Conducting physical, detailed route surveys can increase safety, cut down delays, and prevent damage to oversized freight.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our many years specializing in High Stakes Freight®, it’s that preparation is paramount to success. That is especially true when it comes to the transportation logistics of over-dimensional freight that must be on time, in sequence, and intact. Part of that crucial preparation is the route survey, which is commonly required by law with oversized freight. In this article, we want to underscore the importance of physical, well-detailed route surveys when it comes to moving your High Stakes Freight®. (In other words, planning transportation via Google Maps simply won’t do for large projects!) 

If your freight involves risk for you personally and professionally — including financial costs, timeline delays, reputational damage, and lost customers — make sure your logistics partner takes the time to conduct a proper route survey as outlined below. In this article, we have also created an interactive tool to help you determine if your specific freight requires a route survey, as well as state-specific permitting and pilot vehicle information. 

What is a route survey?

A route survey validates the safety and viability of the route a truck will take to transport oversize permit, over-dimensional, wide, or heavy-haul freight. Before a shipment is allowed to travel, a professional must complete a route survey to ensure other motorists, roadways, and property safety. 

During a route survey, a pilot car (usually certified) travels the exact route the truck will take. The surveyor will assess for tight turns, low-hanging electrical wires, bridge underpasses, and other obstacles. They will also document and assess railroad crossings, bridge heights, potential dangers, construction, obstructions, or possible delays for timely and safe passing. It’s important to note that most of these challenges and obstructions could not be identified via a digital map. Only physically traveling the route itself will allow the surveyor to encounter these potential hazards. 

Route surveys are a common requirement for over dimensional because the components are frequently oversized. When it comes to logistics management for High Stakes Freight®, a route survey plays an essential role in ensuring the safety and timeliness of the freight. 

Without it, costly delays and damages could negatively impact your project and reputation, not to mention put others on the road at risk. 

The seven key benefits of a route survey: 

1. Safety for the truck driver, pilot car driver, and others on the road
2. Fewer traffic delays
3. Fewer accidents 
4. Prevented damage to public property 
5. Prevented damage to the truck and your High Stakes Freight®
6. Coordination with local authorities established ahead of time
7. Road closures and delays anticipated in advance

The purpose and importance of a route survey for over dimensional loads

Each state and province in North America has rules for oversized freight passing through their roadways. Oversized, over-dimensional, wide, or heavy freight brings an additional set of risks to those around it on the road. For example, even a simple right-hand turn is more complex with oversized freight and can endanger nearby motorists if not conducted properly.

A route survey pinpoints all of these instances on a truck’s route to ensure safe passage and prepare for moments on the journey that may require additional support or guidance from a pilot vehicle or local authorities.

Once the route survey is complete, you’ll have information about the following:

• The proposed route
• Bridges, slabs, and pillars
• Turns and turning radiuses
• Bypass details
• Any overhead clearances
• Railway crossings
• Overhead wires and cable clearances
• Construction or roadwork

How to determine if you need a route survey

If your High Stakes Freight® is oversized, you may need to have a route survey completed before your truck hits the road. You may also require special permits and a pilot car, depending on which states your freight will be traveling through. 

To determine if you need a route survey (or any other state-specific requirements) to get your High Stakes Freight® from A to B safely and on time, use this table. Remember, state requirements may vary!

If you’d like to learn more about how Stream Logistics can help you with your next project, reach out!

Stream Logistics is a transportation logistics company specializing exclusively in High Stakes Freight®, or freight where there is significant risk in moving your product. We help you transport freight when there are projects with timelines and delivery sequences, shipments with high complexity, and shipments with unique constraints.

Read more:

• What Factors into an Over Dimensional Freight Quote?
• What Is A TONU Charge — and 3 Ways to Avoid Truck Order Not Used Fees
• The Pintle Hitch vs. 5th Wheel Hitch: The Pros and Cons of Different Hitch Systems in Heavy-Duty Towing