1. Tommy Nantung INDOT Research & Development Division July 22, 2014
Costs & Revenues Associated with Overweight Truck Operations in Indiana
Tommy Nantung
INDOT Research & Development Division
July 22, 2014

2. Study Objectives Main objective:
Generate information to assist INDOT in updating or streamlining its permitting process for overweight (OW) trucks
Intended to be based on data analysis pertaining to:
Cost of asset (pavement & bridge) damage due to OW trucks,
Enforcement costs and recommendations,
Revenue trends

3. Background Information
On one hand…
INDOT needs highway operations policies that retain/attract industry even those that involve haulage of large loads, thereby enhancing economic development
On the other hand…
INDOT seeks policies that:
protect billions of taxpayer $ invested in highway infrastructure
do not lead to premature/accelerated deterioration of such assets through excess loading or undue safety hazard

4. Background Information
Facility Damage vs. Repair Expenditure
Traffic Load vs. Facility Damage
Repair Expenditure vs. Permit/
License Fees

5. Estimating the Cost of Pavement Damage due to OW Trucks
Route Type
MPDC ($/ESAL-mile)
Load Share
(85%)
Non-load Share (15%)
Total
Interstate
0.006
0.001
0.007
NHS
Non-IS
0.055
0.010
0.065
Non NHS
0.218
0.038
0.256
Mean
0.093
0.016
0.109

6. Results for OW Trucks with GVW 80,001 -108,000 lbs

7. Results for OW Trucks with GVW 108,000 - 150,000 lbs
Permit fee at time of the study (60 cents)

8. Results for OW Trucks with GVW > 150,000 lbs
Permit fee at time of the study ($1.00)

9. Conclusions
Pavement asset damage costs herein are derived as a function of:
Pavement characteristics (e.g., functional class)
Vehicle characteristics (GVW, axle spacing, axle load)
Pavement damage cost estimates (average):
$0.006/ESAL-mile on Interstates
$0.218/ESAL-mile on non-NHS 9

10. Conclusions
Consequences of ignoring reconstruction or maintenance expenditures (as in past studies)
Non-consideration of these expenditures can result in underestimation of pavement damage cost by 79% and 83%, respectively.
Bridge damage cost estimate
Example: a 5-axle truck weighing kips, crossing a steel bridge 0-20 yrs of age, assuming 25% load share of damage, the damage cost is $0.007/foot/pass. 10