36-45-8. Trip procedures. Each EVO shall follow the procedures specified in this regulation when accompanying a load in Kansas. (a) Limitation of the EV. No EV shall carry any item, object, or device that meets any of the following conditions: (1) Exceeds the maximum sizes and weights specified in K.S.A. 8-1902, 8-1904, 8-1908, and 8-1909, and amendments thereto; (2) exceeds the width, length, or height of the EV, excluding the height pole and the required safety and visibility equipment; (3) renders the EV unrecognizable as an EV by the traveling public; (4) obstructs the view of the EVO, the driver of the load, or the view of the traveling public; (5) poses a safety risk to the EVO, the driver of the load, or the traveling public; or (6) restricts or impairs the EVO's ability to operate the EV or limits the EVO's ability to comply with this article of the department's regulations. (b) Number of EVs required. (1) Superloads. At least one front EV and one rear EV shall be required when accompanying a superload. If the permit requires the superload to slow down at bridges, an additional EV shall be required. (2) Large structures. At least one front EV and one rear EV shall be required when accompanying a large structure. (3) Loads exceeding 16 feet in height. At least one front EV shall be required when accompanying a load exceeding 16 feet in height. (4) Loads exceeding 14 feet in width. At least one front EV and one rear EV shall be required when accompanying a load exceeding 14 feet in width. The rear EV may be eliminated if all of the following conditions are met: (A) A warning light is attached to the top of the load. (B) A warning light is attached to the rear of the load no less than two feet but no more than eight feet above the surface of the road. (C) A warning sign meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1911(l)(1), and amendments thereto, is attached to the rear of the load. (c) Height-measuring pole. At least one EV preceding a load that exceeds a height of 16 feet shall have a height pole. (d) Load. No EV shall transport, push, or pull any portion of the load while accompanying the load. (e) Permitted route. No EVO shall accompany the load on any roadway on which the load has not been authorized to travel. (f) Restrictions. No EV shall tow a trailer during movement of the load. (g) Traffic-control operations. (1) Any EVO may conduct a traffic-control operation during the movement of the load for the purpose of accompanying the load, not to exceed 15 minutes. A traffic-control operation may be appropriate if any of the following conditions is met: (A) A bridge or roadway is temporarily closed to allow the load to cross. (B) An intersection with limited maneuverability is temporarily closed to allow the load to turn. (C) The load or an EV malfunctions. (D) An event makes load movement unsafe or impossible. (2) Each traffic-control operation shall be conducted from outside the EV using the equipment specified in K.A.R. 36-45-6(a), (c), (e), (f), and (h). Each traffic-control operation shall follow the procedures specified in the MUTCD. (3) If a traffic-control operation is anticipated to last longer than 15 minutes, the law enforcement agency or the local area KDOT office shall be notified. (h) Travel distance. (1) Front EV and rear EV. Except as specified in paragraph (h)(2), the requirements of paragraph (h)(1) shall apply. When traveling within city limits, the EV immediately preceding the load shall not travel more than 500 feet to the front of the load. When traveling outside of city limits, the EV immediately preceding the load shall not travel more than 1,000 feet to the front of the load. The EV immediately following the load shall not travel more than 500 feet to the rear of the load. (2) Visibility; temporary conditions. The load shall be visible to the EVs immediately preceding and following the load at all times unless temporary conditions, including curves with limited visibility, steep grades, upcoming bridges and overhead obstructions, and intersections requiring traffic-control operations, temporarily dictate a greater lead or follow distance than specified in this subsection. (i) Trip communications. Each EVO shall communicate verbally using two-way communication equipment with the person transporting the load and with each EVO accompanying the load. (j) Warning flags. A warning flag shall be securely attached to the driver's side of the EV and to the passenger's side of the EV. (k) Warning lights. The warning light or lights attached to the EV shall be activated during movement of the load and shall meet the requirements in K.A.R. 36-45-6(h). (l) Warning signs. (1) Front EV. Each EV preceding a load shall have a warning sign, as specified in K.A.R. 36-45-6(g), attached to the front or top of the EV and shall be visible to the traveling public preceding or approaching the EV. (2) Rear EV. Each EV following a load shall have a warning sign, as specified in K.A.R. 36-45-6(g), attached to the top or rear of the EV and shall be visible to the traveling public approaching the load from the rear. (m) Responsibilities when any EV is not accompanying a load. Each EVO shall meet all of the following requirements when the EV is being driven and not accompanying the load: (1) The height pole shall be retracted or removed from the EV. (2) The warning flags shall be removed from the EV. (3) The warning light or lights attached to the EV shall be removed, deactivated, or covered. (4) The warning sign attached to the EV shall be removed or covered. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 8-1921 and K.S.A. 68-404; implementing K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 8-1911, K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 8-1921, and K.S.A. 66-1326; effective, T-36-8-28-20, Aug. 28, 2020; effective Dec. 18, 2020.)
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