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Regulations are Outdated Some Interstate weight limits frozen in time for more than 50 years No broad-based federal weight increase in 36 years 73,280 lbs to 80,000 lbs in 1974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 tractor- semitrailers Denmark 96,800 lbs Mexico 96,800 lbs South Africa 95,700 lbs Europe 88,000 lbs Canada 86,900 lbs US 80,000 lbs South Africa 108,460 lbs Mexico 106,700 lbs Denmark 105,600 lbs Canada 102,300 lbs Australia 100,100 lbs UK 96,800 lbs US 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

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!