This study aimed to investigate the cost impact of meeting the increase in freight demand by doubling the truck weight (AS 1 ), doubling the traffic volume (AS2), or legalizing a new-proposed-truck of 97-kip weigh...This study aimed to investigate the cost impact of meeting the increase in freight demand by doubling the truck weight (AS 1 ), doubling the traffic volume (AS2), or legalizing a new-proposed-truck of 97-kip weight instead of the currently legal 80-kip truck (AS3). The State of Michigan's average daily traffic database of year 2001 has been used as a case study. The study was applied only on the very common US Bridge with RC (reinforced concrete) deck over steel girder. Sampling criteria also includes the age of the bridges. The study covered the four-cost-impact categories provided by the NCHRP (National Cooperative Research Program). The current truck weight and double traffic volume (AS2) show the best scenario to meet the increase in freight demand. However, doubling the truck weight with the current traffic volume (AS 1) was the worst scenario. The use of the proposed 97-kip truck with the current traffic volume (AS3) compromises both, meeting the increase in freight demand and the cost impact.展开更多
基金authors gratefully acknowledge funding and support provided by NSF (National Science Foundation) (CMMI- 1100742) and NCTSPM (National Centre for Transportation Systems Productivity and Management).
文摘This study aimed to investigate the cost impact of meeting the increase in freight demand by doubling the truck weight (AS 1 ), doubling the traffic volume (AS2), or legalizing a new-proposed-truck of 97-kip weight instead of the currently legal 80-kip truck (AS3). The State of Michigan's average daily traffic database of year 2001 has been used as a case study. The study was applied only on the very common US Bridge with RC (reinforced concrete) deck over steel girder. Sampling criteria also includes the age of the bridges. The study covered the four-cost-impact categories provided by the NCHRP (National Cooperative Research Program). The current truck weight and double traffic volume (AS2) show the best scenario to meet the increase in freight demand. However, doubling the truck weight with the current traffic volume (AS 1) was the worst scenario. The use of the proposed 97-kip truck with the current traffic volume (AS3) compromises both, meeting the increase in freight demand and the cost impact.