Transcript 2007 ATA Presentation Template

Truck Size & Weight Reform
Darrin Roth
Director 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 lbs
Federal weight exemption
2002 engines – approx. 338 lbs
2007 engines – approx. 275 lbs
2010 engines – up to 500 lbs
TOTAL = 1,500+ lbs
Regulations are Outdated
Some Interstate weight limits frozen in time for
more than 50 years
No 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 growth
76% population growth
5-axle tractorsemitrailers
6-axle tractorsemitrailers
Denmark
Mexico
South Africa
Europe
Canada
US
South Africa
Mexico
Denmark
Canada
Australia
UK
US
96,800 lbs
96,800 lbs
95,700 lbs
88,000 lbs
86,900 lbs
80,000 lbs
108,460 lbs
106,700 lbs
105,600 lbs
102,300 lbs
100,100 lbs
96,800 lbs
80,000 lbs
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 regulations
Establish appropriate safety controls - driver,
vehicle, route
Maintain 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 singles
Maximum 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!