COST REDUCTION HAS DRIVEN THE INCREASED USE OF LARGE CARGO CARRIERS (LCC'S) IN MARITIME TRANSPORATION.

COST REDUCTION HAS DRIVEN THE INCREASED USE OF LARGE CARGO CARRIERS (LCC'S) IN MARITIME TRANSPORATION. THE LCC'S INCREASED DRAFT, BEAM AND LENGTH ARE WELL RECOGNIZED, BUT THE PROPORTIONATE INCREASED HEIGHT OR AIR DRAFT REQUIRE MENT IS OFTEN IGNORED. THE CLEARANCE FOR MANY BRIDGES, DESIGNED FOR PRE-WORLD WAR II VESSELS ARE NOW EXCEEDED BY THE LCC. COMPETITION HAS FORCED PILOTS TO UTILIZE EVERY AVAILABLE INCH OF CLEARANCE. SHENANDOAH SYSTEMS CO. PROPOSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LASER RANGING DEVICE TO MONITOR VARIATIONS IN OVERHEAD SPAN CLEARANCE DUE TO CHANGES IN WATER LEVEL ANDSPAN DEFLECTION.