A CRITIQUE OF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY COST ALLOCATION STUDY'S TRAFFIC ANALYSIS

This article examines problems with the HCAS's traffic analysis; in particular the development of 1977 base vehicle counts and miles traveled for trucks, and the traffic forecasts to 1985. The methodology and assumptions used in the HCAS has serious flaws that overestimated the number of miles traveled for combination vehicles with weights greater than 75,000 pounds and underestimated the 70-75,000 and 50-70,000 pound weight groups. Specifically, this article provides an analysis of how the 1977 base vehicle counts and mileage traveled were developed. It discusses reasons why HCAS vehicle miles and counts are not realistic and are biased against heavy trucks. Finally, it looks at the manner in which the inflated vehicle miles and counts compounded by DOT's new consumption methodology, based on misuse of the 1960 AASHO Road Test, substantially overstated cost responsibility of heavy trucks.

• Record URL:
  • https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015021808608?urlappend=%3Bseq=363
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/7938948
• Corporate Authors:

  Eno Transportation Foundation

  P.O. Box 2055, Saugatuck Station
  Westport, CT  United States  06880-0055
• Authors:
  • Statter, B D
• Publication Date: 1984-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 345-360
• Serial:
  • Transportation Quarterly
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Eno Transportation Foundation
  • ISSN: 0278-9434

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Gross vehicle weight; Heavy vehicles; Highway user taxation; Traffic; Traffic forecasting; Trucks; User charges; Vehicle miles of travel
• Uncontrolled Terms: Traffic analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Federal highway cost allocation study
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394731
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 831
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM