Methods and Processes of Road Use Evaluation and Regulation

• US 20120123969A1
• Filed: 11/15/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter F. Messmer
• Original Assignee: Peter F. Messmer
• Inventors: Messmer, Peter F.
• Application Number:
  US13/296,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/01 Devices or auxiliary means for setting-out or checking the configuration of new surfacing, e.g. templates, screed or reference line supports form rails E01C19/50; Applications of apparatus for measuring, indicating, or recording the surface configuration of existing surfacing, e.g. profilographs E01C23/07 takes precedence; measuring roughness or irregularity in general G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

Methods manage the damage of heavy road users on a municipal road network through the implementation of Road Use Agreements between municipalities and heavy road users. Specifically, methods accomplish one or more purposes including, but not limited to, quantifying the in situ traffic capacity of a road, the routine traffic using the road, and the depreciation caused by that traffic, determining whether a heavy road user is regulated, and measuring and quantifying road damages by heavy users versus the normal depreciation by routine traffic. Methods determine the cost share of damage liabilities for heavy road users versus the municipal liability for capital depreciation existing prior to the activities of the heavy road users and the damage of routine traffic using the road at the same time as a heavy road user or multiple heavy road users. Methods preferably provide a regulatory chart for one or more roads.

Claims

1. A method of regulating traffic usage of a road comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring traffic usage of the road;

b) determine a baseline annual equivalent single 18 kip axle load (ESAL) value for the road from the monitored traffic usage;

c) evaluating a condition of the road to determine a last major treatment structural number for the road comprising the sub-steps of;

i) determining a material type and a material thickness at a last major treatment of the road; and

ii) determining the last major treatment structural number at the last major treatment of the road using the material type and the material thickness;

d) evaluating and categorizing at least one potential heavy road user of the road as a regulated road user of the road; and

e) apportioning a portion of maintenance and repair costs for the road to the regulated road user based on the baseline ESAL value, the last major treatment structural number, and usage by the regulated road user.

2. A method of regulating heavy road traffic usage of a road comprising the steps of:

a) calculating a margin of capacity of the road; and

b) apportioning the margin as usage for at least one regulated road user of the road.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein step a) comprises the sub-steps of:

i) calculating a first lifetime equivalent single 18 kip axle load (ESAL) value from a first set of parameters for the road;

ii) calculating a second lifetime ESAL value from a second set of parameters for the road; and

iii) calculating the margin as a difference between the first lifetime ESAL value and the second lifetime ESAL value.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein step a) comprises the sub-steps of:

i) evaluating a baseline traffic pattern for the road; and

ii) calculating the margin as a percentage of the baseline traffic pattern.

5. A method of determining a last major treatment structural number for a road comprising the steps of:

a) digging a plurality of test pits in a plurality of predetermined locations in the road;

b) extracting a specimen of a natural subgrade layer, any granular road bed layers, and any bituminous and asphalt concrete material layers from each test pit and documenting a layer thickness and a layer condition for each layer;

c) extracting a plurality of core specimens in a plurality of predetermined locations in the road, if bituminous or asphalt concrete pavement is present;

d) evaluating each granular road bed layer and each bituminous and asphalt concrete material layer to determine a layer coefficient, a drainage coefficient, and a layer thickness for each granular road bed layer and each bituminous and asphalt concrete material layer of the road;

e) calculating a structural number for each granular road bed layer and each bituminous and asphalt concrete material layer of the road based on the layer coefficient, the drainage coefficient, and the layer thickness; and

f) selecting a minimum structural number from the plurality of structural numbers as the last major treatment structural number for the road.