FHWA to Examine Specialized Trucks

The Federal Highway Administration will look into the issue of whether trucks hauling trash, home fuel oil and cement should be exempt from current federal weight limits.

The agency plans to seek comments on the matter as part of its research, which Congress required the agency to conduct in the 1998 highway funding bill. Public input is being collected until Feb. 28 on the economic, safety and infrastructure effects of truck weight standards on specialized hauling vehicles.

FHWA is focusing on single-unit trucks with heavy-duty cargo-carrying bodies and special equipment to help load or unload their cargoes. Because the vehicles often have short wheelbases, the maximum legal weight under the federal bridge formula is often below their gross weight limit as determined by the single and tandem axle limits.

FHWA is expected to complete and have the study available by June 9.