SC&RA Launches Campaign for Standardized Requirements
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| www.scranet.org |
March 28, 2018 - The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has launched an initiative to harmonize the oversize/overweight requirements for trucks in all 50 states.
Called Uniform Permit Transport 2021 (UPT2021), the initiative aims to achieve the uniform standards nationwide by 2021.
SC&RA says that each day in the U.S., oversize and overweight trucks that cross state lines must often comply with different requirements and weight allowances from state to state. That causes delays and adds costs. SC&RA’s UPT2021 is advocating widespread acceptance of more comprehensive and representative weight configurations under routine or auto-issued permits.
Two of UPT2021’s primary goals are encouraging all states to allow minimum weight thresholds and to analyze and issue permits by automated systems, 24-7.
More than 30 states already auto-issue permits, in some cases even for vehicles that are more than 16 ft. wide and high, and that have a gross weight of 250,000 lbs.
The aim is to have all states using uniform standards by 2021. Complete details, including charts and configurations, can be found here.
SC&RA has proposed 11 vehicle configurations that make up the majority of typical overweight permits issued by states in the U.S. The 11 selected configurations are already approved in several states.
The initiative pertains only to loads defined by the Federal Government as “non-divisible” loads—loads that cannot be dismantled in less than eight hours or that if dismantled would compromise the intended use of the vehicle or destroy the value of the load. Typical non-divisible loads include construction equipment, bridge beams, and transformers.
“Lack of uniformity amongst states is costing our member companies millions of dollars annually,” said SC&RA vice president Steven Todd. “Manufacturers pay more for transporting their products, and those costs are passed along to consumers. Ultimately, it’s nearly every citizen/taxpayer bearing the burden.”
According to SC&RA and industry representatives, automating the permitting process has several benefits, not the least of which is safer roads for all motorists as higher percentages of users legally obtain and run on state-issued permits. Other benefits include increased revenue for states to be used on infrastructure due to the higher volume of permits being issued.
“Beyond the consumer, the lack of uniformity among states permitted weight allowances has a very real impact on the nation’s infrastructure as oversize/overweight loads are re-routed thousands of additional miles, causing more stress on roads and bridges,” explained Todd. “This is why SC&RA is committed to working towards uniformity in allowable permitted weight configurations. UPT2021 is one of the most important initiatives we’ve undertaken because, while the goal of uniformity across 50 states is possible, it’s formidable. But the consequences of doing nothing are no longer tolerable.”
