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1 COUNTY OF COLUSA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 TRANSPORTATION PERMIT POLICY This document covers the general permit administration as it applies to the uniform issuance of permits, location for obtaining permits and the general administrative procedure applicable to the movement of an extralegal vehicles and/or loads within Colusa County. The following guidelines should be followed when issuing permits for extralegal vehicles and/or loads within Colusa County. GENERAL By law, vehicles carrying legal loads can travel County public roads and bridges in accordance with posted bridge or road signs, which legal limits are set by the most current State of California Vehicle Code. The Vehicle Code requires that a transportation permit be in the vehicle when the vehicle is extralegal or is transporting a load which is extralegal on a public road. Extralegal is defined as any vehicle or load which exceeds the legal weight, width, length or height as allowed by the vehicle code. The basic purpose for allowing extralegal loads is to allow transporting of vehicles and loads which cannot reasonably be made legal. Issuing of permits to allow extra legal loads is solely at the discretion of the County and the County can deny or refuse to issue permits. Therefore, if the proposed permit involves a vehicle, load, route or any other features, which do not meet County regulations, the permit should not be issued. Usually, modifications in routing, loading or vehicle can be made to allow the carrier to reach his destination. The County should work with the carriers to find a solution to transportation problems since the materials, equipment and goods being transported are vital to Colusa County. Colusa County uses forms and criteria similar to those used by Caltrans. Orange, green, purple, and bonus overloads are evaluated using plates 25-3, 25-4, and 25-5 of the Caltrans Transportation Permit Manual. Some of Colusa County's bridges have been inspected and evaluated by the Caltrans bridge department, the results of which are in a blue binder entitled "Transportation Permits". In addition, Colusa County maintains a load limit map which shows roads and bridges with load limits. Permits issued by Colusa County for extralegal width, length or height have restrictions similar to those imposed by the State. These restrictions are imposed primarily for traffic and pedestrian safety and convenience of the public and the transporter, as well as protection to the public roadway facilities. Extralegal Height - It is strongly recommended that all routing that involves overheight be verified. If the height exceeds 15' the permittee must contact utility companies and check out all overhead structures. Overhead information is not available in this office; therefore, the permittee must assure this office that there is adequate clearance. Extralegal Width - If the load is less than 10' in width, "Wide Load" signs front and rear of the vehicle are usually adequate. However, if the route includes very narrow or mountainous roads, a pilot car in front is required. Loads between 10’ and 12’ in width always require "Wide Load" signs and a front pilot car. Loads between 12' and 14'6" in width always require "Wide Load" ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 signs and pilot cars front and rear. Widths in excess of 14'6" must be reviewed very carefully relative to the route, time of day and visibility conditions. In addition to the above requirements, flagmen, flashing lights, traffic control or specific day or hour for movement may be required. Widths which are 15’0” or wider will always require California Highway Patrol Escort. In the event the move necessitates California Highway Patrol escort or traffic control, the permittee must comply with the following conditions: Permittee shall be responsible for providing the traffic control. Pilot car drivers shall not be utilized for traffic control. Permittee shall contact the California Highway Patrol and/or the Colusa County Sheriffs Department and make arrangements for traffic control. Permittee shall notify Ambulance Service, Fire Department, Colusa County Sheriffs Department and the California Highway Patrol. All cost for traffic control shall be borne by the permittee. Extralegal Length or Overhang - Signs must be posted on the front and rear which reads "Long Load", "Oversize Load", "Excessive Front Overhang", or "Excessive Rear Overhang" as applicable. Extralegal Weight - The evaluation and determination of allowable weights is perhaps the most important and difficult responsibility the County has in issuing transportation permits. Carrier vehicles and loads continue to increase in size weight. Many roads and bridges in Colusa County were constructed some 50 years ago and were designed for the types of loads common or legal at that time. Many of the County's roads and bridges cannot carry even a legal load and these facilities have been signed accordingly. Wooden bridges, unless otherwise signed, can carry only legal loads and no extralegal or overloads can be permitted. The State of California bridge department (Caltrans) has developed a system for rating bridges and evaluating loadings imposed by certain vehicles. Bridges are rated by colors which colors are shown on the "Colusa County Bridges - Load Limit Map" #8025B. Red denotes bridges with posted load limits which is usually less than a legal load. Other colors will allow legal loads and varying degrees of extralegal loads. An orange load is usually between 0% and 25% heavier than legal. A green load is between 30% and 62.5% heavier than legal. A purple load is between 50% and 87.5% heavier than legal. Therefore, the most critical extralegal load is purple. The State procedures