# Presentation: 343149

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- The SAFETY-LU Act (SL) and the Energy Act in 2005 imposed 4 changes affecting S&W enforcement:
- Expanded length of _saddlemount operations_ from 75’ to 97’ (SL) and _preempted_ State length rules on these operations;
- Gave States the _option_ to waive enforcement of Federal weight standards on bus axles (SL);
- Giving _Nebraska_ a longer length allowance for custom harvester movements (SL); and
- Giving States the option to grant a _400# tolerance_ to vehicles equipped with on-board _auxiliary  power units_ (Energy Act).

## Vehicle Size and Weight: Saddlemount Combination 

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- Section 4141 of SL allows Saddlemount Combination operations on National Network up to 97’.   This was last-minute addition to SL.
- It preempts State law; thus, there is no debate.
- Language is ambiguous; Congress said 97’ combo with fullmount.  Were _all_ combo’s intended?
- Need to resolve this ambiguity.
- Also, questions in several States about their NN’s ability to handle a 97’ combination.

## Vehicle Size and Weight 

- Section 1309 of SL extends existing Interstate axle weight exemption _option_ for transit vehicles and over-the-road buses until October 1, 2009.
- Current Federal axle weight standards for Interstate System shall not apply to these buses until October 1, 2009, **if the State chooses to allow the axle weight exemption for these vehicles**.
- States will _not_ be penalized for failure to enforce Interstate weight law if they elect to exempt buses.
- Congressional legislation *now pending* may further alter how States may allow this exemption.

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- Section 4112 of SL gives Nebraska option to allow truck-tractors pulling 2 trailers or semitrailers, when these are used to transport _custom harvester equipment_ during harvest months, to extend up to 81 feet, 6 inches.
- Specific to State of Nebraska.
- Unique provision:  it allows an LCV to be longer than the same configuration “frozen” by the 1991 ISTEA’s LCV provisions.

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- 2005 Energy Act authorized States to allow a 400# tolerance for CMV’s equipped with on-board aux. power units (APUs) for heating/air conditioning, etc.
- Drivers would bear burden of providing evidence of APU’s certification (source unspecified), and demonstrating unit’s performance (“demonstration” not defined).
- Too early to tell if all States will allow tolerance.

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- Growing vehicle operations, confronted with static or reduced resources for S&W enforcement, compel examination of cost-effective procedures/technologies.
- One rapidly emerging is “Virtual Weigh Station” (VWS) technology.
- VWS offers States a chance to expand electronically their enforcement activities with limited resources.
- But, what is VWS?

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- We all know **WIM**; it offers at-speed evaluation of truck weight; helps decide who to weigh.
**VWS** builds on WIM by adding a camera, transponder, or similar device, to the observation.
- Connection to officials may be wireless.
- Result:  enforcement can be anywhere “downstream”, not just at set weighing location.
- Great for urban locations, congested routes.
- Beyond enforcement, offers security evaluation.

## Vehicle Size and Weight

- What’s the latest with VWS?
-  Here’s........!!!