PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSING TRUCK WEIGHT SHIFTS THAT RESULT FROM CHANGES IN LEGAL LIMITS

In recent years, maximum legal truck size and weight limits have become major issues in the United States. The assessment of impacts due to changes in maximum limits is an ongoing, dynamic problem faced by many highway departments and state legislatures. It has been difficult to predict future truck weight distribution patterns as affected by the alternative legislation that governs truck weight. Consequently, it has become implausible to try to forecast precisely the benefits and costs associated with changes in size and weight limits. In the past, various methodologies for projecting truck weight distribution patterns have been developed. Each methodology has made a contribution in the capability of a framework for assessing changes in truck size and weight patterns; however, improvement is needed to enhance the overall precision of these estimates. In June 1977 the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation contracted the Center for Transportation Research to conduct a study on selected aspects of the truck size and weight issue. As a part of this study, a shifting methodology has been developed for the projection of future truck weight distribution patterns. This methodology can be applied either manually or by using a series of computer programs, and it can be used to predict both gross vehicle weight and axle weight distributions. A brief review of available methodologies and a detailed discussion of the Texas Shift are presented. Illustrative applications of predicting gross vehicle weight and axle weight distributions as a result of changes in weight limits are presented. Comparison of the prediction results generated by all the available shifting methodologies is also included. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/920/920-003.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PROCEDURE+FOR+ASSESSING+TRUCK+WEIGHT+SHIFTS+THAT+RESULT+FROM+CHANGES+IN+LEGAL+LIMITS&author=C.+Walton&author=C.+Yu&author=P.+Ng&publication_year=1983
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309036089
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Motor Vehicle Size and Weight. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Walton, C Michael
  • Yu, Chien-Pei
  • Ng, Paul
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 19-26
• Monograph Title: TRUCKING AND INTERMODAL FREIGHT ISSUES
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 920
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Computer programs; Forecasting; Gross vehicle weight; Impact studies; Laws; Methodology; Size; Size and weight regulations; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Change
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382937
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309036089
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 30 1984 12:00AM