truck size and weight wisconsin’s legislative process

presented to

presented by

Truck Size and Weight Wisconsin’s Legislative Process

AASHTO Subcommittee on Highway Transport 2013July 10th Wilmington, NC

July 2013

Peter LynchFreight Operations Program ManagerWisconsin Department of Transportation

2

Overview

Governor’s Freight Initiatives

Freight Friendly Wisconsin

Legislative Process in Wisconsin

Success Stories

Questions

3

Governor’s Freight Initiatives1. Freight Reform Initiative

Policy and Operations Review Over the Next Several Years

Moving Freight Safely Regulations

2. Invite Industry to the 3rd Annual Governor’s Freight Summit

3. Develop Freight Networks Multimodal OSOW Freight Network

4

“Freight Friendly” Wisconsin Preserve or improve safety

Ensure competitive and efficient freight regulation and infrastructure

Balance economic benefits and rate of infrastructure degradation

Streamline and minimize procedures

Strive to maintain a level playing field

Address energy and environmental needs through efficiency and innovation

5

Wisconsin’s Legislative ProcessTruck Size & Weight Implementation Process:

Prior Process* Legislative Requirements

Current Process Internal Process

Recommendations* Suggestions & Tips for Other States* Discussion - Recognize and Support each State & their processes - Work toward harmonization between States

6

Prior Process Stakeholders went to Legislature with issue

Bill drafted and introduced

Statutory Study Requirements (6 weeks) Bridge, Road, Safety analysis Interview effected stakeholder State Position and Recommendations

Little or no interaction by department with stakeholders and legislature prior to introduction

7

Current Process Legislature steers and Department

encourages stakeholders to approach the department first

Form external committees if necessary or review issues with key department staff

Gain understanding of issues and impacts for all sides

Reach consensus

Develop recommendations or instructions and send to legislature before a bill is drafted or introduced

8

WisDOT’s Internal ProcessTruck Size & Weight Policy Process:

Evaluate an issue from a division, Executive Office, or external request) Note we are proactive too.

Issue is then brought to a Freight Policy Administrators Committee Committee is comprised of leadership from each division Plan of Action is developed External Study Committee Approval (if necessary) Internal work group created for specific issue

Work with stakeholders* Work with each “region” in Wisconsin * Work with other states, associations, stakeholders (if applicable)

Develop and reach amendable solution

9

Log Trucks in Wisconsin Paper industry wanted to extend routes into

Wisconsin with heavier Michigan Configured Trucks (164K)

Interests approached Legislature and where steered to the department

Analysis was preformed

Issues and concerns flushed out

Issue was addressed in Bi-Annual Budget

10

Wind Farms 2013 Partner with Industry to Develop 2013 Roles

& Responsibilities documentation. Organized processes and set internal policy Various wind routing maps Route Surveying Carrier Risk Assessment Intersection Mitigation Escorting Details The role of the Production Tax Credit in 2013

11

Freight Corridors Freight Corridors

OSOW FN* Universal tool to identify where OSOW vehicles travel - Roundabouts - Interchanges - Intersections - Asset & Access Management

Primary & Secondary Routes Manage construction Maintain Available Routing

12

Permitting Multi-State Permitting:

Permit issuance coordination and cooperation across state lines

Joint issuance through single application process Harmonization of permit restrictions and requirements WinnDOT Initiative (Wisconsin & Minnesota)

Trans Rule Changes: Size (address geographic limits and day and night

limitations) Hours of operation changes in the works.

13

Implements of Husbandry (IoH) Study in progress!

* Farm equipment continues to grow in size and weight* Current outreach effort underway working with Ag Industry to try and resolve regulatory issues adversely impacting their operations and public infrastructure.

14

Questions? Thank you.

Contact Information:Peter Lynch

Freight Operations Program ManagerWisconsin Department of TransportationHill Farms State Transportation Building

4802 Sheboygan AvenueMadison, WI 53707-7999 Phone: (608) 266-4486

Email: lynchpeterg@gmail.com