Seasonal weight limits on prairie region highways: opportunities for rationalization and harmonization

Abstract

There are a myriad of laws, regulations, and policies governing the operating weights and dimensions of trucks. In Canada and many northern states, these regulations form a continuum of basic limits, seasonal variations, and overweight/overdimension limits that are legally permitted. This paper deals with the seasonal aspects of weight limits (winter weight premiums and spring weight restrictions) governing trucking within and to and from the prairie region. This region encompasses Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and the northern tier states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. The paper presents results of research conducted for the transportation departments of the three prairie provinces and Public Works and Government Services Canada. It discusses existing winter weight premium and spring weight restriction regulations, as well as basic weight regulations in the region, and their technical rationale. It examines possibilities for using advanced technologies to help harmonize and rationalize seasonal truck size and weight regulations and enforcement practices, and identifies immediate opportunities for rationalization and harmonization of spring weight restrictions and winter weight premiums.