Utah Administrative Code Topic - Transportation
The Utah Administrative Code (UAC) related to Transportation is primarily found under Title R900 - Transportation, which falls under the purview of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). UDOT is responsible for approximately 5,900 miles of state highways and also oversees other transportation sectors including aeronautics, paved trails, transit, rail, amusement park ride safety, motor carriers, and ports of entry.
This title contains a comprehensive set of rules and regulations designed to ensure the safe, efficient, and well-maintained transportation infrastructure and services across the state.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas and agencies involved in transportation regulations within the Utah Administrative Code:
I. Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) - Title R900:
This broad title is further divided into specific sections, reflecting the diverse responsibilities of UDOT:
R907 - Administration: Covers general administrative procedures, definitions, and overall governance for the department.
R909 - Motor Carrier: These are critical regulations for commercial vehicles and trucking operations. They often incorporate federal regulations by reference and address:
Safety Regulations for Motor Carriers (R909-1): Adopts significant portions of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 350-399) with specific Utah intrastate exceptions. This covers driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and safe operation.
Utah Size and Weight Rule (R909-2): Specifies legal dimensions and weight limits for commercial vehicles operating on Utah's highways.
Standards for Utah School Buses (R909-3): Outlines safety, equipment, and operational standards for school buses.
Motor Carrier Enforcement, Penalties (R909-4): Details enforcement procedures and penalties for violations of motor carrier rules.
Safety Regulations for Tow Truck Operations (R909-19): Requirements for equipment, operation, and certification of tow trucks.
Safety Regulations for Motor Carriers Transporting Hazardous Materials and/or Hazardous Wastes (R909-75): Specific rules for the safe transportation of hazardous materials, often mirroring federal hazardous materials regulations.
R914 - Operations, Aeronautics: Regulations related to aviation, including airports, aircraft registration, and air safety within the state.
R916 - Operations, Construction: Rules governing highway construction projects, including contractor requirements, project specifications, and environmental considerations during construction.
R918 - Operations, Maintenance: Regulations for the maintenance of state highways, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure, ensuring their safety and longevity.
R920 - Operations, Traffic and Safety: Crucial for traffic management and safety, this includes:
Traffic and Safety Standards: Rules for traffic control devices, signs, signals, and roadway markings.
State Safety Oversight (R920-30): Incorporates Federal Transit Administration standards for State Safety Oversight, particularly relevant for public transit systems.
Permits for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles: Procedures for obtaining permits for vehicles exceeding standard size or weight limits.
R923 & R926 - Program Development: These sections likely cover regulations for planning, funding, and developing various transportation programs and projects.
R930 - Preconstruction: Rules related to the planning and design phases of transportation projects, including:
Utility Relocations Required by Highway Projects (R930-8): Guidelines for coordinating with utility companies when their infrastructure needs to be relocated due to highway projects, including reimbursement policies.
Access Management (R930-6): Regulations governing highway access, including driveway permits, spacing, and design to ensure efficient traffic flow and safety.
Interchange Justification Reports (R930-7): Requirements for justifying new or modified highway interchanges.
State Environmental Procedures: Regulations for conducting environmental reviews for transportation projects.
R933 - Preconstruction, Right of Way Acquisition: Rules governing the process of acquiring land for transportation projects, including appraisal, negotiation, and condemnation procedures, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.
II. Other Relevant Titles:
While R900 is the primary title for UDOT, other titles may contain rules that impact transportation:
Utah State Parks (R651-615): This title, under the Department of Natural Resources, includes traffic rules and regulations specifically for the use and operation of motor vehicles within state parks. These typically refer back to the general Utah Traffic Code (Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 6a).
Driver License Division (R708): This falls under Public Safety and covers regulations related to driver licensing, commercial driver licenses, and motor vehicle records.
Department of Commerce - Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (R876): Rules pertaining to vehicle dealerships, sales, and consumer protection in motor vehicle transactions.
In summary, the Utah Administrative Code's rules on Transportation, primarily under Title R900 and overseen by UDOT, create a comprehensive regulatory framework for building, maintaining, and operating the state's transportation system, as well as for regulating commercial carriers, ensuring public safety, and managing related environmental and land-use considerations.
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