Section 17 AAC 25.900 - DefinitionsUnless the context indicates otherwise, in this chapter
(1) "axle" means the common axis of rotation of two or more wheels, whether power-driven or freely rotating, attached to the vehicle for the purpose of carrying a portion of the vehicle weight, including any load;(2) "axle group" means two or more axles where an individual axle is spaced less than 8 feet and 1 inch from any other axle, as measured from the centers of the axles;(3) "belly axle" means a single axle on a trailer or semitrailer that is located at least 8 feet and 1 inch from the nearest rear axle of a vehicle;(4) "booster axle" means an axle on a truck that is designed to transfer a portion of the truck weight to the steering axle, and that is located more than 8 feet and 1 inch from the nearest axle;(5) "cargo-carrying length" means the portion of the cargo-carrying unit of a vehicle with two or more such units, measured from the front of the first unit to the rear of the last units, including the hitch(es) between the units, with the exception of the upper coupler on a beverage semitrailer and the B-train assembly between the first and second semitrailers(6) "cargo-carrying unit" means any portion of a vehicle combination, other than the truck tractor, used for carrying cargo, including a trailer, semitrailer, or the cargo carrying section of a single-unit truck(7) "commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation and public facilities;(8) "department" means the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities;(9) "division" means the division of measurement standards and commercial vehicle compliance within the department;(10) "dromedary" means a box, tank, deck, or plate that does not exceed 10 feet in length, and that may be used to carry cargo on a truck tractor;(11) "emergency" means a condition that is potentially hazardous to life or property, or that prevents a damaged highway from being used by the public;(12) "enforcement officer" means a (B) department employee who is (i) authorized by the commissioner of transportation and public facilities under AS 45.75.131; and(ii) appointed as a special officer by the commissioner of public safety under AS 18.65.010;(13) repealed 11/16/2004;(14) "4-axle group" or "quad axle" means a multi-axle group of four axles that is attached with a connecting mechanism, with each separate axle located less than 8 feet and 1 inch from the other axles;(15) "full mount" means a vehicle mounted completely upon the first or last vehicle in a saddlemount combination;(16) "gross weight" or "gross vehicle weight" means the total weight of a vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, including load and any accumulated snow, ice, mud, rocks, or dirt;(17) "height" means the total vertical dimension of a vehicle above a roadway, including any load, load-holding device, and equipment;(18) "inclement weather" means (A) fog, rain, or snow conditions that restrict visibility to less than 1,000 feet;(B) wind conditions that render a vehicle unable to maintain directional control within one driving lane; or(C) an accumulation of ice, snow, or freezing rain upon a roadway that render a vehicle unable to maintain traction;(19) "jeep" means a short frame-type trailer complete with upper coupler, fifth wheel, and undercarriage assembly and designed so that, when coupled between a semitrailer and tractor, the jeep carries a portion of the trailer king pin load while transferring the remainder of that load to the tractor's fifth wheel;(20) "king pin" means the device that connects the upper half to the lower half of a coupling device in a manner that permits relative motion in a horizontal plane between a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle;(21) "length" means the total longitudinal dimension of a vehicle;(22) "lift axle" or "variable suspension axle" means an axle(A) with mounted tires and rims; and(B) that may be elevated or regulated by raising its tires from the roadway, with the result that a portion of the vehicle weight is transferred to another axle or axle group;(23) "load" means anything that is carried on or in a vehicle, but that is not permanently attached to the vehicle;(24) "long combination vehicle" or "LCV" means a combination of a power vehicle and cargo-carrying vehicles that exceeds the length specified in 17 AAC 25.012(c);(25) "multi-axle group" means an assembly of more than two axles that are attached with connecting devices;(26) "non-divisible vehicle or load" means a vehicle or load that (A) exceeds a length or weight limit set out in this chapter; and(B) if separated into smaller vehicles or loads, would (i) compromise the intended use of the vehicle;(ii) destroy the value of the load or vehicle; or(iii) require more than eight work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment;(27) "overall length" means the total longitudinal length