Bill Overview
Title: Freedom to Haul Act
Description: This bill exempts from federal-aid highway vehicle weight limitations a five-axle truck tractor-semitrailer combination vehicle operating on a segment of the Interstate System if it: has a gross vehicle weight of 97,000 pounds or less; has three rear axles on the tractor of such vehicle; and complies with the single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits.
Sponsors: Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-18]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in the trucking industry, either directly or indirectly
Estimated Size: 4000000
- The bill affects transportation and logistics industries, specifically trucking companies that use five-axle truck tractor-semitrailers.
- Truck drivers operating these specific types of vehicles will be directly impacted as the legislation changes weight limitations.
- Shippers and companies that rely heavily on freight transportation might see changes in costs or transport efficiencies.
- Infrastructure maintenance may experience changes in wear and tear patterns as heavier trucks could increase road impact.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by the policy primarily consists of trucking industry stakeholders, including truck drivers, company owners, and logistics professionals.
- The policy allows for increased truck weight limits, potentially lowering operating costs per unit transported, which could financially benefit truckers and trucking companies.
- Infrastructure concerns arise due to potential increased road wear from heavier trucks, potentially impacting road maintenance workers.
- Indirect influences include changes in the efficiency of goods distribution, affecting business operations relying on trucking services.
Simulated Interviews
Long-haul truck driver (Missouri, USA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Freedom to Haul Act means my trips will be more productive with heavier loads.
- I worry about the safety aspects of heavier trucks.
- If this means more wear on roads, it might lead to more delays in repairs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Owner of a small trucking company (Illinois, USA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help us with operational efficiency and profit margins.
- It's an opportunity to be more competitive with larger companies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Logistics coordinator (California, USA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's beneficial for scheduling and efficiency to have fewer trips for the same volume.
- Potential concerns about the increased cost of possibly more rapid road deterioration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
State highway maintenance worker (Texas, USA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Heavier loads could mean we are busier and might require more resources.
- It could lead to long-term job security but with increased workload pressure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Independent truck driver (Georgia, USA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the potential for increased earnings per trip.
- There might be additional maintenance costs or safety concerns with heavier loads.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public policy analyst (New York, USA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill is a step towards improving logistics efficiency.
- More thorough studies are needed on long-term infrastructure impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freight broker (Ohio, USA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make transactions more efficient and cost-effective.
- There could be an initial logistical challenge adapting to new weights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Supply chain manager (Colorado, USA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased loads mean fewer trips, reducing time and costs.
- Concerned about the potential for increased trucking charges from road wear impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired truck driver (Florida, USA)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hesitant about changes due to safety concerns.
- It's an interesting move that seems economically beneficial for the new drivers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental researcher (Washington, USA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned about the environmental impact of increased truck weights.
- There might be a need for policies mitigating emission impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $82000000 (Low: $61000000, High: $105000000)
Year 3: $84000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $88000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $115000000)
Year 10: $95000000 (Low: $68000000, High: $125000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- Infrastructure improvements and maintenance will be crucial to support heavier trucks.
- Monitoring and enforcement of compliance to new weight regulations will be necessary to ensure safety.
- Potential safety concerns with heavier trucks require consideration in terms of both vehicle and road safety.