deal primarily with the capacity of bridges to carry the load and usually assume that the roadbed will handle the load. They allow 800 lbs. per linear inch of tire for roadway loading or 8,000 lbs. for a 10" wide tire (32,000 lbs. for 4 tires - 64,000 lbs. for 8 tires). This is within their normal range for purple loading. Legal load for front axle of a truck is 12,500 lbs. or 625 lbs. per linear inch for 2 - 10" tires. Since many of Colusa County's roadbeds are gravel or oiled roads, 800 lbs. per linear inch may cause rutting and excessive pressure on shallow pipes. Therefore, the County should not allow more than 700 lbs. per lineal inch or 14,000 lbs. on 2 tires, 28,000 lbs. on 4 tires, or 56,000 lbs. on 8 tires on these types of roads during the rainy season or when the roadbeds are saturated. This is especially critical for repetitive trips or annual permit moves. When the roadbeds are dry, the maximum should not exceed 700 lbs. or 7,000 lbs. per tire (10" tire). This is approximately equivalent to green loading during the winter and purple loading at other times. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 EVALUATING ALLOWABLE LOADS The methods for rating and evaluating allowable loads have been developed by the State of California Bridge Department. There are so many variables that development of a single formula, chart or graph which fits all circumstances is impossible. Factors which determine allowable loads involve bridge rating (orange, green or purple), number and size of tires, number and spacing of axles and widths of axles. All of these variables are inter-related; therefore, a logical step by step evaluation must be made as follows: 1. Determine the route desired and find lowest rated bridges (less than legal - legal - orange - green - purple). 2. 2. Fill in the portion of the application of "number of tires", "axle spacing", and "axle width". 3. 3. Determine the allowable load using Plate 25-3, 25-4, or 25-5. The maximum allowable load can best be explained using the following example. EXAMPLE [SEE SHEET 10] Axle 1 - The front axle is typically 2 tires, 10" wide. This load is legal or 12,500 lbs. Axles 2 & 3 - Since the spacing between axles 1 and 2 is less than 18' the allowable load must be evaluated using 2 different methods. A. Using Plate 25-3 for orange loading - 4 tires per axle, 8' wide, and axle spacing of 15'6" shows a total allowable load of 38,850 lbs. for axles 1 and 2. Since axle 1 has 12,500 lbs., axle 2 can carry 26,350 lbs. Axle 2 is carrying half the axle 2-3 load; therefore, the total loading on axles 2 and 3 could be 26,350 x 2 = 52,700 lbs. B. Using Plate 25-3 for orange loading - 4 tires per axle, 8' wide, and axle spacing of 4'4" shows a total allowable load of 32,000 lbs for axles 2 and 3. Since this allowable load is less than that computed in method this load is the control or 32,000 lbs. Axles 4 & 5 & 6 - Since the spacing between axles 3 and 4 is greater than 18' method, an evaluation described above need not be used. The allowable load for axles 4 and 5 can be determined as described above using 8 tires per axle, 8' wide and axle spacing of 6' shows a total allowable load of 37,030 lbs. for axles 4 and 5. Since axle 6 is closer than 18' to both axles 4 and 5, the allowable load on these tires must be evaluated. Using Plate 25-3 for orange loading - 8 tires per axle, 8' wide (since 2 axles are 8' wide and 1 is 10' wide use the minimum) and axle spacing of 16' shows a total allowable load of 45,080 lbs. for these three axles. If axles 4 and 5 are loaded to 37,030 lbs. then axle 6 can carry only 8,050 lbs. The loads on these three axles can be distributed in any manner desired provided no single axle carries more than 23,000 lbs., 4 and 5 carries no more than 37,030 lbs., 5 and 6 carries no more than 40,250 lbs., or all three axles carry no more than 45,080 lbs. Axle 7 - Since the spacing between axles 6 and 7 is more than 18', axle 7 is not influenced by axle 6. Therefore, from the chart-8 tires, 10' wide for a single axle allows 25,000 lbs. This example was used because it has a variety of factors. Obviously, axles 4, 5 and 6 are not efficient. Axle 5 could have been eliminated and axles 4 and 6 would be allowed the same loading. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Green and purple allowable loads are evaluated the same as orange using plates 25-4 and 25-5 respectively. In summary, allowable loads are considered for all axles within 18 foot intervals. If more than two axles are within 18' they are evaluated for maximum allowable load for the outside axle spacing within 18'. The intermediate axles are then evaluated using the spacing. The lesser loading is allowable. Annual permits are sometimes requested by transporters to eliminate the need for a separate permit for each trip. Annual permits are feasible providing each vehicle, load and route is identical. Some transporters request to use "Various County Roads", which means that any County road and bridge can be used except as specified on the permit or signs posted on the road or bridge. Extralegal widths in the range of 10' to 12' usually present no problems in issuing annual permits. Annual permits for extralegal loads should be discouraged and under no conditions issued for purple overloads on "Various County Roads". All annual permits must have a copy of the map entitled "Load Limits for Colusa County Roads and Bridges" attached to the permit. Annual permits must expire on December 31st of the year issued. A copy of the annual permit must be sent to the CHP office in Williams. The State of California (Caltrans) "Transportation Permit Manual" will provide further information relative to issuing permits. UNIFORMITY Uniform guidelines should be followed when considering issuance of all transportation permits. The transporter shall not be subjected to unnecessary travel or other delay in obtaining allowable permits. The issuance of transportation permits within established guidelines is a service to the public which should be courteously rendered with the public service factor fully in mind. The use of the proper forms and attachments is essential to ensure uniform understanding of permits by all parties concerned. Permittees must be able to obtain the same permit and attachments. The mechanics of review and approval of transportation permits must be uniform to ensure proper compliance and routing. Uniformity in the data required of the applicant is also necessary. Colusa County personnel shall be uniform in issuing the permit so the permittee, regulatory personnel (CHP), (Sheriff), and other County personnel can understand the permit and determine whether the permittee is complying with permit requirements. OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS Permits will be issued at the office of the Department of Public Works, 1215 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932. The office will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and permits can be submitted and picked up between these hours. Applications received after 3 p.m. may be processed or held over for processing the following day. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 PERMIT APPLICATIONS All transportation permit applications, regardless of the method of submittal, shall be checked and reviewed for completeness and accuracy. All applications shall be handled and in the same order as received. Applications for permits shall be submitted using a Colusa County furnished permit form. Permit requests may also be submitted in a letter providing the letter contains all the necessary information to complete the form. A request for a permit may also be made verbally over the phone, providing the permittee has all the information necessary to complete the form. Faxing will be allowed for transmitting of permit data only, unless a transporter uses an approved permit service that has an established charge account with Colusa County. If the permit applicant uses an approved permit service company to fax in a permit application, Colusa County will allow a fax-back service for approved applications. Colusa County will also allow a fax-back service for approved applications to applicants that submit payment with their application form. For permits submitted by mail or phone, the permittee or his representative must pick up the permit at the office location described above. The Colusa County Department of Public Works currently establishes charge accounts for permit service companies only, private accounts are not being established. Permit service companies with active charge accounts with Colusa County are listed on our Internet website at: http://www.countyofcolusa.org. Initialed changes are not permitted on any permit. Any changes in a transportation permit will be accomplished by the use of a Transportation Permit Rider or the issuance of a new transportation permit. These changes will be processed in the same manner as the original transportation permit. Proposed routing for "possible future movements" or "for bidding purposes" may be requested. These clearances are subject to change due to continual upgrading, ongoing construction contracts and maintenance operations. The routes given are not binding and it will again be necessary to recheck the route before the move is actually made. These applications will be handled as time permits. The applicants should be informed of this. REQUESTS IN PERSON Appropriate portions of the permit request may be filled in by the requesting party. Sample permits designating those portions to be filled in by the requesting party should be posted, or available for his review. All request must be either typewritten or in ink. All request must be legible. All request must be signed by the requesting party. If the signature is not legible, the name must be printed below the signature. REQUEST BY MAIL Request submitted by mail may use the Colusa County permit form or may be submitted in letter form. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 Sufficient data must be included in the request to complete the transportation request as though the individual were applying in person. Supplemental information necessary should also be submitted in writing for verification. Renewal of annual or repetitive permits without any changes may be made in writing by referring to the expiring permit. The new permit will be prepared using the data submitted with the original permit request. Single trip permit applications will be accepted if all pertinent information is provided or a form is completed and attached. It shall be noted on the permit that the letter of application will be kept on file as proof of signature. Request by mail must be accompanied with payment (no cash) unless a charge account has been opened in the permit applicants name. PERMIT DENIALS Applicants for transportation permits may be denied under the following conditions: The load and/or vehicle exceeds policy limits. Insufficient information is supplied to assure compliance with permit policy. The load does not justify the size of vehicle. The applicant cannot provide sufficient information about the vehicle and/or load to determine if a permit is justified. The load exceeds 14 feet in width unless it is an acceptable piece of equipment that is allowed 14'6" in width. The load exceeds 135-feet of combination vehicle and load length. The load generates the need for a combination of hauling equipment greater than seven loading groups or some other type of special hauling equipment. The routes required would present an undue hazard to other traffic. The overall height