Circular No. 84/2014/TT-BGTVT on traffic organization and weight restriction signs for vehicles crossing road bridges

CIRCULAR

Regulations on traffic organization and

placement of weight restriction signs for vehicles crossing road bridges

 

WHEREAS,ứ Law on Road Traffic dated November 13, 2008;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, organization, and staffing.powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport issues this Circular regulating Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Infrastructure Departmentof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsand the Director General of the Vietnam Highway Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular regulating traffic organization on road bridges and the placement of weight restriction signs for vehicles crossing road bridges within the national road network.

 

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates traffic organization on road bridges and the placement of weight restriction signs for vehicles crossing road bridges within the national road network.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to traffic participants and organizations and individuals related to the management and operation of road bridges.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Road bridge is a structure that spans obstacles with a span of at least 6 meters, forming part of a road.

2. Road traffic vehicles include road traffic vehicles and special-purpose motor vehicles.

3. Road traffic vehicles include motorized road traffic vehicles and non-motorized road traffic vehicles.

4. Specialized motor vehicles includes construction motorcycles, agricultural and forestry motorcycles, and other special-purpose vehicles used for defense and security purposes that participate in road traffic.

5. Motorized road traffic vehicles include automobiles; tractors; trailers or semi-trailers pulled by automobiles or tractors; two-wheeled motorcycles; three-wheeled motorcycles; motorbikes (including electric motorbikes) and similar types of vehicles.

6. Single-unit vehicle is a vehicle with a driver's cabin and cargo compartment mounted on a single rigid frame, forming a unit.

7. Tractor-Semitrailer Combination is a combination of a tractor pulling a semitrailer.

8. Single-Unit Vehicle-Trailer Combination is a combination of a single-unit vehicle pulling a trailer.

9. Gross Vehicle Weight (Total Vehicle Weight) includes the tare weight of the vehicle plus the weight of passengers, luggage, and cargo loaded onto the vehicle (if any).

10. Axle load is the total weight distributed on each axle (single axle, dual tandem axle, triple tandem axle).

11. Wheelbase of the Vehicle is the distance between the centerlines of the front and rear axles of the vehicle or the combination of vehicles.

12. Bridge Design Load Capacity is the permissible load-bearing capacity to ensure safe and sustainable operation of the bridge. The design load capacity is determined based on the design documentation and the actual technical condition of the bridge, published by the competent authority or indicated by signs placed before the bridge.

13. Calculated Span Length of the Bridge is the longitudinal distance along the bridge between the centers of the abutments of the same span or the distance between two piers or abutments for frame bridges or slab bridges without abutments.

14. Bridge Length is the longitudinal length of the bridge measured from the end points of the abutment wings.

16. Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BGTVT is the abbreviated name for Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BGTVT dated February 11, 2010, issued by the Minister of Transport, regulating road load limits and dimensions; the operation of overloaded vehicles, oversized vehicles, and tracked vehicles on roads; transportation of extra-long and extra-heavy goods; and the maximum loading of goods on road traffic vehicles when participating in road traffic, which has been amended and supplemented by Circular No. 03/2011/TT-BGTVT dated February 22, 2011, and Circular No. 65/2013/TT-BGTVT dated December 31, 2013.

Chapter II
TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION ON ROAD BRIDGES

Article 4. Principles for organizing traffic on highway bridges

On highway bridges, traffic organization shall comply with the road traffic rules stipulated in Chapter II of the Road Traffic Law 2008 and the following principles:

1. Vehicles participating in traffic on highway bridges must drive on the right side according to their direction of travel, stay within designated lanes and sections; follow the instructions of traffic controllers and road signs placed before the bridge. In the absence of road signs, they must comply with the provisions of this Circular and the regulations of the Minister of Transport regarding vehicle weight limits, permissible dimensions for participation in road traffic, speed, and safe distance between vehicles.

2. It is not permitted to stop, park, or turn around vehicles (except for equipment of bridge management and maintenance units). In case of sudden vehicle malfunction, the driver must promptly move the vehicle out of the bridge area or to a permitted stopping or parking position.

