Methodology for estimating the road wear cost of heavy vehicles on a road network

Abstract

Heavy vehicle traffic volumes continue to increase globally, causing the accelerated deterioration of pavement structures. This paper introduces an innovative methodology that quantifies road consumption attributed to heavy vehicles on a paved road network. This methodology combines weighbridge and traffic count data and uses Mechanistic Empirical methods for accurate estimations of road wear. Polynomial regression models were developed to reduce simulation times and to accurately predict the road wear caused by different heavy vehicle configurations. The reduction in analysis time enables parametric studies to be conducted that can provide useful insights into the interplay and relative importance of various parameters. Road wear is converted to a monetary value, giving useful insights for infrastructure management, spatial planning, funding and maintenance, and will help with decision-making in this regard. This methodology is registered as a CSIR Technology Demonstrator Tool and Namibia has incorporated this in their asset management strategy.