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Issues Of The Environment: Truck Weights, Transportation Infrastructure And The Environment

Big Trucks
Wikimedia Commons
Quad tanker road train. Trailer arrangement is B-double towing two tri-axle trailers.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but there is an argument to be made that bigger trucks are less harmful to our roads and better for the environment.  Michigan Agri-Business Association President Jim Byrum joins David Fair for that conversation in this week's Issues of the Environment.  Jim explains how Michigan's truck weights help our state remain competitive in the marketplace and reduce wear on roads.

Overview

Trucks are not considered an environmentally friendly way to move goods, but they contribute 14% to road costs in Michigan and can be considered the lifeblood of the economy, moving goods in a peninsula that presents challenges to rail transport.
There is currently concern in Michigan about roads and bridges, particularly in densely populated and heavily traveled areas like Washtenaw County, and the state’s unique truck weight standards allow heavier trucks on the road, but they also require more axles and tire contact with road surfaces and cut the number of trucks on the road by half and save fuel.

Contact David: dfair@emich.edu
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