Potholes, Traffic Jams and Now a New Worry: Bigger Trucks
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The American Trucking Association points to higher fuel costs, which have risen 30 to 35 percent for the industry since August, and new gas taxes as evidence of the need to improve efficiency. A study requested by Congress and completed earlier this month by the Transportation Research Board, a branch of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that trucks heavier than the standard 80,000 pounds will not damage highways, provided the number of axles is increased, said trucking association officials. “The emotional side is just raising the specter of larger and bigger trucks,” said Robert Farris, the trucking association’s vice president for policy. “There needs to be safety concern about trucks and motor vehicles and motorcycles on the highway. But trucks now move about 70 percent of everything that’s produced in this country.” In the 13 Western and Middle West states that do allow triple trailer trucks, Mr. Farris said, safety has not been a problem. Only experienced drivers with special training are allowed to drive the big rigs, which are permitted only under limited conditions and on certain roads, he said. The trucking group is asking Congress to let states permit larger trucks only on specific routes, and in conjunction with extra fees to pay for associated highway damage. In 1983, Federal laws allowed double-tandem trailer trucks on highways, at the discretion of each state. New Jersey was one of a handful of states to restrict those trucks tightly; they are generally allowed only on interstate highways and their connecting roads. More : query.nytimes.com |