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Bill counters push for heavier trucks
By Jill Dunn
In a response to lobbying for heavier tractor-trailers on Interstates, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg again introduced a bill to keep tractor-trailers limited to 80,000 pounds and trailers to 53 feet on the country's 160,000-mile National Highway System.
The New Jersey Democrat introduced his bill May 15, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. He first introduced the legislation in 2003 and wrote the law limiting triple-trailer trucks to a few states. The Safe Truck and Operations and Preservation Act of 2008 or S.3021, would allow exemptions, such as for fire-fighting equipment.
Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, which has more than 40 shippers, motor carriers, trucking associations and manufacturers as members, lobbied Congress May 13-14 to adopt pilot projects in the upcoming highway reauthorization bill.
They are advocating that Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, South Carolina, Wisconsin and possibly Texas pilot a study allowing 97,000 pounds tractor-trailers and requiring a sixth axle (a third trailer axle) for these trucks.
The current highway bill expires in September 2009, but deliberations already have started on the next bill. ASET also is vying for the support of state transportation departments and legislators.
The group notes Canada and Mexico copies Europe in using heavier tractor-trailers, but loads entering the U.S. must get special permits or be broken up among smaller trucks, worsening congestion, pollution, cost and fuel use.
“Last year’s tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis demonstrated how fragile our already-deficient bridges and roads are,” Lautenberg said. “We should not be putting even heavier trucks on them. But that is exactly what some trucking company interests are proposing -- even bigger and heavier trucks on our roads. If there was ever a recipe for disaster, this is it.”
Tests by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicate that a six-axle 97,000-pound truck is almost as safe as a five-axle 80,000-pound truck, ASET argues. Transportation Research Board's 2000 study recommended pilot projects on heavier trucks.
Opponents of the increase include the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association, the Teamsters, Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
Todd Spencer, OOIDA’s executive vice president, said the increase could negatively affect safety and structural integrity of some federal aid highways. “OOIDA members know from firsthand experience that further increases in sizes and weights of commercial motor vehicles can endanger highway users and hasten the deterioration of our nation’s roads and bridges,” Spencer said.
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