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TO: CHAIR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITEE MAY 11,2009 FROM: PATRICK McNALLY, P. ENG. GENERAL MANAGER OF ENVIRONMENTAL 8 ENGINEERING SERVICES and CITY ENGINEER LONG COMBINATION VEHICLES

1 RECOMMENDATION I1 That on the recommendation of the General Manager of Environmental & Engineering Services and City Engineer,

a) this report BE RECEIVED for information, and

b) the General Manager of Environmental and Engineering Services & City Engineer be authorized to approve applications for Long Combination Vehicles to operate on City of London roadways, consistent with the provincial conditions placed by the Province of on such travel.

1 BACKGROUND Purpose:

This report serves to communicate changes to provincial legislation relating to the regulation of large commercial vehicles on Ontario roadways, more specifically to such vehicles that involve a tractor that hauls two full sized trailers, to communicate the corresponding implications on City of London roads, and to seek approval for the City Engineer to approve the movement of such vehicles on London roads.

Context:

Vehicle weights and dimensions are established by provincial Regulations under the Highway Traffic Act. In order to introduce efficiencies in goods movement within Ontario, the government has undertaken to harmonize its regulations with those of the province of Quebec, specifically as such regulations pertain to tractor and trailer combinations known as “Long Combination Vehicles” (LCVs). To that end, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has announced the commencement of pilot project that will allow up to 100 permit approvals for the movement of such vehicles on Ontario’s 400 series highway system and, with the approval of municipalities, to allow such vehicles to progress to destinations up to two kilometres beyond the freeway system.

Discussion:

Extensive briefing material has been developed to introduce this initiative. The following website may be accessed for the full package, htt~://w.o~ra.or~/lib/db2file.asp?fileid=25002. In lieu of that, the following overview is offered and a simple fact sheet summary from MTO is appended hereto.

An LCV is described as follows:

“In , any combination of vehicles over 25 metres overall length is considered to be an LCV. Ontario LCVs are made up of a tractor pulling two full-length semi-trailers up to 40 metres overall length.”

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Relevant control factors include the following:

o Routes o Speeds o Times of travel o Seasonal restrictions o Type of cargo o Gross weight o Driver qualifications o Municipal approvals

Essentially LCVs can only operate on specific routes, must be driven by experienced drivers, approved only under special permits that will be closely monitored, and driven within time and weather restrictions. The province of Quebec has approved such vehicles a number of years ago.

Potential annual benefits:

9 Save shippers and consumers up to $320 million; 9 Reduce fuel consumption by 70 million litres; 9 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tonnes; 9 Avoid up to 800 tractor-trailer collisions (9% reduction); 9 Help address developing driver shortage; 9 Reduce GTA rush-hour tractor-trailer traffic; > Reduce axle loadings and infrastructure stress by around 2%.

Impacts on municipalities:

The onus falls on individual carriers to undertake engineering studies on roads within two kilometres of the primary approved LCV network. Should improvements be required of such roads, the responsibility falls on the individual carrier (with the approval of the municipality). MTO will not issue permits without municipal approval of the route portion that affects them directly.

Engineering studies of primary routes are already underway to confirm that ramps can handle LCVs and some individual carriers are studying off-network routes (including at least one London trucking company).

Given that the State of Michigan does not allow LCVs, potential exists in London for the establishment of transfer facilities that would link two normal trailers into LCVs or, conversely, to break them down into two tractor-trailer units.

Conclusions:

1. It is highly likely that private proponents of LCVs will seek approval to travel on City of London streets. 2 Agenda Item # Page #

2. The Veterans Memorial Parkway and the freeway portion of Highbury Avenue will likely be sought as extensions to the province's primary freeway network, for the purposes of administering the LCV pilot program.

3. Destinations up to two kilometres beyond Highway 401, the VMP, and Highbury Ave. will likely be sought by private proponents.

4. Given that the VMP is an expressway with at-grade intersections, it should be confirmed with the Ministry of Transportation whether it qualifies as an extension of the primary system or not.

5. If private proponents accept their responsibility for engineering studies and roadway improvements, there should be no cost impacts on the municipality.

6. Some political pressure may come to bear on Council to assume such engineering and construction costs in order to support the economic vitality of the community,

7. Above all, the development of such LCV friendly facilities in London would be a positive step in promoting London as a transportation hub for southwestern Ontario.

Acknowledgements:

Information sources from the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Good Roads Association.

PREPARED BX n RECOMMENDED BY: //e&i Jd

DAVID A. LECKIE, P. Eng. PATRICK M~NALLY,P. Ung. DIRECTOR. GENERAL MANAGER OF ROADS & TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL 81 ENGINEERING SERVICES 81 CITY ENGINEER Y\DLeckie\MyFiles\Council\ETC LCV May 11 O9.doc Attach: Appendix 'A- Fact Sheet C. J. Fielding G. Hopcroft P. White - LEDC M. Falkner - London Police S. Baker - London Airport

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APPENDIX 'A' FACT SHEET

Long Combination Vehicle (LCV) Pilot Program In the summer of 2009, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will allow a limited number of commercial operators to pull two full-sized trailers - referred to as long combination vehicles (LCVs) - on designated Ontario highways. MTO consulted extensively with public safety and municipal stakeholders, as well as representatives of Ontario's trucking and shipping industries, to develop a strict program that will benefit Ontario's economy and environment while ensuring the safety of all drivers on our roads.

Economic Benefits of Long Combinations Vehicles LCVs are good for manufacturers and consumers. They allow Ontario retailers and manufacturers to bring goods to market at a lower cost.

Environmental Benefits of Long Combination Vehicles By using less fuel to carry goods, LCVs reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with shipping goods.

Safety and Long Combination Vehicles Ontario's roads are among the safest in North America. LCVs have a long history of safe performance in the provinces and states where they are permitted. LCVs have been on the road in Western Canada, Quebec, and more than 20 American states for a number of decades. They have an excellent safety record, with fewer collisions reported than single-trailer trucks. LCVs also reduce the total number of trucks on the road, since each LCV carries as much freight as two single-trailer trucks.

Restricted Program with Gradual Introduction of Long Combination Vehicles Ontario will carefully control LCV operations. Starting in the summer of 2009, MTO will gradually issue up to 100 permits in the program's first year. MTO will monitor LCV operations and may adjust restrictions on these trucks. Requirements and Restrictions include: may only operate on approved routes; must not exceed 90 km/h. must not detour off approved routes for any reason, including road closures; must not travel in the GTA during morning and afternoon rush hours; - must not operate during the winter months of December, January and February; must not operate during inclement weather, poor visibility or poor road conditions; must not operate on any routes on the evening preceding and the last evening of the long weekend; must not carry livestock or dangerous goods requiring a placard; must not exceed Ontario's current gross weight limit of 63,500 kg.

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