Longer combination vehicle\ubfs impact on improving operational efficiency, freight flows and traffic congestion

779629315Final report; Dec. 2010-Dec. 2011.PDFTech ReportNTRCI-50-2011-027RITA Grant-DTRT-06-G-0043TrucksTractor trailer combinationsRoadsInterchanges and intersectionsIntersectionsInterchangesHighway engineeringHighway designTraffic flowFreight trafficTraffic congestionTennesseeNational Transportation Research Center, Incorporated, University Transportation CenterAdams, TeresaKleinmaier, DanMarach, AlexHelfrich, GregLevine, JoshuaBittner, JasonNational Transportation Research Center, Incorporated, University Transportation CenterUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationNTL-FREIGHT-FREIGHTNTL-FREIGHT-Trucking IndustryNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Vehicle DesignNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLSNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-CongestionUS Transportation CollectionLonger Combination Vehicles (LCVs) are able to carry more freight than conventional single trailer trucks. As a result, these trucks can increase efficiencies and benefits for freight movements as less fuel and less labor is used per ton of cargo. However, LCVs are allowed in only 19 U.S. states primarily due to concerns over safety and infrastructure costs. This study investigates these concerns, performs a Cost-Benefit Analysis of operating LCVs, talks to private and public sector experts regarding their use, and completes a public survey to gauge the public\u2019s perception of the use of LCVs in terms of both their concerns and the public\u2019s prioritization of the potential benefits of using LCVs. Overall, this study finds there are sufficient benefits to consider the expansion of LCV operations. The per vehicle mile benefit ranges from $0.32 to $0.61 in 2011 dollars