Abstract

The main objective of this project was to evaluate the impact of the New York State divisible-load permit system for heavy trucks in terms of benefits and costs to society. The costs result primarily from increased pavement damage; the benefits accrue to the trucking industry (primary economic benefits) and also to New York State's economy (secondary economic benefits). The present study is a follow-up of an earlier investigation (1 987, Meyburg, Richardson, Schuler, et al.) that was commissioned by the New York State Permanent Advisory Committee on Truck Weights to investigate benefits of the divisible-load permit system. Research objectives for this project have been expanded and modified, based on findings from the surveys. Seasonal benefits and costs for several levels of departure from the federal weight regime were evaluated in order to assess the "optimum" weight limit under a simplified weight system, based on ratios of the federal limits.