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Impact of Changes in Truck Weight Regulations on Montana’s Economy
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1999-02-01
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[PDF-19.61 MB]
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Abstract:This study investigated the impacts on Montana's economy of changes in the allowable gross weights of the vehicles that operate on the state's highway system. Four scenarios were considered with different maximum allowable gross vehicle weights (GVWs). Three scenarios, with maximum GVWs of 36,300; 39,900; and 47,900 kg (80,000; 88,000; and 105,500 lb), represented reductions in GVWs in Montana. The fourth scenario consisted of an increase in allowable GVW to 58,100 kg (128,000 lb). Work on the study began with the estimation of the vehicle fleets that would evolve under each scenario, as users and providers of transportation services adjusted to the new GVW limits. Based on these estimated changes in the vehicle fleet and traffic streams, attendant changes in the demands on, and the performance of, the highway infrastructure were determined. Attention was focused on pavements and bridges, as these elements of the infrastructure were believed to be most sensitive to load related changes in vehicle demands. Consideration was also given to possible effects that changes in allowable GVW would have on other aspects of system performance, including geometric and capacity requirements and fatalities and injuries. The investigation subsequently focused on the economic impacts that would be experienced above and beyond changes in direct infrastructure costs. These impacts were first investigated by studying specific industries in the state. A statewide economic model was used to obtain a broader indication than available from the case studies of both the direct and indirect economic impacts that would result from changes in maximum allowable GVW. It was found in the results from both the case studies and the statewide economic model that in many instances the total economic impacts of changes in GVW limits exceeded the associated changes in infrastructure costs by an order of magnitude. This result reinforced the need to consider more than just infrastructure impacts in evaluating truck size and weight issues.
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