Part 4: The conclusion of the ongoing thoughts of multiple 45’ trailers

For those that have not been following this saga here are the links to the first three blogs:

If the same rules were in place as the New York Thruway for turnpike doubles it could create a career path for drivers which should also help with the driver shortage. It would be easier on our interstate system with a gross weight of 143,000 maximum, to see the breakdown, follow this link; New York Thruway

You might ask how 143,000 lbs. GVCW would be easier on the interstate system. That is simple as you are eliminating the weight of one tractor. Currently, two tractor-trailers could be at their maximum gross vehicle weight which would be 160,000 lbs. crossing over the same roadway to accomplish the identical task.

Are industry ton mile efficiency in regards to fuel economy would also increase exponentially. Forty-five-foot trailers which I used in this example would be much easier to maneuver in dense urban areas when uncoupled from each other.

On the disadvantage side areas such as truck parking and marshaling yards would have to be addressed for such a system to be used effectively. There would have to be put in process training for operating LCV’s, “longer combination vehicles”. The determination would have to be made as to when weather conditions should curtail the use of LCV’s. Finally, there would have to be a different assigned parking accommodation made for rest periods for these behemoths of the highway.

In closing keep in mind, this is already done extensively in Mexico and Canada as well as other parts of the world with a great deal of success. LCV’s are already in use in select areas of the United States which probably would have expanded if it had not been for the federal legislation which froze LCV use in 1993. Keep in mind Australia has taken this to such a level as these units are referred to as “Road Trains.”

It seems to me that if other countries and regions have been able to employ LCV’s safely, efficiently, and profitable there is no reason why the same system cannot work in the United States.

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/T™, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.