Size-Weight Study Praised by Coalition

Related Stories Truckers criticize size and weight study. A Congressman raises concerns about the study before its release. Governors ask size-weight flexibility. Purchase a copy of Transport Topics' 1999 Size & Weight Update. From ATA: ATA President Walter B. McCormick Jr. blasts the FHWA's size and weight study as "flawed" and a "waste of taxpayer money." From DOT: Get background information on the study. From CABT: Get more information about the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks from its Web site. (Note: To return to this story, click the "Back" button on your browser.)

The railroad-industry backed group says the study confirms its views that larger, heavier trucks would result in more highway fatalities.

"DOT is now coming under attack from special interests for telling the truth about bigger trucks, but the new study has produced powerful new evidence that bigger trucks are more dangerous, destructive and costly to taxpayers," said CABT National Field Director Russell McGurk.

Mr. McGurk said the report makes a strong case against trucking industry efforts to expand operations of longer combination vehicles. CABT has hired additional staff and launched a web site in anticipation of efforts by shippers and some truckers to increase the maximum federal truck weight and give states the right to set their own maximum weight limits.

Trucking disagrees with both Mr. McGurk’s comments and with the study’s contents.

"DOT claims there is not enough operating experience to measure the safety record of LCVs," said Motor Freight Carriers Association President Tim Lynch, several of whose member companies operate triple trailer trucks in less than truckload operations. "We’ve operated triples in some places for 30 years. Real world operating data shows they can be operated safely, but the report doesn’t show it."

ATA President Walter B. McCormick said DOT is ignoring a 1997 Federal Highway Administration that concludes that LCVs have an accident rate half that of other configurations. DOT says that study did not take into account the limited usage of LCVs, primarily on low-volume western highways and some toll roads in the eastern United States.

Mr. McCormick said the trucking industry is not seeking any wholesale increases in truck size and weights.

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