TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Trucking Association will host a seminar on Ontario’s newly announced weights and dimensions reforms for tractor-trailers.

The Ministry of Transport Ontario introduced the changes to reduce damage to infrastructure and improve highway safety. The new rules will affect vehicles built after Jan. 1, 2006 as well as some existing non-compliant vehicles. The OTA seminar will identify the changes in regulations and the standards to which new vehicles must conform to be considered Safe, Productive and Infrastructure Friendly as well as be able to continue operating at today’s gross vehicle weights.

It will be of specific interest to carriers operating multi axle equipment, particularly 4, 5, 6 axle trailers, trains and any semi-trailers with lift axles. Carriers with existing equipment and those considering purchasing new equipment need to be aware of these regulatory changes and may require lead-time in making business decisions concerning their choice of equipment.

The seminar will cover the following:

Background and overview of new weight and dimension regulations (Regulation 413/05)
Jan. 1, 2006 changes to standards for semi-trailers with 3 or less axles
Jan. 1, 2006 changes to new 4, 5, & 6 axle trailers and train configurations
Weight penalties associated with non-compliant vehicles
Rigid vs. self-steering Lift Axles and associated issues
Tractor wheel base restrictions on new and old equipment
Weight allowances on super single Tires and associated issues
Impact of new regulations on vehicles that operate into Michigan and New York

OTA members and non-members can register for the full-day seminar (including lunch) on one of two days — Aug. 9 or Aug. 31.

Cost is $175.00 per person for OTA members and $400.00 per person for non-members.

Register by contacting OTA’s Shelly Hill at (416) 249-7401, ext. 237 or shelly.hill@ontruck.org, or by downloading a PDF of the registration form at www.ontruck.org

Seating is limited.