b'MAY 2025BREAKBULK QUARTERLY 27(SPENDINGcontinued from page 24)levels. Staying current with the widely varying rules of each state is one of the factors that impacts the efficiency of OS & OV trucks. f rostL awsf reezet ruCkinGe ffiCienCy ins omes tates form onthsOne example of a unique regulation impacting OS & OV trucking is Frost laws, also known as sea-sonalweightrestrictions.Theseareimplemented duringthespringthawinmanynorthernstates, restricting the weight limits and sometimes speed limits on roads to prevent damage caused by thaw-ing ground. These laws are typically implemented in March and April and can last until July, depend-ing on the state.The unintended consequences of the frost laws onthetransportationofgoodsaredelayedship-ments, required re-routing changes, and increased costs to carriers and, ultimately, consumers.WhileFrostlawsonlyimpactcertainstates for a specified period, some trucking issues have a more long-term impact on carriers. One example is the truck size and weight limits, which have been debated for years, with many groups like the Coali-tion AgainstBiggerTrucks(CABT)arguingthat heaviertrucksdamageinfrastructure.However, according to Emily DeLuca, Director of Advocacy for CABT, the organization has not taken a position on super-size loads.We understand that there are times when this occurs, and usually these are permitted and must follow designated routes approved by a state DOT and local governments, said Ms. DeLuca. CABT covers traditional semi-trailer configurations and proposed exemptions to the federal 80K lb. weight limit; and length increases to double 28 trailers.d isCussionsh eat uP asa LaBamaP roPosesL eGisLationi nCreasinGt ruCks ize andw eiGhtProposed state legislation in Alabama does not appear to differentiate between the two types of heavy vehicles and is generating a great deal of debate. Ala-bama State Senate Bill 110 proposes increasing the maximum weight per axle, significantly raising the tandem axle limit while maintaining the overall gross weight limit. Opponents to the plan view it as benefit-ing one industry, logging, while resulting in signifi-cant damage to Alabamas infrastructure and posing a significant risk to public safety.sC&ra L oBBies forC onformity ofs tateL awsr eGardinG theu se oft runniont raiLersThe SC&RA is concerned about a lack of con-formity in state laws that make the use of trunnion trailers difficult for regional transportation. These trailers are designed to safely distribute the weight ofaloadonamuchshortertrailer,nearly25, through the utilization of additional but smaller tires and axles.The challenge, according to SC&RAs Smith, is that state regulations permitting the use of trunnion trailers have not kept up with their increased use by the industry. While many states, principally west of the Mississippi River, now permit use of a 9-axle trunnion configuration, the same as a 13-axle tridem configuration, several do not, creating a regulatory donut hole for carriers wishing to utilize 9-axle trun-nions for regional interstate commerce. HEAVY LIFTINGDespite scientific research, the primary objection to trunnions stems from the state bridge engineers, who have concerns that the much shorter trailers doDONE RIGHTnot sufficiently distribute the weight in an acceptable way to the safety and condition needs of the structure, regardless of the other potential safety benefits.The three states most widely recognized by the industry as barriers to trunnion policy uniformity are Oklahoma, Colorado, and Utah, each of whichOur cargo-handling capabilities save time and money. limitsthemaximumaxleweightsontrunnions, regulating them instead of tandem axles, rather thanLet the port thatworks be your gateway to North America and beyond. recognition of trunnions as more equivalent to tri-dems other states use, said Smith. Additionally, thestateofNorthDakotahascommissionedan ongoing study on trunnion impacts that, in the long run, should provide reassurance to engineers con- 1000 Foust Road, Brownsville, TX 78521cerns with length, but in the short term, enable states(956) 831-4592(800) 378-5395to delay reform until the study is complete. portofbrownsville.comTheabilitytoenactreformregardingtrun-nionpolicyinColorado,Utah,andOklahoma varies widely, he said. Oklahoma is constrained (SPENDINGcontinued on page 30)'