Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal Why is it more expensive to ship a trailer by rail than by over the road? This doesn't fit the economic models. Trucks have higher labor per revenue/ton costs, higher ton/mile fuel use, they pay higher fuel costs per gallon than do the railroads. Hmmmm..... Eventually, this situation is going to lead trucking lobbyists to call for higher GVW and length limits to improve the labor and fuel productivity. The railroads have a chance to head this off by pricing for future possibilities rather than the here and now, but.......
QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed MHO is hooray. The more trucks not moving on the roads makes the roads safer for kiddie car drivers.
QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper Mny highway departments are concerned about what the current weight of trucks does to their maintenance costs now!
QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper Mny highway departments are concerned about what the current weight of trucks does to their maintenance costs now! It shouldn't suprise you to know that it is possible to raise or eliminate GVW and at the same time reduce wear and tear on roads. The current weight limits of 20,000 lbs for a single axle, 34,000 lbs for a tandem, and 42,000 lbs for a tridem are all based on the federal bridge formula from the 1950's. Subsequently, you now have trailes with two single axles spaced nine feet apart that are allowed to carry 20,000 per axle (40,000 lbs combined) which is only slightly less than allowed by a tridem. Obviously, a tridem axle set spreads the weight over three axles at 14,000 lbs per, and this causes less road damage than the two 20,000 lb axles, yet because of the regulation it is cheaper for the truckers to go with the two spread singe axles than a tridem axle set. What is needed is a modernization of axle weights, perhaps allowing a max per axle of only 15,000, but make it consistent per axle, so that tandems carry 30,000 lbs and tridems carry 45,000 lbs, even add quads at 60,000 lbs, and this would encourage truckers to go with more axles to spread the weight over more area, which in turn would decrease road wear. Then, the truckers can carry more cargo per load, which would reduce the number of trucks on the highways e.g. 5 trucks at 145,000 GVW will carry more cargo than 9 trucks at 80,000 GVW. Spread the weight over more axles, and you can increase GVW without increasing road damage.
QUOTE: Higher gross weight? only in certain areas that can take it. Michigan B trains come to mind. Kentucky Coal is another. Rocky Mountain Doubles is a third item and let's not forget the turnpike doubles of NY and Mass.
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