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DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
OF
. ROAD DESIGN VEHICLES
(First Revision)
THE INDIAN ROADS -coNGRESS
1983
IRC: 3-1983
MEMBERS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE
1. K.K. Sarin
(Convenor)
2. N. Sivaguru
(Member-Secretary)
3. V.K. Arora
4. R.T. Atre
5. M.K. Chatterjee
6. D.C. Chaturvedi
7. B.M. Das
8. Dr. Dhir
9. T.A.E. D'sa
10. V .i>. Gangal
11. Y.C. "Gokhale
12. I.e. Gupta
13. D.P. Jain
14. M.B. Jayawant
15. o .. c.
16. N.H. Keshwani
17. Dr. S.K. Khanna
18. S.B. Kulkarni
19. P.K. Lauria
20. K.S. Logayinayagam
21. Mahabir Prasad
22. H.C. Malhotra
23. J.M. Malhotra
24. M.R. Malya
25. P.N. Misra
26. I.K. Modi
27. 0. Muthachen
28. P.K. Nagarkar
29. K.K. Nambiar
Director General (Road Development) and Addl.
Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Shipping &
Transport
Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Trans-
port
Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Trans-
port
Secretary to the Govt. of Maharashtra (II) PW & H
Deptt.
Chief Engineer (Retd.) E.C. 164, Salt Lake, Calcutta
Managing Director (Retd.) A-709_ (H.I.G.), Indira
Nagar, Lucknow . .
Chief National Highways and Projects, Orissa
Deputy Director, Central Road Research Institute
Chief Engineer, The Concrete Association- of India,
Bombay . '
Superintending Engineer, New Municipal Com-
mittee
Head, Flexible Pavements Division, Central Road
Research Institute
_Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.) P. W .D. B & R
Chief Engineer (Retd.), 0-21, Ashok Marg, Jaipur
Neelkanth, 24; Carter Road, Bandra, Bombay
Superintending Engineer (Design), C.D.O. Patna
Chief Engineer (Retd.), 797 DIII, Mandir Marg, New
Delhi
Prof. of Civil Engineering & Dean Development &
Planning, University of Roorkee
Bitume.n Manager, Indian OilCorporation Ltd. Bombay
Chief Engineer-cum-Housing Commissioner, Rajasthan
State Housing Board
Chief Engineer (Retd.),J81-B, 54th Street, Ashok Nagar
Madras . .
Chief Engineer {Retd.), }OflO Sarojini Naidu Marg,
Lucknow
Chairman & Managing Director, Engineering Projects
(India) Ltd. New Delhi
Secretary to the Govt. of Rajasthan p.W.D.
3, Panorama, 30, Pali Hiii Road,
Member, Public Service Commission
Secretary, to the Govt. of Gujarat B & C Deptt.
Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), C.P.W.D., Poomkavil, Soman-
ga1am, Punalur P.O. Kerala
Chief Engineet.: & Director, Maha:rashtra Engineering
Research Institute
Chief Engineer (Retd.) Tamil Nadu, Ramanalaya, 11,
First Crescent Park RO:ad,: Gandhinagar,
Madras
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
OF
ROAD DESIGN VEHICLES
(First Revision)
Published by
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS
Jamnagar House, Shabjahan Road
New Delhi-110011
- 1983
Price M
(Plus packing and postage)
IRC: 3-1983
First Published : January, 1954
Reprinted : November, 1954
First Revision : August, 1983
(Rights of Publication and of Translation are reserved)
Printed at PRINTAID, New Delhi-20
I:.
IRC: 3-1983
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF ROAD
DESIGN VEHICLES
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The object of framing this Standard is to lay down a
basis for designing road components. The dimensions and weights
of . vehicles are cardinal factors in the design of road elements.
The width of the design vehicle bas a bearing on the width of
traffic lanes and that of shoulders. The height of the vehicle
affects the clearance to be provided in designing road under-
bridges, electrical service lines, and other overhead structures.
The overall length of the vehicle (including trailer and semi-trailer
combinations) has to be taken into consideration in designing hori-
zontal curves and vertical curves, as also in framing safety regula-
tions for passingand overtaking. The axle load affects the design
of the thickness of pavement, whereas the total weight of the
vehicle governs limiting gradients.
1.2. The Indian Roads Congress Standard on Dimensions
and Weights . of Road Design Vehicles was first published in
January, 1954. When the question of metricization of this
standard was taken up, it was felt that since by that time con-
siderable changes had taken place in the design and construction
of motor vehicles and concept of geometric and structural design
of the highway system both in this country and abroad, was
need of its wholesale revision.
