Council of Ministers responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety

National standards for the weight  and dimension limits of heavy vehicles used in interprovincial transportation  are contained in a Federal/Provincial/Territorial Memorandum of Understanding on  Interprovincial Weights and Dimensions (MOU).

Initially established in 1988,  the MOU was founded on the results of a landmark government and industry  sponsored cooperative research program which examined the safety performance of  large trucks and their impacts on highway infrastructure. Expansions to the  scope of the agreement, and amendments to the standards have been developed by  the Task Force since that time, and have been endorsed by the Council of  Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety at its meetings in  1991, 1994, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

While significant progress has  been made over the past twenty five years, harmonization of vehicle weight and  dimension regulation within Canada continues to be accorded a high priority,  including in the Agreement on Internal Trade (1994), and by the Council of the  Federation (2007).

The Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Policy was established  in the 1988 MOU as the coordination mechanism for identification, cooperative  analysis, and development of recommendations for resolution of inconsistencies  related to vehicle weight and dimension regulatory policies within Canada.

Under the terms of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial MOU, provinces and territories will  permit vehicles which comply with the weights and dimensions described in the MOU  to travel on a designated system of highways in their governments. Each  jurisdiction continues to retain the authority to regulate vehicle weights and  dimensions.  

The MOU amendments approved by the Council of Ministers on  October 1 include:

   
1. Addition of the Tridem DriveTractor – Semitrailer  Configuration as a new MOU Category
      Research and  testing in development of appropriate weight and dimension limits for a tridem  drive tractor was originally undertaken in western Canada in the early 1990’s.  The tridem drive tractor is attractive to some sectors of the trucking industry  where heavy payloads are common and additional traction is needed.
      
      Inclusion of the tridem  drive tractor- semitrailer configuration in the MOU will take advantage of the  considerable research, testing and operational experience gained in western  Canada and will support national harmonization of standards for this  configuration.
      
      
   
2. Increase in the Allowable  Size of Aerodynamic Devices on Rear of Trucks and Trailers from 0.9 metres to  1.52 m.
      After  considerable research on the effectiveness and safety of rear-mounted  aerodynamic devices, in December 2013 Transport Canada revised regulations to  facilitate the use of larger aerodynamic devices on the rear of trucks and  trailers. Dimension limits currently stipulated in provincial and territorial  regulations limit the allowable extension at the rear of trailers for  aerodynamic devices to 0.9 m.
      
      This  amendment will harmonize regulations in Canada with those in the United States and  support the trucking industry in improving fuel efficiency and reducing  emissions.
      
      
   
3. Increase in the Overall Length Limit for B Train  Double Trailer Combinations from 25 m to 27.5 metres
      
      In  2013, the Canadian Trucking Alliance proposed that the overall length limit for  B Train Double Trailer combinations be increased to 27.5 metres to:
      
          
   • accommodate the use of longer tractors which are necessary to fit  engine emissions reduction equipment and alternative fuel systems (eg. LNG),
          
   • improve safety in collisions with wildlife (addition of moose bumpers),  and
          
   • reduce driver fatigue, improve driver comfort and allow larger sleeper  berths.
      
      

Further information on the Memorandum of Understanding and  the Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Policy can be found at www.comt.ca/english/vwd-e.htm