Civilian escorts may be required once an OSOW configuration exceeds specified statutory length, width, height, weight or overhang limits. Escorts may be required to lead and/or follow an OSOW load depending on which dimensions are over the legal limit and the overall size of the load. Generally, escorts are paired with oversized loads to ensure that their size or performance differences do not cause increases in roadway accidents. Most states differentiate escort requirements based off roadway type, typically for two categories: 1) two-lane and 2) multilane highways. Thresholds for escorts on multi-lane highways are generally higher than those found on two-lane roadways given the loads are not moving against oncoming traffic. In the case of multilane civilian escorts, we reported the values for interstates when states had different requirements for interstates vs non-interstates.
