Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1897
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning vehicle combinations that may be operated on public highways.
Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Irwin, Lovick, Van Werven, Walsh and Fitzgibbon.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/20/19
Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).
Background:
State law sets the maximum allowable lengths for operating a vehicle on public highways, limiting the overall length to 40 feet unless the vehicle meets certain specified exceptions. Additionally, operation of any combination of a tractor and semi-trailer is limited to a length that may not exceed 53 feet, except in the case of a tractor and two trailers, in which case the length is limited to 61 feet.
Longer-combination vehicles (LCVs), a subgroup of combination trucks, are double and triple trailer combinations that may operate on interstate highways in 23 states.
It is lawful to operate on public highways of Washington a LCV consisting of a truck tractor, semitrailer and another semitrailer or full trailer, also known as a double trailer.
The federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act (ISTEA) of 1991 imposed a freeze on LCV operations as they existed in each state as of June 1, 1991.
Summary of Bill:
Until June 30, 2024, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is required to implement a pilot project to allow combinations of three vehicles to operate on designated public highways of the state. The WSDOT may also specify other operating conditions to ensure a safe and efficient highway system.
For the pilot project, the WSDOT must collect data to describe:
volumes of three vehicle combinations;
segments of the trucking industry taking advantage of the pilot project; and
impacts on highway safety, traffic movement, and the environment.
By January 1 of each year through 2024, the WSDOT must submit a status and performance report on the implementation of the pilot project.
The overall length of LCVs operating on Washington's public highways as part of the pilot project may not exceed 105 feet.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested February 11, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.