Further, the addition of a sixth axle will result not only in improved braking ability, but a softer footprint on the highway. Truck travel around urban areas will decrease by more than 5 billion miles, reducing traffic congestion and significantly decreasing air pollution and the costs associated with controlling it. From a productivity standpoint, the impact of an allowable weight increase will be overwhelmingly positive for the country s shippers. With fewer trips required to move the same amount of freight, cost savings will be passed straight to the bottom line of the country s shippers and consumers. The United States remains the only developed nation that limits combined weights for trucks to 80,000 pounds, even though our infrastructure of Interstate highways can safely withstand heavier loads distributed over an additional axle.
Highways are near capacity now, and there are few plans afoot for new roads.
A transportation industry representative told the National Small Shipments Traffic Conference recently, We are committed to delivering goods safely, efficiently and economically. Highway safety, environmental issues and shipper-carrier productivity are beyond politics or partisan agendas. They impact commerce and consumers alike. No responsible shipper, carrier or other industry group would support legislation that compromises the safety of America s families. We must not let bureaucratic scare tactics or self-interest groups overshadow factual highway safety information or the productivity benefits that can strengthen our nation s economy.