Western States Discuss Bigger, Heavier Trucks
Posted on Thu, Mar 31, 2011 @ 08:49 AM
The Utah legislature approved a declaration that insists Congress to lift the ban on longer, heavier trucks. Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, said the federal government place a freeze on the weights and measures of long-haul trucks about 20 years ago. If Congress permits it, bigger trucks will be allowed on federal highways, and 13 western states will be allowed to conduct pilot programs to evaluate routes, configurations, and operating conditions.
Utah’s resolution would potentially stimulate business in the west and also help the environment. The lengthened trucks would take some trucks off the road so less air pollution would be created. Senator Jenkins said longer trucks would reduce traffic, costs, and pollution. An article by Desert News states that a Federal Highway Administration study found that a limited increase in the use of longer combination vehicles in 13 western states would reduce heavy truck vehicle miles traveled by 25 percent, reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 12 percent and save shippers $2 billion a year.
But conversely, the resolution would take away, and this is why the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association opposes efforts to increase the size and weights of trucks allowed on the nation’s highways. Another downside is the safety concerns. The FMCSA may not go for this because of the possible accidents the bigger rigs could cause. One trucking forum goes as far as to ask, “how safe is it to take an 80,000 pound missile and turn it into a 120,000 pound missile?” There is no doubt that keeping the roads of these western states safe will be a difficult task, but it is certainly not impossible. The increased efficiency of the trucking industry could potentially be worth the risk of allowing heavier trucks to travel the roads freely.