The Washington State Freight and Goods Transportation System (FGTS) is used to classify highways, county roads, and city streets according to the average annual gross truck tonnage they carry. What’s new to 2011 update is that classifications for freight railroads and waterways are also provided according to the annual gross freight tonnage they carry.

Truck tonnage values are derived from actual or estimated truck traffic count data that is converted into average weights by truck type. The FGTS classifies roadways using five truck gross tonnage classifications, T-1 through T-5, as follows:

• T-1    more than 10 million tons per year
• T-2    4 million to 10 million tons per year
• T-3    300,000 to 4 million tons per year
• T-4    100,000 to 300,000 tons per year
• T-5    at least 20,000 tons in 60 days and less than 100,000 tons per year

The FGTS classifies freight railroad using five freight tonnage classifications, R1 through R5, as follows:

• R1    more than 5 million tons per year
• R2    1 million to 5 million tons per year
• R3    500,000 to 1 million tons per year
• R4    100,000 to 500,000 tons per year
• R5    less than 100, 000 tons per year

The FGTS classifies freight waterways using five freight tonnage classifications, W1 through W5, as follows:

• W1    more than 25 million tons per year
• W2    10 million to 25 million tons per year
• W3    5 million to 10 million tons per year
• W4    2.5 million to 5 million tons per year
• W5    less than 2.5 million tons per year

WSDOT, with the assistance of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and the County Road Administration Board (CRAB), updates the FGTS classifications on a periodic basis as required by the Washington State Legislature.

The FGTS is primarily used to establish funding eligibility for Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) grants, support Highways of Statewide Significance designation, fulfill federal reporting requirements, and plan for pavement needs and upgrades. At a minimum, WSDOT updates the list of T-1 and T-2 roadways every two years to assist in FMSIB strategic freight corridor designation.

Revisions to the Freight and Goods Transportation System routes and tonnage classifications are developed by the agency having jurisdiction over the roadway segment. The WSDOT Freight Systems Division maintains the Freight and Goods Transportation System database and manages the update process.

For questions or comments regarding the Freight and Goods Transportation System, please contact Wenjuan Zhao, WSDOT Freight Policy and Project Manager, by e-mail Wenjuan Zhao or phone at 360-705-6990. 

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