Page 120 - TransportationPlanUsetsGuide

DESIGNATED TRUCK ROUTES
The primary purpose of designating Truck Routes in the TSP is to ensure that any future improvements on these roads
provide for the safe and efficient movement of trucks; and to ensure that these facilities are designed to accommo-
date use by trucks of all sizes. Truck Route designations encourage the use of these routes for truck travel, but do not
require that trucks use these routes. The Roadway Freight System Map shown in Figures 3-18 and 3-19 identify des-
ignated Truck Routes and Over-Dimensional Truck Routes in Washington County. These routes are on roadways where
high volumes of freight traffic are anticipated, and where roadway system improvements should consider the needs of
these vehicles as well as other travel modes using the facility.

Truck Routes
Truck Route designations are for planning purposes only and are used to guide the design of road and bridge
improvements to handle a greater frequency of truck and other heavy vehicle traffic Truck routes are identi-
fied roadways where a high percentage of vehicles larger than personal vehicles are expected. These routes
may connect freight corridors and/or serve industrial areas.

The design of improvements or changes to truck routes should consider the needs of large vehicles such
as broader turn radii, wider lanes, acceleration/deceleration characteristics, longer turn pockets, longer
start up and stopping time built into signal timing and high overhead clearance. It should be noted that all
county roads are open to vehicles that do not exceed statutory or permitted weights and dimensions. It is
the responsibility of the vehicle’s driver to operate the motor vehicle safely and legally, abiding by all posted
limitations, temporary restrictions and/or emergency situations. Additionally, it is the driver’s responsibility to
navigate the County’s road network taking into consideration of the geometry of the road.

Over-Dimensional Truck Routes
ADOPTED TEXT operation of largerthanstandard vehicles.
Certain truck routes routinely carry or have the ability to carry vehicles that exceed the statutory limits for
weights and dimensions. These Over-Dimensional Truck Routes should be given special consideration for the

When considering improvements or other actions within or adjacent to the right-of-way along Over-Dimension-
al Truck Routes, the design should not preclude the operation of larger vehicles. The design of improvements
within or along these routes should consider (but is not limited to):

• Large turn radii;
• Mountable curbs and/or medians;
• Placement and/or type of street trees, street furniture and street lighting;
• Placement of sidewalks and design of pedestrian crossing treatments;

• Placement of signal poles, utilities and signage;
• Placement of planting strip, median design and vegetation treatments; and
• Building placement and setbacks.

Any new fixed object placed within the right-of-way should be evaluated for its effect on largerthanstandard
vehicle operations.

The identification of these routes in this plan does not relieve a motor carrier from obtaining a trip permit.
The route identification is solely intended for use in planning and design of roads and bridges.

104 PART 3: TRANSPORTATION MODAL ELEMENTS
Effective November 27, 2015 • Updated December, 15 2016