The rapidly escalating cost of fuel has forced every trucking company in North America to reassess all of their business fundamentals as they pertain to fuel consumption and conservation. The use of speed governors and an increased focus on empty miles are helpful in allowing individual trucking companies to better manage their fuel costs.

While these micro level approaches are essential, it is clear that a much broader based macro approach is needed to deal with energy conservation and transportation strategy on a national or preferably North American basis. Here are some thoughts to consider. While some of these suggestions may not sit well with certain sectors of the transportation industry, they are in the best interests of the economies of the three countries.

1. Make a Harmonized North American Transportation Strategy a Priority of a Revitalized NAFTA Agreement

North American free trade is still an important element of the economies of Canada, the United States and Mexico. Even with the rapid growth in global trade, the three countries are still very large trading partners for one another and our economies are very closely linked. These three countries have a patch work quilt of regulations on such issues as truck weights and lengths that create cost inefficiencies and result in excessive fuel cost consumption. It is recommended that a set of tri-lateral initiatives be established to create a truly North American Transportation Strategy and make North America more energy efficient and competitive.

2. Speed up the Process of Moving More Medium and Long Haul Freight from Truck to Rail

There are clear energy cost savings in converting truck traffic to rail on longer lengths of haul. Providing incentives to the railways to increase investments in rail infrastructure and rail fleet acquisitions would speed up the process. The growth of rail transportation as a cost savings measure is a fact of life that we must all accept.

3. Increase the Allowable Length of Vehicles across North America

Currently we have a “hodge-podge” of regulations within and between Canada, Mexico and the United States on such issues as the use of doubles, triples and truck length in general. Clearly there is a need to agree on new vehicle length standards (e.g. 57 foot trailers) and harmonize these standards across North America. It is costly to truckers to purchase and maintain various types of tractors and trailers in order to comply with regulations in particular states and provinces. A harmonized North American policy would improve efficiencies and reduce costs.

4. Increase the Acceptable Weight per Truck

Discussions are taking place in the United States with respect to increasing the allowable maximum weight per truck from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. Advocacy groups such as the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks argue that such a move would increase wear and tear on the country’s roads and bridges at a time when it is difficult to find money for road maintenance. There is no doubt that costs for fabricated industrial steel and hot mix asphalt are on the rise as a result of increased global demand in China, India and parts of the Middle East. Increasing allowable vehicle lengths will likely have adverse effects on North American roads.

Nevertheless, the economics of increasing allowable truck weights are very compelling. It is estimated that increasing the allowable truck weight to 97,000 pounds would reduce truck vehicle miles traveled in the United States by 11 percent, cutting more than 10 million miles from truck trips annually and reducing highway congestion. The increase would save 1.9 billion gallons of fuel a year and result in a reduction of 6.5 million tons of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere a year.

We all know that it is difficult to get the various provinces and states to agree on matters of this nature, let alone national governments facing elections as is the case in Canada and the United States. Nevertheless the need is there and you have to start somewhere. Bold leadership is required during these difficult times to ensure North America has the most efficient transportation system in the world.