While the newly passed Transportation Bill lays a foundation addressing America’s need for an adequate freight handling infrastructure, it falls short on productivity, according to Mike Regan, chairman of the advocacy committee for NASSTRAC, the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council.
NASSTRAC had urged House and Senate conference committee to incorporate provisions that would enable states to allow longer and heavier trailers to accommodate increased demand without increasing the number of trucks on roadways.
“While there are many positive aspects to this new highway bill, NASSTRAC is disappointed that instead of addressing this in the legislation, there is a provision which calls for a two-year study on the heavier truck issue,” said Regan. “By giving into fear-based misinformation, this bill unfortunately delays the deployment of some of the trucking industry’s safest, most fuel-efficient trucks. Past studies have shown time and again that modest increases in truck size and weight limits have a net positive effect on highway safety and maintenance.”
Nevertheless, Regan acknowledged that the bill lay a foundation for future improvements to the U.S. freight transportation infrastructure.
“On behalf of NASSTRAC, I thank Chairmen Mica and Boxer, and all the conferees for putting partisanship aside and developing a compromise bill that will benefit shippers, the trucking industry, our economy, and our country overall,” he said.
Related Editorial:
Transportation Bill Passes House and Senate
House Committee to “Further Study” Truck Weight Reform
Bill Gives States More Say in Infrastructure Safety and Development
