This paper discusses calibration of the HDM-4 models for adapting it to expressways in Japan. It focuses on a calibration analysis of the HDM-4 rut depth, road user effects and social and environmental effects models by using Japanese expressway data and automobiles, socio-economic and environmental data. After appropriate calibration, it was found that the HDM-4 models of both road user effects and social and environmental effects gave a satisfactory representation of the observed data in Japan. The rut depth model produced an acceptable result as well, but it was observed that further validation of the model was needed to improve the precision of the model prediction. Furthermore, the HDM-4 was applied to study the rut management level for repair of expressways. The optimum rut management level to minimize the lifecycle cost predicted by the HDM-4 nearly agreed with the current rut management criterion. Further study should involve application of the HDM-4 to research on the entire road network and to issues relating to road traffic policy study. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135448.
Abstract