Group Calls for Debate on Increase in Truck Weights

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It’s time to have a rational debate over trucking productivity, said the head of a group advocating increasing the maximum truck weight to 97,000 pounds.

“I ask you to keep an open mind as we talk about removing obstacles to productivity, ” Peter Vroom, director of Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, said at a Transportation Table lunch at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., June 11.

His group, based in Alexandria, Va., represents carriers, shippers, as well as trucking and shipping trade associations that support legislation to allow states to increase the maximum truck weight.

As introduced May 4 by Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Merrill Cook (R-Utah), the proposal would allow states to increase truck weights from the current 80,000-pound federal limit, as long as truckers use equipment that adds a sixth axle.

Retrofitting existing equipment to add an additional axle would cost about $3,000, Vroom said.

he legislation would be helpful to truckload carriers who haul heavy loads such as steel, beer and agricultural products, Vroom said.

“If you are hauling heavy products, you will like this proposal,” he said. “If you cube out before you weigh out, you will be less enthusiastic about it.”

Vroom said the congressional proposal was developed after a review of both the political environment and a draft study of truck sizes and weights by the Department of Transportation released in December.

The DOT study found that allowing 97,000-pound trucks would result in an 11% decrease in vehicle miles traveled and would have minimal impact on road congestion and energy costs, but would increase noise by 15%.

Greater truck weight appears to be more politically palatable than increasing the use of triple-trailer trucks, Vroom said. The latter vehicles have been characterized as a road menace in advertisements by safety groups, he said.

Seven states — Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi and Rhode Island — oppose increases in truck sizes or weights, according to comments filed with DOT

5-10, p.1).

Idaho supports more use of longer combination vehicles but opposes widespread use of 97,000-pound trucks, while officials in Maine favor the higher weight but oppose LCVs.

ew Jersey supports eliminating the right of states to allow trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds on federal roads, while Michigan opposes the rollback of “grandfather” rights that permit states to allow bigger trucks.

Texas wants states to decide what size trucks to allow on federal roads in their jurisdictions.

room predicted a bumpy road in getting the weight increase bill passed, citing opposition from safety groups.

“I don’t think anyone thinks this will be a walk in the park to get this legislation approved,” he said. “It won’t happen tomorrow.”

ASET plans to seek additional co-sponsors for the measure and will try to attach it to a bill with more likelihood of passage.

Vroom came under fire after his speech from representatives of safety groups in the audience.

Isn’t this just an incremental step toward getting the biggest and heaviest trucks possible on the road,” asked Stephanie Mennen, a lobbyist for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“Absolutely not,” Vroom said. “This is a practical, safe proposal.”