Ontario Considers Longer Truck Wheelbases

Ontario officials are considering allowing longer tractors on its highways in response to a request from the province’s trucking industry.

“The underlying request in this is to allow carriers flexibility to spec a 2010 compliant tractor, to allow for more room for the emissions-reduction technology,” said Geoff Wood, vice president of operations and safety at the Ontario Trucking Association.

Under OTA’s proposal, Ontario would allow truck wheelbases up to 7.2 meters in length, or about 23 feet, 7 inches. Current regulations limit them to 6.2 meters, or about 20 feet, 4 inches.

Though OTA’s goal is to allow carriers flexibility in complying with 2010 model-year emissions standards, the extra meter would not be reserved solely for trucks with that technology.

Environment Canada, the country’s equivalent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cut diesel engine emissions maximums in 2010, matching the regulations EPA made that year.