3. Primitive vehicles, pedestrians, and animals led by people must walk on the designated section of the bridge.

Article 5. Organizing traffic on highway bridges

1. Traffic organization regime on highway bridges

a) Uncontrolled regime: vehicles participating in road traffic satisfying the conditions stipulated in Articles 16, 17, and 18 of Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BGTVT are allowed to normally pass through the bridge if there are no road signs placed before the bridge (excluding bridge information signs).

b) Controlled regime: vehicles participating in road traffic satisfying the conditions stipulated in Articles 16, 17, and 18 of Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BGTVT are allowed to pass through the bridge but must comply with the regulations of road signs placed before the bridge.

c) Special controlled regime: vehicles participating in road traffic exceeding the conditions stipulated in Articles 16, 17, and 18 of Circular No. 07/2010/TT-BGTVT or having total weight and dimensions exceeding the values indicated on road signs placed before the bridge, when participating in road traffic, must obtain permission from the competent authority. At that time, passing through the bridge must comply with the provisions in the permit (permit for overweight vehicles, oversized vehicles, tracked vehicles, and vehicles transporting extra-long and extra-heavy goods on roads), traffic controller's guidance, or must have reinforcement measures (if necessary) to ensure the safety of the bridge structure.

2. When incidents occur causing traffic safety or bridge safety issues, the direct managing agency of the bridge must take urgent measures to ensure traffic, traffic safety, and bridge safety. In cases where traffic is restricted or prohibited through the bridge, the direct managing agency of the bridge must implement guidance, diversion, and traffic regulation measures through the bridge in accordance with the technical condition of the bridge to ensure traffic safety, bridge safety, and safety for people and vehicles passing through the bridge.

3. Traffic control on the bridge is carried out by the direct managing agency of the bridge in coordination with relevant agencies and forces in accordance with their assigned functions and tasks.

Article 6. Traffic signs for bridges

1. Traffic signs limiting the weight of vehicles crossing road bridges according to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 41:2012/BGTVT on traffic signs issued together with Circular No. 17/2012/TT-BGTVT dated May 29, 2012 of the Minister of Transport (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 41:2012/BGTVT) include:

a) Sign number 115 "Limit vehicle weight," prohibiting all types of road traffic vehicles whose total weight exceeds the value indicated on the sign;

b) Sign number 106a "Prohibit trucks" accompanied by Sub-sign 505b "Vehicle type limited to cross bridge" (in Appendix 1 issued together with this Circular), prohibiting traffic vehicles whose total weight exceeds the value indicated on the sign corresponding to each type of single-body vehicle, tractor-trailer, single-body vehicle towing a trailer;

c) Sign number 106a "Prohibit trucks" accompanied by Sub-sign 505c "Axle load limit for crossing bridge," prohibiting traffic vehicles whose total axle weight exceeds the value indicated on the sign corresponding to each type of single axle, dual axle, triple axle.

2. Traffic signs guiding and organizing traffic through bridges In cases where necessary, to regulate and guide traffic through bridges, additional Sign number 121 "Minimum distance between two vehicles," Sign number 127 "Maximum permitted speed," and other traffic signs according to QCVN 41:2012/BGTVT should be installed.

3. Bridge information signs

a) Sign number 439 "Bridge name" shall only be installed for bridges that are 30 meters or longer. The bridge name sign shall not be installed for bridges with unique symbols and bridges within urban areas (inside cities, town centers), except for bridges named after cultural or historical landmarks. The bridge name sign shall be placed at both ends of the bridge, 10 meters away from the abutment along the direction of vehicle travel.

b) The "Information for Bridge Management" sign shall be attached to the edge beam (near the ramp up or down for bridge inspection). Information for bridge management includes the bridge name, mileage, road name or number, design load, bridge length, year of construction.

Chapter III
INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS LIMITING VEHICLE WEIGHT CROSSING ROAD BRIDGES

Article 7. Conditions for installing traffic signs limiting vehicle weight

1. Bridges not requiring traffic signs limiting vehicle weight

a) Bridges designed according to advanced standard loads (H30-XB80, HL93 or equivalent and above), constructed according to design specifications, of good quality, and without damage.

b) Operating bridges calculated or inspected to meet the load-bearing capacity equivalent to the advanced standard loads specified in point a of this Clause.

2. Bridges requiring traffic signs limiting vehicle weight

a) Bridges failing to meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article must install traffic signs limiting vehicle weight crossing the bridge.

b) The value indicated on the traffic sign is the result of bridge calculation or inspection, rounded to the nearest ton, decided by the competent authority prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 8 of this Circular.

