Activities of Dieter-Lebrecht KOCH related to 2013/0105(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
Dimensions and weights of road vehicles circulating within the Community (debate)
Dimensions and weights of road vehicles circulating within the Community (debate) DE
Amendments (22)
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Technological developments include the possibility of attaching retractable or foldable aerodynamic devices to the rear of vehicles, mainly trailers or semi-trailers, but which then exceed the maximum lengths allowed under Directive 96/53/EC. This equipment may be installed as soon as this Directive enters into force, as the products are available on the market and already used in other continents. The same applies to energy absorbing aerodynamic cowls and underrun protective devices affixed in the area of the wheels on the sides and at the rear under the trailers, semi-trailers and vehicles. These can significantly improve the energy efficiency of the vehicle while also significantly reducing the risk of injury to other road users.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The improved aerodynamics of the cabs of motor vehicles would also allow significant gains on the energy performance of vehicles and the protection of other road users, in conjunction with the devices made of energy absorbing material mentioned in recital 3 above. However, thisese improvements isn terms of energy efficiency and road safety are impossible under the current maximum lengths set by Directive 96/53/EC without reducing the vehicle load capacity and threatening the economic equilibrium of the sector. Therefore a derogation from this maximum length is required.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The improved aerodynamics of the cabs of motor vehicles would also allow significant gains on the energy performance of vehicles, in conjunction with the devices mentioned in recital 3 above. However, this improvement is impossible under the current maximum lengths set by Directive 96/53/EC without reducing the vehicle load capacity and threatening the economic equilibrium of the sector. Therefore a derogation from this maximum length is required.Does not affect English text. Linguistic correction to German (applicable throughout the German version)
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In its policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020, the Commission set out measures to make vehicles safer and better protect vulnerable road users. The importance of visibility for vehicle drivers was also underlined in the Commission’s report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Directive 2007/38/EC on the retrofitting of mirrors to heavy goods vehicles registered in the Community. A new cab profile will also contribute to improving road safety by reducing the blind spot in the drivers’' vision, including under the windscreen, which should help save the lives of many vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists. This new profile couldmust also incorporate energy absorption structures in the event of a collision, in the light of the successful implementation of Directive 2003/102/EC. The potential gain in the volume of the cab would also improve the driver’'s comfort and, in the interest of job quality, and the driver’s safety.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) In order to meet the objectives of the White Paper on Transport published in 2011 the revision of Directive 96/53/EC is an opportunity to improve the driver’s safety and comfort taking into account the requirements set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Framework Directive 89/391/EEC.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Longer vehicles may be used in cross- border transport if the twowo or several Member States concerned already allow it and if the conditions for derogation under Article 4(3), (4) or (5) of the Directive are met. The European Commission has already provided guidance on the application of Article 4 of the Directive. The transport operations referred to in Article 4(4) do not have a significant impact on international competition if the cross- border use remains limited to two Member States where the existing infrastructure and the road safety requirements allow itCompetent authorities of Member States should determine specific requirements to the vehicle, the infrastructure and the driver in order to assure an adequate level of safety. The cross-border use of these vehicles should be backed by bilateral or multilateral agreements between the competent authorities of Member States concerned specifying the routes and other conditions that need to be met. The European Commission has already provided guidance on the application of Article 4 of the Directive. This balances the Member States’ right under the principle of subsidiarity to decide on transport solutions suited to their specific circumstances with the need to prevent such policies from distorting the internal market. The provisions of Article 4 (4) are clarified in this respect.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) In order to assess the impact of vehicles exceeding the dimensions set up by this Directive on road safety, it is appropriate that Member States collect data of accidents involving heavy good vehicles longer than 18.75 m. The Commission should consider proposing the inclusion of these data among the annual reporting obligations of Member States in the framework of Council Decision 93/704/EC on the creation of a Community database on road accidents.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The White Paper on Transport also stresses the need to monitor developments in intermodal transport, particularly in the area of containerisation, where 45-foot containers are increasingly used. They are transported by rail or inland waterways. But the road components of intermodal journeys can only be undertaken today if both the Member States and the transporters follow cumbersome administrative procedures or if these containers have patented chamfered corners, the cost of which is prohibitive. Increasing the length of the vehicles transporting them by 15 cm could eliminate these administrative procedures for transporters and facilitate intermodal transport, without risk or prejudice to the infrastructure or other road users. The small increase that this 15 cm represents in relation to the length of an articulated truck (16.50 m) does not constitute an additional risk to road safety. In the policy orientation of the White Paper on Transport, this increase is however authorised only for intermodal transport, for which the road component does not exceed 3500 km for operations involving a rail, river or sea component. This distance appeared sufficient to link an industrial or commercial site with a freight terminal or a river port. To link a seaport and support the development of motorways of the sea, a longer distance is possible for a short intra- European maritime transport operation.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to define the requirements imposed on new aerodynamic devices placeand underrun protective devices placed at the sides and in the rear of the vehicle or the design of new motor vehicles, as well as the technical specifications to ensure full interoperability of onboard weighing devices, and guidelines on the procedures for checking the weight of vehicles in circulation. It is particularly important that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, shall ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council.
