Options for Hauling Fully Loaded ISO Containers in the United States

Abstract

Civil engineers plan, design, manage, and guide investments in surface transportation. Truck weight limits are inextricably linked to the consideration of pavements, bridges, safety, asset management, sustainability, jobs, and economic productivity. The U.S. 36.3 t cap for gross vehicle weight (GVW), and the Federal Bridge Formula B (FBF B) constrain truck movement of 32.5 t full ISO (International Organization for Standardization) containers. This study identifies the options—and associated implications—for trucks to transport full containers notwithstanding FBF B and the cap. We conducted a national investigation of truck weight regulations across 50 states to identify options, with 28 cases involving telephone interviews. Results show the options are complex, vary by state, result in a patchwork of routes, and include: (1) nondivisible permits, (2) special haul routes, (3) grandfather rights, (4) state roads, (5) tare reduction, and (6) operation outside formal regulations. Containerships, railroads, ports, and highways of U.S. trading partners each accommodate full containers. Conditions identified in this paper can result in underutilization of the productivity and efficiency benefits afforded by international standardization.