Truck Size & Weight Reform

Darrin RothDirector of Highway Operations American Trucking Associations

AASHTO Highway Transport Subcommittee

June 8, 2010

Size and Weight Reform is Necessary

Improved safety through lower VMT, operation of safer vehicles and shift to higher-class roads

Lower energy use and emissions

Meet customer demands for low-cost, efficient service

Insufficient infrastructure capacity to meet current or future freight needs

Environmental Requirements = More Empty Weight

APU – 400 lbsFederal weight exemption

2002 engines – approx. 338 lbs2007 engines – approx. 275 lbs2010 engines – up to 500 lbs

TOTAL = 1,500+ lbs

Regulations are OutdatedSome Interstate weight limits frozen in time for more than 50 yearsNo broad-based federal weight increase in 36 years

73,280 lbs to 80,000 lbs in 1974

Interstate Highway weight limits increased 9% in 50 years despite more people and goods

410% GDP growth76% population growth

5-axle tractor- semitrailers

Denmark 96,800 lbsMexico 96,800 lbsSouth Africa 95,700 lbsEurope 88,000 lbsCanada 86,900 lbsUS 80,000 lbs

South Africa 108,460 lbsMexico 106,700 lbsDenmark 105,600 lbsCanada 102,300 lbsAustralia 100,100 lbsUK 96,800 lbsUS 80,000

lbs

6-axle tractor- semitrailers

Modernize Single Trailer Length

Increase minimum trailer length on National Network from 48’ to 53’

Cap trailer length on NN at 53’States currently allowing longer trailers grandfathered

LCV Uniformity/State Flexibility

LCV Uniformity/State Flexibility

Establish federal-state process whereby states can make changes to LCV regulationsEstablish appropriate safety controls - driver, vehicle, routeMaintain existing federal axle and bridge formula regulations for new operations to protect infrastructure

Double 33’ Trailers

Recommended by TRB Special Report 267

Two trailers up to 33’ each

Weight limited by existing bridge formula and axle weights - approx. 111,000 lbs GVW

Five-axle Truck Weight Increase

Maintain current federal axle weight and bridge formula limits, but eliminate the 80,000 lbs GVW cap STAA doubles and singlesMaximum 86,000 lbs based on bridge formula and axle weight limits

Kingpin setting requirements could limit increase

Six-axle Truck Weight Increase

Single trailer only

Max. GVW of 97,000 lbs

Require a tridem axle limited to 51,000 lbs

Retain existing single and tandem axle limits

H.R. 1799

Autohauler 10% Weight Tolerance

At least 44% of passenger vehicles sold are minivans, pick-ups, SUVs

While larger vehicle sales are declining, sales of hybrids are increasing

Hybrids weigh several hundred pounds more than non-hybrid version of the same vehicle

Thank You!