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2 Introduction Permitted movements of oversize and overweight (OS/OW) loads traditionally occur on weekdays during daytime hours to allow for adequate staffing support of such moves and safety-focused practices. Due to increases in traffic congestion, safety concerns over fleet mixes, and other factors, many states began allowing or requesting these movements to occur during off-peak traffic hours including nighttime and weekends. Since not every state has the same practices, confusion may ensue when loads cross state borders, especially if the load moves during nighttime hours from one state allowing such movements into a neighboring state that does not allow nighttime movements. Even if such moves are allowable, different requirements for escorts, lighting, and signage; varying curfews and other regulations; and various additional regulatory practices present challenges to freight operations, transportation system practitioners, and enforcement officers. Moving OS/OW cargo is complicated due to a combination of infrastructure constraints, regulatory restrictions, and permitting processes and timelines. OS/OW carriers must traverse routes with constraints, which include bridges or roads with limited weight capacities, bridge and tunnel clearances, overhead wires, turning radii, and pavement dimensions. OS/OW carriers also face a long list of policy regulations and operational restrictions, each with its own constraints, data requirements, timelines, and costs. Conflicting OS/OW regulations, restrictions, permitting standards, information requirements, and permitting processes can result in the sub-optimal use of the transportation system, especially as it relates to night and weekend movements. These factors not only affect the efficiency of OS/OW moves and ultimately traffic flow in general but can also lead to negative externalities and social costs. This project included efforts to better understand the current state of the practice. This report captures information from state permitting officials, presents a literature review, and offers recommendations for additional needed research. The research team also presented a project update and survey overview at the meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Transportation System Operations Working Group on Freight Operations meeting in February 2020. This committee remains the primary multi-state collaboration for harmonizing OS/OW activities across state lines. Problem Statement Congestion hinders the movement of goods and complicates the ability of firms to effectively and reliably get products manufactured, bring completed goods to markets, restock supplies, and meet production deadlines and goals. These challenges are even more apparent for move- ment involving OS/OW loads. While the freight industry has found some relief in utilizing C H A P T E R Â 1
Introduction 3  these movements during off-peak hours such as nighttime hours, this is not the practice in all states, nor is there consistency among state practices. Since some states utilize off-peak night and weekend hours for movement of OS/OW loads, it is prudent to document these practices and present a state of the practice. Objective of the Study The objective of this study was to document current practices and policies for state DOT OS and OW permitting practices and movements on night and weekends. There are several challenges to interstate nighttime and weekend movement of OS/OW loads. These challenges are presented in this synthesis document as a result of literature review, survey results, and additional case examples. This report contains the following chapters and sections: ⢠Chapter 1: Introduction ⢠Chapter 2: Literature Review ⢠Chapter 3: Survey Results ⢠Chapter 4: Case Example Follow-up Interviews ⢠Chapter 5: Conclusions ⢠References ⢠Appendix: Survey Questions As previously mentioned, requirements in states that allow night and weekend movement of permitted loads may not be consistent with requirements in neighboring states, which can create confusion and delays at state border crossings and provide additional administrative hurdles.
