Supersizing Hits Freight World   

The debate over truck size and weight limits hit the mainstream business press this week with an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal that can be read in full by subscribers on the WSJ web site at: WSJ Truck Size

The article is not limited to trucking, also referring to longer trains that save fuel and reduce track wear and tear and deeper ports to accommodate larger container ships. The main focus of the article is a push by Kraft Foods Inc. and a coalition of 150 companies lobbying Congress for a 97,000 pound gross vehicle weight limit up from the current 80,000 pound limit, which has been in place since 1974. The idea is to reduce total truck trips, thus reducing highway congestion and fuel consumption, but protecting road wear by adding a third axle on the trailer. Efforts are also focused on expanding the opportunities for double 53' trailers and triple 28' trailers, again focusing on greater productivity, lower costs, less fuel consumption, less traffic, and lower greenhouse gasses. A western states governors' group estimates that miles traveled by heavy trucks could be cut by 25% with greater use of longer combination vehicles (LCVs).

As usual, the anti-truck lobby is strongly opposed citing safety concerns that cannot be backed up with any facts. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.) and Rep Jim McGovern (D., Mass.) have filed legislation to ban bigger and heavier trucks.