Title: Development of a model for truck size and weight policy estimating the impacts of changes on traffic operational quality

Authors: Lily Elefteriadou, Nathan Webster

Addresses: Penn State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' IBI Group, 707 E. Roy Street, #44, Seattle, WA 98102, USA

Abstract: Trucks of various sizes and performance capabilities have different effects on the quality of traffic operations. Thus, introducing new truck types into the traffic stream to partially or completely replace other vehicle types can potentially result in changes in traffic operational quality and in highway capacity. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for estimating the changes in traffic operational performance as a function of changes in the U.S. Federal policy for vehicle size and weight. These impacts can he estimated in terms of changes in travel delay experienced by all vehicles in the US highway network, and their associated costs. The method described in this paper was implemented in a computerised model (DELAY$). The computerised model has the capability to provide estimates of changes in total annual vehicle delay and associated costs.

Keywords: passenger car equivalents; PCE; traffic operations; vehicle size; vehicle weight; vehicle delay; truck sizes; traffic delay; travel delay.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2000.005247

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2000 Vol.7 No.4, pp.249 - 263

Published online: 16 Sep 2004 *

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