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From page 74... ... 74 C H A P T E R 7 7.1 Opportunities to Address OSOW Transportation Challenges There are already initiatives aimed at improving multi-state OSOW transportation. For example, FHWA and AASHTO have taken an active role in advancing harmonization of OSOW regulations through research and meetings of AASHTO Standing Committee on Highway Transportation (SCOHT) Read the entire page →
From page 75... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 75 States can improve and simplify the communication of state OSOW regulations and permitting requirements by developing and making available simplified and consistent fact sheets on OSOW regulations and permitting. State-level fact sheets could include links to related information and forms. Read the entire page →
From page 76... ... 76 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation but are not provided the contact information, and at times the roadways that need local permits are not identified. An option for state DOTs is to include the roadway segments that require the carrier to contact the local jurisdiction and the contact information for that jurisdiction on that permit. Read the entire page →
From page 77... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 77 as particularly time-consuming. State DOTs could facilitate access to information on the owners of relevant utilities, and related contacts, perhaps through city- or county-level government representatives. Read the entire page →
From page 78... ... 78 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation the permits, permitting is accessible in an electronic format, and around-the-clock access to permitting is provided. Automation State DOTs are increasingly using their electronic permitting systems to automate the permitting process. Read the entire page →
From page 79... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 79 regulations.4 Other states hold industry meetings to assess the issues that are impeding the efficient movement of OSOW freight within their state. For example, Illinois DOT conducts industry outreach twice a year in Chicago and Springfield where it overviews changes to the rules and regulations during a 3- to 4-hour meeting. Read the entire page →
From page 80... ... 80 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation Case Study on Illinois DOT Communication Illinois DOT was identified by FHWA as a state example of best practices in communication. The research team consulted with the Illinois permit office to define how it communicated with the industry and in what ways its communication effectively conveyed information to the industry about changes affecting OSOW permitting or operations. Read the entire page →
From page 81... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 81 7.5 Options to Improve Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination Multi-jurisdictional coordination encompasses actions between jurisdictions that seek to improve the efficiency of OSOW moves through coordination. Coordination takes many forms, but presents a distinct opportunity to advance the routing of OSOW loads through multiple jurisdictions. Read the entire page →
From page 82... ... 82 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation Overall, harmonization efforts are taking a variety of different forms throughout the United States. OSOW harmonization will be an ongoing process, driven by state DOT champions, industry pressure, and regional and national organizations. Read the entire page →
From page 83... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 83 within one state could result in a circuitous route in the neighboring state as the load routes around infrastructure constraints. Conversely, jurisdictional coordination provides options for state DOTs to coordinate across jurisdictional boundaries to identify an optimal route. Read the entire page →
From page 84... ... 84 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation routing across state borders presents problems because of the lack of coordination. An agreed upon framework between states would allow neighboring jurisdictions to amend the information within their permitting program to factor in a constraint across the border. Read the entire page →
From page 85... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 85 NWP has had some successes in harmonizing OSOW regulations, including night move regulations, escort vehicle specifications, holiday restrictions, and escort vehicle warning signs. The partnership continues to move forward on OSOW issues, by identifying OSOW corridors in the region, when civilian escorts are required, and the weights allowed for OSOW transportation. Read the entire page →
From page 86... ... 86 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation Alberta, Canada Alberta developed the Transportation Routing and Vehicle Information System (TRAVIS) for OSOW permitting within the province. Read the entire page →
From page 87... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 87 jurisdiction may issue a multi-state permit for the load as long as it does not exceed the size and weight envelope. In order to route the OSOW load, Idaho maintains a network map and is notified at least seven days before detours or restrictions are in effect. Read the entire page →
From page 88... ... 88 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation example, the NETC permit has standard hours of travel, warning signs, lights, and civilian escort requirements, while also being a single permit for Maine and New Hampshire. 7.5.5 Provide Escort Certification A growing number of states are requiring that civilian escorts be certified in order to escort an OSOW load. Read the entire page →
From page 89... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 89 7.6 Options to Improve OSOW Planning A survey of state DOTs found that very few use OSOW permitting data outside of the permitting office, which suggests that state DOTs are missing an opportunity to leverage this data for policy and planning. The opportunities are listed below: • State permitting offices collect origin, destination, route, weight, dimensions, and commodity data that state DOTs rarely have access to outside of private data sets or expensive data collection; and • Future construction at local and state levels will impact the size and weight of OSOW loads that are allowed to travel the roadway. Read the entire page →
From page 90... ... 90 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation Corridor Identification in Minnesota and Wisconsin The 2009 Western Minnesota Regional Freight Study recommended that Minnesota designate and maintain the clearances of corridors for OSOW movement. It was also recommended that "whenever possible, no roundabouts should be constructed along the identified Expanded Envelope routes, and counties/cities should provide adequate notice of at least two weeks before a road closes along portions of the routes."13 As of September 23, 2013, Minnesota produced a draft version of the Minnesota OSOW Super Load Corridors for vehicles up to 150 ft long, 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, and weighing 250,000 lbs.14 Minnesota also created a 14 ft 6 in. Read the entire page →
From page 91... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 91 7.6.3 Use OSOW Data in Engineering The most common use of OSOW data outside of the permitting office is to inform engineering design. Some states require construction of OSOW corridors to meet specific OSOW size and weights. Read the entire page →
From page 92... ... 92 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation AASHTO's Regional Associations. The joint identification, coordination, and planning of OSOW corridors enables neighboring states to formalize communication for construction or to discuss other restrictions that affect the connections between states. Read the entire page →
From page 93... ... Opportunities to Improve Multi-State, Multimodal, OSOW Transportation 93 State DOT and carrier goals are aligned on efficiency and minimizing risk, which suggests areas of mutual benefit. But the extent to which state DOTs and carriers prioritize each goal and their recommended actions may be different. Read the entire page →
From page 94... ... 94 Multi-State, Multimodal, Oversize/Overweight Transportation changes, and still others are specific to the issue. Similarly, the infrastructure, size, population density, industries, geography, types of loads, and state DOT budget within a state and the surrounding region impact the development, implementation, and change of OSOW regulations. Read the entire page →

From page 74...

... 74 C H A P T E R 7 7.1 Opportunities to Address OSOW Transportation Challenges There are already initiatives aimed at improving multi-state OSOW transportation. For example, FHWA and AASHTO have taken an active role in advancing harmonization of OSOW regulations through research and meetings of AASHTO Standing Committee on Highway Transportation (SCOHT)