Project. Weigh-in-motion evaluation  Completed

Principal investigator. Hesham Rakha, VTTI, 540-231-1500, rakha@ctr.vt.edu 

External contact. William Hamilton, Virginia Center for Innovative Technology, 703-689-3000 

Project objective: The main objective of this project is to evaluate the accuracy, durability, and maintainability of alternative Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology, including the uniquely designed OWC WIM technology. 

Project abstract. Accurate traffic data are essential for pavement design and management, regulating weight enforcement strategies, modeling alternative traffic improvement initiatives, reducing congestion, and predicting load-related distresses and performances. Also, one of the major causes of early deterioration in roads and bridges results from overweight trucks and/or high tire pressure. The weigh scales at weigh stations used to control over-weight trucks are inaccurate, unreliable, and have short life cycles. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the accuracy, durability, and maintainability of alternative Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology, including the uniquely designed OWC WIM technology. To achieve this, the research plan considers a number of testing scenarios, including different vehicle speeds, acceleration levels, tire pressures, axle loads and configuration, and environmental conditions. In addition, the effect of paving material on the scales' response accuracy will be investigated. Secondly, the research effort will evaluate the delay associated with current WIM technologies through field and simulation efforts. Specifically, geometric configurations, traffic demands, and the effect of WIM accuracy levels will be evaluated using simulation. Finally, an economic analysis based on the benefits and costs associated with OWC WIM technology will be conducted. 

Tasks. The proposed research project is composed of four major tasks. Task 1 addresses the installation and calibration of the system. Task 2 involves a systematic evaluation of emerging WIM technology in a controlled environment. Task 3 evaluates current state-of-practice WIM technologies located at existing weigh stations. Finally, task 4 involves an evaluation of the efficiency and throughput of weigh station operations using existing and emerging technologies. 

Milestones.  This project is scheduled to begin January 1, 2001 and be completed by December 31, 2001. 

Student involvement. Two full-effort GRAs. 

Budget.  $160,000

Relationship to other research.  MAUTC research effort on modeling of trucks along I-81. 

Technology transfer.  Publications in professional journals. 

Potential benefits. Reducing congestion, predicting load-related distresses and performances, and preventing early deterioration in roads and bridges. 

TRB keywords. ITS, modeling