Overbredd

Overbredd is a term used in transport planning and civil engineering to describe a vehicle or cargo whose width exceeds the maximum permitted width in a given jurisdiction. The exact limits vary by country and mode of transport (road, rail, water), and the term is most common in Scandinavian languages where it literally means “over width.”

In road transport, an overbredd load is wider than the legal maximum width. Typical standards for standard vehicles often fall around 2.5 meters, but limits vary. Such loads may require special permits, route assessments, pilot vehicles, warning flags, and sometimes restrictions on travel times or routes. Similar concepts exist for rail and waterways, with specific clearance requirements and escort or coordination procedures.

Measurement and scope: Width is defined by regulatory standards and may include or exclude protruding parts such as mirrors or tarpaulins, depending on the jurisdiction. The overall width is usually taken as the widest point of the occupied envelope of the vehicle and load.

Impact and planning: Overbredd conditions affect traffic safety, clearance under bridges and through tunnels, turning radii, and interaction with road furniture. Planning typically involves route surveys, clearance checks, permit issuance, and, if approved, coordinated escorts and safety signage to guide the movement.

Relation to other terms: In English, the closest equivalents are oversize or overwidth loads. In Scandinavian contexts, overbredd is often discussed alongside related dimensions such as overheight and overlength, each governed by its own regulatory framework and permitting processes.