Joint Use Poles and Structure Strength Allocation

Joint use rental rates on utility poles are generally determined by the amount of space utilized by each of the parties attached to the pole. However, another very important aspect of joint use on poles is structural strength. With more and larger communication cables, this issue has become more of a concern. Could rental rates be based on structural strength? What happens if a past attacher has caused a pole overload and it is discovered when the next attacher makes an application? How do you know which attacher caused the overload and when it happened? Should an attacher be allowed to reserve pole loading capacity for a future attachment? How should a pole owner address the desire to upgrade a pole beyond code requirements (i.e., hardening)? Is overlashing a new attachment? Example calculations will be included. Pole owners need to review joint use contracts for these ideas.