Mapping hazardous locations on a road network due to extreme gross vehicle weights

Abstract

This study investigates the application of hazard maps in identifying critical locations associated with extreme vehicle load events. Examining extreme vehicle loads can offer valuable insights into the reliability of road infrastructure. Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) systems are commonly employed for this purpose; however, their limited availability often necessitates the use of less-sophisticated traffic counters (LSTCs). Unfortunately, LSTCs are unable to measure vehicular axle loads, posing a significant drawback. To overcome this limitation, we propose a methodology that utilizes data from LSTCs to estimate axle loads and map extreme gross vehicle weights. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we present a case study concentrating on the major highway corridors in Mexico. While WIM stations are absent, data from a network of 1,777 counting stations and origin–destination surveys are available. By quantifying Gaussian copula-based Bayesian networks using the existing information, we generate synthetic site-specific axle loads. Subsequently, we calculate gross vehicle weights for selected return periods. These study findings facilitate the identification of hazardous locations. Additionally, we provide an interactive web map and a graphical user interface to generate synthetic axle loads. These tools, along with the proposed methodology, can serve as the foundation for maintenance strategies for existing roads and bridges.