Less than one percent of trucks weighed at roadside inspections are issued citations for being illegally overweight, according to current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates.
"This means that too many trucks at legal weight are having their trips needlessly interrupted," said Jeffrey Paniati, FHWA executive director.
Paniati made the comments in testimony recently before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, according to an FHWA news release.
He reported on an FHWA collaboration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on roadside automated enforcement tools that will support the weighing and inspecting of trucks and enable driver and company validation at highway speeds.
"These tools will enable more comprehensive coverage of the system and more efficient monitoring and enforcement of size and weight requirements across the entire network," he said. "For example, our These smart roadside screening tools will identify trucks that exceed pre-established enforcement thresholds, enabling more efficient and effective enforcement of size and weight requirements. This effort can improve productivity without compromising safety or infrastructure preservation."
Paniati also said the agencies are considering truck-only lanes to expedite truck traffic. A benefit-cost analysis is being conducted to determine the economic feasibility of the lanes. "We are also considering whether changes to size and weight restrictions would be necessary to make these truck-only lanes economically viable," he said. "To date, we have held two forums with the trucking industry and the safety advocates to solicit their viewpoints and recommendations. We will continue to engage shippers, the trucking industry, safety advocates, and the public in future discussions of this option."
Paniati's comments are posted online at dot.gov in the news section under testimonies.