Judge Mary Cooper found that the New Jersey truck routing plan is not on its face discriminatory. She ruled that the ban treats truck trips that have neither in-state origins or destinations the same, regardless of whether the firms making the trips are located in New Jersey or elsewhere. This point was made by the state and in briefs submitted to the court by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the League of Municipalities in defense of the regulation (MTR #285).

However, the court also called for a trial where evidence will be submitted to determine whether in effect the truck ban promotes safety and has discriminatory effects. The trucking group has alleged that forcing interstate trips onto the National Network of highways increases fuel costs, tolls and length of trips, impacting profitability and market share. Observers expect that in light of the prospect of lengthy hearing process, the case may be settled out of court.

The supportive ruling has boosted spirits among local elected officials and groups seeking to reduce truck vehicle miles traveled, suggesting that more can and should be done in New Jersey and other states to move big rigs off local roads and onto appropriate highways. Located in a major trucking and shipping corridor, New Jersey has been beset by a steep rise in truck trips in the last decade. Elected officials and citizen groups in other states that have experienced similar increases are closely following the outcome of the New Jersey case.