Projection - Width and Length
Introduction
Whether a vehicle falls within the bounds of the Construction and Use Regulations or falls outside due to the fact that it is classed as
an Abnormal Indivisible Load Vehicle (AILV), in all cases, the projection of the load (be it width or length) plays a significant part
in determining what regulations the load and/or vehicles falls within.
It is important to bear in mind here, that where talking about the load is concerned, we must also considered its method of restraint. Equally so, the load can also be an empty receptacle which is in effect the load itself.
Width of Vehicle and Load
The overall width of a heavy motor car, locomotive, tractor or trailer must not exceed 3 metres unless its load can only be safely carried
on a vehicle or trailer exceeding that width. The overall width of a vehicle or load must not exceed 6.1 metres.
In calculating overall width, account must be taken of any part of the vehicle and any permanent receptacle strong enough for repeated use
with the following exceptions:
- sheeting;
- an empty receptacle that is itself the load;
- a receptacle carrying an indivisible load;
- a receptacle not exceeding 2.55m in length or width;
- lifting lugs for multi-modal transport;
- tail boards let down to carry loads extending beyond the rear of the vehicle but not essen¬tial for their support;
- bridging plates on vehicles transporting trailers, used to aid loading and unloading of vehicles but not to support them;
- receptacles, other than maritime containers, manufactured before 30 October 1985;
- cranes that do not increase the carrying capacity of the vehicle and which are a perma¬nent or essentially permanent feature.
Length of Vehicle and Load
The overall length of vehicle and load must not exceed 30m. Where the weight of the load rests wholly on a category N3 motor vehicle, the
maximum length is the overall length of the motor vehicle together with the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load.
Where the weight of the load rests wholly on a category 04 trailer, the maximum length is the overall length of the trailer together with
the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load.
For a motor vehicle and a trailer which is configured so that the weight of the load rests on both vehicles (whether or not they form an
articulated vehicle), the maximum length is the overall length of the trailer together with:
- the length of any projection of the load in front of the forecast part of the trailer; and
- the length of any rearward projection of the load.
Other combinations where the weight of the load rests on at least two vehicles, the maximum length is the overall length of all the # vehicles that bear the weight of the load together with:
- the length of any distance between them; and
- the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load.
An articulated vehicle or trailer that is abnormal in respect only of its length (for instance, its weight, width and overhangs are within
construction and use limits), can operate under normal Construction and Use rules and does not need to be taxed at the special types rate.
In calculating overall length, account must be taken of any part of the vehicle, any permanent receptacle strong enough for repeated use
and fittings on or attached to the vehicle, subject to the exceptions set out above for overall width.
Carriage of abnormal indivisible loads - length limits for vehicle combinations
| Carraige of Load | Load Length Limits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single load length | may be up to 30 metres maximum | More than one abnormal indivisible load; may not be over 18.75 metres unless; of same character, all loaded at same place and all conveyed to same location. If a single part of the combined load must be over 18.75m the load length may be increased to the length of that single load but only up to a maximum of 30 metres. |
| Length limits for Vehicle type and Combination where the load is carried in such a manner that its weight is borne on. | ||
| Single Vehicle being a heavy motor car or trailer. |
Maximum
30 metres* |
* Overall length is measured from the foremost to rearmost point; be it the vehicle, or the load. |
| More than one Vehicle consisting of. | ||
| a motor vehicle drawing one trailer, articulated or not. |
Maximum
30 metres** |
** Overall length is measured from the foremost to rearmost point; be it the trailer or the load. The motor vehicle may protrude beyond the foremost point of the load and its protruding length is ignored. |
| any other combination of vehicles. |
Maximum
30 metres*** |
*** Overall length is measured from the foremost to rearmost point; be it the vehicle, or the load, it includes any distance between vehicles. The length of pulling or pushing vehicles which do not bear the load weight are not included in the 30 metres maximum. |
Attendants and Police notification
Police notification and attendants are required:
- When a load is borne as stated in length limits above and > than 18.75 metre is substituted for the > 30 metre dimension.
- When a motor vehicle is drawing a trailer or trailers and the overall length of the combination of vehicles, or load, if the load projects beyond the foremost or rearmost vehicle is > 25.9 metre.
Projection Marking
Abnormal indivisible loads projecting forwards or rearwards may have to be marked. A load that projects more than 2 metres to the front or
rear must be fitted with an end marker.
Side marker(s) are required if the forward or rearward projection exceeds 3 metres. Rearward projections between l metre and 2 metres must
be made clearly visible.
Front/rear marker boards must be fitted vertically not more than 0.5 metres from the end of the projection. They must be clearly
visible and the lowest part must be a maximum of 2.5 metres from the ground. Side marker boards must be fitted on each side, and not more
than l metre from the front/rear marker at its nearest point. One side of the marker must be a maximum of 2.5 metres from the ground
and the boards must be clearly visible. On long projections, extra markers must be fitted so that there are no unmarked gaps of more than
2.5 metres on forward projections or 3.5 metres on rearward projections.
Table of Projecting Loads Front and Rear Projections
| Projection Rearwards | Clearly Visible | End Marker | Side Marker |
Additional
Side Marker |
Attendant | Police Notice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 1 Metre to 2 Metres | Yes | |||||
| Over 2 metres to 3.05 metres | Yes | |||||
| Over 3.05 metres to 5 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Over 5 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Projection Forwards | Clearly Visible | End Marker | Side Marker |
Additional
Side Marker |
Attendant | Police Notice |
| Over 2 metres to 3.05 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Over 3.05 metres to 4.5 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Over 4.05 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Table of Projecting Loads Width Projections
| Width (including projections) | Marker Boads | Police Notice | Attendant | Dft Approval | Speed Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lateral Projections over 305 millimetres | Yes | Yes | |||
| Over 2.9 metres to 3.5 metres | Yes | Yes | |||
| Over 3.5 metres to 4.3 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Over 4.3 metres to 5 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Motorways 30 mph
Dual C/ways 25 mph Other roads 20 mph |
|
| Over 5 metres to 6.1 metres | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Motorways 30 mph
Dual C/ways 25 mph Other roads 20 mph |
