BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SB 12
SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: Corbett
VERSION: 8/23/12
Analysis by: Carrie Cornwell FISCAL: no
Hearing date: August 29, 2012
SUBJECT:
Vehicles: aerodynamic devices
DESCRIPTION:
This bill adds aerodynamic devices to the list of devices which
may extend up to three inches beyond each side of a vehicle.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law limits the width of a vehicle to no more than 102
inches, with certain exceptions, including that a vehicle may
have specified equipment that extends up to three extra inches
beyond each side of the vehicle. Existing law limits this
equipment to door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain
binders, and hazardous materials warning placards.
This bill :
1.Adds aerodynamic devices to the list of equipment that may
extend up to an additional three inches on each side of a
vehicle.
2.Defines aerodynamic devices as devices using technologies that
minimize drag and improve airflow over an entire
tractor-trailer vehicle. These aerodynamic devices include
gap fairings, side skirts, and rear fairings.
3.Prohibits the device from having the primary purpose of
advertising and from adversely impacting the vehicle's swept
width and turning characteristics.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . Aerodynamic devices are mounted on vehicles to
reduce air turbulence around the vehicle. These devices
include gap fairings, which are mounted on the back of the
SB 12 (CORBETT) Page 2
tractor or the front of the trailer to reduce turbulence
between the tractor and trailer; rear fairings, which are
mounted on the back of the trailer to reduce turbulence and
pressure drop at the rear of a trailer; and side skirts, which
are mounted underneath the trailer to minimize wind under the
trailer.
Equipping large vehicles with these aerodynamic devices
improves gas mileage and, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas
emissions associated with those vehicles. Proponents note
that aerodynamic technologies offer a low-cost tool for
reducing fuel consumption and driving down both the economic
and environmental costs that come along with combustion of
fossil fuels. Current California law, however, prevents the
use of aerodynamic devices that extend off the side of a
truck, limiting options for fleets that are looking to reduce
costs and comply with California's regulations around
greenhouse gas emissions.
The author's office reports that several companies produce
these devices but are unable to test or market them in the
state because the devices are not specifically authorized
under existing California law. Proponents argue that state
law should include these aerodynamic devices in the list of
allowed protruding devices as they meet the minimum width
distance of similar devices already authorized in existing
state law. This bill would make that change to state law.
2.Consistent with federal law . This bill is consistent with
federal requirements. Existing state law authorizes a very
specific list of equipment that is allowed to project not more
than three inches beyond the maximum allowable width of a
vehicle. Federal regulations, however, define "protruding
devices" more broadly as non-property-carrying devices. Under
federal law, protruding devices may extend up to three inches
beyond the maximum allowable width of a vehicle.
3.No advertising . During the policy committee hearing in the
Assembly, some raised concerns that vehicle owners might
attach these aerodynamic devices for the purpose of displaying
advertisements, similar to mobile billboards. To address this
concern, the author amended the bill to provide that the
primary purpose of the aerodynamic devices cannot be
advertising.
4.Concurrence hearing . This bill is back in the Senate on
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concurrence and has been referred to committee pursuant to
rule 29.10 because Assembly amendments deleted the version of
the bill that passed the Senate earlier this year and replaced
it with the current language. At today's 29.10 hearing, the
committee may not amend the bill further and may only hold the
bill or return the bill as approved by the committee to the
Senate floor.
Assembly Votes:
Floor: 80 - 0
Trans: 14 - 0
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Tuesday, August 29,
2012)
SUPPORT: ATDynamics
CALSTART
California Trucking Association
OPPOSED: None received.