Abstract
The study aims to determine rational overweight permit fee using Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) pavement design and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). The state-of-art pavement design software, Pavement-ME, was utilized to develop Load Equivalency Factors (LEFs) and estimate pavement service life under various traffic loading conditions. LCCA was conducted to calculate Marginal Pavement Damage Cost (MPDC) in terms of Equivalent Uniform Annual Cost (EUAC) considering variations in maintenance strategies, analysis periods, and discount rates. A methodology framework was established to calculate distance based, weight based, weight and distance based, and flat permit fee for overweight trucks. With the local data obtained in New Jersey (United States), example permit fees were determined for the major and local road network with the thick and thin asphalt pavement structure, respectively. It was found that the truck-induced damage cost varied significantly between thin and thick asphalt pavements considering different failure mechanisms in fatigue cracking and rutting. In general, overweight permit fee may not be fair to overweight trucks at different vehicle classifications if only the total overweight tonnage is regulated in the permit fee structure.
Highlights
Traffic loading on road pavements is characterized by a number of different types of vehicles with variations in Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), axle configuration, and axle loading
This study proposed a methodology for developing overweight permit fees, which could be charged by highway agencies to recover additional pavement damage cost caused by overweight trucks
If complete WIM data for a whole year and miles traveled by overweight trucks are available, the methodology framework can be applied to the highway network to determine overweight permit fee with distance based, weight and distance based, weight based, and flat fee structures
Summary
Traffic loading on road pavements is characterized by a number of different types of vehicles with variations in Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), axle configuration, and axle loading. Highway agencies seek reliable knowledge of the fraction of damage caused to the pavement by heavy vehicles to serve as a basis for establishing an efficient and equitable road user cost system. Overweight permits help regulate the operation of overweight trucks by controlling damage to pavements and bridges while promoting commerce and the movement of goods and services. The increasing axle load and/or total vehicle weight shortens pavement service life and increases agency cost to maintain pavement condition at an acceptable level. It is expected that the impact of overweight truck on pavement service life is affected by pavement structure, traffic characteristics, and overweight percentage. An appropriate methodology of determining rational permit fee for overweight trucks is required to recover the extra pavement damage cost caused by overloading on highway. It is expected that by doing so, highway agencies can be placed in a better position to preserve investments in highway infrastructure without sacrificing the competitive position of truck freight transportation
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