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Legislative Issues: Bigger Trucks
FINAL REPORT "Estimating the Competitive Effects of Larger Trucks on Rail Freight Traffic" by Carl D. Martland, Research Affiliate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachussets Institute of Technology - September 10, 2007
This is a study of the potential for larger trucks to divert traffic from the short line railroads. The study uses a methodology developed at MIT and applied previously in various studies, including a recent study conducted for the International Railway Congress (UIC). The UIC methodology has been updated and applied in two analyses, each of which examines rail mode share for a set of generic origins and destinations under various assumptions concerning trucking capabil ities. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY "Estimating the Competitive Effects of Larger Trucks on Rail Freight Traffic" by Carl D. Martland, Research Affiliate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology - September 10, 2007 State leaders push for higher truck load limits (Minneapolis Star Tribune 8-27-07) 2007 Truck Size and Weight Bill - Introduced by Senator Tom Saxhaug (DFL - Grand Rapids)
Heavier trucks will threaten the safety of Minnesota highway users, damage Minnesota roads and bridges, and cost Minnesota taxpayers millions of dollars. These trucks are too large to operate on the Interstates and they will be forced onto the roads that run through our communities.
The language of Senator Saxhaug's bill would allow:
- 6-axle, 90,000-pound trucks on MN State and County Roads
- 7-axle, 97,000-pound trucks on MN State and County Roads
The bill would also allow an additional 10% for agricultural products from July 1 to November 30.
Truck Size and Weight Project Document Library - web site Truck Size & Weight Testimony by MRRA President William Drusch to the House Committee on Transportation Policy - February 7, 2006 - MS Word document Op-Ed column by AAA Minneapolis President Steve Frank - "MnDOT is wrong to push for megatrucks" - PDF document "Want Heavier Trucks? Fully Fund Roads" - Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial 4-15-07 Legislation for Bigger Trucks Raises Myriad of Safety and Financial Concerns - Press Release from MRRA 4-11-07
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| Just the Facts |
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A 100 car unit train carries 10,000 tons of product.
That's 350,000 bushels or 3,024,000 gallons!
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