Twin 33-foot trailers would add 18% in capacity without putting additional trucks on the road or adding to already congested highways.
Regarding “Truck Shortage Delivers Blow” (Business & Finance, Jan. 25): The Americans for Modern Transportation coalition supports modernizing trucking-equipment standards and increasing the national twin-trailer standard to 33 feet from 28 feet. Twin 33-foot trailers would add 18% in capacity without putting additional trucks on the road or adding to already congested highways. This creative capacity solution would also reduce wear and tear on our existing infrastructure. Fewer trucks on the road mean less opportunity for accidents, reduced fuel use and lower emissions. And this solution doesn’t cost the federal government or taxpayers a dime. The trucking industry foots the bill.
While infrastructure investment will address congestion in the medium to long term, a national standard for twin 33-foot trailers will add instant capacity while reducing congestion and making the most efficient use of the roads and highways we travel today. Modern twin 33-foot trailers are allowed to operate on certain highways in 20 states, and they have traveled millions of miles safely.
The time is now for Congress to act on modernizing trucking equipment standards. America must be bold and innovative to solve critical issues that threaten U.S. economic growth and competitiveness.
Michael L. Ducker
FedEx Freight Memphis, Tenn.
Richard McArdle
United Parcel Service Freight Richmond, Va.