‘Productivity’ argument to be tested as U.S. considers raising truck weights

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17) — Proposed legislation in the U.S. that would allow states to raise the 80,000-pound limit on truck weights to 97,000 pounds would produce $15 billion US in annual productivity gains, according to proponents of the bill.

H.R. 1667, known as the “Safe and Efficient Transportation Act,” was introduced on May 4. It would permit a gross load of 34,000 pounds on the tandem axles and 51,000 pounds on the tridem axles of a tractor-semitrailer combination. The change would apply to vehicles using the Interstate System where the overall trailer length is at least 48 feet. Gross weight would be capped at 97,000 pounds for a vehicle combination of six or more axles.

Supporters argue that raising the weight limit would improve productivity because it reduces the number of trucks needed to carry the same amount of freight.

Although the bill has been heavily criticized by traditional foes of bigger trucks, it does not propose changes to overall vehicle length.

Its introduction comes nearly one year after Congress passed a six-year reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which maintains national truck size and weight limits at 80,000 pounds.