Truck size and weight

In a behind-the-scenes split that highlights the divergent interests between truckload carriers and the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry, the Truckload Carriers Association has officially split from the larger American Trucking Associations’ official policy position on truck sizes and weights.

For more than a long time, there has been heavy debate and discussion over truck size and weight-related issues. One argument that has been consistently made over time in an effort to allow heavier and longer trucks on the road, with the objective of increasing highway productivity, has been to reform Interstate vehicle weight limits for six-axle trucks. This topic again came to light last week, with Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis..) introducing the Safe, Flexible, and Efficient (SAFE) Trucking Act.

The Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP)called on Congress to take a close look at data recently issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in its “Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study, ” and focus on reforming Interstate vehicle weight limits for six-axle trucks.

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) this week reintroduced legislation, entitled the Safe Highways and Preservation Act of 2013 (SHIPA), which is geared to keep bigger and heavier trucks off the road and apply existing federal truck size and weight limits to the entire National Highway System, rather than interstate highways, which is the case today.

Organizations join together to urge Members to oppose any floor amendments that would modify any of the truck size and weight provisions in the bill.

Shortly after the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee rolled out its five-year, $260 billion federal transportation authorization, entitled the American Energy and Infrastructure Act, a key component of it centered around trucking productivity was stripped from the bill’s language during a markup session by the committee.