Correct as at 29th March 2024. It may be superseded at any time.

Extract taken: from Vehicle Inspection Portal > VIRMs > Heavy vehicle specialist certification > Vehicle dynamic performance > Swept path

7-4 Swept path

Certifier categories: HVP1 | HVP2

Background

The Land Transport Rule Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (the Rule) specifies requirements for dimensions and mass limits for vehicles operating on New Zealand roads. The Rule sets in place a regulatory regime so that vehicles are operated safely.

The Rule includes requirements for overdimension vehicles including travel restrictions and piloting to manage the risk to public safety. The Rule also recognises that with appropriate design an overdimension vehicle can be configured to perform cornering manoeuvres and use no greater road space than a maximum size standard vehicle. Therefore the Rule provides for the road space requirements (swept path) of overdimension vehicles to be assessed and if appropriate be exempt from certain specific requirements in the Rule.

While not generally overdimension vehicles, the Rule also contains an exemption for certain classes of buses in respect of determining over-length or forward distance limits based on swept path performance measures.

The assessments for swept path compliance are to be carried out by a heavy vehicle specialist certifier by using a method approved by Waka Kotahi published on the Waka Kotahi website.

The following lists the provisions of the Rule which provide swept-path based exceptions and the performance measures applying to each provision.

Untitled Document

Exception

Performance measure

Section 3.5(1)
A bicycle rack fitted to the front of a bus of Class MD3, MD4 or ME is not included in determining the overall length or forward-distance.

Specialist certification is not required when a vehicle of class MD3, MD4, or ME is fitted with a bicycle rack which has dimensions within the criteria specified in Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2016 (Bicycle Racks on Urban Buses) Class Exemption Notice 2022

  1. Swept width must not exceed 7.0m
  2. Frontal swing must not exceed 1.5m
  3. Steady state low speed swept width must not exceed 5.25m

Section 6.9(1)
A Category 2 overdimension motor vehicle may be operated in accordance with the operating requirements for a Category 1 overdimension motor vehicle, provided any load or equipment carried by or attached to the vehicle does not exceed the maximum dimensions specified by the vehicle inspector or inspecting organisation.

Not exceed 4.7m through a 90-degree turn inside a 50m radius wall at up to 5km/h

Section 6.28(1)
A Category 1 or Category 2 overdimension vehicle does not have to comply with travel time requirements in sections 6.21(2), 6.22(2), or 6.22(3) of the Rule provided that the vehicle or any load or equipment it carries does not project outside the land in which it is traveling.

Note: Ground spreader trucks operated without a trailer or towing a trailer not exceeding 2.55m in width and agricultural vehicles are also exempt the time travel requirements.

  1. Swept width must not exceed 7.0m
  2. Tail swing must not exceed 0.3m
  3. Frontal swing must not exceed 0.75m
  4. Steady state low speed swept width must not exceed 5.25m

Section 6.33(3)
A motor vehicle whose dimensions are within Category 1 and whose width does not exceed 3.1m does not have to be escorted by a class 2 pilot vehicle.

Note there are limitations to this exemptions set out in section 6.33(2) of the Rule.

  1. Swept width must not exceed 7.0m
  2. Tail swing must not exceed 0.3m
  3. Frontal swing must not exceed 0.75m
  4. Steady state low speed swept width must not exceed 5.25m

Section 6.34(4)
An overdimension vehicle within Category 2 may be escorted by at least one class 2 pilot vehicle. (By contrast if the performance requirement is not met, at least one class 1 pilot vehicle and one class 2 pilot vehicle are required).

Not exceed 4.7m through a 90-degree turn inside a 50m radius wall at up to 5km/h

Certificates of compliance for swept path performance

Page amended 7 October 2022 (see amendment details).