Heavy Haul Route Survey Checklist
Use this checklist before, during, and after a heavy haul route survey. It covers the preparation that makes the field day productive, the measurements and documentation that make the survey defensible, and the verification that turns raw field data into a usable route record. Print it, or save it as a PDF for the truck.
RoadScope TeamUpdated August 14, 2026
Before the Survey
- Verified load envelope in hand: travel height, width, length, gross weight, axle configuration
- Candidate route mapped with known structures listed from published data (bridge inventories, prior surveys)
- Survey direction matches the planned direction of travel
- Measurement equipment calibrated: laser rangefinder or height pole, GPS, camera
- POI classification scheme and photo standard agreed across the survey team
- Landowner / authority access arranged for any off-road staging areas to inspect
In the Field — Every Overhead Constraint
- Clearance measured at both edges and center of the travel lane
- Lowest attachment measured (conduit, lighting, signs under decks — not just structural steel)
- GPS coordinates recorded with each measurement
- Approach photo and close-up photo with measurement point visible
- Ambient temperature noted for wire crossings (sag varies with heat)
- Temporary conditions flagged: construction, vegetation, seasonal fixtures
In the Field — Route Geometry & Weight
- Posted weight limits and bridge postings recorded with photos of signage
- Narrow sections measured: usable lane width, barrier positions, shoulder condition
- Critical intersections documented: corner radii, fixed obstacles in the swept path, signal/pole positions
- Grades noted where sustained or abrupt: crests and sags that risk breakover for long combinations
- Staging areas and turnaround points identified and photographed
- Escort transition points and jurisdiction boundaries logged
After the Survey
- Dataset reviewed on the map: duplicate POIs merged, missing measurements or photos filled
- Every clearance cross-checked against load height plus safety margin
- Conflicts and marginal constraints flagged for re-measurement or rerouting
- Survey methodology recorded: surveyor, date, equipment, direction of travel
- Survey compiled into a versioned report (V01) with the load envelope stated up front
- Findings reviewed with operations before the permit application is filed
A survey is only as strong as its weakest undocumented constraint. RoadScope structures this entire checklist as a workflow: field-captured POIs with measurements and photos, automatic clearance cross-checks against your load envelope, and versioned permit-ready reports generated from the same record.