NGC - Bigger tractor trailers coming?

[nwguy]

I just read this article:

https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/5523816-local-leaders-oppose-bigger-trucks/

Says the US Congress is considering a measure that would increase the weight limit of tractor trailers from 80k pounds to 156k pounds.  There are other proposals to increase by less though, and there is some resistance to it by local leaders.

I stick to backroads as much as possible even on long trips. Dealing with trucks has changed for the worse already.

[Motormike]

That's putting it mildly.  May of 2025 a contract Amazon truck driver slammed into slower traffic, killing at least two, injuring several more.  And you'd have to be living under a rock not to have seen the 18-wheeler that made a U-turn on the interstate on Aug. 12th in Florida, killing three people.  I go well out of my way to avoid riding on the interstate highways in this country these days.  Don't even like doing it in a car. "Professional" long-haul truckers are a thing of the past. 

[nc43bsa]

Before this gets too political (as an aside, this is a non-partisan statement), this is a prime example of rules being formulated by people who have no experience or knowledge on a subject, resulting in unintended (and in this case, deadly) consequences.

IMO, this is an attempt to remedy the shortage of qualified truck drivers by reducing the number of drivers needed by half. 

The obvious solution is to increase the real income of qualified drivers and improving their working conditions, which are so bad now that turnover is at record levels and the replacement driver pool is largely populated by people who can't read or speak English.

[Tkelly]

Like all technological advances the object is to save on expenses by getting rid of workers,regardless of qualifications,public safety not a concern.

[Stretch]

And what will the super-heavies do to our already ailing infrastructure?

                                                        -Stretch

[Moparnut72]

A large portion of I-5 between Sacramento was totally redone just a few years ago due to it's poor condition. I just drove it a few weeks ago, the right lane where the semi's drive is already beat to hell. I think it is up to the the states to set weight limits to some degree. Nevada allows triples in certain locations.
kk

[Tom H]

100K pounds on 3 trailers is less hard on a road than a single of the same weight. Also how many tires makes a difference. A bridge is different.

Tom

[AJ Huff]

When I lived in Michigan a lifetime ago they allowed up to 164K. It depends on number of axles. Pretty sure it's still that way there. I also remember them allowing 3 trailers. So.....

-AJ

[mechanicsavant]

Don’t worry ! Once they are all piloted by robot drivers who never get tired , never have to relieve themselves or hunger , what could possibly go wrong !!

[TN Mark]

Driverless (human) semi trucks are already taking a strong hold in Europe. They will be here, in large numbers, m before you know it.
My ‘guess’ is the computers will likely be far better ‘drivers’ than a percentage of the actual human drivers. A robot driver won’t be distracted by a cell phone! That, in and of itself is a huge advantage.

[nwguy]

I just hope they program them to keep right unless passing and stay out of the left lane when required by law or there are 3 or more lanes. Truck drivers used to do this. Not so much anymore.

[Motormike]

Like all technological advances the object is to save on expenses by getting rid of workers,regardless of qualifications,public safety not a concern.

When I was in high school, our History/Social Studies teacher once said, "Progress is just a more expensive way of killing people."  His statement created quite an uproar among a bunch of young teen-agers, as you can imagine.  At the time, we all thought such a statement outlandish!  Now...???

[Scott Carpenter]

Hopefully you don't end up with road trains like in Australia. It's not that great to pass them, going either way.

[Clifton]

Heck they crawl up the hills now (typically using the middle not truck lane). If they do this they need to budget a lot of extra funding for road and bridge repair and maintenance.

[rocker59]

Hopefully you don't end up with road trains like in Australia. It's not that great to pass them, going either way.

Triple 28s and double 53s will surely be expanding across The States.  "Turnpike Doubles" are already a thing in some States west of The Mississippi.

[rocker59]

I just hope they program them to keep right unless passing and stay out of the left lane when required by law or there are 3 or more lanes. Truck drivers used to do this. Not so much anymore.

They will be programmed to drive very conservatively, keeping to the right lanes.  The former CEO of my company departed recently to head a company that's already deploying autonomous trucks in The USA.

Autonomous trucks run terminal to terminal.  The local pick ups and deliveries are handled by drivers.

[TN Mark]

They will be programmed to drive very conservatively, keeping to the right lanes.  The former CEO of my company departed recently to head a company that's already deploying autonomous trucks in The USA.

Autonomous trucks run terminal to terminal.  The local pick ups and deliveries are handled by drivers.

This is the reality of our time and will grow rapidly in the US, and around the world. Hello Optimus.

[Bulldog9]

Worst idea ever.............. They are already running triple tandem trailers in some places, and already destroying roadways, especially secondary roads.

[DaGootz]

Don’t worry ! Once they are all piloted by robot drivers who never get tired , never have to relieve themselves or hunger , what could possibly go wrong !!

Hopefully I'll be gone by then....

[RinkRat II]

   This is a bump for HUZO. I really would like to hear his take on this as a Knight of the Road!

    Paul B