Size-Weight Study Challenged

The Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive truck size and weight study has not been released yet, but it is already raising the hackles of one member of Congress.

In a letter to Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, Rep. David McIntosh (R-Ind.), raises concerns about reports of serious deficiencies in the methodology FHWA is using to conduct the study. Mr. McIntosh is chairman of the House Government Operations Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs, which has broad oversight over how federal agencies conduct business.

Specifically, Mr. McIntosh questions why FHWA is studying the impact of longer combination vehicle configurations not currently operating on U.S. highways. "Some of the vehicle configurations used in the study do not currently operate in any state and do not even exist," Mr. McIntosh wrote. "I am concerned that the study may also be tainted by other assumptions that have no basis in reality and that the final study will therefore provide little, if any guidance to Congress on this issue."

Mr. McIntosh asked DOT to determine whether the study’s methodology will produce reliable data. The lawmaker’s letter also asked for a laundry list of other information, including how FHWA chose the contractor conducting the study and how the agency chose the methodology used in the study.

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