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Escort Requirements

Escort Requirements

Overweight Over-Dimensional

Escort Requirements

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OW/OD Summary Docum​ent​​


​MULTI-LANE HIGHWAYS

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Length

  • 1 – Rear escort required when the length exceeds 110 feet.

  • 1 - Front and 2 – Rear escorts required when the length exceeds 120 feet.

Width

  • 1 - Rear escort required when the width exceeds 12 feet.

  • 1 – Front and 1 – Rear escort required when the width exceeds 14 feet.

  • 2 – Front and 2 – Rear escorts are required when the width exceeds 16 feet.

Height

  • 1 – Front escort with a Height Pole attachment is required when the height exceeds 14 ft and 11 in.

 The OW/OD Proposed Route Survey form TC95-625 is required if the Height exceeds 15 ft and 06 in.

TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS

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Length

  • 1 – Front escort required when the length exceeds 75 feet.

  • 1 – Front and 1 – Rear escort required when the length exceeds 85 feet.

  • 1 - Front and 2 – Rear escorts required when the length exceeds 120 feet.

Width

  • 1 – Front and 1 – Rear escort required when the width exceeds 12 feet.

  • 2 – Front and 2 – Rear escorts are required when the width exceeds 16 feet.

​Height

  • 1 – Front escort with a Height Pole attachment is required when the height exceeds 14 feet and 11 in.

 The OW/OD Proposed Route Survey form TC95-625​ is required if the Height exceeds 15 feet and 06 in.

ESCORT VEHICLE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

  • A required escort vehicle shall accompany the overweight or over-dimensional vehicle at a distance of 300 feet (91.44 meters) on open highways, unless it is necessary to travel closer or farther from the vehicle for safety or due to road conditions.

  • Post appropriate signs on the vehicle.

  • A warning sign shall be displayed on a lead escort vehicle to be visible to oncoming traffic.

  • The warning sign shall be six (6) to eight (8) feet in width, stating "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters on a yellow background.

  • The black letters shall be at least eighteen (18) inches high (457.2 millimeters) with a brush stroke of at least one and four-tenths (1.4) inches (35.56 millimeters).

  • Maintain radio contact with the load.

  • Have amber strobe lights or flashing lights on the escort vehicle.

  • Keep its headlamps lit during transit.

  • Use a height pole if the escorted load is fifteen (15) feet or greater.​

​POWER UNIT, FLAG, SIGN, AND LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS​

  • A vehicle operating overwidth shall display four (4) warning flags, one (1) at each of the four (4) corners. If any portion of the load extends beyond the four (4) corners, additional flags shall be displayed at the widest points of the load.

  • A vehicle operating over-length or with a rear-end overhang shall display two (2) warning flags to indicate the maximum Width at the extreme rear of the vehicle or load.

  • A vehicle exceeding ten (10) feet, six (6) inches, three and two-tenths (3.2) meters in Width or having a front overhang shall display two (2) warning signs. The warning sign shall be six (6) to eight (8) feet in width, stating "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters on a yellow background.

  • The black letters shall be at least eighteen (18) inches high (11,612.7 millimeters) with a brush stroke of at least one and four-tenths (1.4) inches (35.56 millimeters).

  • A warning sign shall be displayed at the front of the power unit and rear of the towed unit, or rear of the load.

  • If a front overhang exceeds ten (10) feet (3.05 meters), an amber strobe or flashing light shall be placed on the power unit of the towing vehicle and shall be in use while the power unit is in operation.​

  • A front overhang on a combination vehicle shall be prohibited.

  • The lighting devices and reflectors established in 49 C.F.R. 393.11 for pole trailers and projecting loads shall be required.​​​