An Evaluation of the Movement of 14-foot Wide Manufactured Housing Units in Virginia: A Report to the Governor and General Assembly of Virginia

Report No: 77-R28

Published in 1976

About the report:

In response to House Joint Resolution #41, an evaluation of the movement of 14-foot wide manufactured housing units was conducted on Virginia highways. The purpose of the study was to provide information concerning the transportation characteristics of wide housing units by highway which, along with other data such as economic and societal factors, could be used by decision makers to determine whether or not 14-foot wide units should be allowed on the highways in Virginia. The study was conducted with the guidance of a steering committee composed of representatives of the Housing Study Commission, the Office of Housing, the Highway Safety Division, the Department of State Police, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Highways & Transportation, and the manufactured housing industry. The evaluation included a literature review, a questionnaire designed to obtain information on the wide load practices and experience in other states, personal interviews with enforcement and transportation officials in states adjacent to Virginia, an analysis of traffic and safety data collected during the movement of 12- and 14-foot wide housing units on 3,782 miles of Virginia highways, and a motorist opinion survey. Generally, in terms of the safety and convenience of the motoring public no major differences were found between the traffic and safety characteristics of 12-foot units and those of 14-foot units.

Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Authors

  • Martin R. Parker,  Jeffrey A. Spencer, Bernard J. Reilly, John W. Reynolds, Cheryl W. Lynn

Last updated: January 28, 2024

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