In February 2006, ATA’s Board of Directors adopted the recommendations of the Size and Weight Task Force to pursue several changes in federal size and weight law.  The reforms are designed to help the industry meet future capacity challenges, and to assist carriers in certain industry segments and geographic regions that require regulatory relief in order to operate more efficiently. ATA is working with several stakeholder groups to promote these changes. 

A bill has been introduced (H.R. 1799) which would authorize states to allow the operation of trucks with a gross weight of 97,000 lbs, provided the vehicle has at least six axles.  ATA supports this legislation.  Another bill (H.R. 1618) would freeze trailer length on the National Highway System to 53’ and extend Interstate highway weight limits to all NHS highways.  ATA opposes this bill.

ATA is also attempting to resolve a specific issue related to alternative power units (APUs).  The 2005 Federal Energy Act gave carriers a weight tolerance of up to 400 pounds if they installed APUs on their vehicles.  While Congressional intent was to override state law, the Federal Highway Administration has interpreted the language as voluntary on the part of states, which creates the potential for inconsistencies across state lines.