After numerous false starts and failed promises, Ontario and Québec have inched closer toward establishing common standards on a variety of tractor-trailer combinations. Under the terms of a deal released Aug. 30, the two provinces agreed to allow 53-foot quad-axle semitrailers (single plus tridem) operating at weights up to 57,500 kilograms (127,000 pounds). Ontario also said it would bring its regulations on some five- and six-axle tractor-trailers more in line with those allowed in Québec, lower allowable weights on tri-axles (lift axle plus tandem) on some semitrailers starting in 2006, and impose new penalties for improperly used lift axles.

Both provinces also agreed to test on-board data recorders-so-called “black boxes”-by 2003. These presumably will be capable of monitoring the deployment of lift axles and maybe even the ability of axles to load-share.

The rules will come into force over time: some immediately, some on Jan. 1, 2001, and some over the next 20 years, although Ontario must make legislative alterations before it can enact the new rules. Ontario also said some aspects of the agreement would serve as a model for discussions with “other jurisdictions.” These are likely Michigan, which allows seven-axle tractor-trailers, and New York, which plans to develop a permit for such trucks at 117,000 pounds.

If it sounds like the onus is on Ontario to re-fit its rules, you heard right. The province has the most complex commercial vehicle size and weight regime in North America. Generally, it does not limit the number of axles on a vehicle: trailers with four, five, or six axles are common, and indeed important to truckers hauling between Ontario and Michigan. Ontario confines restrictions on the number of axles to tractor-trailers with semitrailers longer than 48 feet-no quads or other multi-axle groups-and doubles longer than 23 metres. Québec allows four axles on a semitrailer, but with strict conditions on the required spacings if you want to get the maximum 32,000 kilograms on the axle group.

It’s the details on quad-axle spacings, trailer lengths, and maximum gross vehicle weights of the combination where Ontario and Québec currently fall out of sync. Ontario only allows a trailer length of 14.65 metres (48 feet); Québec allows 15.5 metres (15 feet, 10 inches). Québec allows up to 32,000 kilograms on the quad if the first axle is at least 2.4 metres in front of the tridem and if the four axles load-share within 1000 kilograms. Ontario recognizes a tridem and a single axle as a “four-axle group” and allows up to 32,500 kilograms for spacings similar to some Québec quads (a 2.7-metre tridem with a single 2.4 metre in front). But, in Ontario, if the single axle is moved just four inches forward-a 2.5 metre spacing between the single and the tridem-the weight can be up to 34,400 kilograms with the common widespread tridem and a fourth, independent axle. What’s more, there is no load-sharing requirement over the four axles.

Québec limits the maximum gross vehicle weight of a seven-axle configuration to 55,500 kilograms, whereas in Ontario gross weights over 60,000 kilograms are possible. With common axle spacings and front-axle loads, a seven-axle configuration allowed at 55,500 kilograms in Québec can operate at slightly more than 57,000 kilograms in Ontario. In practice, however, there isn’t much difference in maximum weights between the two provinces, given the 1500-kilogram tolerance in Québec.

Under the Aug. 30 agreement, the two provinces will grandfather all existing Québec and Ontario quads-that is, tridems between 3.0 and 3.7 metres with a fourth axle either with a minimum spacing of 2.4 or 2.5 metres in front. These grandfathered combinations will have to operate by permit if the operator wants to exceed the current weight or length regulations and will only be allowed for another decade.

Quad-axle weights on these, and other similar quads, will be standardized. Quads with tridems of 3.0 to less than 3.6 metres (mostly the common 10-foot spreads) will be allowed 32,000 kilograms. Quads with the widespread tridem (3.6 to 3.7 metres or 12 feet) will be allowed 34,000 kilograms. The big concession on the part of Ontario in this arrangement is allowing Québec’s semitrailers at 15.5 metres. The even bigger concession on the part Québec is allowing the quad with the 12-foot tridem a weight of 34,000 kilograms. Québec bridge engineers have long maintained that 34,000 kilograms on a quad is too heavy for bridge decks.

Both provinces will also allow a new quad-the “Interim” quad-for trailers built between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2002. These will also operate by permit ($150) and will also have the standardized quad maximum weight of either 32,000 or 34,000 kilograms. Trailer length will be limited to 48 feet.

