United States Department of Transportation
i
Cost-benefit evaluation of large truck-automobile speed limit differentials on rural interstate highways.
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2005-11-01
[PDF-844.02 KB]
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Edition:Final report; Nov. 2005
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NTL Classification:NTL-ECONOMICS AND FINANCE-Economic Impacts;NTL-FREIGHT-Trucking Industry;NTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-State Laws and Regulations;NTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS;NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway Safety;NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Transit Safety and Security;
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Abstract:Speed differentials between large trucks and automobiles on rural interstate highways are due to
both state regulated speed limits and commercial trucking company policies that restrict maximum truck
speeds. The initial portion of this effort involved a review of the research and applications literature
pertaining to absolute and differential truck speeds on traffic flow, highway safety, and operational costs.
Speed data were collected for both heavy trucks and automobiles on rural interstate highways with four
speed limit configurations: two with uniform speed limits (75 mph and 70 mph) and two with differential
speed limits (70/65 and 65/55). These highways were selected to represent the range of speed limits and
posted speed differentials. Stakeholders were surveyed to obtain their opinions as to speed differentials and,
more importantly, the basis of those opinions. Surveys were conducted of three stakeholder groups:
commercial truck drivers, trucking company safety and operations personnel, and original equipment
manufacturers. Using the information from the literature review, the empirical data collected, and
stakeholder surveys, a cost-benefit analysis was conducted to addresses the financial issues related to
maximum truck speeds. The information collected, analyzed, and documented in this report will assist both
state regulatory agencies and trucking company decision makers when establishing policies related to
maximum truck speed limits and speed differentials between heavy trucks and automobiles.
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