4908 - Operation of certain combinations on interstate and certain other highways.
§ 4908. Operation of certain combinations on interstate and certain other highways. (a) General rule.--Combinations authorized by section 4904(e) (relating to limits on number of towed vehicles) to have two trailers, or by section 4923(b)(6) or (7) (relating to length of vehicles) to exceed the length limitation for combinations, may be driven only on the types of highways and under the limitations set forth below: (1) On the designated national network consisting of all interstate highways and portions of Federal aid primary highways having at least a 48-foot-wide roadway or two 24- foot-wide roadways and designated by the department as capable of safely accommodating such vehicles. (2) Between the designated national network and a terminal or a facility for food, fuel, repair or rest having an entrance within the access limitation prescribed by Federal Highway Administration regulation of the nearest ramp or intersection, but only on highways having lanes at least ten feet wide. (3) On highways marked with traffic route signs having travel lanes at least ten feet in width unless prohibited by the department on State highways or the municipality on local highways based on safety reasons and marked with signs prohibiting such vehicles. (4) Between the highways authorized under paragraph (3) and a terminal or facility for food, fuel, repair or rest having an entrance within one-half road mile of the nearest ramp or intersection, but only on highways having lanes at least ten feet wide. (5) Approval of a highway other than as designated under paragraphs (1) through (4) shall be obtained from the: (i) City in the case of a highway in a city. (ii) Department in the case of a State highway not in a city, except that the department will, upon request, delegate authority to approve routes under this subsection to a municipality which has been delegated authority to issue permits under section 420 of the act of June 1, 1945 (P.L.1242, No.428), known as the State Highway Law. (iii) Municipality in the case of a local highway not in a city. (b) Household goods carriers.--In addition to the operations authorized in subsection (a), a household goods carrier, consisting of a truck tractor and either of the following: (1) A single trailer, which exceeds the maximum length for combinations established in section 4923(a), may be driven between the designated network and a point of loading or unloading which can safely and reasonably be accessed. (2) Two trailers may be driven between the designated national network and a point of loading or unloading which can safely and reasonably be accessed using highways approved under subsection (a)(2) through (5) for the particular movement. (b.1) Short 102-inch trailers.--In addition to the operations authorized in subsection (a), a combination, consisting of a truck tractor and a single trailer not exceeding 28 1/2 feet in length and 102 inches in width may be driven on all highways. (c) Nearby terminals and facilities.--(Deleted by amendment). (d) Route approval.--(Deleted by amendment). (e) Notice.-- (1) The department shall publish the designated network established in subsection (a)(1) in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as a notice under 45 Pa.C.S. § 725(a)(3) (relating to additional contents of Pennsylvania Bulletin) and will also forward the designated network to trucking companies and associations and other interested parties, upon request. (2) Approval of a route under subsection (a)(5) shall be effective upon notice by the approving authority to the person who requested it. Notice of the approval shall also be given to State and affected local police and shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin in a timely manner as a notice under 45 Pa.C.S. § 725(a)(3). (3) Approval of a route under subsection (b)(2) shall be effective upon notice by the approving authority to the person who requested it. Notice of the approval shall also be given to State and affected local police and shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin in a timely manner. (f) Revocation of route approval.--The authority which approved a route under subsection (a)(5) may revoke the route approval if it determines that the route or some portion of it cannot safely and reasonably accommodate combinations authorized to exceed length or number of trailer limitations. Notice of the revocation shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as a notice under 45 Pa.C.S. § 725(a)(3) and shall be effective 15 days after such publication, except that the posting authority may effect an earlier revocation by posting signs to indicate the revocation. Written notice of the revocation shall also be given to the person who requested the route approval and to State and affected local police. (g) Penalty.--A person who operates a combination in violation of this section on a highway which is not marked with signs prohibiting the operation of such a combination commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $50 for each violation. A person cited under this subsection shall not be subject to citation under section 4921 (relating to width of vehicles) or 4923 (relating to length of vehicles). (July 7, 1983, P.L.32, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 11, 1986, P.L.1530, No.166, eff. 60 days; Feb. 10, 1994, P.L.10, No.2, eff. imd.; Apr. 17, 1997, P.L.6, No.3, eff. 60 days) 1983 Amendment. See section 7 of Act 19 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to expiration of amendments authorizing two trailers and long combinations. Cross References. Section 4908 is referred to in sections 4904, 4908.1, 4921 of this title.