U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
In the last two decades, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has invested in several efforts to improve the understanding of the operational and physical characteristics of the on-road vehicle fleet and how vehicle dimensions and loading interacts with the pavement. Since 1994, there have been significant changes in vehicle body type, axle configuration, and tire spacing/design to improve the safety and fuel efficiency of trucks. In addition, through their permit processes for over-weight and over-dimension vehicles, States have been allowing the operation of special trucks to support in-state manufacturing, as well as the agriculture and forestry industries. Given the significant changes in vehicle configurations and various new vehicles on the roadway, FHWA conducted this study to research the 13 current vehicle categories and enhance its vehicle inventory with pictorial illustrations and associated body, axle and tire dimensions. Over 650 unique vehicles are detailed in this research final report that detail vehicles in all 13 vehicle types from various areas of the United States of America.
