Analysis of Trucker and Motorist Opinions toward Truck-Lane Restrictions

Abstract

Truck restrictions, which are becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States, are justified on the grounds of improving traffic operations and safety, decreasing pavement wear, and other related factors. Although an abundance of research has been aimed at quantifying the benefits and costs of truck restrictions, little has been done to measure truckers' and motorists' opinions of such restrictions statistically. Truckers' and motorists' opinions of the truck-lane restrictions in force in the Puget Sound region of Washington State are assessed statistically here. The assessment was made by administering separate opinion surveys to truckers and motorists and estimating logit models that give the probability of an individual's being in favor of or opposed to truck-lane restrictions. In addition, a logit model giving the probability that an individual is even aware of the truck-lane restrictions in the Puget Sound region is estimated. The results of these model estimations give a profile of individuals that are most likely to favor or oppose truck-lane restrictions. These profiles provide valuable information for policy analysts and administrators concerned with implementation since they define the opinions of population groups that can make or break truck restriction policies on U.S. highways.