2013 Session: 770

• Equipment Replacement Decision Making: Challenges and Opportunities
  Abstract: A primary objective for equipment managers is to replace the right equipment at the right time and at the lowest overall cost. To help accomplish this task, a theoretically sound and practically feasible equipment replacement optimization methodology has been developed so that a significant amount of money can potentially be saved. In this paper, the challenges and opportunities associated with equipment replacement decision making are discussed in detail. First, a comprehensive review of the state-of-the art and state-of-the practice literature on the equipment replacement optimization (ERO) problem is conducted. Second, the developed ERO software components and functionalities are presented. Third, several challenges faced by the research team during the ERO software development process are described including statistical modeling (purchase cost forecasting and down time cost estimating), optimization (in terms of stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) and ERO under budget constraints), and software implementation (particularly for the SDP approach) challenges. Detailed information as to how such challenges have been overcome and turned into opportunities using the current Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data is also presented. Fourth, real opportunities and the promising future for ERO decision making tools are discussed and supported by comprehensive numerical results and their implications. Finally, a summary of the information presented and details about future research directions are also given.
  Authors: Fan, Wei; Gemar, Mason David; Machemehl, Randy B.
  Authors: Fan, Wei; Gemar, Mason David; Machemehl, Randy B.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-0326
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Fuel Consumption and Cost Savings of Class 8 Heavy-Duty Trucks Powered by Natural Gas
  Abstract: We compare the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of natural gas and diesel heavy-duty (HD) class 8 trucks under consistent simulated drive cycle conditions. Our study includes both conventional and hybrid HD trucks operating with either natural gas spark ignition (SI) or diesel engines, and we compare results of the simulated fuel efficiencies, fuel costs, and payback periods. While natural gas trucks achieve somewhat lower fuel economy than diesel, their CO2 emissions and costs are significantly less than comparable diesel trucks. Both diesel- and natural gas-powered hybrid trucks have significantly improved fuel economy, reasonable cost savings and payback time, and lower CO2 emissions under city driving conditions. However, under freeway-dominant driving conditions, the overall benefits of hybridization are considerably less. Based on payback period alone, non-hybrid natural gas trucks appear to be the most economic option for both urban and freeway driving environments. Economic considerations of the impact of using natural gas as a fuel for class 8 trucks on future natural gas supply and price are also presented, and the impact of a transition to natural gas use in the trucking sector is expected to be quite limited.
  Authors: Gao, Zhiming; LaClair, Tim; Daw, C. Stuart; Smith, David E.
  Authors: Gao, Zhiming; LaClair, Tim; Daw, C. Stuart; Smith, David E.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-2945
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Methodology for Determining the Best Use of Road Management Equipment(Case Study: 18 Regional Offices in South Korea)
  Abstract: This paper presents a methodology for determining the best use of road fleet/equipment management. The main purpose of this research is to aid public agencies with road fleet/equipment management within a given budget. In order to demonstrate the value of this approach, a case study using data collected for eighteen regional offices of the South Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs were examined. These offices use a computerized system called KAMIS to monitor both the use and condition of road fleet/equipment systematically. This system records the operational history and monitors the current condition of road fleet/equipment management. Road agencies might also want to know whether they currently have sufficient fleet/equipment to handle their actual work, but KAMIS does not provide that type of information. Thus, a methodology uses operational records for road fleet/equipment management, and two evaluation indicators has been developed. Based on the results of our methodology, fleet/equipment can be classified into several groups: 1) frequently used and important, 2) relatively less used and important, 3) barely used and low importance, and 4) frequently used and low importance. These data can be used by regional offices to effectively lend and borrow fleet/equipment for both long and short term use. Such measures will help save money for the purchase and maintenance of road fleet/equipment. While our study focuses on a specific case study, the decision analysis method can easily be applied by similar decision makers in other countries.
  Authors: Yang, Choong Heon; Regan, Amelia; Kim, In Soo
  Authors: Yang, Choong Heon; Regan, Amelia; Kim, In Soo
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-1260
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Methodology for Determining the Best Use of Road Management Equipment (Case Study: 18 Regional Offices in South Korea)
  Authors: Yang, Choong Heon
  Authors: Yang, Choong Heon
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-1260
• Equipment Replacement Decision Making: Challenges and Opportunities
  Authors: Fan, Wei
  Authors: Fan, Wei
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-0326
• Fuel Consumption and Cost Savings of Class 8 Heavy-Duty Trucks Powered by Natural Gas
  Authors: LaClair, Tim
  Authors: LaClair, Tim
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-2945
• Corrosion of Chloride Deicers on Highway Maintenance Equipment: Renewed Perspective and Preliminary Laboratory Investigation
  Authors: Shi, Xianming
  Authors: Shi, Xianming
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-3127
• Corrosion of Chloride Deicers on Highway Maintenance Equipment: Renewed Perspective and Preliminary Laboratory Investigation
  Abstract:

  This paper reports on the relevant information collected from data through a two-year research project, with the goal of identifying, evaluating and synthesizing best practices that can be implemented to minimize the corrosive effects of chloride deicers on DOT winter application equipment and vehicles. The practices identified include: design improvements, maintenance practices, anti-corrosion coatings, corrosion inhibitors, salt removers, etc. A nationwide survey was conducted of stakeholder groups, in order to capture the current knowledge in: estimating the deicer corrosion costs to vehicles and equipment, defining the chloride deicer corrosion problem and identifying best practices or products for managing the problem. The survey results suggest that chloride-based deicers are the most commonly used products for highway winter maintenance operations and pose significant corrosion risk to DOT equipment and vehicles. The survey identified four anti-corrosion coating products (Zero Rust Red, Zero Rust Black, Rust Bullet and Lubra-Seal), four spray-on corrosion inhibitors (Krown, Ship-2-Shore, Vegetable Oil and Rust Oleum), and five salt removers (MR 35, HoldTight, ChloRid, SaltAway and Soap Water) as best products based on user experience. Subsequently, a screening test and a 2-week test were conducted to assess the effectiveness of these select products in reducing the corrosion of magnesium chloride solution to carbon steel, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Under the investigated conditions, the best-performing coating (Rust Bullet), inhibitor (Krown) and salt removers (HoldTight and ChlorRid) were identified and they all showed outstanding performance in corrosion protection.

  Authors: Li, Yongxin; Fang, Yida; Seeley, Nicholas; Jungwirth, Scott; Jackson, Emily; Shi, Xianming
  Authors: Li, Yongxin; Fang, Yida; Seeley, Nicholas; Jungwirth, Scott; Jackson, Emily; Shi, Xianming
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment
  Session: 770
  Paper Number: 13-3127
  Practice-Ready: Yes