603 Ky. Admin. Regs. 5:350

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 603 KAR 5:350 - Off-highway vehicles, safety, and routes

RELATES TO: KRS 12.020, 148.0222, 174.020, 189.281, 189.390, 189.515, 189.520, 304.39-110, 16 C.F.R. sec. 1420.3

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 189.281 requires the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations relating to the local government pilot program for off-highway vehicles (OHV). This administrative regulation establishes the criteria for OHV ordinances, petitions, and the rescinding thereof, OHV enforcement requirements, and OHV safety plan requirements and establishes the OHV safety requirements and the safety equipment verification protocol. This administrative regulation shall expire on July 1, 2024, pursuant to KRS 189.281.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Agreement" means the written document executed by the designees of the local government and the cabinet, detailing the terms and conditions of OHV use on designated state owned or maintained highways.

(2) "Business district" is defined by KRS 189.390(1)(a).

(3) "Cabinet" means the Transportation Cabinet.

(4) "Local government" is defined by KRS 189.281(1)(a).

(5) "Off-highway vehicle" or "OHV" is defined by KRS 189.281(1)(b).

(6) "Regional authority" is defined by KRS 189.281(1)(c).

(7) "State highway" is defined by KRS 189.390(1)(c).

Section 2. Local Government Pilot Program Ordinance Related to OHVs.

(1) As established in KRS 189.281(2)(a), a local government may petition the Transportation Cabinet to authorize and regulate the use and operation of OHVs on state highways or sections of state highways located within the local government's jurisdictional boundaries. Before the local government may file a petition, the local government shall first adopt an OHV ordinance. Procedures for adopting an OHV ordinance are stated in KRS 189.281(2)(b)(1)(2)(3). All statutory requirements regarding proposed OHV ordinance shall be met.

(2) Pursuant to KRS 189.281(3), a fully controlled access highway shall not be designated or otherwise adopted in any OHV ordinance.

Section 3. Local Government Petition for OHV use on State Highways.

(1) A local government seeking to include state highways as part of the local government's proposed OHV ordinance pursuant to KRS 189.281(2)(c) and Section 2 of this administrative regulation shall submit a petition as required by KRS 189.281(2)(c)(1-6).

(2) A completed petition shall be submitted to the Transportation Cabinet District Office where the local government is geographically located.

(3) The District Office, Chief District Engineer shall review the petition along with supporting documentation required by KRS 189.281(2)(c). If the petition is found deficient, the local Chief District Engineer shall return the petition to the local government with a written explanation of the petition defects. The local government shall correct the petition defects and re-submit the petition to the district office. If the petition defects are not corrected, the petition shall not be deemed as being filed. If the petition is completed properly with required documentation, the Chief District Engineer, shall verify and forward the completed petition to the State Highway Engineer for review.

(4) Within ninety (90) days of a properly filed and completed petition from a local government, the Transportation Cabinet, through the State Highway Engineer's Office shall notify the local government as to whether the petition has been approved or if the petition is deficient. The ninety (90) day period shall not begin to run, until the properly completed petition is filed. Deficient petitions shall not be deemed as being filed until corrected and re-submitted.

(5) If petition is approved, the local government, through its designee shall enter into an agreement with representatives of the Transportation Cabinet detailing the terms and conditions of the proposed route use. The agreement effective date is the date fully executed.

(6) Once the agreement is executed the proposed locations shall be forwarded to the Central Office, Division of Planning for placement on the OHV Route Network.

(7) Agreements shall be eligible to be renewed at the request of the local government on an annual basis.

(8) If the petition is denied, the Transportation Cabinet shall provide the Petitioner with the cause of the denial.

(9) In addition to the fully executed agreement, the local government shall establish an enforcement plan to ensure that all OHVs operating on roadways under this section meet all requirements outlined in KRS 189.281, which shall:

(a) List the local enforcement agencies involved;

(b) Detail the inspection process;

(c) Adopt a safety plan for OHV use;

(d) Be responsible for monthly inspection of state and local OHV signage; and

(e) Develop a recording and reporting mechanism to report ongoing crashes, collisions, injuries, and other events that relate to safety or failures regarding the operation of OHV vehicles on routes designated.

Section 4. Agreements or Approved Petitions may be Rescinded.

(1) Approved petitions and agreements may be rescinded for the following reasons:

(a) The petition contains fraudulent or misleading information that would have resulted in the petition being denied;

(b) Noncompliance with any requirements set forth in KRS 189.281, this administrative regulation, or the agreement itself; or

(c) Crash history, unforeseen circumstances, public safety, or any other reason deemed necessary to protect the public or the interests of the cabinet.

(2) If the approved petition is rescinded prior to entry of the agreement, or if an executed agreement is in place, the cabinet shall provide written explanation as to why the approved petition or existing agreement is now rescinded.

Section 5. Minimum Vehicle Requirements.

(1) All petitions submitted to the cabinet for approval shall adopt and enforce the definition of an OHV.

(2) All petitions to the cabinet for approval shall include an enforcement plan to ensure that OHVs operating on proposed roadways and trails conform with the vehicle standards established in KRS 189.281(1)(b), and this administrative regulation, and that required insurance coverage is verified.

Section 6. Route Requirements and Standards. As established in KRS 189.281(3), a fully controlled access highway shall not be designated for OHV use. Any petition to the cabinet naming a fully controlled access highway shall be denied.

Section 7. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) "TC 59-112, OHV Safety Plan", July 2022, is incorporated by reference.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law at the Department of Highways, 6th Floor, Transportation Cabinet Office Building, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40622, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

603 KAR 5:350

49 Ky.R. 498, 1255; eff. 3/1/2023.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 189.281