Load hauling through Red Deer County for oversized and overweight loads will soon be an easier prospect with the official adoption of Transportation Routing And Vehicle Information System Multi Jurisdiction (TRAVIS-MJ) at a recent county council meeting.
While the county has been part of TRAVIS since 2008, implementation of the multi jurisdiction aspect began in November of 2010. TRAVIS-MJ allows users (truck drivers) to make one application for road travel and all jurisdictions will be notified and authorizations issued with respect to individual municipal restrictions.
“This is an important process to become part of,” said Red Deer County mayor Jim Wood. “This is going to happen whether we officially join or not, and we have been participating for some time already.”
He noted the intent of TRAVIS-MJ is to make the permit process simpler and to provide some kind of income stream to municipalities which can be passed onto Road Data, which collects data and administers permits.
TRAVIS-MJ automatically checks the route and vehicle information to ensure the roads and bridges on intended routes are adequate for safe movement of oversized and overweight vehicles. The system will check axle weights, temporary restrictions, bridge analysis, roadway width, vertical clearance, and issue correct road permits for the applicant.
County administration recommended a change to the existing bylaw to charge a $20 application fee which received second reading.
Municipalities will continue to have control over roads in their jurisdictions and be able to update conditions for the system at large immediately. Applicants will be able to access the permit system 24 hours a day, creating a more efficient, more responsive system.
“I expect the trucking industry to embrace TRAVIS-MJ wholeheartedly,” said Wood. “This will make their jobs so much easier.”
TRAVIS-MJ fees will be in effect from April 1, 2014. Further information can be found at www.trans.gov.ab.ca
