Comparison of Three Degree-Day Models for Application of Spring Load Restrictions on Low-Volume Roads
Major highways and interstates are designed to withstand damage from traffic during spring thaw; however, low-volume roads can be highly susceptible to damage from such springtime traffic. To reduce potential spring-thaw damage, many road management agencies apply spring load restrictions (SLRs), which restrict the allowable load on the road during critical periods when the pavement is most susceptible to damage. Table 1 presents a summary of the approaches used by transportation agencies for SLR timing: Method 1 - Fixed dates based on long-term experience; Method 2 - Inspection/observational approaches, where field personnel observe changes in the roadways such as water seepage from cracks, other indicators of pavement distress, or a worst-case scenario of major rutting, cracking, and breaking up of asphalt; Method 3 - Monitoring changes in pavement load-bearing capacity as indicated by deflections measured in falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests; Method 4 - Monitoring subsurface temperature and/or moisture profiles beneath roadways; Method 5 - Degree-day thresholds/protocols based upon air temperature data to set SLR and winter weight premium dates; and Method 6 - Predictive models based on atmospheric weather data to predict subsoil temperature profiles. The Aurora Consortium is sponsoring a pooled-fund study in which two of the approaches listed in Table 1, Methods 5 and 6, are being evaluated via a field demonstration. Several protocols and/or model predictions are being validated against observed subsurface temperature profiles and measurements of pavement deflection at instrumented sites in five highway jurisdictions [AK, MI, ND, Ontario (ONT), and WI]. This report presents interim results from evaluation of three degree-day threshold/protocols (Method 5). Ultimately, results from this research will be used to help understand the reliability, benefits, costs, and risks of these approaches for SLR timing.
- Record URL:
-
Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
-
Authors:
- Miller, Heather J
- Cabral, Christopher
- Berg, Richard
- Kestler, Maureen A
-
Conference:
- 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads
- Location: Kalispell Montana, United States
- Date: 2019-9-15 to 2019-9-18
- Publication Date: 2019-9
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 50-55
- Monograph Title: 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads
-
Serial:
- Transportation Research Circular
- Issue Number: E-C248
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0097-8515
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Field studies; Frigid regions; Low volume roads; Maintenance management; Size and weight regulations; Spring; Thaw
- Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01732242
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Feb 27 2020 5:48PM