AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF TRUCK SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITATIONS IN TEXAS

The current state regulations affecting motor vehicle sizes and weights, agencies involved directly or indirectly in the enforcement of these regulations, characteristics of oversize-overweight vehicle movements within the state (both legal and illegal movements), and the cost of these vehicle movements to the state were developed and are presented in this report. The characterization of oversize-overweight movements in the state is emphasized. To study the economic effects to the state a 100 percent compliance case was set up to compare with the actual case. The study showed that, while the current oversize-overweight movements may save the trucking industry up to 1.4 billion dollars over the next twenty years at current conditions, these movements are estimated to cost the state an additional 261 million dollars over the same twenty-year period. Similarly, enforcement of the state laws is estimated to result in only 84 million dollars if the current fine and permit fee structure is maintained. It is recommended that the current fine and fee structure be revised so that violators would pay for their share of the estimated damage to highways. A highway cost allocation study is also recommended.