With the advent of automatic vehicle identification (AVI) and weigh-in-motion (WIM) technologies, the ability to collect data on commercial vehicle operations has been greatly enhanced. Still lacking however, is a means to effectively and efficiently utilize this data to achieve long-term infrastructure preservation. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has recently developed a new system that focuses on just that. The State Truck Activities Reporting System, or STARS, consists of an array of WIM sensors deployed across the Montana highway system that feed data to customized software programs. The software can subsequently be used to characterize commercial vehicle operations by classification and weight, and to further perform extensive analyses specifically addressing overweight commercial vehicle operations. This implementation contributes to the accomplishment of the data collection objectives of the national Long Term Pavement Performance program (LTPP) and the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) initiative. In cooperation with Montana State University (MSU), a project is currently underway to comprehensively evaluate the impact of STARS on various MDT activities. Specific tasks being evaluated in this regard include: (1) truck weight enforcement, (2) roadway design, (3) project-level engineering and long-range planning efforts and (4) data collection and reporting activities to meet FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG), FHWA truck weight study, and LTPP program requirements. At this point in time, preliminary work has been completed on evaluating the impacts of a pilot project in which STARS was used in planning the state's truck weight enforcement activities. The remainder of this paper describes: (1) specifically how STARS was used as a tool the pilot project in scheduling and executing Montana's truck weight enforcement efforts, and (2) the subsequent impact that it had on controlling overweight vehicle activity and the attendant damage these vehicles cause to the pavement. Previously, the effectiveness of Montana's truck weight enforcement program has been evaluated using the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) PLAN/CERT process, in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 23, Part 657. MCS prepares the Federal Truck Size and Weight Enforcement Plan (PLAN) and the Federal Certification of Accomplishment (CERT). At the beginning of the reporting period, the PLAN establishes Montana's numerical commercial vehicle enforcement goals. At the end of the reporting period, the CERT documents Montana's success in achieving the numerical goals stated in the PLAN. FHWA then judges Montana's commercial vehicle enforcement program on whether the actual numbers in the CERT meet or exceed the projected numbers in the PLAN. Although this PLAN/CERT approach standardizes the reporting process, its utility for objectively judging state enforcement program performance and comparing the effectiveness of one state program with another state program has been questioned.
Samenvatting