THE GREAT TRUCK WEIGHT DEBATE

The complexity of the controversy regarding truck weights is discussed and some of the tradeoffs are noted. The GAO issued the findings of a study in a report: Excessive Truck Weight: An Expensive Burden We Can No Longer Support. This report is briefly discussed as well the permit system (designed for heavy loads that cannot be divided and other exigencies), the state barriers which prevent uniformity of weight limits and the minimum limit. The GAO says the states will need $18 billion (excluding routine maintenance) to offset deterioration of interstate highways and $67 billion to repair and replace interstate roads. The GAO report recommends that federal weight limits be applied to all federal-aid highways, not just the interstate system. The GAO also recommends the elimination of the overweight exemptions and permits. Uniformity would be achievable if the industry will accept the weights for which the interstate was designed. A recent Transportation Research Board (TRB) report says that nonuniformity in size and weight laws cost the American public from 1.6 billion to 2.8 billion as well as the use of 400 to 875 million gallons of fuel. The TRB report recommends the use of 105-foot trucks in all states including both double and triple combinations which are as safe as the shorter lighter trucks. The effect of more efficient trucks on the nations railroads is discussed.