Proposed Major Road Network Dangerous Goods Routes
TransLink is seeking feedback about the proposed Dangerous Goods Routes (DGR) for the Metro Vancouver’s Major Road Network (MRN) by Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Attached are the maps depicting the proposed DGR network. Please send comments to TransLink at dgrstudy@translink.ca.
Proposed DGR Network Map -- note this document is 2megs
Please consider the following questions when reviewing the proposed DGR:
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Specify any gaps in the proposed DGR Network that need to be addressed.
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Does the proposed network meet your company’s operational needs?
Note: Travel on roads that are not designated as DGR will be allowed using the same principle as is currently applied to travel off designated truck routes. That is, if the point of origin or destination is not located directly on or adjacent to a designated road, travel with dangerous goods will be allowed on any non-designated road that is the most direct route between a DGR and the points of origin or destination.
Today, the movement of dangerous goods is generally allowed on all provincial highways and municipal roads on the MRN with the following exceptions:
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Dangerous goods are not allowed to be transported through the Massey Tunnel and the Cassiar Connector.
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Surrey restricts dangerous goods from travelling on specific routes.
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Heavy commercial vehicles, regardless of commodity being transported, must travel on designated truck routes in municipalities that have truck routes (e.g., City of Vancouver restricts the movement of trucks with GVW > 10,000 kg to specific routes).
The main objectives in designating a DGR network are to minimize the risks and consequences of dangerous goods spills (e.g., routes should avoid going through major population centres), ensure consistency among municipalities while taking into account existing municipal by-laws, and ensuring that dangerous goods continue to move efficiently and without undue restrictions.
TransLink is also in discussions with municipalities about potential conflicts between the proposed DGR network and existing municipal by-laws. Once TransLink has gathered industry input and has municipal agreement on a network, it will draft a new by-law to establish DGRs. A precise time-line as to when this will occur is not yet available.
Port Metro Vancouver’s Truck Licensing System
An approved Truck Licensing System (TLS) License is required by any party wishing to access Port Metro Vancouver's property for the purposes of draying marine containers to or from any of the terminals under the jurisdiction of Port Metro Vancouver. All container truckers, including long haul truckers, who access port container terminals must hold a valid TLS licence. Trucks without a TLS licence will not be granted access to Port Metro Vancouver property.
The TLS program grants two types of licenses: the Full Service Operator License and the Independent Operator Permit.
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Full Service Operator:
Describes a drayage company that has a direct relationship with cargo interests (shippers, consignees, shipping companies, and their agents), provides a complete dispatch service, and has sufficient equipment at its ready disposal to efficiently and competently provide services to the Port Community on an ongoing basis. Full Service Operators are granted access to the Terminal Container Reservation Systems. -
Independent Operator:
Describes a drayage entity that gains the majority of its cargo through subcontract arrangements with other drayage firms, does not have a significant pool of equipment or access to the Terminal Container Reservation Systems, and gains access to container hauling though sub-contracts to Full Service Operators. Independent Operators may or may not be incorporated companies.
To apply for a TLS license or permit, please visit the Pacific Gateway Portal.
Background
In August 2005, the Canadian Federal Government requested the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) and the Fraser River Port Authority (FRPA) to introduce a Truck Licensing System (TLS). The TLS program requires that all drayage companies desiring to dray marine containers to or from Port facilities be approved for a TLS license. Only those tractors approved for inclusion in the TLS License will be granted access to Port facilities. All container truckers, including long haul truckers, who access port container terminals must hold a valid TLS licence. Trucks without a TLS licence will not be granted access to Port Metro Vancouver property.