MOST CONVENIENT NAFTA TRUCKS FOR OPERATING ON THE MEXICAN ROADS

This paper presents a detailed review of the physical and geometrical characteristics of the freight vehicles that are most commonly used in the USA, Canada and Mexico, as well as the weight and dimension limits established for them in the three countries. A series of vehicles are selected for analysis, including the most commonly used vehicles authorized by federal regulations, and other which are authorized only regionally but whose more extensive utilization could mean important productivity increases to the freight motor industry. The configurations considered are then evaluated in terms of vehicular efficiency (operating costs), road deterioration caused by them (road damage cost) and their physical possibilities of circulating safely on the part of the Mexican network that is most relevant for international commerce with the USA and Canada. A series of conclusions and recommendations are finally addressed regarding the most convenient vehicles for the trucking service, considering transportation costs, safety and the circulation possibilities the existing Mexican roads offer to them.