S5768-2011 Actions

• Jan 4, 2012: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
• Jun 15, 2011: REFERRED TO RULES

S5768-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S5768

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing wide-based
single tires on certain vehicles

PURPOSE:
To allow vehicles equipped with wide based single tires the
ability to apply for divisible load permits.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Vehicle and Traffic Law �385(15)(f) by adding "or
equipped with wide based single tires on each side of the axle".

JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, many motor carriers have migrated to
the use of "wide based single tires" in order to improve the fuel
efficiency of their vehicles. Tests conducted by the Environmental
Protection Agency show the use of "wide based single tires" has the
potential to improve fuel economy by 2 to 5 percent compared to
equivalent dual tires. By using "wide based single tires," a
combination truck could save over 400 gallons of fuel per year and
cut emissions of carbon dioxide by more than four metric tons annually.

Currently, state law requires that vehicles operating under a state
issued divisible load permit must be equipped with "two tires on each
side of the axle." Canada, Mexico and many states have recently
amended their laws to allow the use of "wide based single tires" on
similarly permitted vehicles.

Benefits to motor carriers include improved fuel economy, improved
handling, lower costs, reduced maintenance and improved safety due to
improved handling in all weather conditions. In addition, the
Environmental Protection Agency has recommended that motor carriers
utilize "wide based single tires" as part of their SmartWay Transport
Partnership program.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

S5768-2011 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                    5768

                         2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                June 15, 2011
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by Sen. NOZZOLIO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

  AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law,  in  relation  to  allowing
    wide-based single tires on certain vehicles

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. The third undesignated paragraph of paragraph (f) of subdi-
  vision 15 of section 385 of the vehicle and traffic law, as  amended  by
  section  4  of  part  C of chapter 59 of the laws of 2004, is amended to
  read as follows:

    No vehicle having a model year of two thousand six or newer  shall  be
  issued  a  permit  pursuant  to  this paragraph unless each axle of such
  vehicle or combination of vehicles, other than  steerable  or  trackable
  axles,  is equipped with two tires on each side of the axle, OR EQUIPPED
  WITH WIDE-BASED SINGLE TIRES ON EACH SIDE OF THE AXLE, any air  pressure
  controls  for  lift axles are located outside the cab of the vehicle and
  are beyond the reach of occupants of the cab while  the  vehicle  is  in
  motion,  the  weight on any grouping of two or more axles is distributed
  such that no axle in the grouping carries less than  eighty  percent  of
  any  other  axle  in  the grouping and any liftable axle is steerable or
  trackable; and, further provided, after December thirty-first, two thou-
  sand fourteen, no permit shall be issued pursuant to this paragraph to a
  vehicle of any model year that does not meet the  requirements  of  this
  provision,  except  that  such  permits  may  be issued prior to January
  first, two thousand twenty to a vehicle that does not meet the  require-
  ment  concerning  axle grouping weight distribution, but meets all other
  requirements of this section.
    S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.


   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD13116-01-1