Working group considers, defers action on speed differential

A special panel of legislators, trucking company representatives and other interested stakeholders met in Boise last week to discuss the variation in speed limits between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks on state highways.

The working group, led by Sen. Jim Hammond, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, was divided on the question of eliminating the speed differential. Instead, the group will forward potential discussion items to the transportation committee chairman.

“The recommendations that generated the most discussion will be shared with the transportation committees,” said Governmental Affairs Manager Mollie McCarty in a report to the transportation board Thursday (Oct. 18). “For example, Sen. Tim Corder suggested having the Legislature work with ITD to examine whether particular segments might be appropriate for eliminating the differential.”

Questions about the speed differential resurfaced during the 2012 Legislative session and led to Senate Bill 1229 that would have allowed semi-trucks to travel at the same speed as other vehicles.

“The bill was held in committee, largely due to concerns about trucks traveling at 75 miles per hour on the interstate,” McCarty said. “Following that action, Senate Transportation chairman Hammond requested a team be formed to consider the pros and cons of the issue and potentially form recommendations for the next Legislature.”

ITD’s Greg Laragan presented an overview of the speed differential issues and the history of speed limits. Michael Dixon, an associate professor at the University of Idaho, then presented results of research from 2 study efforts about speed differentials, primarily related to safety.

“A significant challenge for this group was that the studies and data available statewide and nationwide do not provide conclusive evidence that speed differentials improve – or don’t improve – safety,” McCarty told transportation board members.

Even operators of commercial trucks are divided on whether the speed limit differential should be eliminated, McCarty said. Many large fleets are required by company policy to travel at 65 mph or less, primarily for fuel economy. Independent truck operators in Idaho tend to favor the higher speed limit, she added.

“In the end, the group split evenly on a motion to recommend maintaining the differential. At that point, Senator Hammond determined the group would not be able to forward a formal recommendation to the (Legislature’s) transportation committees.”

Members of the working group include:

  • Sen. Jim Hammond, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee
  • Sen. Tim Corder
  •  Sen. Diane Bilyeu
  •  Rep. Joe Palmer, chairman of the House Transportation and Defense Committee
  •  Rep. Phylis King
  •  Greg Laragan, highway operations engineer, ITD Tom Cole, chief engineer, ITD
  •  Bill Moad, Trucking Advisory Council chairman
  •  Lt. Jim Eavenson, Idaho State Police
  •  Dave Carlson, AAA, Idaho
  •  Kathy Fowers, Idaho Trucking Association president
  •  Bill Rode, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
  •  Jerry Deckard, Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho

 

Published 10-19-2012