creates a clearance less than three-inches between the top of the vehicle/load and the lowest point of the structure on the traveled way, regardless of where the point is. Request to move on the legal Holidays: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. When these holidays fall on a Monday or Friday, permit movement will not be allowed on the holiday nor the immediately preceding or following weekend, unless authorized on the face of the permit. Holiday hours are from 12:01 A.M. of the first day to 12:00 P.M. of the last day of the holiday period. The transporter is currently on suspension for violation of permit requirements or payment of fees. For weights or dimensions of a type which can conform to statute size and weight, i.e., loads that can be repositioned to stay within statute size (even if additional hauling equipment would be mandated); any tractor, motor truck or power unit not qualified for maximum gross weight; any trailer or semi-trailer when coupled together with a power unit would not by CVC 35551 or CVC 35551.5 qualify for 80,000 pounds of gross weight. Tractor and semi-trailer combination will require a minimum of 35'6" between axles 2 and 5. ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 For any motor vehicle or semi-trailer with a fixed-load that has equipment or features that can reasonably be reduced to a lesser size or weight. Request to move during fog or other inclement weather when visibility is less than 1,000 feet. Extralegal weight will be moved on hauling equipment incorporating fixed in line axles with a dimension greater than 10'0" between the first and last axle in any given unit unless all axles outside the 10'0" dimension are steerable. On tandem axles with spacings greater than 8'0", weight will be restricted to that allowed in the California Vehicle Code. Front overhang exceeds 30'0" from the bumper or if there is no front bumper from the front of the front tire, or for loads that exceed legal rear overhang. Extralegal weight is requested and the vehicle is equipped with an air or hydraulic operated booster axle system. Extralegal weight is requested and mixed suspension types are used within any axle group. When a transportation permit is denied the reason shall be written on the application and returned to the applicant. A copy shall be retained for the office file. PERMIT FORMS Transportation Permit: Request for transportation permits shall be made on the transportation permit application form. Transportation Permit Rider: Any changes to data indicated on the transportation permit after issuance shall be made on the transportation permit rider form and attached to original transportation permit. Permit Conditions: The sheet entitled "Transportation Permit Conditions and Regulations" shall be attached to all transportation permits issued. The latest date of these conditions should be posted to ensure the current edition is being used. ATTACHMENTS Prohibited County Routes: The sheet entitled "Prohibited County Routes" shall be attached to all annual permits. Prohibited County Routes for Manufactured Housing: The sheet entitled "Manufactured Housing Prohibited County Routes" shall be attached to all Manufactured Housing annual permits. Load Limits for Colusa County: The map entitled "Load Limits for Colusa County Roads and Bridges" shall be attached to all annual and Manufactured Housing annual permits. How to Complete Permit Forms: All persons concerned (owners, transporters, and permit engineers) are responsible for providing complete and accurate information so the extra legal ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 vehicle/load may be moved from origin to destination without incidents to the general motoring public or damage to the highway system. Data Required from Applicant: Complete name, address, and phone number of the permittee. Complete and accurate description of the qualifying load and/or vehicle being moved. length, width, and height dimensions of load.). Complete and accurate description of the hauling vehicle, include license numbers, etc.. The kingpin to the last axle dimension of the semi-trailer if moved on a tractor/semi- trailer combination. The kingpin shall be shown as "40' maximum" or exact dimensions if it exceeds 40 feet. The overall combination vehicle length dimension measured from the front of the power unit to the rear of the last vehicle. The maximum loaded height measured from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle or load. Show as "legal" if 14'0" or less. Show exact measurement if 14'0" is exceeded. The maximum width measured from perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the hauling vehicle from the furthest point on the left to the furthest point on the right. Show exact measurement or whatever is requested if 8'6" is exceeded. The maximum overall length measured from the extreme front of the power unit or load, whichever is furthest forward, to the extreme end of hauling equipment or load, whichever is furthest to the rear. Show as "legal" unless legal is exceeded. A minimum or maximum dimension may be used for hauling equipment. The exact dimension shall be shown for fixed load combinations. The maximum rear overhang measured from the last point of support of the load to the extreme end of the load. Show exact measurement if legal is exceeded. The maximum front overhang measured from: the front of the tires of the vehicle; or, the front bumper of the vehicle, to the extreme end of the load, whichever is applicable. Show exact measurement if legal is exceeded. The number of tires on each axle of the hauling equipment if extralegal weight is required. The axle spacing measured from the centerline of the first axle to the centerline of the second axle and between centerlines of each following axle if