Analysis of Truck Weight Limit Regulations

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 189.221 establishes basic weight limits on Kentucky’s state-maintained highway system, while KRS 189.222 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to increase weight limits at their discretion. But various exceptions are present in KRS and Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) sections that sanction weights above those specified in KRS 189.221. While these exceptions can benefit vehicle traffic and commerce, exposing Kentucky’s roadways and bridges to additional weight shortens their lifespan and increases maintenance needs. Because of the many exceptions found in Kentucky regulations, the Federal Highway Administration requires KYTC to maintain a load rating on all bridges. Understanding the implications of truck weight limit regulations and their application and impacts across the state will yield useful information. Kentucky Administrative Regulations are used to define weight classifications. Given the number of exceptions and permits, however, makes policies challenging to interpret. This project will document regulations governing weight limits in Kentucky, comparing them with those of adjacent states.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $185000
• Contract Numbers:

  SPR 19-570

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Kentucky, Lexington

  Kentucky Transportation Center College of Engineering, 176 Raymond Building
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506-0281
• Principal Investigators:

  Gibson, Bryan

• Start Date: 20180701
• Expected Completion Date: 20200630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Overweight loads; Regulations; Trucks; Vehicle weight
• Geographic Terms: Kentucky
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01677437
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University of Kentucky, Lexington
• Contract Numbers: SPR 19-570
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 6 2018 2:52PM