2.1 Vehicle Classifications

Figure 2.1 shows the vehicle classification scheme according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Figure 2.1: FHWA Vehicle Classifications

Source: FHWA (2019). Traffic Monitoring Guide, Appendix C. Vehicle Types. USDOT. Washington, DC. URL: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/tmguide/tmg_2013/vehicle-types.cfm.

Parcel delivery vehicles (e.g., UPS, FedEx) are usually of type class 5 or 6. Vehicles in classes 6 and 7 are largely comprised of construction vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, concrete mixers). Vehicles in classes 5-7 are often referred to as single unit trucks (SUTs). This course focuses on vehicles in classifications 8-12, vehicle types most commonly used for the transportation of freight over medium- and long-haul distances. Such vehicles consist of a tractor + semi-trailer configuration. These vehicles are often informally referred to as a ‘Semi-Truck’ or ‘Tractor-Trailer’.