Transport of manufactured housing units: differential effects of 4.27-m (14-ft)-wide and 4.88-m (16-ft)-wide units on traffic

The results of a study on the impact of transporting 4.27-m (14-ft)-wide versus 4.88-m (16-ft)-wide manufactured housing units on traffic operations in Michigan are reported. Observations of the home unit and other vehicles passing the home unit were made by observers traveling in a specially equipped vehicle and by observers subsequently reviewing videotapes recorded in the equipped chase vehicle. Measures of home unit encroachment onto the right shoulder and the passing lane or left shoulder were made in addition to estimates of home unit speed. Measures of use of the shoulder by vehicles passing the units were also made. In general more excursions from the normal travel lane were seen for the 4.88-m (16-ft)-wide units, and on average both 4.27-m (14-ft) and 4.88-m (16-ft) units traveled over the speed limit prescribed by the travel permits.