1). 2). FHWA Has Established Some Federal Vehicle Size and Weight Requirements, Oversees State Enforcement, and Provides Some Assistance to States

FHWA has established some federal vehicle size and weight  requirements, collects some information on state enforcement practices,  and provides some technical assistance to states related to truck size and  weight issues. FHWA Has Established Some Federal Size and Weight Requirements for Vehicles

Federal laws and FHWA regulations establish standards for vehicle width,  weight, and length on some of the nation’s highways. The  regulation provides only that states may not require permits for  vehicles with trailers that are less than a specific length, which  depends on the type of vehicle. FHWA officials said  that the decision to not have a federal height standard goes back to a  decision made in the 1950’s when the Interstate System was being  constructed and the height clearances already varied from state to state. According to these officials, permitting  practices are largely a state matter, and thus they do not keep records of  states’ permitting requirements or provide technical assistance on  permitting to states. States Set Varying Vehicle Size and Weight Requirements

All 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have state laws or  regulations, based on applicable federal regulations, that set size and  weight limits for vehicles operating in that state. State  Departments of Transportation are often responsible for issuing  permits. For example, states reported that state DOTs issue permits  in 31 states and D.C. The number of permits issued annually varies greatly among states. For example, online systems allow carriers to apply online, and some  may issue permits without review from a permitting official for certain  oversize or overweight vehicles traveling on established routes. Of the 10 states we reviewed, two have  such a requirement. In some areas,  states follow similar practices and requirements: for example, most states  make use of online permitting systems and escort vehicles. However,  other processes and requirements differ and state officials we interviewed  did not always agree on the benefits of various practices, such as  automated routing systems and escort vehicle driver certification. We have identified key steps agencies  can take to improve agency performance; one of them includes identifying  best practices to help identify changes that might be needed to improve  performance. FHWA officials told  us that although they collect limited information on state permitting  practices, they do not have research or data that compare state  permitting information or identify best practices due to lack of authority  over state permitting. However, FHWA has authority to conduct  transportation research, including research on issues with national  implications that could lead to improvements in highway safety, and in  the past has worked with the trucking industry and others to identify best  practices for related issues such as escort vehicles. By conducting this type of research, FHWA would  be better positioned to help states make sound decisions to improve  safety and protect infrastructure in a cost-effective manner. Conclusion

FHWA’s policy is to provide a safe and efficient highway system that  accommodates large vehicles, in part by regulating some aspects of  vehicle size and weight and ensuring state enforcement of federal  standards. Recommendation for Executive Action

To improve stewardship over the nation’s highways and bridges, we  recommend that the Secretary of Transportation direct the FHWA  Administrator to take the following action:
Conduct a study on state oversize- and overweight-permitting  practices, including automated vehicle routing and escort driver  certification, to identify areas of best practice and share the results  with states. DOT also provided  technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate. Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

This report examines (1) how DOT regulates and provides oversight of  oversize vehicles and loads on highways and bridges and (2) how state  agencies regulate oversize vehicles and loads on highways and bridges. To determine how DOT regulates and provides oversight of oversize  vehicles and loads on highways and bridges, we reviewed relevant  legislation, obtained program documents from and conducted interviews  with FHWA and FMCSA officials to obtain information on current policies,  procedures, and practices for monitoring the transportation of oversize  and overweight vehicles and loads.
Why GAO Did This Study

In May 2013, a truck carrying an oversize load crashed into an interstate bridge in Washington state causing it to collapse. This crash raised issues about oversize vehicles and public safety. DOT develops regulations on vehicle size and weight, and states enforce these standards with some oversight from DOT. States also issue their own regulations on vehicle size and weight and issue permits for oversize and overweight vehicles.
The Joint Explanatory Statement of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014 required GAO to review the role of federal and state agencies in overseeing oversize vehicles. This report discusses (1) how DOT regulates and provides oversight of oversize vehicles and (2) how states regulate oversize vehicles.
GAO collected information from 50 states and the District of Columbia about their permitting practices; reviewed relevant federal legislation and DOT regulations and documents; and interviewed DOT and state officials from a non-generalizable sample of 10 states, chosen based on a variety of considerations, including geographic diversity and types of permitting requirements.

What GAO Found

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has established some federal vehicle size and weight requirements and oversees some state activities. Based on current legislation, FHWA has established rules and regulations for vehicle width, truck trailer length, and vehicle weight standards for certain federal-aid highways aimed at protecting highways and bridges from damage while providing a safe and efficient highway network. FHWA does not, however, have the authority to establish a height requirement, a decision that goes back to the Interstate System's construction in the 1950's, when height clearances already varied from state to state. FHWA also oversees states' processes for enforcing these standards by reviewing states' documentation of enforcement operations. However, FHWA has more limited involvement in individual states' permitting processes and requirements, which the agency considers largely a state matter. For example, it does not provide technical assistance on permitting to states.
State laws and regulations set varying size and weight limits and permitting requirements for vehicles that exceed these limits and that operate on highways and bridges. Specifically, GAO found that the vehicle size and weight limits set by state laws and regulations vary by state, although they are within the parameters of federal requirements. For example, states' length standards vary between the minimum federal standard of 48 feet and 65 feet for a semitrailer. GAO also found that permitting practices for oversize vehicles often vary by state. In some cases, states follow similar practices; for example, most states make use of online permitting systems and escort vehicles that travel with an oversize or overweight vehicle. However, other permitting practices vary by state—such as states' use of automated routing systems to provide a route for oversize vehicles. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation reported that differences among states on the various aspects of truck permitting could be a safety concern. State officials GAO interviewed did not always agree on the benefits of the various permitting practices, and some spoke of the need for more information on this topic. While FHWA is (1) conducting some research on the potential effect of changes to truck size and weight limits and (2) working with the trucking industry to update a best practices guide on escort vehicle operations, it has not studied permitting best practices across states due to lack of authority over state permitting. In GAO's prior work on improving agency performance, GAO found that identifying best practices can help identify changes that might be needed to improve performance. By conducting this type of research, FHWA would be better positioned to help states make sound decisions to improve safety and protect infrastructure.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that DOT conduct a study on states' oversize- and overweight-permitting practices, including automated vehicle routing and escort driver certification, to identify areas of best practice and share the results with states. DOT agreed with GAO's recommendation and provided clarifying comments, which GAO incorporated.