of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles, including the load;(28) "overall width" means width as measured in accordance with 17 AAC 25.012(a);(29) "permit" means an authorization issued under 17 AAC 25.320 for movement or operation of oversize and overweight vehicles on a highway;(30) "pounds per inch of tire width" means a measure of weight restriction based upon a tire manufacturer's rating of nominal tire width;(31) "power vehicle" means a truck, a truck tractor, or another vehicle capable of towing a cargo-carrying vehicle;(32) "saddle" means a mechanism that connects the front axle of a towed vehicle, by a king pin, to the frame or fifth wheel of the towing vehicle;(33) "saddlemount combination" means a power unit towing up to three other power vehicles, each connected to the preceding vehicle by a saddle;(34) repealed 12/06/2018;(35) "shifting" means the process by which a portion of a load is transferred from one axle group to another by adjusting air pressure, adjusting the fifth wheel, or physically moving part of the load to another axle group without removing the load from the vehicle;(36) "single axle" means an assembly of two or more wheels whose centers are in one transverse vertical plane not less than 8 feet and 1 inch from another axle, and extending across the full width of a vehicle;(37) "single axle weight" means the total weight transmitted to the roadway by the wheels of a single axle;(38) "state" means State of Alaska;(39) "steering axle" means one or more axles on the front of a power vehicle that can be activated by the operator to directly accomplish guidance or steerage of the power vehicle or a combination of vehicles;(40) "steerable axle" means an axle that has a self-steering mechanism that operates while a vehicle is in motion;(41) "supplemental axle" means a lift axle, a variable suspension axle, or a belly axle;(42) "tandem axle weight" means the total weight transmitted to the roadway by a two axle group;(43) "terminal" means a business licensed under AS 43.70 where commercial goods are loaded or unloaded from commercial vehicles or services for commercial vehicles are obtained;(44) "3-axle group" or "tridem axle" means a multi-axle group of three axles that is attached to a vehicle with a connecting mechanism, with each separate axle located less than 8 feet and 1 inch from the other axles;(45) "trailer" means a (A) full trailer, which is any vehicle other than a pole trailer deigned to be drawn by another motor vehicle and constructed such that no part of its weight, except for the towing device, rests upon the self-propelled towing vehicle, including the use of a converter dolly on a semitrailer;(B) pole trailer, which is any motor vehicle designed to be drawn by another motor vehicle and attached to the towing motor vehicle by means of a "reach" or "pole," or by being "boomed" or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members; or(C) semitrailer, which is any vehicle, other than a pole trailer, designed to be drawn by another motor vehicle and is constructed so that some part of its weight rests upon the self propelled towing vehicle;(46) "truck" means any self-propelled commercial motor vehicle except a truck tractor, designed or used for the transportation of property;(47) "truck tractor" means a self-propelled commercial motor vehicle designed or used primarily for drawing other vehicles;(48) "2-axle group" or "tandem axle" means an assembly of two axles that are attached to a vehicle by a connecting mechanism designed to distribute weight equally to both axles of the group, "2-axle group" or "tandem axle" does not include lift axles, variable suspension axles, booster axles, or belly axles located within less than 8 feet and 1 inch of that assembly;(49) "variable suspension axle" has the meaning given to "lift axle" in this section;(50) "vehicle" means a wheeled device capable of transporting persons or property on a highway; including anything permanently attached to the wheeled device.(51) "intrastate commerce" has the meaning ascribed to it in 49 C.F.R. 390.5, adopted by reference in 17 AAC 25.210(a).(52) "B-train assembly" means a rigid frame extension attached to the rear frame of the first semitrailer which allows for a fifth wheel connection point for the second semitrailer;(53) "B-train length" means the B-train assembly is included in the measurement of a singly used semitrailer;(54) "converter dolly" means a vehicle consisting of a chassis equipped with one or more axles, a fifth wheel, and/or equivalent mechanism and drawbar, the attachment of which converts a semitrailer to a full trailer.Eff. 8/13/95, Register 135; am 10/7/2001, Register 160; am 11/16/2004, Register 172; am 4/9/2009, Register 190; am 12/30/2010, Register 196; am 12/6/2018, Register 228, January 2019; am 1/11/2024, Register 249, April 2024Authority:AS 19.05.010
AS 19.05.020
AS 19.05.040
AS 19.10.060
AS 44.42.020
AS 44.42.030
AS 45.75.050