News From ASET - February, 2006

ASET Changes Mission

After much consultation with associations, companies, and people on Capitol Hill, ASET's Executive Committee felt it was time to potentially look at adding a size issue to the already existing 97,000-pound six-axle vehicle we have been lobbying in favor of over the past few years.

The question before ASET was this: Should we continue to work simply toward the 97,000-pound issue on a small scale or should we attempt to broaden the coalition to bring in larger shipper companies that will in turn want a size dimension to our lobbying efforts? The question was both complex and complicated. While the weight issue remains a more likeable solution for our existing membership, we have been unable to move Congress in large part because we do not have the "firepower" that several large shippers can bring to the table. With their help our chances of success go up but of course adding a size element to the equation may make our efforts more difficult on Capitol Hill. Because of this complexity and the fact that ASET would be changing its mission to possibly include a size issue, it was decided that we would put it to a vote. A questionnaire was sent out to the entire coalition's membership and votes were tallied at the end of January.

The results of the membership were overwhelming "pro" change. While clearly not unanimous, the final tallies indicated a strong sentiment from ASET's members that it is time we broaden our appeal to more companies, industries, and regions of the country in order to be successful. Now the question remains: What change should be made? This will result in an ongoing conversation with those who would most benefit from a size configuration change - shippers and motor carriers. To fully understand what types of size changes would best suit our members and interested companies, ASET has developed a few brief questions that can be answered and e-mailed back to us so that we can begin to make the determination of what issue(s) we will address along with weight in 2006 and beyond. In no way are we discussing giving up the weight issue - it will remain fully one half of our mission - but it would be intertwined with a size issue also when we approach the next congressional reauthorization bill.

Please take the time to fill out a few brief questions by clicking here. You can e-mail your responses to jjacoby@aset-safety.org or fax them to 703-549-6980.

ASET will be working with NIT League and other associations and their members to help decide what fits best with our goals for productivity improvements in the trucking industry. We are not planning to be all things to all people. We will restrict our objectives to a safe and limited truck size proposal that will address congestion, environmental pollution, road wear, and international competition.

We hope to have a definitive answer to exactly what we will lobby in favor of in the next few months. In the meantime, make sure to fill out our questionnaire and call ASET will your comments, concerns, and ideas.