Accordingly, a revised draft for the Standard was prepared
by L.R. Kadiyali. This was modified in the Ministry of Ship-
ping and Transport (Roads Wing) considering the. current amend-
ments to the Indian Motor Vehicles Act 1939 an<i the latest trends
on the subject . both in this country and abroad. The modified
document was considered by the Specifications and Standards
Committee in their held at New Delhi on the 24th May,
1983. The draft as approved with a few changes by the Speci.:.
fications and Standards Committee was later approved by the
Executive Committee and the Council in their meetings held on
. the 21st July and .the 21st August 1983 respectively for being
published as a standard of t.he Indian Roads Congress. .
1
IRC : 3-1983
2. SCOPE
2.1. The Standard shall be applied in designing all road
elements except culverts and bridges, the latter being governed by
the IRC Bridge Codes.
2.2. For purposes of this Standard, three types of commer-
cial vehicles have been recognised :
(i) Single unit
(ii) Semi-trailer
(iii) Truck-trailer combination.
The selection of the vehicle type for design of a road .would
depend upon terrain conditions, economic justification, importance
of the road and similar other considerations.
. As a general guide, roads in steep and mountainous terrain
need not be designed for truck-trailer combination and may only be
designed for single unit vehicle and, where economically feasible,
for semi-trailers.
Subject to the above, such of the maximum dimensions and
weights out of those specified here shall be used that have the
severest effect in the design of any road component. All road.
components, to be newly built or improved, shall be so designed
that they are adeq:uate or capable of being made adequate
subsequently when the necessity arises, for the movement of vehi-
cles couforming to this Standard and selected for design of the
road.
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1. Axle
The common axis of rotation of one or more wheels, whether
power driven or freely rotating, and whether in one or more seg-
ments, and regardless of the number of wheels carried thereon.
3.2. Axle Group
An.assemblage of two or more consecutive axles considered
together in determining their combined load effect on a pavement
structure.
3.3. Gross Weight
The weight of a vehicle and/or vehicle. combination without
load plu,s the weight of any load thereon ..
2
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IRC: 3-1983
3.4. Length, OveraU
The total longitudinal dimension of any vehicle or combina-
tion of vehicles, including any load or load-holding devices
thereon.
3.5. Height, Overall
The total vertical dimension of any vehicle above the ground
surface including any load and load holding device thereon.
3.6. Semi-Trailer
A vehicle designed for carrying persons or property and
drawn by a tractor on which part of its weight and load rests.
3.7. Single Axle
An assembly of two or more wheels whose centres are in one
transverse vertical plane or may be included between two parallel
transverse .vertical planes one metre apart extending across the full
width of the vehicles.
3.8. Tandem Axle
Any two or more consecutive axles whose centres are more
than 1.2 m but not more than 2.5 m apart and are individually
attached to andjor articulated from a common attachment to the
vehicle including a . connecting mechanism to equalise the load
between axles.
3.9. Tandem Axle Weight
The total weight transmitted to the road by two or more
consecutive axles whose centres may be included between parallel
transverse vertical planes spaced not less than 1.2 m but not more
than 2.5 m apart, extending the full width of the vehicle.
3 .I 0. Trailer
A vehicle designed for carrying persons or goods and drawn
by a motor vehicle which carries no part of the weight and load of
the trailer on its own wheels.
3.11. Truck
A motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for
the transportation of goods.
3
IRG: 3-1983
3.12. Truck-Tractor
A motor vehicle designed for drawing other vehicles, but not
for a load other than part of the weight of the vehicle and load
drawn.
3.13. Truck-Trailer Combination
A truck or a tractive unit with a trailer.
3.14. Width Overall
The total outside transverse dimension of a vehicle including
any load or load holding devices thereon, but excluding approved
safety devices and tyre buJge due to load.
4. NOTATIONS FOR VEHICLE TYPES
The Figure shows the outline of the vehicle types covered by
this Standard. The first digit indicates the num her of axles of the
truck or truck-tractor. The letter "S" indicates a semi-traiJer and
the letter immediately following an ''S" indicates the number of
axles on the semi-trailer. Any digit other than the first in a com-
bination, when not preceded by "S" indicates a trailer and the


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IRG: 3-1983
number of its axles. For instance, a 2-S2 combination is a two-
axle truck-tractor with a tandem-axle semi-trailer. Combi
nation is a two-axle truck with a two-axletrailer.
5. DIMENSIONS OF ROAD DESIGN VESICLES
5.1. Width
No vehicle shall have a width exceeding 2.5 m.
5.2. Height
' No vehicle other than a double-decker bus shall have a height
exceeding 3.8 m for normal application and 4.2 m when carrying
ISO series 1 freight containers. Double decker buses may, however,
, have a height not exceeding 4.75 m.
