured by the manufacturer to haul either automobiles, light trucks or boats.

"Towaway trailer transporter combination." As follows:

(1) a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and two trailers or semitrailers with a total weight that does not exceed 26,000 pounds; and

(2) the trailers or semitrailers carry no property and constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor or dealer of the trailers or semitrailers.

"Trailer transporter towing unit." A power unit that is not used to carry property when operating in a towaway trailer transporter combination.

Section 3. Section 4941(a) of Title 75 is amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

§ 4941. Maximum gross weight of vehicles.

(a) General rule.--[No] Except as provided for in subsection (d), no vehicle shall, when operated upon a highway, have a gross weight exceeding 80,000 pounds, and no combination driven upon a highway shall have a gross weight exceeding 80,000 pounds, or the applicable weight set as forth in subsection (b) or (c), whichever is less.

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(d) Natural gas vehicles.--

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle that is operated by an engine fueled primarily by compressed or liquefied natural gas may exceed the gross vehicle weight limits imposed under this section by an amount, not to exceed a maximum of 2,000 pounds, that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by the vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.

(2) The weight exemption provided for under this subsection shall apply to all State highways and interstate highways as provided by the exemption permitted under 23 U.S.C. § 127 (relating to vehicle weight limitations-Interstate System).

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 20th day of July, A.D. 2017.

TOM WOLF