Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Research Project Statement 17-8
FY 2017 Annual Program
Title:
Develop System to Render Mechanistic-Empirical Traffic Data for Pavement Design
(Deliverables Based)
The Problem:
TxDOT currently uses a method of accounting for pavement traffic loading, the 18-kip
equivalency concept, which is more than 50 years old. Newer mechanistic-empirical (ME)
pavement design systems require axle load (spectra) and vehicle classification distributions
where the effects of each anticipated axle load are considered independently. For many
pavement types, the impact of a few very heavy loads on fatigue and rutting damage to the
existing pavement is not adequately captured with the use of the antiquated 18-kip equivalency
system. Similarly, the performance effects of a traffic stream characterized by consistently fullyloaded or over-loaded trucks, such as experienced in the energy sector, are not properly
captured by the 18-kip concept. During the past five years, TxDOT has produced a working
prototype ME design program TxME, but cannot adequately implement this system without
proper ME traffic inputs. The recently launched web-based technical data management
streaming (TDMS) file format does not render the data sets necessary for ME pavement design.
Technical
Objectives:
1. Examine state of the practice methodologies used by other agencies and recommend best
practices regarding provision of AASHTO/ME design-ready traffic data for pavement design.
2. Evaluate WIM data and vehicle class distribution clusters, account for seasonal variation in
vehicle class distributions, and methodologies to apply a minimal amount of localized data to
more reliably predict project-specific traffic loading where nearby traffic data collectors do not
exist.
3. Recommended delivery mechanics or the required ME-compatible traffic data, as well as
data in the current conventional format, to the pavement designer.
Desired
Deliverables:
1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
2. Synopsis of other agencies practices in rendering ME traffic data for pavement design.
3. Report summarizing considerations and methodologies used to:
a. Group WIM and classification stations into clusters of similar characteristics.
b. Tie project specific traffic stream characteristics to a. above
c. Evaluate seasonal vehicle class distribution trends.
d. Establish data validity and quality.
e. Establish data sampling rates for continuous traffic data collection stations.
f. Deliver project-specific ME-compatible traffic data (load spectra tables by axle group,
vehicle class distributions, monthly adjustment factors, AADTT, growth rates, axle
count/type by vehicle class) to the pavement designer.
4. Implementation recommendations.
5. Workshop for TPP Traffic Analysts and CST/District Pavement Designers, highlighting
research findings and respective roles.
Proposal
Requirements:
1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University
Handbook).
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical
evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in
RTI’s University Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should
include project name and university abbreviation.
Pre-Proposal
Meeting
Information:
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Project Statement 17-8
Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Webex Information:
1. Go to
https://txdot.webex.com/mw0401lsp13/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=txdot&rnd=0.9091095085622
569
2. Meeting Number: 735 915 144
3. If requested, enter your name and email address.
4. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: FY17
5. Click "Join".
Teleconference Information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you
can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-637-1408 (US)
Conference Code: 951 211 7290
Notifying RTI of
Intent to
Propose:
Notify your University Liaison of your intent to submit a proposal. Your Liaison will provide
information regarding the RFP.
Proposal
Deadline:
Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, April 14, 2016. Email
submissions should be sent to rtimain@txdot.gov.
Project Statement 17-8