Calif. seeks to mandate fairings, tires on trucks, 53-foot trailers

California state air regulators are circulating a draft regulation that would require long-haul, heavy-duty trucks and 53-foot box-type trailers to be equipped with aerodynamic fairings and low-resistance tires.

The proposed California Air Resources Board rule would require truck owners to certify their equipment meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay program guidelines. The program requires aerodynamic bumpers, mirrors, cab side extenders, fuel tank fairings and sleep-cab roof fairings to be installed on trucks covered under the CARB rule. To be SmartWay-certified, trailers must be equipped with aerodynamic front, side skirt and rear trailer fairings.

The proposed CARB rule would take effect Jan. 1, 2011 and require all 2011 model year or newer heavy-duty trucks with sleeper cabs pulling 53-foot box-type boxes in California to be SmartWay certified. The rule would also require all 2011 model year or newer 53-foot dry- and refrigerated-van trailers to either be certified under or retrofit to meet guidelines for aerodynamic efficiency.

Trailer fleets would be given until 2014 to have 100 percent compliance with the CARB regulation. Fleets larger than 20 trailers would be required to phase in the regulation starting with 20 percent at the start of 2011, 40 percent by 2012, 65 percent by 2013 and 100 percent compliance by Jan. 1, 2014.

Under the proposed rule drayage trucks, short-haul trucks, and 53-foot trailers being pulled by either, are exempted.

In addition to guidelines for aerodynamic fairings, the proposed CARB rule also requires low-rolling resistance tires to be installed on trucks and trailers falling under the rule.

After Jan. 1, 2010, the CARB rule would also mandate that all 2011 model year or newer heavy-duty trucks -- with or without sleeper cabs -- pulling 53-foot box-type boxes in California must have SmartWay certified low-rolling resistance tires. The tire regulation would expand to all heavy-duty trucks pulling 53-foot box-type trailers, regardless of model year, on Jan. 1, 2012.

Truck owners and drivers could face penalties for non-compliance of heavy duty trucks covered under the CARB rule.

Trailer owners and the users of such trailers, including motor carriers, cargo brokers, cargo shippers and cargo receivers, could face penalties under the proposed regulation if either the trailer used or the truck pulling it are found to be in non-compliance.

A complete copy of the draft regulation can be found on the CARB Web site at www.arb.ca.gov. 

Source: American Shipper