VEHICLE ROUTE/BRIDGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR SUPERLOAD PERMITTING. FINAL REPORT

This project has as its objective installation of a bridge analysis tool in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the development of a database of information allowing the rapid analysis of bridges along a requested route for vehicles which exceed the legal size and weight limits established in Ohio. These vehicles, called "superloads" do not fit into standard permit approval classifications. The detailed structural analysis required to approve the permit for each superload has resulted in an increased workload for the bridge rating unit, delays in permit issuance, and pressure to use approximations. This could potentially result in decreased safety of the bridges, liability exposure and diversion of experienced personnel from other critical responsibilities. The overall objective of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated computer software and hardware product entitled SUPERLOAD. This was accomplished by using the product in a prototype model of a portion of the highway network with existing ODOT procedures and systems. Other objectives included: (1) to determine if a timely and comprehensive structural analysis of bridges on a route could be performed; (2) to determine if the existing procedures between the Bridge and Permit Units could be replaced with real time analysis; and (3) to determine the additional requirements for a production system. It was found that the analysis of all bridges along the longest permit route could be performed in approximately four minutes. The structural analysis results were identical to the results obtained from the AASHTO BARS System, which ODOT uses to rate its bridges. The results of the research confirm that the system provides an efficient and highly informative user-oriented operating environment. Additional features were identified that are required by ODOT before it can be put into production use. The use of the SUPERLOAD product with the prototype network shows great promise in allowing the Bridge Unit to safely delegate authority to the Permit Unit for approval of "superload" vehicle permits. The research also showed that SUPERLOAD can effectively be used in the selection of alternate paths when the required routes are not available.

• Corporate Authors:

  Beilfuss (CW) and Associates, Incorporated

  2221 CAmden Court, Suite 310
  Oak Brook, IL  United States  60521

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  25 South Front Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43215

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Beilfuss, C W
• Publication Date: 1992-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Measures of effectiveness; Oversize loads; Permits; Prototypes; Real time control; Real time data processing; Route choice; Software; Structural analysis
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Hardware; Overloads
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I10: Economics and Administration; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00628820
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/OH-93/003
• Contract Numbers: State Job No. 14484(0)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 14 1993 12:00AM