VICTORIA — Urged on by the pulp and paper industry, B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Commercial Vehicle and Safety Enforcement (CVSE) branch is allowing permits that extend the length and height of Super B-Trains hauling dry and low-bulk-density wood chips and mill processed wood residuals.

The added volume is an attempt to compensate for hauling any wood chips, which are extremely dry and light (such as beetle-killed wood chips), and help achieve full legal axle weights.

According to the revision made to the Commercial Transport Regulations, the allowable overall length is increased from a maximum of 25 m to 27.5 m; the box length jumps from a maximum of 20 m to 25 m; and the maximum overall height is increased from 4.3 m to 4.45, provided that only the trailer’s tarp and wood chips may occupy the extra space and the actual trailer sidewall height must be no more than 4.15 m.

No physical hardware, other than just wood chips and tarp, should occupy this space.

The department reminds truckers that the vehicle height clearance for any on-road structure is always the driver’s responsibility.

The rule applies only to tandem or tridem drive Super B-Trains, where the first trailer is equipped with a tridem axle group and the second fifth wheel is placed within the suspension spread of the tridem axle group on the first trailer.

To haul with the extended equipment, carriers must have a Letter of Authorization from CVSE.

Also, the new permit applies only to routes approved by the ministry, which are outlined in a new T-form (T-30 – available on CVSE’s website, click here). 

The B.C. Trucking Association has also advocated for the new measures, arguing that they allow the industry to improve fuel efficiency and meet provincial emission reduction targets while boosting efficiency.

The government, which stated the revisions were the "safest and most practical approach" it could come up with, seemed to agree with industry:

"From a vehicle dynamic and safety perspective, the new configuration exhibits acceptable vehicle dynamic performance and complies with established commercial vehicle performance thresholds."