Congress Can Encourage Safer
and More Efficient Trucks

The United States is virtually the only developed country in the world that limits its combined weights for trucks to 80,000 pounds, even though our system of interstate highways and bridges can safely withstand heavier loads on vehicles equipped with additional axles. Moreover, according to a US Department of Transportation Truck Size and Weight Study published August 31, 2000, allowing current semi-trailers to carry more cargo (up to 97,000 pounds) can reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 11%. The VMT reduction would directly result in a corresponding reduction in accidents. Additionally, US DOT predicts a fuel use reduction of 6%, translating into obvious environmental benefits.

The US DOT study reviews a variety of scenarios for U.S. truck transportation and vehicle size and weight configurations. The North American Trade Scenario focuses on facilitating trade among the North American trading partners by allowing weights up to 97,000 pounds in six-axle tractor/semi-trailer combinations. Canada currently allows up to 95,900 pounds gross weight; Mexico allows up to 106,920 pounds. U.S. adoption of a 97,000 pound weight threshold would parallel the lower weight limit of the European Community, which allows up to 44 metric tons – or approximately 97,000 pounds.

Shippers, motor carriers, consumers, and the environment would all benefit from allowing increased weights. Fewer partially empty trucks would be traversing the nation's highways and the US DOT estimates that the use of six-axle tractor/semi-trailers could save $14.5 billion in shipping costs annually. The savings would be realized while simultaneously contributing to highway safety through the reduction of truck traffic. In a 1990 Transportation Research Board report (Special Report 255), similar conclusions were reached under scenarios easing the 80,000 pound weight limit, with substantial reductions in highway accidents predicted.

Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation supports bi-partisan productivity legislation that strongly emphasizes safety by setting the following provisions:

• Allow, but not mandate, states to set maximum weights for single-trailer vehicles up to 97,000 pounds. The existing federally mandated 80,000 pound limit would remain as the floor in states that were not grandfathered with higher weight thresholds in 1991.
• Require the addition of a sixth axle to any tractor/semi-trailer combination authorized under this new law. The sixth axle results in improved braking ability and a “softer footprint” on the highway through improved weight distribution.
• Limit weight increases under this law to single trailers 53 feet long or less, and rated to handle weights up to 97,000 pounds.