These Interim quads are not too important. Not many carriers will want to order a new trailer when the permit for it is not going to be extended beyond Dec. 31, 2010. However, both provinces had to have a provision for these Interim quads, as Québec’s requirement that quads have self-steering axles does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2003. These Interim quads fill the gap until then for anyone who wants to order a quad but doesn’t want a self-steering axle.

Starting in Jan. 1 2001, both provinces will allow a brand new quad to be designated a “SS LE Quad”-“SS” for self-steering and “LE” for load equalizing. It’s the axle in front of the tridem that has to be self-steering and, while it still can be a lift axle, the controls have to be mounted on the trailer. In other words, the driver can only lift the axle when out of the cab and preparing the vehicle to operate in reverse or to run empty. There are, in addition, a long list of other specifications this SS LE Quad will have to meet. Trailer lengths will be limited to 48 feet.

The final thing about seven-axle tractor-trailers is that Ontario and Québec agreed to issue permits immediately for a 53-foot quad similar to the SS LE quad in terms of technical specifications. Each province will limit the number of permits to 500. With 53-foot trailers and gross weights up to 57,500 kilograms, these tractor-trailers will have almost as much load capacity as a B-train.

On other matters, Ontario plans to simplify the current schedule of allowed weights for tandem axles.

Current regulations allow the weight to increase as tandem spreads increase. Tandems between 1.2 and less than 1.6 metres will now be allowed a standard 18,000 kilograms-the same as in Québec and several other provinces. Existing regulations will continue to govern tandems with a wider spread, up to the maximum of 19,100 kilograms for spreads of 1.8 metres or more.

The 18,000-kilogram tandem (1.2 to less than 1.6 metres) will only be allowed on three-axle tractor and two-axle semitrailer combinations. That is, straight trucks, full trailers, multiple-axle semitrailers that sometimes have one or more tandems, and doubles will be controlled by the existing regulations.

Since most tandem-tandem tractor-trailers are configured to operate stateside where 34,000 pounds (15,422 kilograms) is the maximum weight allowed, this new 18,000-kilogram tandem does not seem too important. But there is one benefit. Many carriers now purchase tractors with tandems spreads over 1.52 metres (60 inches) so that they can load to 17,900 kilograms when using them on Ontario hauls. This non-standard spacing for a drive tandem increases the cost and lowers the resale value. Now carriers can purchase the North American standard tractors with drive tandems of 52 to 55 inches.

Ontario is also going to simplify regulations governing the allowed weight on tridems-three equally-spaced, load-sharing axles. In this case, Ontario has adopted the current Québec standards: 24,000 kilograms on tridems spread from 3.0 to less than 3.6 metres and 26,000 kilograms on the widespread tridems of 3.6 to 3.7 metres (12 feet). Ontario will phase in these changes, for three-axle semitrailers only, over the next five years.

On tri-axles-semitrailers with a lift axle plus a tandem-Ontario has decided to reduce allowable weights (it temporarily exempted end-dump trailers, and it will reduce allowable weights for tankers more slowly than on other trailers).

A tri-axle in Ontario is now allowed up to 29,100 kilograms-19,100 kilograms on the widespread tandem and 10,000 kilograms on the lift axle. In five years, the allowed weight on most tri-axles will be reduced by 3000 kilograms and in 10 years the weight will be reduced by a further 1500 kilograms.

So, in 10 years (20 for tankers) the maximum weight on a tri-axle will be 24,600 kilograms. But a new three-axle group will be allowed offsetting this reduction for those who chose to use it. The new three-axle group, consisting of a tandem and a self-steering axle, must load-share and the control for the lift axle (if one of the axles is a lift) must be on the trailer, not in the tractor. This, with a widespread tandem, will be allowed 28,650 kilograms.

Ontario engineers believe that moving toward more pavement-friendly load-sharing tridems and quads will save $100 million a year in pavement and bridge costs.

Most of this savings, according to a Ministry spokesperson, will occur with reduced pavement wear as the new rules governing axle groups gradually take effect. The number of improperly used lift axles will be reduced. And, in case industry doesn’t get the point, Ontario is promising to bring in new penalties for lift axles that are used improperly. Details on these penalties are not available. For the rest of the country, the Ontario-Québec agreement is good news, as it means that the national Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimension Policy can get back to work.

The task force has not met since June 1999. Most provinces decided there wasn’t much point in continuing to work on harmonization, or proposals such as a coast-to-coast standard 18,000-kilogram tandem, unless Ontario and Québec could come to some agreement on their differences.

They now have.