Transportation
Efficiency Standards for Heavy Trucks - The White House announced the first fuel-efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles, such as semi-trucks, this week. The regulations call for reductions on fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions by 2018 of 9 percent to 23 percent, depending on the type of vehicle. Trucks and other heavy vehicles make up about 20 percent of all vehicle fuel use. NCFB will continue to monitor this issue to evaluate the impact on vehicle performance and pricing.
Transportation Manual -- NCFB has printed a guide to transporting farm products and equipment in NC. The Haulin Ag handbook is a result of ongoing efforts to smooth out the many regulatory bumps and potholes that exist along the state's highways and rural routes. The handbook was designed to fit in the glove box of the farm truck so that it can be readily available to be used as a quick-reference guide to assist in preventing or responding to traffic stops by law enforcement agencies. It reduces many state and federal highway laws (as of December 31, 2008) to their essence, but it is not intended as a comprehensive explanation of all of the transporta¬tion laws that may affect the farmer. Copies are being distributed to all State and County Farm Bureau Board members, additional copies may be available.
North Carolina Truck Network Map - North Carolina's Truck Network map continues to show designated STAA dimensioned vehicle routes in RED. The remaining Primary (US & NC) routes are shown on the updated routes as gray lines (routes now statutorily eligible for 53 foot long trailers). Dashed BLUE map segments are routes that are statutorily eligible for the 53 foot trailers but that are requiring additional study. Primary routes that have been identified with truck restrictions are shown with a BOLD BLACK line. Please note many of the segments identified as restricted pertain to "through" truck traffic and allow necessary local deliveries. Primary road segments with truck restrictions are listed in a separate companion table (North Carolina Truck Restrictions) available at: http://www.ncdot.org/it/img/DataDistribution/StatewideMaps/default.html