Weights and Sizes.
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the IRU speaks out
• The absence of uniformity between the various national regulations concerning the maximum weights and sizes of road vehicles creates administrative and economic problems in trade as well as hampering transport efficiency and vehicles design, says the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in a new pUblication, Weights and Sizes. The brochure is issued by the IRU from its headquarters at Centre International, rue de Varembe 1, Geneva 1202.
The IRU reiterates its case — first stated two years ago — for 45 metric tons as a weight limit for artics and road trains, 13 tons for single axles, 21 tons for tandem bogies, 16rn for artic length and 18m for road trains. It cites the gross weight and size of 40ft containers as basic criteria in deciding what overall vehicle limits should be, in any logical analysis.
The brochure also quotes French experience with the I3-ton axle as showing that this offers a 10 per cent profit bonus to operators compared with a 10-ton limit, and the IRU also stresses the traction and braking advantages that the higher axle weight confers. B.C.