Alberta Pilot Cars / Escort Vechicle Requirements

When escort vehicles are required:

Overdimensional safety requirements 

Notwithstanding that a public vehicle or its load does not comply with Section 4, a person may operate that vehicle on a highway where permitted to do so under the authority of a special permit. 

A person who operates a public vehicle on a highway under the authority of a special permit shall ensure that the vehicle and related equipment used in the operation of that vehicle comply with this Part and that the operation is carried out in accordance with this Part. 

When a public vehicle is being operated under the authority of a special permit and the widest part of the vehicle or its load is more than 

1) 2.6 metres in width, the vehicle must be equipped with warning flags, if operated during daylight, and warning lights, if operated during darkness or during adverse weather conditions, that are displayed on each side at the widest part of the vehicle or load; 

2) 3.05 metres in width, the vehicle must, in addition to being equipped, be equipped with dimensional signs:

one sign being displayed at the front of the vehicle, or mounted on the cab of the vehicle in such a manner that the sign is clearly visible to traffic approaching on a 2-lane highway, and one sign being displayed at the extreme rear of the vehicle or its load, whichever is further to the rear, in such a manner that the sign is clearly visible to traffic approaching from the rear; 

3) 3.35 metres in width, the vehicle must, in addition to being equipped as required under clauses 1) and 2), be equipped with one or more flashing lights; 

4) 3.85 metres in width, the vehicle must, in addition to being equipped as required under clauses 1) to 3), 

when on a 2-lane highway:

• if it or its load is not more than 4.45 metres in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle, and 
• if it or its load is more than 4.45 metres in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle and a trail vehicle, and 

when on a multi-lane highway, 

• if it or its load is not more than 5.5 metres in width, be accompanied by a trail vehicle, and (II) if it or its load is more than 5.5 metres in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle and a trail vehicle, unless the special permit provides otherwise, and 
• must not be operated on a highway - from 3 p.m. until midnight on a Friday or a day preceding a statutory holiday, or on Sunday or a statutory holiday. 

A dimensional sign referred to in Schedules 2 and 3 must be 

• kept in good repair, 
• kept clean and legible at all times, and 
• covered, folded or removed when not required to be displayed. 

Escort vehicles 

When an overdimensional vehicle is required by an overdimensional permit to be accompanied by an escort vehicle, 2-way radio communication must be maintained between each of the vehicles at all times. 

A pilot vehicle accompanying an overdimensional vehicle must precede it at a distance of 300 to 1000 metres. 

A trail vehicle accompanying an overdimensional vehicle must follow it at a distance of 100 to 300 metres. 

An escort vehicle must be equipped with a dimensional sign:

• that complies with a sign shown in Schedule 4 or 5, and 
• that is mounted in such a manner as to be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. 

When a dimensional sign is mounted on an escort vehicle, 

• only the outboard lights must be used under normal weather and highway conditions, and
• the inboard lights must be used only (i) under adverse weather or highway conditions, (ii) when turning or flagging, or (iii) during a mechanical breakdown. 

When a dimensional sign is mounted on an escort vehicle, the flashing lamps must be used at all times during which the vehicle is accompanying an overdimensional vehicle. 

A vehicle, while engaged as an escort vehicle, must not 

• tow any trailer or other vehicle, or 
• carry any load that, in any manner, obscures any lights or signs that it is required to be equipped with. 

An escort vehicle and, in the absence of an escort vehicle, the overdimensional vehicle must carry at least the following equipment: 

• advance warning triangle; 
• 3 warning flags for traffic marking; 
• one warning flag per crew member for flagging; 
• one reflective vest per crew member; 
• one flashlight, equipped with signal tube, per crew member. 

When a person who is located outside of the cab of a vehicle is engaged in an activity with respect to the operation or movement of an overdimensional vehicle, that person shall

• wear a reflective vest, and 
• make use of warning flags or flashlights as may be necessary to warn or give directions to traffic on the highway. 

The equipment referred to in subsection (8) must be maintained in a clean condition and in good repair. 

A dimensional sign must be 

• kept in good repair, 
• kept clean and legible at all times, and 
• covered, folded or removed when not required to be displayed.

Source of information: http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2002_315.pdf 

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType276/Production/teg054.pdf