5.3. Length
5.3. l. The maximum overall length of a single unit truck,
exclusive of front and rear bumpers, having two or more axles,
shall be 11 m.
5.3.2. The maximum overall length of a single u.nit bus,
exclusive of front and rear bumpers, having two or more axles shall
be 12m.
5.3.3. The maximum overall. length of a truck-tractor
semi-trailer combination, exclusive of front and rear bumpers, shall
be 16m.
5.3.4. The maximum overall length of a truck-trailer
exclusive of front and rear bumpers, shall be 18 m.
5.3.5. No combination of vehicles shall comprise more than
two vehicles.
6. MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE WEIGHTS
6.1. Single Axle Weight
The total gross weight imposed on the highway by a single
axle fitted with dual wheels shall not exceed I 0.2 tonnes. In the
.case of axles with single wheels, the axle weight shall not exceed
.() tonnes.
. 6.2. Tandem Axle weight
The total gross weight imposed on the high way by two axles
in tandem articulated from a common attachment to the vehicle or
5
IRC: 3:-1983
individually attac.bed to tbe vehicles and spaced not less 1.2 m
but not more than 2.5 m apart, shall not exceed 18 tonnes.
6.3. Gross Weight
The maximum permissibie gross weight for a given ':ehi_cl_e or
vehicle combination would be equal to the sum of mdtvi.d_ual
single axle and tandem weights indi_cated . For typical
vehicles, maximum permiSS-Ible gross weights are given m -the Table.
TABLE: MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE GROS"! WEIGHTS AND MA:XIMUM
AXi.B WEIGHTS OF TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Vehicle type Maximum gross
weight (tonnes)
Maximum axle weight (tonnes)
------,..-..,...----,.---------
Trailer Tr uck]Tractor
_F_A_W_-,--_R_A_W--1 FA w I. RAw
Type 2
(Both axles
single tyre)
Type 2
(FA-Single tyre
RA-Dual tyre)
Type 3
Type 2-Sl
Type 2-S2
Type 3-S1
Type 3-S2
Type 2-2
Type 3-2
Type 2-3
Type 3-3
FA - Front Axle
RA - Rear Axle
12
16.2
24
26.4
34.2
34.2
42
36.6
44.4
44.4
52.2
FA W- Weight on Front Axle
RAW - Weight on Rear Axle
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
T A - Tandem axle fitted with 8 tyres.
6
6
10.2
18 (TA)
10.2
10.2
18 (TA)
18 (TA)
10.2
18 (TA)
10.2
18 (TA)
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
18 (TA)
10.2
18 (TA}
10.2
10.2
18 (TA)
18 (TA)
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30. T.K. Natarajan
31. A.C. Padhi
32. Satish Prasad
33. Y.R. Phull
IRC: 3-1983
Deputy Director and Head, Soil Mechanics Division,
Central Road Research Institute
Chairman, Orissa Public Service Commission
Manager, lndianOil, Al-103, Safdarjung Enclave, New
Delhi
Head, Rigid Pavements Division, Road
Research Institute
34. Maj. Gen .. J.M. Rai Director General Border Roads
35. Brig. L. V. R:amakrishiia. Director <>f Utilities, E-in-C's Branch, Army Head-
. quarters . .
36. G. Raman
37. Rajinder Singh
'38. A.R. Rao
39. T;S. Reddy
40. Prof. N. Ranganathan
. 41. Dr. O.S. Saghal
42. Thatte
43. N; Sen
44. R.P. Sikka
45. L. Shivalingaiah
46. J.S. Sodhi
47. Dr. N.S. Srinivasan
' 48. G.M. Shonthu
49. Prof. C.G. Swaminathan
50. B.T. Unwalla
51. M.G. Uppal
52. :M.c. Vakil
53. The Director
(S.A. Latheef)
(Civil Engineering), Indian Standards Institu-
tion, New Delhi
Chief Engineer, Jammu P.W.D., B & R
.Bhubaneswar Regional Improvement Trust
Project Co-ordinator, Central Road Research Institute
Head, Traffic and Transportation. Planning, School of
Planning & Architecture
Principal, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
Gujarat Engineering Research Institute
. Chief Engineer (Retd.) 12-A, Chittaranjan Park, New
Delhi .
Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Trans-
port
Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Karnataka State
Corporation
Director, Quality Control, Punjab Chandigarh
Executive Director, National Transportation Planning
& Research Centre, Trivandrum
Chief Engineer, Kashmir, P.W.D. B & R
Director, Central Road Research Institute
chief Engineer.(Retd.) 15/9, Rustoni Baug, Sant Savta
Marg, Byculla, Bombay-400 027
Engineer-in-Chief, Haryana P.W.D. B & R
Superintending Engineer;H.P.
.Highways Research Station, Madras