3. Synchronization of bridge and road load capacities on the national road network

a) When constructing new bridges, they must be designed according to the standard load specified in Standard 22TCN 272-05 (or equivalent load).

b) When repairing, upgrading, or enhancing bridges, they must be designed to increase the operational load capacity of the bridge or combine traffic regulation and organization to remove traffic signs limiting vehicle weight crossing the bridge when conditions permit (specifying maximum speed over the bridge; regulating vehicles crossing the bridge one at a time or ensuring minimum distance between vehicles; vehicles driving straight on the bridge; no stopping or sudden braking on the bridge).

c) For bridges with low operational load capacity (only allowing vehicles with a total weight less than 13 tons to cross the bridge): on the national highway system, new bridges must be built to replace them promptly; on other road systems, plans to build new bridges in accordance with local socio-economic development planning must be made.

Article 8. Management of Installation of Traffic Signs Limiting Vehicle Weight

1. Installation of Traffic Signs Limiting Vehicle Weight

a) Traffic signs limiting vehicle weight shall be installed for each bridge, placed on the right side according to the direction of travel, at a distance of 10 to 30 meters from both ends of the bridge in an easily observable position.

b) In cases where bridges suffer sudden damage or have low load-carrying capacity, in addition to installing traffic signs limiting vehicle weight as prescribed in point a, Clause 1, Article 6 of this Circular, additional information boards must also be placed at both ends of the route to inform road users about the location and load-carrying capacity of the bridge with the lowest load-carrying capacity within the route.

a) The Highway Administration shall implement on the national highway system under its management.

b) Departments of Transport and Communications shall implement on the entrusted national highway system and local road systems under their management.

c) People's Committees of districts, People's Committees of communes, and other agencies or units (assigned tasks by competent authorities) shall implement on local road systems under their management.

d) Investors shall implement on PPP, BOT projects or dedicated roads.

3. Inspection, Survey, Calculation of Load-Carrying Capacity, and Bridge Testing

a) Agencies directly managing bridges shall be responsible for reviewing and determining bridges that need to install traffic signs limiting vehicle weight.

b) Bridges requiring installation of traffic signs limiting vehicle weight must undergo surveys, calculations of load-carrying capacity, or testing to determine the value displayed on the sign.

c) The inspection, survey, calculation of load-carrying capacity, and bridge testing shall be carried out by specialized consulting organizations with legal personality, sufficient capability, and experience in bridge design and testing; if necessary, independent consultants may be hired to review the results of the specialized consulting organization.

4. Authority to Decide on the Value Displayed on Traffic Signs Limiting Vehicle Weight

b) Departments of Transport and Communications shall decide for bridges on local road systems within their jurisdiction (including PPP, BOT projects and dedicated roads).

5. In cases of sudden damage to the main structural components of a bridge, the agency directly managing the bridge must proactively inspect and assess to determine the value and install temporary signs or organize traffic regulation immediately; simultaneously, they must report to the competent authority to allow urgent repair work to ensure traffic safety and bridge safety.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Vietnam Highway Corporation shall direct the installation of traffic signs limiting vehicle weight nationwide; implement on the national highway system.

2. Regional Highway Administration Offices, Departments of Transport and Communications shall guide and inspect the installation of traffic signs limiting vehicle weight on local road systems and dedicated roads within their jurisdiction.

3. Regional Highway Administration Offices (for the national highway system), Departments of Transport and Communications (for local road systems) shall be responsible for updating lists of bridges requiring restricted vehicle weight, width limits, and publishing them on their websites, and promptly reporting to the Vietnam Highway Corporation for timely updates and publication nationwide.

4. Annually, the Vietnam Highway Corporation shall compile the situation of reviews, adjustments, and publication of bridge and road load capacities; report to the Ministry of Transport before March 31 of the following year.

Article 10. Provisions on implementation

1. This Circular takes effect from March 1, 2015.

2. Replace Sign 505b "Restricted Vehicle Types Over Bridge" specified in Appendix F of QCVN 41:2012/MOT with Sign 505b "Restricted Vehicle Types Over Bridge" specified in Appendix 2 attached to this Circular.

3. For legal normative documents cited in this Circular, when they are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, or replacing legal normative documents.