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THE APPLICATION OF GROUPWARE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS TO PERMIT VEHICLE ROUTING

The development of Interstate and National Highway Systems, within the United States, has caused a transition whereby freight and heavy equipment pieces are frequently transported by truck rather than by rail or barge. This shift in transportation mode distribution has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of overweight and overdimensional permit vehicle movements. Traditionally, State and local governments regulate the movement of these permit vehicles in order to prevent undue stress and damage to the highway system. The movement request is evaluated and, if found to be acceptable, a processing fee is charged and a completed paper "Permit" is issued to the trucking company. The paper-based methods used to support the above permit issuance process have been overwhelmed by this increased demand. For example, the State of Tennessee has seen average annual increases of almost 9% in the number of permits issued between 1991 and 1997. Unfortunately, the staff resources needed to accommodate this demand have not grown at a comparable rate in most States. In addition, there has been a gradual increase in overall truck weights leading to average annual growth rates of over 14% in permits for vehicles exceeding 68,200 kg (150,000 lb) in loaded gross weight within the same time frame. This increase in the number of very heavy vehicles has placed a severe burden on the bridge engineers who evaluate these permit vehicles. To meet this challenge, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, with the assistance of Cambridge Systematics, Inc., has implemented new permit routing software to computerize the permit issuance process. Recognizing that the evaluation of a permit request may require the input of multiple offices (such as the permit office, bridge office, etc.), the new system applies groupware concepts to the flow, storage and processing of permit request data. The system also includes the ability to screen permit requests based upon axle weights/spacings and bridge evaluation features based upon statistical sampling methods. The resulting improvement in operating efficiency has led to increased productivity and allows the Tennessee Department of Transportation to perform adequate regulation of permit vehicles with the limited staff resources available.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Photos; References;
  • Pagination: 15p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00763174
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: L-3, IBMC-068
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: May 3 1999 12:00AM