Longer Combination Trucks

Focuses on the economic impacts, including the impacts on infrastructure -- pavement, bridges, and interchanges -- that might result from expanded Longer Combination Vehicles (LCV) operations, the potential benefits from and industry's use of LCVs. Also contains summary's of two reports on LCV safety issues. 13 charts and tables

This paper shows the economic efficiency of allowing longer combination vehicles in Texas. First, an overview of the truck size and weight policies is explained, with an emphasis on those that affect Texas. Next, LCV operations in other countries are described. Then, an LCV scenario for Texas is chosen, with specific routes and vehicle types. Operational costs for these vehicles are calculated on a cost per mile and cost per ton (or cubic yard) mile. The LCV scenario and the current truck base case are analyzed to find the number of truck trips, the number of mile, and the cost per mile for the chosen routes. These are then compared to estimate the change if LCVs were allowed in Texas.