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Edition:Final Report September 1992-August 1993
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Abstract:The Texas legislature has authorized the issuance of annual permits allowing commercial motor vehicle operators to operate nonagricultural vehicles exceeding the legislative mandated axle weight by 10 percent and the allowable gross vehicle weight by 5 percent, with heavier loads allowed for agriculture. The $75 permit (and $15,000 bond) allows operation on state and county roads except the interstate system. The interpretation has been that this effectively allows 84,000 lb vehicles on roads designed for 58,420 lb. vehicles. The movement of goods on our surface transportation infrastructure is an important factor in the economic health of the state; and truck shipping productivity is a key element in this movement. There is often a trade-off between vehicle weight management policies and pavement management policies in the maximization of productivity. AASHTO pavement design procedures indicate that the effect of the Texas legislation would be a five-fold increase in pavement damage. Other literature suggests that such legislation should be accompanied by a permit costing significantly more than $75. The study included a full-scale truck loading experiment on two County roads and one State highway. General agreement with AASHTO damage models was found. Surveys of state and county agencies as well as the trucking industry were conducted. In general, the trucking industry showed substantial cost savings with the increase in load. Government agencies responsible for pavement and bridge management did not obtain receipts from the permit fee sufficient to offset maintenance and enforcement costs associated with this management activity.
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