February 20, 2012: In order to speed the goods to market, the big shippers want the much heavier trucks to be used on US highways. However, the critics are of the opinion that using the much heavier trucks carrying nearly 50 tons each would disfigure the already collapsing national network of roads and bridges.
The shippers argue that they need some productivity gains and allowing the use of heavier trucks on US highways is a way by which they can speed goods to people at the lowest possible cost. Apart from this, there is a proposal currently under consideration of Congress that would help raise the tractor-trailer rigs’ weight to maximum of 97, 000 pounds from the current 80,000 pounds. The extra weight would be spread on the sixth axle that will be added to the big trucks to reduce the pressure on the highs and roads.
“Bridges are already in rough shape, and this would make them worse, speeding up the cycle of decaying infrastructure and making the hole we’ve dug even worse,” says Curtis Sloan, senior adviser for the Coalition Against Big Trucks. In addition to this, there is a lobbying group from Washington that is funded by the railroads of the nation and the group fear that their business will incur loss if the trucks carry more weight.
The opponent in Congress has successfully removed the weight-increase provision from a $ 260 billion six-year federal transportation funding reauthorization bill, which is still pending in the House. However, the move to increase truck weight is still considered by both sides, although it’s not a part of the current transportation bills.
Proponents are arguing that carry extra weight wouldn’t be burden on bridges and highways as adding extra axle to trucks as well as enhancing the braking technology would lower any safety problems. Further, they say it is safe way and it can prevent from the wear and tear of roads. One more added advantage highlighted by the proponents is that the heavier trucks save fuels and thereby provides help to the environment by carrying bigger loads.
The opponents of this proposal are nation’s railroads, highway safety advocates such as AAA and law enforcement agencies, as well as a major organization representing small trucking companies and many drivers who own their own rigs. Thus, the request of the big shippers is the topic of argument, but no common measures or solutions have been pointed out by the proponents as well as opponents. So, it will be interesting to see what would be the decision of the House over it.
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