2013 Session: 271

• Procedure for Classifying Overweight Vehicles Using Weigh-in-Motion Data
  Abstract: To assess the damage caused to pavements and bridges by overweight trucks, it is important to collect information on the composition of trucks and classify them based on their weights and configurations. Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) systems allow for the collection of truck data including traffic count, truck axle spacing, axle and gross weight in an undetectable manner, making it difficult for illegal trucks to avoid the weighing operation. However, WIM data information by itself is not sufficient to obtain estimates of the numbers of illegal overweight trucks because many of the overweight trucks may have been issued permits that allow them to operate on a yearly basis or on a trip-by-trip basis. This paper develops a data mining procedure to identify and classify overweight vehicles. Data mining rules are established based on a review of a permit database provided by the state. A search algorithm is first used to check each vehicle in a WIM database to identify whether it violates any of the State’s overweight laws. Subsequently, every truck’s axle weights, axle spacings, total length and gross vehicle weight are checked to verify whether these characteristics match any of the criteria established when setting up the data mining rules and the overweight vehicles are separated based on the likelihood of having a divisible load permit, a special hauling permit, or if they are potentially illegal. The algorithm is demonstrated using WIM data collected at a New York site and showed reasonable agreement when compared to data collected by the NYSDOT.
  Authors: Fiorillo, Graziano; Ghosn, Michel
  Authors: Fiorillo, Graziano; Ghosn, Michel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-2195
• Optimal Allocation of Truck Inspection Stations Based on k-Shortest Paths
  Abstract: Overweight trucks damage the road infrastructure, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and represent a potential treat to traffic safety. An efficient way of reducing the number of overweight trucks is to implement weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems that are designed to record axle and gross vehicle weights as they pass over a sensor. Although they are effective in detecting overweight trucks, WIM systems are costly and only their efficient allocation can justify the investment. So far several models were developed to optimize the location of WIM checkpoints, but they were all built on a simplifying assumption that trucks travel along the shortest paths between their origins and destinations. This paper proposes a model that allocates WIM checkpoints while considering that overweight trucks try to bypass checkpoints along the shortest unmonitored detours. The problem is formulated as a binary program and applied to minimize the damage due to overweight trucks. This proposed model is applied in a realistic case study on the road network of Nevada. The results imply that considerable savings can be achieved by optimally allocating WIM checkpoints and that the proposed model can provide a valuable decision support for government agencies involved in road infrastructure maintenance and control.
  Authors: Besinovic, Nikola; Markovic, Nikola; Schonfeld, Paul
  Authors: Besinovic, Nikola; Markovic, Nikola; Schonfeld, Paul
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-3123
• Impacts of Route Restrictions on the Movement of Oversize and Overweight Loads
  Abstract: Texas is known to be commerce-friendly, and Texas policy-makers want it to stay that way. One of the key components required for a vibrant state economy involves keeping highway freight moving, to include oversize and overweight (OS/OW) permit loads. The motivation for this research project came from:•Insufficient communication between the permit office and district personnel.•OS/OW reroutes required due to unanticipated district activities.•Damage to fresh pavement seal coats by OS/OW load movements.The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiated this research effort to analyze the routes of historically permitted OS/OW loads. The primary objectives of this research included the development of criteria for assigning current and projected OS/OW groups to a designated future road network, identification of impediments to efficient routing for such loads, and the development of optimal and alternate routes for priority load groups between the most common origins and destinations. The availability of more advanced tools and technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has considerably increased the opportunities for transportation policy makers to better analyze vehicle routing data. As part of the project, the research team developed a highly efficient GIS mapping approach and converted a massive dataset of OS/OW permit routes into a GIS format. The mapping approach enabled batch processing and directly queried, retrieved, and stored data from/to an Oracle® database. This paper presents findings from the research, using assigned routes (along with associated route restrictions) and vehicle dimensional characteristics to investigate and predict future OS/OW shipment needs.
  Authors: Middleton, Dan; Li, Yingfeng
  Authors: Middleton, Dan; Li, Yingfeng
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-3849
• Methodology to Estimate Percent of Overweight Trucks Without Proper Permits
  Abstract: All state agencies have truck size and weight restrictions on their roadways based on federal and state legislation. However, drivers can typically apply for special permits allowing those limits to be exceeded, particularly when the load is non-divisible. The permit application includes the origin and destination of the load, as well as characteristics about the truck’s size and weight. This information is used by state highway agencies to evaluate the impact of the loading on the roads and bridges that the vehicle will cross to determine a preferred route and the need for a police escort. Unfortunately, drivers with non-divisible loads do not always take the time or spend the money to obtain a permit. Furthermore, it is commonplace for drivers with divisible loads to haul overweight to maximize profit. For those individuals, the reward for hauling oversize and overweight outweighs the risk of being caught. The West Virginia Division of Highways initiated a project to quantify the percentage of overweight trucks on its highways that are not properly permitted. If there is a significant problem identified, further action will be taken to address the issue. This paper describes the methodology that was used to combine data from the state’s weigh-in-motion (WIM) data collection program and oversize/overweight permit database in order to estimate the percentage of trucks not pertaining proper permits. The percentages are estimated on both a macroscopic level by examining summary statistics and a microscopic level by trying to match individual permits with records in the WIM database. The route information in the permit database is processed in GIS to determine which WIM stations the vehicle should have crossed. Preliminary macroscopic results from a single WIM station indicate only 6% of the overweight vehicles likely have permits for the period analyzed.
  Authors: Chou, Chih-Sheng; Nichols, Andrew P.; Yoo, Sanghong; Cetin, Mecit
  Authors: Chou, Chih-Sheng; Nichols, Andrew P.; Yoo, Sanghong; Cetin, Mecit
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-4579
• Procedure for Classifying Overweight Vehicles Using Weigh-in-Motion Data
  Authors: Fiorillo, Graziano
  Authors: Fiorillo, Graziano
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-2195
• Impacts of Route Restrictions on the Movement of Oversize and Overweight Loads
  Authors: Middleton, Dan
  Authors: Middleton, Dan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-3849
• Optimal Allocation of Truck Inspection Stations Based on k-Shortest Paths
  Authors: Markovic, Nikola
  Authors: Markovic, Nikola
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-3123
• Methodology to Estimate Percent of Overweight Trucks Without Proper Permits
  Authors: Nichols, Andrew
  Authors: Nichols, Andrew
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers
  Session: 271
  Paper Number: 13-4579