CHALLENGES TO USING PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AS A BASIS FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT AND DIMENSION REGULATIONS

The rapid growth in truck transportation over the past 30 years has been accompanied by steady increases in the size and weight of trucks and truck trailer combinations. As truck size has increased, the available capacity and safety margins have been reduced in a number of areas, such as bridges and pavements; turning space at intersections; the opportunities available for passing on two lane roads; and the handling characteristics of the trucks themselves. In this context, the importance of sound weight and dimension regulations has grown significantly over the years. This paper looks at the challenges to using performance criteria as a basis for vehicle weight and dimension regulations.