§ 37-222. Test methods.

(a)

Designated. To determine compliance with mileage tolerances, a mileage test of a taximeter shall be conducted utilizing one or more of the following test methods:

(1)

Road test. A road test consists of driving the vehicle over a precisely measured road course.

(2)

Fifth-wheel test. A fifth-wheel test consists of driving the vehicle over any reasonable road course and determining the distance actually traveled through the use of a mechanism known as a "fifth-wheel" that is attached to the vehicle and that independently measures and indicates the distance.

(3)

Simulated road test. A simulated road test involves the use of a special device that provides drums to support the rear wheels of the vehicle and allows the vehicle engine to rotate the drums through the wheels of the vehicle. The distance actually traveled is measured and indicated by the special device.

(b)

Test procedures. The mileage test of a taximeter, whether a road test, a simulated road test, or a fifth-wheel test, shall include at last duplicate runs of a sufficient length to cover at last the third money drop or one mile, whichever is greater, and shall be at a speed approximating the average speed traveled by the vehicle in normal commercial service.

(c)

Vehicle loading. During the mileage test of a taximeter, the vehicle shall carry two persons.

(d)

Test time. If a taximeter is equipped with a mechanism through which charges are made for time intervals, this mechanism shall be tested at least through the first five time intervals.

(e)

Interference test. If a taximeter is equipped with a mechanism through which charges are made for time intervals, a test shall be conducted to determine whether there is interference between any time and mileage mechanisms. During the interference test, the vehicle is operated at a speed of two or three miles per hour faster than the speed at which the basic mileage-revenue rate equals the basic waiting-time rate.

(f)

Tolerance values.

(1)

On mileage tests. Maintenance and acceptance tolerances for taximeters shall be as follows:

a.

On over-registration shall be one percent of the interval under test.

b.

On under-registeration shall be four percent of the interval under test, with an added tolerance of 100 feet whenever the initial interval is included in the interval under rest.

(2)

On individual time intervals. Maintenance and acceptance tolerance on individual time intervals shall be as follows:

a.

On over-registeration, three seconds per minute (five percent).

b.

On under-registration, nine seconds per minute (15 percent) on the initial interval and six seconds per minute (ten percent) on other intervals.

(3)

On average time interval computed after excluding the initial interval. Maintenance and acceptance tolerances on the average time interval, excluding the initial interval, shall be as follows:

a.

Over-registration shall not be tolerated.

b.

On under-registration, three seconds per minute (five percent).

(g)

Inflation of vehicle tires. The pressure in the tires on the wheels that actuate the taximeter shall be maintained at not less than the normal operating pressure recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

(h)

Reinspection. Whenever a taximeter has been damaged or repairs that might in any way affect the accuracy of its indications have been made or any of the official security seals have been mutilated, such device shall not thereafter be used until it has been officially examined and reapproved.

(Code 1988, § 37-196; Ord. No. O-30-03, § 1, 8-7-2003)