Vehicle Size and Weight

1. Vehicle Size and Weight • The SAFETY-LU Act (SL) and the Energy Act in 2005 imposed 4 changes affecting S&W enforcement: • Expanded length of saddlemount operations from 75’ to 97’ (SL) and preempted State length rules on these operations; • Gave States the option to waive enforcement of Federal weight standards on bus axles (SL); • Giving Nebraska a longer length allowance for custom harvester movements (SL); and • Giving States the option to grant a 400# tolerance to vehicles equipped with on-board auxiliary power units (Energy Act).

2. Vehicle Size and Weight: Saddlemount Combination

3. Vehicle Size and Weight • Section 4141 of SL allows Saddlemount Combination operations on National Network up to 97’. This was last-minute addition to SL. • It preempts State law; thus, there is no debate. • Language is ambiguous; Congress said 97’ combo with fullmount. Were all combo’s intended? • Need to resolve this ambiguity. • Also, questions in several States about their NN’s ability to handle a 97’ combination.

4. Vehicle Size and Weight • Section 1309 of SL extends existing Interstate axle weight exemption option for transit vehicles and over-the-road buses until October 1, 2009. • Current Federal axle weight standards for Interstate System shall not apply to these buses until October 1, 2009, if the State chooses to allow the axle weight exemption for these vehicles. • States will not be penalized for failure to enforce Interstate weight law if they elect to exempt buses. • Congressional legislation now pending may further alter how States may allow this exemption.

5. Vehicle Size and Weight • Section 4112 of SL gives Nebraska option to allow truck-tractors pulling 2 trailers or semitrailers, when these are used to transport custom harvester equipment during harvest months, to extend up to 81 feet, 6 inches. • Specific to State of Nebraska. • Unique provision: it allows an LCV to be longer than the same configuration “frozen” by the 1991 ISTEA’s LCV provisions.

6. Vehicle Size and Weight • 2005 Energy Act authorized States to allow a 400# tolerance for CMV’s equipped with on-board aux. power units (APUs) for heating/air conditioning, etc. • Drivers would bear burden of providing evidence of APU’s certification (source unspecified), and demonstrating unit’s performance (“demonstration” not defined). • Too early to tell if all States will allow tolerance.

7. Vehicle Size and Weight • Growing vehicle operations, confronted with static or reduced resources for S&W enforcement, compel examination of cost-effective procedures/technologies. • One rapidly emerging is “Virtual Weigh Station” (VWS) technology. • VWS offers States a chance to expand electronically their enforcement activities with limited resources. • But, what is VWS?

8. Vehicle Size and Weight • We all know WIM; it offers at-speed evaluation of truck weight; helps decide who to weigh. • VWS builds on WIM by adding a camera, transponder, or similar device, to the observation. • Connection to officials may be wireless. • Result: enforcement can be anywhere “downstream”, not just at set weighing location. • Great for urban locations, congested routes. • Beyond enforcement, offers security evaluation.

9. Vehicle Size and Weight • What’s the latest with VWS? • Here’s……..!!!