This project identified gaps that exist in heavy truck/bus regulations and made recommendations on what needs to be done to bridge those gaps and help the public better
understand the laws. WTI worked with MDT to develop an educational booklet that was posted onto the MDT website and shared with transit providers and stakeholders
in the trucking industry. The booklet serves as an easy-to-read guide to help dispel confusion for the public.

The Final Report summarizes research to review the Montana Department of Transportation’s (MDT’s) permanent Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) and Automated Traffic Recorder (ATR) data collection programs to ensure they are efficiently providing the best possible traffic information to meet data user needs. Primary project tasks included a) review of the state-of-thepractice,from the hardware being used to the operating procedures being employed, b) compilation of a comprehensive description of MDT’s current traffic data collection program with a focus on WIM/ATR data, from field data collection to data dissemination, c) survey of traffic data users to determine if their needs are being met, d) review of current traffic factor groups, including alternatives to these groups, and e) development of a methodology to prioritize new WIM/ATR deployments. MDT currently has 106 permanent count sites statewide (42 WIM and 64 ATR sites), and 5,800 short-term count locations

To investigate how changes in truck size & weight regulations can impact regional highways & economic activity. .

Document the demand for intermodal shipping service in Montana, and recommend incentives that could be used to encourage rail companies to create such a service to help Montana agriculture and industry to compete in the world marketplace.. .

To provide an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of Montana’s “New Entrant Safety Assurance Program” and suggest ways to improve the program.. .

To refine and improve the way that data from Montana’s State Truck Activities Reporting System (STARS) is processed to make it a more effective tool for planning weight enforcement activities by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).. .

The objective of this project is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, existing pavement performance, and planning and design activities by the widespread implementation and use of weigh-in-motion equipment – permanent and portable.. .

To evaluate the accuracy, operations and maintenance requirements and relative costs of a new low cost weigh-in-motion system that is less sensitive to the infrastructure in which it is placed. Results if successful, will lead to widespread implementation in rural areas where lower truck traffic volumes.

Examine multi-state electronic pre-clearance systems in use or planned for use in the western U.S.. .