Allowing 129,000-Pound Trucks on our Highways; What is the Cost? What are the Benefits?

The purpose of this paper is to provide engineering-based facts on allowing 129,000-pound trucks on highway systems. The study investigates and documents the axle weight distribution and the operational characteristics of the 129,000-pound trucks and compares them to the characteristics of different truck types currently allowed on the highway system. The study then examines the implications of running these heavier trucks on highway systems covering four categories: offtracking requirements, impact on culvert and bridge structures, impact on pavement conditions, and impact on traffic safety. One of the major barriers is that local highway jurisdictions lack the necessary tools and resources to determine if their roads are capable of handling such truck loads. To address this, one of the study outcomes is a roadway analysis guide to assist local highway jurisdictions in evaluating route requests for trucks up to 129,000 pounds. The guide included different factors to consider when determining if roads are capable of withstanding heavier trucks. This research showed that allowing 129,000-pound trucks on highway systems, including local highways, provides a better utilization of the highway networks and an effective method to extend the life of roadways. Also, the research showed that, to comply with the Federal Bridge Formula, the 129,000-pound trucks distribute their weight across more axles leading to decreased axle loads on the roadway. This study specifically was conducted based on the the state of Idaho highway system.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AT055 Standing Committee on Truck Size and Weight. Alternate title: Exploratory Examination of Allowing 129,000-Pound Trucks on our Highways.
• Authors:
  • Saras, Nicholas
  • Ibrahim, Ahmed
  • 0000-0002-3039-4560
  • Abdel-Rahim, Ahmed
  • Nielsen, Richard
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Bridges and culverts; Guidelines; Heavy duty trucks; Highways; Impacts; Offtracking; Oversize loads; Overweight loads; Pavements; Traffic safety
• Geographic Terms: Idaho
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01661018
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-01452
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 23 2018 4:27PM