extralegal weight is required. A minimum or maximum dimension shall be shown for fixed load combinations. The maximum axle width measured from the extreme width of the axle or tire on the left side to the extreme width of the axle or tire of the same axle on the right side if extralegal weight is required. Do not measure load induced tire bulge. Actual measurements are required. Do not "round-off". Axle width shall be a minimum of 96 inches to qualify for extralegal weight except that dollies used in beam and dolly operations may be allowed a proportionate amount of straight purple chart weight. Eight tired axles shall be a minimum of 96 inches wide in order to qualify for the 15 percent bonus and 120 inches wide to qualify for the 25 percent bonus. All tires per axle must be of equal size. Tires must have capacity for the weight requested. The axle weight desired for route clearance. This may be either the actual weight known on each axle group or the next highest (green or purple) weight classification used for bridge rating. Weights should be known for short coupled combinations and for short semi-trailers. The exact origin of the extralegal vehicle or load and the location at which the extralegal vehicle or load enters the County highway system. ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 The exact destination including enough information to determine appropriate exit from the County highway system. Any deviation from the most direct route requires justification to the County permit agent issuing the permit. Legal weight permits up to 12 feet wide may include courteous routing for the delivery of more than one load. All other permits will normally route the trucker by the most direct route to the destination except the trucker may be routed a short distance or take a reasonably longer route to stay in a company's yard overnight or on a weekend. The applicant shall sign and date the permit. The exact number of trips the applicant wants to make. Up to duplicate trips may be made on one application. Completion by Colusa County: Exact time and date the permit will be effective unless issued for some day in the future. Then "Sunrise" shall be used in lieu of exact time. The date the permit will expire. Whether permit movement is authorized on Saturday or Sunday and sunset to sunrise. The authorized county roads. This shall include a clear identification of where the permit move enters the county road system, the continuation of the move after entering the system, exact location of the beginning of any detours, and the exact location where the county route terminates. This description shall be clear and accurate to eliminate any confusion to the driver of the permitted vehicle. If necessary it shall include local street names and or numbers in additions to the destination. It may take a N.S.E.W. directional description to serve the desired purpose. The route review shall include the transporters ability to safely move the vehicle/load without excessive inconvenience to the public along with the physical features of the roadway over which the vehicle/load must move. This review shall include, lane width; number of lanes, grade, alignment, superelevation; structure load carrying capacity; traffic volume and any other feature that may influence volume and any other feature that may influence the specific move being considered. Indicate whether pilot car(s) are required. When a pilot car is required from origin to destination, write "Entire Move". When a pilot car is required only on a portion of the move, indicate exact limits of its requirement. All attachments shall be listed on the permit. The cash, charge or exempt box shall be checked and the amount charged shall be indicated. All completed permits shall be given a sequential four-digit number and signed by an authorized County representative. BONDING OR INSURANCE The filing of a security bond or evidence of insurance is not required to obtain a transportation permit. The transporter is responsible for compliance with the "Financial Responsibility Law" of the California Vehicle Code and is liable for any damage to County roads or for personal injury or property damage, which may occur while acting under the authority of the permit. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PERMITS ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 The completed transportation permit and transportation permit rider form with authorized County representative signature shall be serially numbered for filing and accounting purposes. PERMIT FEES Section 35795 of the Vehicle Code provides that the Department of Public Works may charge a fee for the issuance of transportation permits. The fee schedule shall produce an estimated revenue not to exceed the total cost to the Department for administering the issuance of transportation permits. Permit fees shall be $15.00 for a single trip permit or rider modifying any original permit, $85.00 for an annual permit, or $15.00 per trip on a repetitive permit, with a $85.00 maximum charge for repetitive permits. All fees for single trip permits and riders issued will be charged even when issued for moves that are canceled, regardless of the reason the move was not made. There are no "free" riders due to moves not made due to weather conditions or mistakes made on the original permit unless the mistake was made by Colusa County. There shall be no charge for "Direct Crossing" permits issued in accordance with CVC 4006. EXEMPT PERMITS Permit fees for transportation permits issued to any governmental agency or public entity deriving income through public taxation are exempt from County fees. Permit fees for contract haulers hired by any governmental agency or public entity when responding to or returning from a declared emergency are also exempt. EXAMPLE