No Dual-use requirement Dual-use value Remark

1 Road classification Single lane: 3,5 m – 5,5 m Single flow 5,5 m – 7,3 m Double flow ≥ 7,3 m. Single flow – isolated vehicles pass or travel in the opposite direction at set points/areas. Double flow – 2 columns of vehicles travel concurrently and at least 2 lanes wide (ideally no narrower than 8,2 m). Projects related to using hard shoulders as additional lanes are excluded.

2 Route types Type X – all-weather well maintained route, usable all year to maximum capacity. Type X is preferred for military movement, with waterproof surfaces generally unaffected by precipitation or temperature changes.

3 Road gross weights 130 t. 130 t does not refer to the free circulation of vehicles with a gross weight of 130 t. This dual-use requirement refers to the capacity of road surfaces to withstand movements or transport of the overweight military assets on an occasional basis. The civilian limitation 44 t (as indicated in Council Directive 96/53/EC (4)) should therefore allow for occasional movements of overweight transport assets of up to 130 t with a maximum axle load of 12,23 t/axle. Such occasional movements (both military and civilian) do most likely require special permits or waivers and appropriate mitigation measures, which are exceptionally determined by the MS.

4 Bridge gross weights 130 t. 130 t does not refer to the free circulation of vehicles with a gross weight of 130 t. This dual-use requirement refers to bridges’ capacity to withstand movements or transport of the overweight military assets on an occasional basis. Such occasional movements (both military and civilian) do most likely require special permits or waivers and appropriate mitigation measures, which are exceptionally determined by the Member States. Bridges shall be capable of allowing a gross weight of 130 t with a maximum axle load of 12,23 t/axle (Directive 96/53/EC allows up to 11,5 t/axle with the exception of France, where the allowed load is 13 t/axle). In circumstances where a single vehicle weighs 130 t, it will be necessary to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures such as speed, distance to other vehicles have been applied and, if necessary, single traffic flow are imposed for bridge use. Road bridges are designed to withstand fully loaded vehicles across their entire length on each lane. Therefore, if a bridge can support multiple trucks weighing 44 t simultaneously, it should also be able to support an occasional total gross weight of 130 t, if the appropriate mitigation measures such as speed, distance between vehicles and distance between the vehicles’ axles are ensured.

5 Maximum cargo height 4.5 m. Tunnel restrictions need consideration in route planning particularly for flatbed vehicles, trailers and dangerous goods. To be determined in each country if and where 4.5 m shall be applicable. This includes the combination of the height of the vehicle cargo-deck, plus the cargo height and an overhead safety clearance margin. Directive 96/53/EC allows up to 4 m vehicle height. Upon receiving an exceptional transport permit, 4.5 m height is possible (4.35 m transport height + 0.15 m for suspension and vehicle movements).

6 Maximum cargo width 4.5 m. As indicated in Directive 96/53/EC, the maximum vehicle width of an authorized vehicle is 2,55 m. Typically, wheeled vehicles require 3.5 m and tracked vehicles 4.5 m for military transport. Such occasional movements (both military and civilian) do most likely require special permits or waivers and appropriate mitigation measures, which are exceptionally determined by the Member States.

7 Maximum cargo length 18,75 m up to 27,5 m Maximum vehicle length is 18,75 m with an extension up to 25,03 m where infrastructure development allows. Longer vehicles may be allowed to circulate upon receiving an exceptional transport permit. Cargo weighing over 130 t will generally require an 8-tyre x 4-axle tractor + an 8-axle trailer combination. In most cases, a traditional 8-axle semi-trailer suffices for dual-use purposes. However, when for practical reasons (e.g. bridge clearance height) a low-bed trailer is required, this will necessarily be a 3-bed-5 semi-trailer, whose length is around 22,5 m. Coupled to an 8-tyre x 4-axle tractor unit, the total length of the combined vehicle will be around 27 m. The use of low-bed trailers brings benefits when it comes to extra bridges and flyover height clearances, as axle loads of a longer vehicle will be distributed on a larger area, thus reducing the point loadings on bridges and overpasses. Most Member States already accept 27,5 m vehicles as part of the exceptional transport permits they issue.