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InTrans

Institute for Transportation

InTrans|Research|In-Progress

Evaluation of Spring Load Restriction Removal Protocols

Project Details
STATUS

In-Progress

PROJECT NUMBER

2022-07

START DATE

07/01/22

END DATE

02/15/24

FOCUS AREAS

Mobility, Data Analytics, and Resiliency

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, Aurora
SPONSORS

Federal Highway Administration Aurora Program Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF-5(435))

PARTNERS

Cornell University

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Heather Miller

Heather Miller & Associates

About the research

The goal of this project is to develop a protocol to determine when spring load restrictions (SLRs) can ben removed. The protocol may consist of either a relatively simple (spreadsheet based) model or a set of tables/charts that transportation agency personnel can easily use to define time windows required for SLR removal. The project will consist of the following specific tasks:

  1. Selection of Study Sites: The research team will query archives of historical data for potential data sets at sites with appropriate instrumentation and adequate frequency of falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing during spring thaw and strength recovery periods.
  2. Assemble data discovered during Task #1 and perform data reduction and manipulation.
  3. Perform statistical analyses on the data assembled in Task 2. These analyses will help to determine what the key factor(s) are that define time windows required for stiffness recovery (after complete thawing is observed in temperature depth probes [TDPs]); develop an appropriate model and/or set of tables/charts for SLR removal based on these analyses.
  4. Run the FrezTrax model for each test site and season; perform statistical analysis to determine whether this model can also reasonably predict SLR removal dates.
  5. Use validation data reserved in Task 1 to confirm validity of the SLR removal model.
  6. Prepare a final report summarizing work conducted for this project, conclusions, and recommendations.
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