§ 601.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this part, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Acceleration lane—A speed change lane for the purpose of:(i) Enabling a vehicle entering a roadway to increase its speed to a rate at which it can safely merge with through traffic.
(ii) Providing the necessary merging distance.
(iii) Giving the main roadway traffic the necessary time and distance to make appropriate adjustments.
Commission—The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Deceleration lane—The portion of the roadway adjoining the traveled way constructed for the purpose of enabling a vehicle that is exiting a roadway to slow to a safe speed after it has left the mainstream of traffic.
Hazardous material—An explosive, blasting agent, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, flammable solid, flammable and nonflammable compressed gas, corrosive material, poison, poison gas, irritant, oxidizer, organic peroxide, radioactive material, etiologic agent or other regulated material defined in 49 CFR Chapter I (relating to pipeline and hazardous materials safety administration, Department of Transportation) whether a material, a substance or a waste product.
Over-dimensional/overweight vehicle—A vehicle or combination of vehicles, including the load carried thereon, which exceeds any one of the following: 100,000 pounds in maximum gross weight, 22,400 pounds maximum gross weight carried upon any one axle, 13 feet 6 inches in height, 10 feet in width, 85 feet in overall length, or which has a load or part thereof extending 5 feet or more beyond the front bumper or 15 feet or more beyond the rear bumper. The front and rear overhang of stinger steered vehicles, as defined in 23 CFR 658.13(e) (relating to length), may not be included in calculating the overall length of the stinger steered vehicle, as long as the front overhang does not exceed 3 feet and the rear overhang does not exceed 4 feet.
Recreational vehicle—A multipurpose passenger vehicle that provides living accommodations for persons or an apportionable vehicle designed or converted and used exclusively for personal pleasure or travel by an individual or the individual’s family.
Shoulder—The portion of the highway, contiguous to the roadway, for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of the roadway.
Tandem—A truck tractor, semitrailer and trailer.
Traffic lane—A strip of roadway intended to accommodate the forward movement of a single line of vehicles.
Turnpike System—The limited access highway maintained and constructed by the Commission, extending eastward from the Ohio line to the New Jersey line and northward from a point near Norristown, Pennsylvania to a point near Scranton, Pennsylvania and other extensions thereto, which have been or may hereafter be designated as part of the Turnpike System by the Legislature.
Unsafe vehicle—A vehicle which does not comply with Chapter 175 (relating to vehicle equipment and inspection) or with an equipment requirement of this part, or a vehicle which poses a driving hazard to the vehicle’s occupants or to other motorists.
Authority The provisions of this § 601.1 amended under sections 4 and 12 of the act of May 21, 1937 (P.L. 774, No. 211) (36 P.S. § § 652d and 652l), 74 Pa.C.S. § § 8102, 8107, 8116 and 8117; and 75 Pa.C.S. § § 6110 and 6110.1.
Source The provisions of this § 601.1 adopted August 5, 1977, effective August 6, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2196; amended October 29, 1992, effective October 30, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 5321; amended June 23, 2000, effective June 24, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 3175; amended December 1, 2023, effective December 2, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 7489. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (400464) and (267403).
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 601.15 (relating to vehicles excluded from the Turnpike).
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