[ndsipa_pomu]

It'd be interesting to try charging vehicles relative to the road damage they do as it's proportional to around the fourth power of weight. It would likely change the nature of logistics as it could mean that large trucks would be more expensive that using two or three smaller trucks. Similarly, buses would benefit from being smaller and lighter.

[direwolf20]

Trucks already have lots of axles and wheels for this reason, because it's weight per wheel that matters.

[ndsipa_pomu]

I suspect the number of axles and wheels is to generally improve the strength/weight ratio rather than to minimise road surface damage.

[coryrc]

Nope, the requirement comes from government standards intended to reduce road damage and specifies maximum ground pressure.

[ndsipa_pomu]

Okay, so there is a maximum. Charging proportionate to the road damage costs would still change the cost benefits of using single large vehicles vs multiple smaller vehicles, or possibly lots more axles.