Trans-Talk

Transport Canada (TC) has conveniently collected six studies and assessments of the use of speed limiters for transport trucks. The studies were commissioned in 2007 as part of TC’s consideration of the implications of a national heavy truck speed limiter requirement from a safety, environmental, economic and operational perspective.

Quebec legislation requiring activation of truck speed limiters is slated to come into effect in 2008. Ontario is also considering the issue.

The TC studies are:

1. Safety Implications of Mandated Truck Speed Limiters on Canadian Highways – evaluates whether speed limiters would reduce the risk and severity of crashes for heavy trucks and assesses the safety impact of speed differentials and car-truck interactions in a speed-limited environment.
2. Trade and Competitiveness Assessment of Mandated Speed Limiters for Heavy Trucks Operating in Canada – evaluates the trade and competitiveness impacts of electronically speed limiting heavy trucks in Canada under two scenarios: first is a national requirement implemented throughout Canada and the second is a requirement only implemented by some provinces (e.g. Ontario and Quebec).
3. Environmental Benefits of Speed Limiters for Trucks Operating in Canada – quantifies the anticipated annual diesel fuel savings and greenhouse gas reductions from a national speed limiter mandate.
4. Speed Limiter Case Study and Industry Review - assesses the real-world experience (benefits, effectiveness and implementation issues) of speed limiters through carrier case studies in two Canadian trucking segments (for-hire, private).
5. Learning from Others: An International Study on Heavy Truck Speed Limiters –researches the experiences of countries with national speed limiter legislation in place. Australia, the United Kingdom, and Sweden were selected and the analysis focused on compliance and enforcement strategies, the effectiveness of the legislation, and viewpoints from stakeholders in government, enforcement, trucking associations and others.
6. Technical Considerations – summarizes technical issues and limitations of electronic speed limiters with respect to compliance, enforcement, and tampering based on questionnaire responses from the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA).
7. Summary Report – Assessment of a Heavy Truck Speed Limiter Requirement in Canada (unreleased at this date).

Link: Transport Canada - Speed Limiters

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