Escort vehicle
In the case of heavy transport, the term escort vehicle is understood to mean a suitably equipped vehicle that accompanies such a transport, to secure the heavy transport to the rear (warning of following traffic, no overtaking), or before the transport, in order to ensure the freedom of the required lane width.
Escort vehicles are a partial replacement for the security provided by the police .
Germany
The first test vehicle for accompanying heavy loads was a minibus from the Riga Mainz company , which, according to the Koblenz district government employee, had a wooden structure at the rear on which the sign 276 (general no overtaking) could be pulled out and pushed back with a cable . The vehicle was initially only used as a test vehicle in order to determine whether the following road users also observe the displayed traffic sign. Since the traffic sign shown was only clearly visible during the day, but not at night and in fog, a way was sought to make these signs always recognizable. This vehicle is referred to as "BF2" (second generation escort vehicle).
So the idea arose to build traffic signs that are represented by light on a vehicle. There was experience with such traffic signs represented by light with so-called fiber optics . The result was the support vehicle with a so-called variable message sign system (VMS). This vehicle is referred to as "BF3" (third generation escort vehicle).
Any motor vehicle is a simple version of an escort vehicle. The use of a yellow light is often ordered. As a rule, no yellow light permit is required for the escort vehicle. The yellow light does not have to be entered for this, it applies i. d. R. the approval of the heavy transport. If the yellow light is not entered, it must either be dismantled or covered before or after transport. The driving license required for the vehicle is sufficient to drive such an escort vehicle .
No special driving license is required to “drive escort vehicles without variable message signs”. However, basic knowledge of accompanying is recommended.
Support vehicle with variable message signs
An escort vehicle with a variable message sign system (VMS) must have certain equipment. Due to the requirements, a vehicle the size of a delivery van (e.g. Ford Transit , Fiat Ducato , Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ) is required on which a VMS system that has been tested and approved according to the BASt is mounted. The lower edge of the VMS system may only begin at a height of at least 2 m from the upper edge of the roadway. Furthermore, there must be at least two yellow all-round lights (RKL - 360 degrees visible). In addition, there must be a certain area of reflective markings on the board at the rear and a board with the inscription Heavy Transport . The VMS system in its entirety (actual VMS system including the reflective marking on the rear) must be approved and type-tested. The escort vehicle must be checked and approved as such, unless it can be brought into a roadworthy condition by simply dismantling the rotating beacons. The heavy transport attendant must be in possession of a valid authorization certificate from the Federal Specialist Group Heavy Transport and Crane Work (BSK) and must be trained in the peculiarities of bridge structures.
According to § 29 StVO , the licensing authority can order whether and to what extent an escort vehicle accompanies the transport and whether additional police escort is required according to traffic police matters. Police escort is usually chargeable.
The escort vehicle with variable message signs is to be regarded as a mobile traffic sign during an escort in accordance with Section 39, Paragraph 6 of the StVO, i.e. the traffic signs shown are to be observed as well as stationary traffic signs; disregard is also punished. The traffic signs shown by the escort vehicle override fixed traffic signs.
equipment
Outside
- VMS system foldable - as a roof attachment for rearward emission of the Road Traffic Regulations signs 101, 276, 277 with integrated lights for yellow flashing or flashing light
- Red and white hatched retroreflective rear of the vehicle in type 2 film
- foldable or removable sign "SCHWERTRANSPORT" (black writing on a white background), but ONLY during the accompanying journey; otherwise it must be covered or dismantled.
- 2 beacons for yellow flashing lights (rotating beacons) according to § 52 Para. 4 StVZO
Inside
- Means of communication
- Telephone (car phone, cell phone)
- Cellular device
- an additional handheld radio
- Barrier materials
- 5 sign 610 (traffic cone)
- 4 strobe lights acting on both sides
- 4 stand StVO sign 101 (hazardous point), edge length 600 mm
- 2 red / white warning flags
- 1 safety vest
- Others
- 1 fire extinguisher 6 kg
- 1 height measuring device 5 m
- 1 tape measure min. 20 m
- Control panel for operating the VMS system
Drivers
The drivers to be deployed on the escort vehicles must be trained by the Federal Specialist Group Heavy Transport and Crane Work (BSK). After successfully passing the exam, the training participant receives his / her authorization certificate, the so-called "BF-3 certificate". After a maximum of 2 years, the driver must undergo a refresher course. It should be noted that according to the leaflet for equipping private, company-owned escort vehicles for large-scale and heavy transports 1992, the BF-3 with the VMS system installed may only be driven by holders of a valid BF3 authorization. This is particularly important when carrying out test drives with the BF-3 in workshops.
Austria
In Austria, escort vehicles are usually provided by their own companies and largely replace the former police escort.
The drivers are sworn in according to §97 Abs. 2 StVO 1960, to the body for road supervision, and are therefore equal to the police.
Escort vehicles must either use yellow lights, which do not have to be approved, or blue lights, which may only be installed and used with the appropriate approval. In addition, there are usually running lights that indicate the overtaking direction or other visual warning devices attached to the roof of the vehicle.
The drivers must be trained, possession of a truck driver's license is compulsory.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the escorts and vehicles are largely provided by private companies. The Dutch escort must be able to speak and write Dutch, be domiciled in the Netherlands, be at least 24 years old, have a class B, C, E driving license and be a professional driver. A 21-day training course empowers him with police powers and A. regulate traffic. In general, heavy transports in the Netherlands are carried out during the day and without police escort. Most of the Dutch escorts are organized in the VTB (Vereniging Transport Begeleider). The appearance and equipment of the escort vehicles are prescribed by the Dutch authorities.
Denmark
In Denmark, the companion must have a CE driving license and speak Danish or English. Here, too, the support vehicles are predominantly provided by private companies. The VMS system is only to be used with sign 101 (attention).
North America
In the USA and Canada , so-called pilot cars are used to control traffic at road construction sites and to accompany heavy loads .
Web links
- Federal Expert Group Heavy Transports and Crane Work (BSK)
- Regulations for companions in the Netherlands
Individual evidence
- ↑ Matthias Fricke: Heavy Transports: One Night with the Police Escort Volksstimme , February 2, 2018
- ↑ Bernadette Winter: Relief of the police: administrative assistants escort special trucks on the streets of Frankfurter Neue Presse , June 1, 2018
- ↑ cf. Accompaniment of transports by the police circular for the state of Brandenburg of June 30, 1993 (OJ / 93, [No. 78], p. 1534)