• This study presents a comprehensive literature review on the regulatory frameworks and societal impacts of OSOW vehicles. • The legislation of OSOW vehicles lacks coordination, resulting in a fragmented regulatory landscape. • The impacts of OSOW vehicles have been underexplored, especially in terms of their environmental and economic impacts. • Some developed countries provide effective tools for managing OSOW vehicles. • Remaining countries use manual systems, causing long waiting times for permit issues and inaccurate information and routes. A deep understanding of oversized/overweight (OSOW) vehicles in terms of regulations, impacts, and managerial aspects can provide a practical basis for mitigating the potential challenges they pose to transportation infrastructure and logistics management. However, existing studies do not provide a comprehensive perspective of the field. This study collects 33 years (1990–2023) of publications addressing OSOW vehicles, drawn from two large databases – Scopus and Web of Science – with the objective of presenting a comprehensive literature review on the regulatory frameworks, societal impacts, and managerial considerations surrounding OSOW vehicle operations. This study examines the various permission requirements, weight and size limitations, and enforcement mechanisms implemented across different jurisdictions. It reviews the impacts associated with OSOW vehicles with consideration of transportation sustainability. This study also explores the managerial strategies and technological innovations employed to address the complexities of OSOW transportation, including advanced routing and permitting systems, weight-in-motion monitoring, and vehicle identification databases. By synthesizing existing research, this review provides policymakers and transportation agencies with a better understanding of the key issues and potential solutions related to OSOW vehicle operations. The findings highlight the need for a balanced approach that considers both regulatory oversight and technological advancements to mitigate the impacts of OSOW vehicles while enabling their efficient movement.
Ngoc et al. (Sun,) studied this question.