In 1975, the U.S. Congress adopted the bridge formula to limit the weight-to-length ratio of a vehicle crossing a bridge. This is done by increasing the centre distance or distributing the weight on additional axles. The reason for this formula is that in the 1950s and 1960s, trucks became heavier and began to put too much pressure on bridges on highways. In addition to the weight limits of the bridge formula, federal law states that the gross weight of the vehicle is capped at 80,000 pounds. The bridge formula shall be calculated by multiplying the distance in feet between the outer axes of any group of two or more consecutive axes by the number of axes of the group considered. This number is then divided by the number of axes of the group considered minus one. After obtaining this quotient, add 36 and the product of 12 times the number of axes of the group considered to the quotient. This final number is then multiplied by 500 to bring the total gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles to the next 500 pounds. (2) For permissible indivisible loads exceeding a maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds (150,000 lbs), the maximum axle load limits set out in clause (b) apply. (C) For the purposes of this Agreement, axle load is defined as the total load transferred to the road from all wheels, the centres of which may be contained between two (2) parallel vertical transverse planes spaced not more than 40 inches (40 in.) apart and extending across the full width of the vehicle.
(E) “Motor Vehicle” means trucks used by the Owner/Operator to transport machinery within one hundred (100) miles of the base location of the owner/operator`s area of operation, subject to the limitation of one (1) truck per owner/operator; (7) For the purposes of this section, weight restrictions are deemed to have a margin of error of ten percent (10%) of the gross or actual axle weight for all loggers, sand, coal, clay, shale, phosphate, solid waste, salvaged materials, farm trucks and machinery vehicles when operated by the highway system of the State, with the exception of the part called the interstate system. For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(7): (b) “coal truck” means trucks used for the transport of coal and coal products; We are still working on our summary/summary for Tennessee weight laws. Please check again soon. 4. For the purposes of this Division, “road freight vehicle” means the tractor or truck and, where applicable, the trailer, semi-trailer or trailer, and the weight of a combination shall not exceed the maximum value laid down in this Division; provided that no heavy rear-wheel drive vehicle may carry more than one (1) vehicle, unless otherwise specified. (B) The maximum width of the truck/semi-trailer combination shall not exceed eight feet six inches (8′ 6 inches); (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no heavy goods vehicle shall be operated on, on or on public roads in that State if the total weight of a single axle or group of axles exceeds the weight limits set out in paragraphs (b)(1) to (7). (c) (1) For indivisible overloads that exceed the gross permissible laden weight set out in this section but do not exceed a maximum permissible gross laden weight of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds (150,000 lbs), the Commissioner may grant a special permit under section 55-7-205 authorizing axle loads in excess of the axle load limits set out in paragraph (b) as follows: This exception often applies only to non-interstate highways. 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section relating to maximum weight, in order to promote the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions, maximum permissible axle weight and load limit values for motor vehicles referred to in point (b)(3) and equipped with idling reduction or other emission control technology shall increase the weight of idling technology. or emission reduction: Emissions reduction technology has increased.
provided that such weight does not exceed five hundred and fifty pounds (550 pounds) or the maximum quantity permitted by federal law, whichever is greater. At the request of an authorized safety representative, the driver of the motor vehicle shall demonstrate, by means of documentation or physical inspection, that the vehicle is equipped with such technology to reduce idling or other technology to reduce emissions. (2) The total gross weight concentrated on the road surface from a group of tandem axles shall not exceed thirty-four thousand pounds (34,000 lb) for each group of tandem axles. ”Tandem axle group” means two (2) or more axles spaced more than forty inches (40 in.) and not more than ninety-six inches (96 in.) from the centre with at least one (1) common weight point suspension. (h) `sand truck` means a lorry used to transport raw sand from the place of extraction to the place of use or processing of the sand; provided that if the Commissioner of Transportation is formally notified by a competent federal official that Tennessee has been terminated under any provision of the 1989 Act, c. 349, Sandtruck adds to subsection (b)(7) that Tennessee will lose federal funds, then that law is null and void. (b) (1) (A) No axle shall carry a load exceeding twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs).