Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Research Project Statement 18-194FY 2018 Annual Program
Title: / Characterization and Quantification of Traffic Load Spectra in Texas Overweight Corridors and Energy Sector Zones
The Problem: / In recent years, several parts of south Texas have experienced a sudden increase in truck traffic due to energy sector developments. Specifically, energy sector zones and Texas overweight corridors around ports have seen unprecedented truck growth in the past years that is impacting costly pavement damage to highways in these regions. Even with low truck traffic volumes, the south Texas districts, including Corpus Christi, Laredo, Pharr, San Antonio, and Yoakum, continue to endure high accumulated equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) and pavement damage due to overweight axles. For instance, overloading on the order of 40 percent in the daily truck traffic, with 52% overweight in the tandem axles and an estimated 20 years 18 kips of over 20 million ESALs, has been reported on one of the rural roads (US 83) in the energy sector in the Laredo District. The need to appropriately characterize and quantify the truck-traffic load spectra in these regions is very critical to aid in effective pavement damage evaluation, maintenance and rehabilitation activities, optimal designs, and planning purposes.
Technical
Objectives: / Characterize and quantify the truck-traffic loading (volume, weight, and load spectra data) in the south Texas districts, namely the Texas overweight corridors and energy sector zones. The scope of work will include the following:
1. A desktop literature review of the current methodologies for traffic data characterization, analysis, pavement damage evaluation, and design considerations in these regions.
2. Deployment of pneumatic tube counters and portable weigh-in-motion (WIM) units for site-specific traffic data collection on selected highway locations, as recommended by the respective districts.
3. Traffic data analysis, including generating truck volumes (ADTT), vehicle classification, growth trends, overweight (GVW and axles), average of the ten heaviest wheel loads (ATHWLD), load equivalency factors (LEFs), axle distribution, and Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) input data.
4. Relate and quantify the traffic-related pavement damage in these regions and make recommendations for traffic input parameters for pavement design, and for future designs, maintenance and rehabilitation activities, and planning purposes.
5. Conduct workshops and webinars to present the findings and recommended future directions.
Desired
Deliverables: / 1. Technical memorandum for each task completed.
2. Monthly progress reports.
3. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
4. Research report that documents work done, key findings, and recommendations including the following:
a. Desktop literature review findings.
b. Traffic data analysis results (i.e., ADT, ADTT, ATHWLD, 18-kip ESALs, growth trends).
c. Truck overweight data (GVW and axles).
d. LEFs and pavement damage assessment.
e. Axle load distribution and M-E input data.
f. Calculated accumulated ESALs.
g. Implementation recommendations.
5. Project Summary Report.
6. An MS Access database of the traffic data for highways and roads in the Texas overweight corridors and energy sector zones.
7. Workshop and webinar support materials.
Proposal
Requirements: / 1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University Handbook)
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include project name and university abbreviation.
Pre-Proposal Meeting Information: / Monday, March 27, 2017 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Webex Information:
1. Go to https://txdot.webex.com/txdot/j.php?MTID=me11dc4e52f086598f833e5727ca7b65f
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: GzDup33h
4. Click "Join".
Teleconference information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-855-437-3563(US)
Conference Code: 734 178 806
Notifying RTI of Intent to Propose: / In order to be notified if additional project information is distributed by TxDOT, you must contact RTI, at (512) 416-4730 or by April 3, 2017, if you plan to propose.
Proposal
Deadline: / Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. Central Time, May 11, 2017. Email submissions should be sent to .
Project Statement 18-194