New Manitoba road regs allow wide-base singles

LAVAL, Quebec (July 2, 2015) — The province of Manitoba has adopted regulations that facilitate “load parity,” a move that allows wide-base single truck tires to be operate at the same weight limits and payload as conventional duals, according to Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.

Manitoba is just the third Canadian province to adopt load parity, Michelin said. Quebec adopted the practice in 2006 and Ontario in 2008. 

In Manitoba, the 2015 revised regulations apply to trucks traveling provincial highways that meet national load ratings, known as Roads and Transportation Association of Canada (RTAC) highways, Michelin said. 

In all instances, the provincial regulatory changes were implemented after extensive consultations with the trucking industry.

“Michelin knows first-hand that advancements in tire technology make it possible to accelerate fuel and weight savings for our trucking clients, helping them grow commercially in a socially and environmentally responsible way,” said Harold Phillips, country operations officer for Michelin Canada.

“We salute the province of Manitoba's ability to find a way forward that promotes sustainable movement for truckers. We also want to acknowledge the efforts of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the Manitoba Trucking Association in helping to achieve these most recent regulatory changes and invite other provinces to consider the benefits.”

Michelin claims the use of wide-base singles, such as the Michelin X-One line, in place of dual fitments yield measurable gains in payload capacity while offering reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Manitoba's action prompted truckers in neighboring Alberta to reach out to their government representatives to urge them to follow suit, according to the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

Michelin's plant in Waterville, Nova Scotia, is the company's primary manufacturing location for X-One radails in North America.