S.J.R. 6 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO LIMIT THE
2 FREEZE ON LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLE USE IN
3 THE WESTERN STATES
4 2011 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
7 House Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges Congress to lift the freeze on longer
12 combination vehicles, so that states may conduct test programs to evaluate routes,
13 configurations, and operating conditions.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . urges the United States Congress to lift the freeze on longer combination vehicles in
17 Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
18 Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, giving these states the
19 flexibility to establish and operate pilot test programs to evaluate longer
20 combination vehicle routes, configurations, and operating conditions.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, the American West encompasses a huge land mass of approximately 2.4
26 million square miles, or over two-thirds of the entire nation;
27 WHEREAS, the vast distances across the West clearly illustrate the need for efficient
28 surface freight movement of goods throughout this area;
29 WHEREAS, one of the most significant ways to improve freight system performance is

30 through the use of more efficient truck and truck combinations;
31 WHEREAS, the efficiency of the United States' freight transportation has fallen far
32 behind other developed nations;
33 WHEREAS, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union have embraced up-to-date truck
34 configurations;
35 WHEREAS, operation of these more productive vehicles, more commonly known as
36 longer combination vehicles (LCVs), has been frozen in the United States by federal law since
37 1991;
38 WHEREAS, in a study requested by the Western Governor's Association, the Federal
39 Highway Administration found that limited increase in the use of LCVs in 13 western states
40 would reduce heavy truck vehicle miles traveled in 2010 by 25%, reduce fuel consumption and
41 emissions by 12%, save shippers $2 billion a year, reduce pavement costs by as much as 4%
42 over 20 years, and reduce highway noise by 10%;
43 WHEREAS, a recent study in Ontario found the widespread use of LCVs there would
44 eliminate 750,000 truck trips per year, remove 2,800 trucks per day from the roads in and
45 around Toronto, and reduce greenhouse gases by 151 kilotons per year;
46 WHEREAS, a Canadian federal government study indicated that LCVs have 60% fewer
47 crashes than single trailer vehicles; and
48 WHEREAS, the Western States provide an excellent test case for size capacity
49 increases since LCVs are already in use on many western highways:
50 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
51 strongly urges the United States Congress to lift the freeze on longer combination vehicles in
52 the states of Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
53 Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, giving these states the flexibility to
54 establish and operate pilot test programs to evaluate longer combination vehicle routes,
55 configurations, and operating conditions.
56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of
57 the United States, the United States Secretary of Transportation, the United States Senate

58 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the United States House Committee on
59 Transportation and Infrastructure, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.