Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation (2016)

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95 C H A P T E R 8 This report identifies challenges associated with multi-state OSOW transportation and puts forward several options to address these challenges. Many, particularly within the industry, believe harmonization of state OSOW load regulations and permitting practices to be the obvious answer to most challenges. Greater harmonization would no doubt improve the efficiency of multi-state OSOW transportation, but harmonization is by no means easy to achieve. The level of coordination, negotiation, compromise, and supporting research and analysis required to advance harmonization, not to mention the significant associ- ated time and cost, makes this a difficult solution if not impractical as a singular focus in the short to medium term. It is also unlikely that OSOW transportation issues garner sufficient attention at the highest levels of state DOTs to energize a serious institutional push toward harmonization. And those on the front lines in state permitting offices have little incentive (or resources) to push for change, particularly when such changes could be perceived—correctly or incorrectly— as potentially comprising safety or infrastructure preservation priorities. This is not to suggest that harmonization of state OSOW regulations and permitting require- ments should not be a vision, nor that efforts to advance harmonization are not worthwhile. On the contrary, these represent positive steps forward and are no doubt well received by the OSOW transportation industry. This report can hopefully help advance these discussions. But these efforts—as challenging as they are—should not detract from other, more easily achievable, and incremental opportunities to improve OSOW transportation. Improving the availability and consistency of information on physical infrastructure con- straints and restrictions, setting clearer expectations on permit turnaround times, involving OSOW stakeholders on state freight advisory committees, and including a review of OSOW needs, issues, and corridors within the scope of statewide freight plans are all relatively easily achievable and relatively low-cost incremental steps that individual states could take to improve OSOW transportation. As an information resource, this report and the associated interactive website, www. osowfreight.com, can hopefully go some way in informing efforts to achieve these and other incremental improvements to OSOW transportation as well as bigger, bolder, and longer-term discussions to advance harmonization. One immediate next step could be a joint summit of state DOTs and OSOW industry stake- holders to jointly discuss the findings in this report and opportunities to effect incremental improvements. A leadership push at this summit would be beneficial. Conclusions and Next Steps