Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study: Stakeholder Sessions 2013-2015: Feedback and Comments, Final Report

2.1 Acquiring Stakeholder Comments

The DOT received comments from stakeholders throughout the Study period beginning in May 2013 through the release of the technical reports in June 2015. The docket will remain open for a period of time following the release of the final Report to Congress. Most of public input was generated during and following four public input events convened by the Department to share information on the Study and gather feedback.

The first event, held on May 29, 2013, was conducted as an in-person meeting held at DOT, with webcasting to allow for broad participation. The Department leadership and FHWA team provided an introduction to the CTSWL Study. This event incorporated live breakout sessions for discussion of subsets of the technical areas of the Study. One session focused on the selection of the alternative configurations; another dealt with data, models and methodology. Topics such as pavement impacts, bridge impacts, modal shift, safety, compliance and enforcement were covered. Questions received during the live breakout sessions were addressed during the live sessions where possible; these questions as well as other feedback and suggestions were captured in a comment matrix. Comments related to the alternative truck configurations were compiled and used as part of the selection process. Additional comments received during the webinar through the chat box or verbally were recorded and included in a comment matrix. Comments subsequently received by letter or email following the event were included in the matrix.

The second stakeholder event, held on December 18, 2013, was conducted as a webinar and provided an update on the selected alternative truck configurations and on the progress of the Study. The third stakeholder event was conducted as a webinar on May 6, 2014. The event provided an overview of the Study’s scope and purpose, Desk Scans and the NAS Peer Review Report #1. The fourth stakeholder event was conducted as a webinar on June 18, 2015. The event provided an overview of the Study’s results. All comments and questions from these sessions (via phone, through the chat box, and in writing in follow up to the meeting) were categorized by topic area in a comment matrix.

2.2 Comment Matrix and Disposition

Project team task leaders and government subject matter experts addressed each of the collected comments within their subject area, in a written response for the matrix. These responses answer questions regarding the topic area and offer insight into how the item was addressed in the Study. Comments that were provided as statements were also acknowledged and considered.

2.3 Alternative Configurations

The MAP-21 required analysis of a six-axle truck and allowed additional configurations. The FHWA sought public input to identify five alternative truck types for this Study and considered whether the vehicles were in use in the United States, Canada, or elsewhere, and whether they were operationally practical for use in the United States. Table 1 provides the truck configurations, weights, axle count, and network for the six scenarios analyzed in the CTSWL Study. For improved clarity in the network description, this table replaces earlier versions.

Table 1: Truck Configurations and Weights Scenarios Analyzed in the CTSWL Study

Scenario	Configuration	Depiction of Vehicle	# Trailers or Semitrailers	# Axles	Gross Vehicle Weight (pounds)	Roadway Networks
Control Single	5-axle vehicle tractor, 53 foot semitrailer (3-S2)		1	5	80,000	Currently operating on the entire Interstate System and National Network, including most of the National Highway System
1	5-axle vehicle tractor, 53 foot semitrailer (3-S2)		1	5	88,000	Modeled to use same network as above
2	6-axle vehicle tractor, 53 foot semitrailer (3-S3)		1	6	91,000	Modeled to use same network as above
3	6-axle vehicle tractor, 53 foot semitrailer (3-S3)		1	6	97,000	Modeled to use same network as above
Control Double	Tractor plus two 28 or 28 ½ foot trailers (2-S1-2)		2	5	80,000 maximum allowable weight; 71,700 actual weight	Modeled to use same network as above
4	Tractor plus twin 33 foot trailers (2-S1-2)		2	5	80,000	Modeled to use same network as above
5	Tractor plus three 28 or 28 ½ foot trailers (2-S1-2-2)		3	7	105,500	Modeled to use a 74,500 mile roadway system including the Interstate System, approved routes in 17 Western States allowing triples, and certain four-lane roads in the Eastern United States.
6	Tractor plus three 28 or 28 ½ foot trailers (3-S2-2-2)		3	9	129,000	Modeled to use same network as Scenario 5.
Source: April 2016 Report to Congress, Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act