Ariz. Admin. Code § R17-6-104 - Additional Special Permit Requirements and Restrictions; Engineering Analysis

A. To promote safe transport of oversize and overweight vehicles, combinations of vehicles, or vehicle and load combinations, the Department's Class C Unit shall evaluate each class C special permit application to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether additional permit requirements or restrictions are appropriate and necessary as a condition of permit approval. The Department's decision to require additional permit restrictions shall be based on its consideration of:

1. Bridge capacities;

2. Load size and weight;

3. Pavement stress;

4. Road width, grade, and condition; and

5. Traffic dynamics of the proposed route.

B. The Department shall require a special permit applicant to obtain an engineering analysis for transport of an overweight vehicle, combination of vehicles, or vehicle and load combination:

1. Exceeding 250,000 pounds;

2. Exceeding the maximum permitted weight computations for overweight axle group weight distribution as provided under R17-6-411; or

3. Exceeding a bridge weight restriction provided under R17-6-412, Table 4.

C. If the Department requires an engineering analysis of a proposed route as a condition of permit approval, and is unable to dedicate the employee resources necessary to timely complete the required analysis, a special permit applicant may obtain an analysis prepared by a non-Department engineer at the applicant's own expense.

1. An engineer registered by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration in structural or civil engineering, as prescribed under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 1, shall prepare an engineering analysis of the proposed route according to industry standards.

2. The special permit applicant shall submit to the Department for review any engineering analysis prepared by a non-Department engineer.

3. An engineering analysis is considered by the Department to be compliant with industry standards if prepared according to the following publications, available on the Department's website:

a. The most recently published edition of the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, including all interims, standards, or guidelines;

b. The most recently published edition of the AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) - Bridge Design Specifications, including all interims, standards, or guidelines; and

c. The ADOT Bridge Load Rating Guidelines and Bridge Design Guidelines.

4. The non-Department engineer shall certify that an applicant's overweight vehicle will not overstress or damage any element of:

a. A highway structure, or

b. Any other state property.

D. An applicant for a class C special permit shall submit to the Department, at the time of special permit application, all applicable fees required under R17-6-211 for preparation or review of an engineering analysis.

E. An applicant for a class C special permit may resubmit an engineering analysis approved by the Department within the previous 12 months if:

1. The size and weight of the applicant's vehicle and load are identical to the previously approved permit application;

2. The segments of the applicant's proposed route are within the outer limits of the previously approved route; and

3. The condition of the highway structure or other state property has not changed.

F. The Department shall conduct a separate review and approval process for each engineering analysis submitted under this Section.

G. If the applicant's engineering analysis shows that a highway structure will not support the overweight vehicle as requested, the Department shall deny the application for a class C special permit.

H. If the Department determines that a potential traffic safety risk exists, a class C special permit applicant shall submit to the Department a route survey and contingency plan as provided under R17-6-108.

I. The Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, or any other law enforcement entity lawfully authorized to provide certified weights may weigh a class C special permitted vehicle and load exceeding 250,000 pounds, or require the applicant to have the vehicle and load weighed as prescribed under A.R.S. § 28-1102.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R17-6-104

New Section made by final rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 665, effective April 8, 2003 (Supp. 03-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 2486, effective September 7, 2013. Amended by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 1264, effective 7/8/2022.