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Characterization of Ohio Traffic Data for Integration into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

Frankhouser, Andrew
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1365980149

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
The MEPDG requires a multitude of traffic inputs to be defined for the design of pavement structures. These inputs include (a) base-year traffic data such as the initial two-way annual average daily truck traffic (AADTT), (b) traffic volume adjustment factors (directional and lane distribution factors, vehicle class distribution, monthly adjustment factors, hourly truck distribution factors, and traffic growth factors), (c) axle load spectra by truck class (Class 4 to Class 13) and axle type (single, tandem, tridem, and quad), and (d) general traffic inputs (lateral truck traffic wander, number of axles per truck, axle configuration and wheelbase distributions, and tire characteristics and inflation pressure). Since it is not always practical to obtain site-specific traffic data, the MEPDG assimilates a hierarchal level concept that allows pavements to be designed using statewide averages and MEPDG default values without compromising the accuracy of the pavement design. In this study, a Visual Basic for Application (VBA) code was developed to analyze continuous traffic monitoring data and generate site-specific and statewide traffic inputs. The traffic monitoring data was collected by 143 permanent traffic monitoring sites (93 automated vehicle classifier (AVC) and 50 weigh-in-motion (WIM) sites) distributed throughout the State of Ohio from 2006 to 2011. The sensitivity of the MEPDG to the various traffic inputs was evaluated using two baseline pavement designs, one for a new flexible pavement and one for a new rigid pavement. Key performance parameters for the flexible pavement included longitudinal (top-down) fatigue cracking, alligator (bottom-up) fatigue cracking, transverse (low-temperature) cracking, rutting, and smoothness (expressed using IRI), while key performance parameters for the rigid pavement included transverse cracking (% slabs cracked), joint faulting, and smoothness. The sensitivity analysis results revealed that flexible pavements are moderately sensitive to AADTT, growth rate, vehicle class distribution, and axle load spectra; and not sensitive to hourly distribution factors, monthly adjustment factors, and number of axles per truck. Furthermore, it was found that rigid pavements are moderately sensitive to AADTT, growth rate, hourly distribution factors, vehicle class distribution, and axle load spectra; and not sensitive to monthly adjustment factors and number of axles per truck. Therefore, it is recommended to estimate the AADTT and the vehicle class distribution from site-specific short-term or continuous counts and obtain the truck growth rate from ODOT Modeling and Forecasting Section (Certified Traffic). As for the other traffic inputs, statewide averages can be used for the hourly distribution factors, axle load spectra, and number of axles per truck; and MEPDG defaults can be used for the monthly adjustment factors.
Ala Abbas, Dr. (Advisor)
Kallol Sett, Dr. (Committee Member)
Ping Yi, Dr. (Committee Member)
220 p.
Civil Engineering; Transportation
Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide; traffic; gross vehicle weight; axle load spectra; pavement design

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Frankhouser, A. (2013). Characterization of Ohio Traffic Data for Integration into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1365980149

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Frankhouser, Andrew. Characterization of Ohio Traffic Data for Integration into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design. 2013. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1365980149.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Frankhouser, Andrew. "Characterization of Ohio Traffic Data for Integration into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1365980149

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.