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
(aa) The first phrase of Article 4(4) is replaced by the following phrase: `Member States may allow vehicles or vehicle combinations used for goods transport which carry out certain transport operations that do not significantly affect international competition in the transport sector to circulate in their territories with weights and dimensions deviating from those laid down in points 1, 2, and 4 of Annex 1.´
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
(2a) Article 4(5) is replaced by the following: (5) Member States shall be encouraged to allow vehicles and vehicle combinations incorporating new technologies or new concepts which cannot comply with one or more requirements of this Directive to carry out certain local transport operations for a trial period. Member States shall inform the Commission thereof.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 6 a (new)
(3a) The following paragraph 4 (6a) is added to Article 4: (6a) The Commission shall be empowered, in the light of information received pursuant to Article 4(5), to require for the approval in principle of such vehicles specifications that confer a road safety or environmental benefit.
Amendment 189 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(1a) In the interests of improved road safety, aerodynamic cowls and underrun protective devices affixed on the sides and at the rear of vehicles and trailers should be made of energy-absorbent materials that significantly reduce the impact on other road-users in the event of an accident.
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16, to complement the requirements referred to in paragraph 2. These shall take the form of technical characteristics, minimum levels of performance, design constraints, and procedures for the establishment of the test certificate referred to in paragraph 3. Given the inevitable interaction between rear underrun protection and aerodynamic systems, the Commission shall at the same time be empowered to adapt the technical characteristics, minimum levels of performance etc. for underrun protective devices to the new circumstances.
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
In the aim of improving the aerodynamic performance and road safety of vehicles or combinations of vehicles, vehicles or combinations of vehicles that meet the criteria set out in paragraph 2 below may exceed the maximum lengths provided for in point 1.1 of Annex I. The main purpose of these exceedances is to allow the construction of tractor cabs improving the aerodynamic characteristics of vehicles or combinations of vehicles, and improving road safety for vulnerable road users and vehicles involved in rear-end collisions.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 – point i
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 – point i
makes vulnerable road users more visible to the driver, in particular by reducing the blind spot under the front windscreen, extending side windows, especially down to floor level, fitting additional mirrors and installing camera systems wherever necessary to make vulnerable road users more visible and wherever no visibility is provided by windows or mirrors, particularly at the rear of the vehicle
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – indent 4
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – indent 4
- the comfort and safety of the drivers with a view to improving workplace conditions.
Amendment 254 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
(7a) Article 9a is added: Article 9 a With the aim of improving the driver’s safety and comfort, and ultimately to ensure the improvement of road safety of the vehicles in the scope of this directive, the safety and comfort requirements to be met by the driver’s cabins are as follows: - Compliance with the requirements set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Framework Directive 89/391/EEC, with its hierarchy of prevention measure for the elimination of sources of whole-body vibration and of musculoskeletal disorders; - The provision of the driver’s cabin with safety features starting with a secure fire exit of the cabin; - The increase in size of the driver’s cabin to adapt to comfort and safety requirements for driver’s seats and couchettes taking into account emergency situations.
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – second part
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – second part
For the purposes of this Article, and of point 2.2.2(c) of Annex I, an intermodal transport operation shall include at least rail, river or sea transport at least. It shall also include a road section for its initial and/or terminal journey. Each of these road sections shall be less than 3500 km in the territory of the European Union or just as far as the closest terminals between which there is a regular service. A transport operation shall also be regarded as intermodal transport if it uses intra- European short sea shipping, regardless of the lengths of the initial and terminal road journeys. The initial road journey and the terminal road journey for an operation using intra-European short sea shipping takes place from the point where the goods are loaded to the nearest appropriate seaport for the initial leg, and/or where appropriate between the nearest appropriate seaport and the point where the goods are unloaded for the final leg.
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point c
two-axle buses: 19.5 tonnes
Amendment 360 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point c a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point c a (new)
Directive 96/53/EC
Annex I – point 2.3.4 (new)
Annex I – point 2.3.4 (new)
(ca) The following point is added : 2.3.4 Alternatively fuelled vehicles: the maximum weight is that mentioned in point 2.3.1, 2.3.2 or 2.3.3 increased by the additional weight required for the alternative propulsion mode, with a maximum of 1,5 tonnes. That additional weight shall be indicated in the official registration documents of the motor vehicle issued by the Member State where the vehicle is registered. In cases where this information is missing, the values mentioned in points 2.3.1., 2.3.2 or 2.3.3 shall apply.