Best Practices in Permitting of Oversize and Overweight Vehicles: Final Report

CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW

In May 2013, a commercial motor vehicle crossing the Skagit River Bridge along Interstate 5 (I-5) collided with the structure, causing a partial collapse. The subsequent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation and U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study identified safety issues and recommended the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) take certain actions. FHWA, through the "Pilot Escort Vehicle Training Materials and State Certification Harmonization" project, addressed the key NTSB recommendations¹ for action listed below. The GAO report contained a key recommendation for Executive Action:

"To improve stewardship over the nation's highways and bridges, we recommend that the Secretary of Transportation direct the FHWA Administrator to take the following action: Conduct a study on State oversize- and overweight-permitting practices, including automated vehicle routing and escort driver certification, to identify areas of best practice and share the results with States."²

This report, summarizing the FHWA-sponsored Oversize-Overweight (OS/OW) Permitting Best Practices Research Project, is intended to respond to the GAO recommendation. The objective was to conduct a study of State OS/OW permitting practices to identify best practices, including the identification of best practices for automated permitting systems and pilot escort certification.

The OS/OW Permitting Best Practices Research Project includes a comprehensive environmental scan of all information available on current permitting practices with an emphasis on conducting research into automated permitting services and on pilot escort vehicle State certification programs. The objectives of this deliverable were to:

• Conduct a comprehensive environmental scan of information available on OS/OW permitting.
• Develop criteria for best practices in OS/OW permitting.
• Develop criteria for best practices in Pilot Escort Vehicle Operator certification.

The environmental scan included the following:

• A comprehensive web search to identify documents and other relevant information sources.
• A meeting with the FHWA Office of Bridges and Structures to identify National Bridge Inventory data of relevance to the research.
• Interviews with select States currently using automated OS/OW permitting systems.
• Interviews with select vendors who currently offer OS/OW permitting systems.

The study also looked at criteria for best practices. The subsequent report identified the specific criteria that track to enhanced safety, to improved efficiencies, or to both. The criteria were derived primarily from the results of State and vendor interviews.

This final State best practices report summarizes the research above and presents the inventory and identification of the State best practices for OS/OWvehicles.

• Conduct a comprehensive environmental scan of information available on OS/OW permitting.
• Develop criteria for best practices in OS/OW permitting.
• Develop criteria for best practices in Pilot Escort Vehicle Operator certification.

The environmental scan included the following:

• A comprehensive web search to identify documents and other relevant information sources.
• A meeting with the FHWA Office of Bridges and Structures to identify National Bridge Inventory data of relevance to the research.
• Interviews with select States currently using automated OS/OW permitting systems.
• Interviews with select vendors who currently offer OS/OW permitting systems.

The study also looked at criteria for best practices. The subsequent report identified the specific criteria that track to enhanced safety, to improved efficiencies, or to both. The criteria were derived primarily from the results of State and vendor interviews.

This final State best practices report summarizes the research above and presents the inventory and identification of the State best practices for OS/OW vehicles.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

As States implement and enhance automated permitting systems at an increasing rate nationwide, a consensus regarding the safety and efficiency benefits has also grown. These benefits, as described by both government officials and industry leaders, include:

• The average permit turnaround time (PTA) decreased from several days and hours to just minutes for most routine and some OS/OW permits.
• Nearly all States (30+) that have implemented automated systems report a moderate increase in total permits applications and issuance.
• Increased automated permit volume has proportionally increased revenues.
• Accuracy of permits has dramatically improved.
• A higher percentage of carriers have ordered, obtained, and traveled on State-issued permits following implementation of automated permit systems.
• Roadway safety for all motorists has improved.
• The infrastructure integrity, including the maintaining of bridges and overhead structures, has improved.
• As a result of moving to automated permitted, States are able to achieve staff efficiencies and reduce costs. Fewer people or less time is needed to review and process OS/OW permits, freeing up employees to handle customer service inquiries.
• States have more flexibility with internal headcount issues.

The lightning speed at which technology develops is creating new opportunities for the industry. Moving forward, specialized transportation will reap the benefits of accurate global positioning system (GPS) data, geo-fencing, and software integration strategies. Similarly, as the technology expands, the cost of using these applications should decrease. This will provide State and local authorities with a broader list of options to serve carriers.

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