Updated Analysis of Michigan Traffic Inputs for Pavement-ME Design

The purpose of this study is to characterize traffic inputs in support of the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for the State of Michigan. These traffic characteristics include monthly adjustment factors (MAF), hourly distribution factors (HDF), vehicle class distributions (VCD), axle groups per vehicle (AGPV), and axle load distributions for different axle configurations. Weight and classification data were obtained from 41 Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) sites located throughout the State of Michigan to develop Level 1 (site-specific) traffic inputs. Cluster analyses were conducted to group sites with similar characteristics for development of Level 2A inputs. Also, PTR locations with similar attributes were grouped for developing Level 2B traffic inputs. Traffic data from all freeway and nonfreeways sites were averaged to establish the statewide Level 3A inputs. Finally, traffic data from all sites were averaged to develop the statewide Level 3B inputs. The effects of the developed hierarchical traffic inputs on the predicted performance of rigid and flexible pavements were investigated using the Pavement-ME. Based on statistical and practical significance of the life differences, appropriate levels were established for each traffic input. Specific recommendations about frequency of updating road groups, and additional WIM locations in different regions are included in the report. The methodology for developing traffic inputs is intuitive and can be adopted by MDOT for future updates.

• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42753
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Date on cover is August 2018.
• Corporate Authors:

  Michigan State University, East Lansing

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  East Lansing, MI  United States  48824-1226

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  Construction and Technology Division, P.O. Box 30049
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Authors:
  • Haider, Syed W
  • Musunuru, Gopikrishna
  • Buch, Neeraj
  • Selezneva, Olga
  • Desaraju, Praveen
  • Li, Joshua
• Publication Date: 2018-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Draft Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 125p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Flexible pavements; Pavement design; Pavement performance; Rigid pavements; Traffic data
• Identifier Terms: AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design (Software)
• Geographic Terms: Michigan
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01683430
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SPR-1678
• Contract Numbers: 2013-0066 Z8
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 16 2018 3:43PM