01054040

Component

As the biggest asset in the transportation infrastructure system, highways play a critical role in economic development of the nation. Paradoxically, while this development serves as a driving force it is also responsible for significant damage to the highway infrastructure. In recent years, freight movements in the Southern states increased dramatically due to a surge of U.S.-Mexico trade after the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Most of the freight is moved by heavy commercial vehicles running on the trade corridor. From the perspective of infrastructure preservation, concerns have been raised by highway agencies in the bordering states regarding the increased damage by the growing traffic. To address this issue, a case study was conducted with historical traffic data collected in the U.S.-Mexico trade corridor in Texas. Axle load distributions were investigated in terms of their spatial and temporal characteristics. The main statistical features of traffic loadings, with respect to their damaging effects on highway infrastructure, were captured. An evaluation is presented regarding the prediction of traffic loads, which is not only based on historical data but also accounts for other relevant aspects involving policy and weight limit regulations. The results presented in this paper can furnish highway agencies with better evaluation tools for highway infrastructure management in the trade corridor. The findings could also facilitate policy decisions regarding truck weight regulations and border openings to foreign traffic. As a result, a balance between rational highway infrastructure deterioration and efficient truck freight transportation can be reached.

01042056

07-0593

English

19p

2007

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

CD-ROM

Figures (8) ; References (19) ; Tables (3)

Axle load force; Case studies; Commercial vehicles; Deterioration; Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Heavy duty trucks; Highway corridors; Highway traffic; Highways; Infrastructure; International trade; Pavements; Policy; Regulations; Statistical analysis; Traffic data; Traffic loads; Trucks by weight

North American Free Trade Agreement

Texas; United States-Mexico Border

Data and Information Technology; Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; Policy; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I71: Traffic Theory

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-0593

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2007 5:11PM