NGWA Position Statement On Vehicle Weight
Background: When the Federal Bridge Formula was adopted in the mid 1950's, grandfather provisions were given to most states. This grandfathering policy has created a confusing and anti-business climate when ground water contractors attempt to move their equipment from shop to job or from one job to another. Since equipment is designed for off-road use, it may be difficult to comply with the weight limitation pertinent to axle weight while maintaining equipment stability and safety on the road. Moving from state to state , especially in compact geographic business areas can be especially complicated in attempting to secure the appropriate permits where they exist.
Congress requested that the Transportation Research Board (TRB) conduct a study on the recalculation of the bridge formula in the late 1980s, which it did. Congress has never taken any action on this study or the recalculations.
Recommended Position:
- Request that Congress accept the recalculated Bridge
Formula presented to it by the TRB.
- Request that Congress mandate the U S Department of
Transportation to address both truck and non-trucking
distinctions when conducting the zero-base and writing
regulations; reevaluate the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations
with respect to specialized mobile equipment designed for
off-road use, as opposed to the trucking industry.
- NGWA should pursue Congressional acknowledgment that equipment particular to the ground water industry should be appropriately regulated. Across-the-board application of regulations devised for other activities, such as motor carriers' misuses of economic resources without enhancing public health, safety, or welfare.
Excerpted from Weight Restrictions Supporting Document approved
by the National Ground Water Association's Government Affairs
Committee on January 20, 1995.
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Last Updated November 26, 1997
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