[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71707-71708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28582]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study Public 
Meeting and Outreach Sessions

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces two upcoming public meetings on the 
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) 
Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study. The Transportation 
Research Board Committee for Review of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) Truck Size and Weight Limits Study will hold a 
public meeting that will include presentations from DOT on the Desk 
Scans produced by the DOT MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight 
Limits Study. The DOT will hold a second public outreach session to 
provide an update on the progress of the MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck 
Size and Weight Limits Study.

DATES: The National Academies' Transportation Research Board Committee 
for Review of the DOT Truck Size and Weight Study--Public Meeting will 
be held on n December 5, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., e.t. The DOT 
Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study--Second Public 
Outreach Session (Webinar) will be held on

[[Page 71708]]

December 18, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., e.t.

ADDRESSES: The National Academies' Transportation Research Board 
Committee for Review of the DOT Truck Size and Weight Limits Study--
Public Meeting will be held at the Keck Center of the National 
Academies, 500 Fifth Street NW., Washington, DC, Room 101. The DOT 
Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study--Second Public 
Outreach Session will be held as a Webinar. Additional Webinar details 
and registration information will be sent to individuals who have 
registered on the Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study 
email list and will also be posted on FHWA's Truck Size and Weight Web 
site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Email [email protected], or contact 
Mr. Thomas Kearney at: (518) 431-8890, [email protected]; Edward 
Strocko, (202) 366-2997, [email protected]; Office of Freight 
Management and Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The MAP-21 (Pub. L. 112-141) requires DOT to conduct a 
Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study (MAP-21 Sec.  32801) 
addressing differences in safety risks, infrastructure impacts, and the 
effect on levels of enforcement between trucks operating at or within 
Federal truck size and weight (TSW) limits and trucks legally operating 
in excess of Federal limits; comparing and contrasting the potential 
safety and infrastructure impacts of alternative configurations 
(including configurations that exceed current Federal TSW limits) to 
the current Federal TSW law and regulations; and, estimating the 
effects of freight diversion due to these alternative configurations.
    The FHWA has requested a National Research Council (NRC) committee 
to be convened by TRB to provide a peer review of the Comprehensive 
Truck Size and Weight Limits Study. This will include two separate peer 
reviews. The first peer review will assess the Desk Scan Reports based 
on their thoroughness in reviewing the existing literature, analysis of 
existing models and data for conducting the comprehensive study, and an 
overall synthesis of the preceding body of work. The second peer review 
will be on the extent to which the technical analysis and findings 
address the issues identified by Congress in Section 32801 of MAP-21.

Public Meetings

    On December 5, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., e.t., the 
Transportation Research Board Committee for Review of the DOT Truck 
Size and Weight Limits Study will hold a public meeting at the Keck 
Center of the National Academies, 500 Fifth Street NW., Washington, DC, 
Room 101. The program will include presentations from DOT on the Desk 
Scans produced by the DOT MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight 
Limits Study. The Transportation Research Board will post the meeting 
agenda at: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49568.
    On December 18, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., e.t., DOT will 
hold the second public outreach session to provide an update on the 
MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study progress. This 
session will be held as a Webinar and will include a review of draft 
Desk Scans, project plans, selected truck configurations, and an 
updated project schedule. This Webinar will be recorded. Prior to the 
Webinar, DOT will post documents at: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/map21tswstudy/index.htm. The DOT will accept comments on 
these materials through January 3, 2014. Additional Webinar details and 
registration information will be sent to individuals who have 
registered on the Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study 
email list and posted on FHWA's Truck Size and Weight Web site.
    The DOT invites participation in these meetings by all those 
interested in the MAP-21 Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits 
Study.

    Issued on: November 22, 2013.
Jeffrey A. Lindley,
Associate Administrator for Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013-28582 Filed 11-27-13; 8:45 am]
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