Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 290 - Department of Transportation › Chapter 40 - Infrastructure and Safety › Subchapter 00 - NA › Part 2 - Rules and Regulations for Twin Trailers › Section 290-RICR-40-00-2.5 - Access Routes off the Designated System

Current through June 14, 2024
2.5.1
Automatic Access
Twin trailer operations are not required to request access and have automatic access, using the most reasonable and practicable route available, to all terminals and services located within one (1) mile of the National Network including terminals and services that are located on town or city maintained roads. However, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation reserves the right to withhold automatic access on routes that are deemed unsafe. Postings will be made on all access routes within one (1) mile of the Network that are determined to be unsafe. In addition, twin trailer operations must comply with posted weight limits on roads and bridges.
2.5.2
Route Approval Required
Twin trailer operations are required to apply for all access routes that are in excess of one (1) mile from the National Network. Requests for access are to be sent to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier and School Bus Safety Office, 102 State Office Building, 2 Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. A separate application shall be submitted for each terminal facility for which twin trailer truck access is desired. The application shall include a detailed listing of the proposed route to such facility. The required listing shall include both a written description of the requested route and a map or maps depicting the route. Approval of access for specific vehicles on any individual route applies to all vehicles of the same type regardless of ownership.
2.5.3
Reasonable Access Map
The Department shall have the option of waiving the application process enumerated in § 2.5.2 of this Part in favor of preparing a statewide reasonable access map indicating either the approved reasonable access routes or routes that are not approved for reasonable access. Such a map would be distributed to the trucking industry.
2.5.4
State Access Review Process
A. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation shall provide either an analysis of the proposed access routes using observations or other data obtained from the operation of test vehicles over the routes or an analysis of the proposed access routes by application of vehicle templates to plans of the routes. An analysis of a proposed access route is necessary if the access route is beyond one (1) mile from the National Network or if the Rhode Island Department of Transportation determines that a route within one (1) mile of the National Network may be unsafe.
B. The Department shall review the application applying the above analysis along with the standards set forth in §
											2.3     of this Part and may within thirty (30) days after receipt of the petition notify the petitioner of any errors or omissions and request any needed additional information. Within ninety (90) days after receipt of the permit application or within sixty (60) days of receipt of any requested additional information, the Department shall:
1. approve the application; or
2. disapprove the application.
C. The State denial of access to a requested route must be based on specific safety reasons resulting from a test drive over the route or from the application of a vehicle template to a plan of the route. A determination on whether a route is unsafe shall be based on the criteria cited in §
											2.3     of this Part
D. If a determination is not made by the Department within ninety (90) days of receipt of the application, the access route will automatically be approved.
E. The Department may at any time review and withdraw its approval for twin trailer truck access if a change has been made to the Network that will restrict or deny access to the facility on the currently approved route.
F. Where a change to the National Network or access routes would restrict or deny access to the facility on the currently approved route, the Department may require the applicant to reapply for route approval.