Eight-state Pooled Fund Study on Accommodating Oversize/Overweight Vehicles at Roundabouts

Eight-state Pooled Fund Study on Accommodating Oversize/Overweight Vehicles at Roundabouts Gene Russell, P.E., PhD Professor Emeritus Kansas State University 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

What’s in a Name ? • Superload? • Permitted Vehicle? • Oversize/Overweight Vehicle ? Went with No. 3 and abbreviation “OSOW” 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Not your typical “18-wheeler” T&DI Congress 2014, Orlando, FL

Note the low clearance also T&DI Congress 2014, Orlando, FL

Think Legos snables, dollys, jeeps, decks, boosters, etc., combinations haul about all 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., June 29

Study Objectives • Overall Paraphrased; accommodate the growing demand for OSOW without having a negative effect on roundabout growth on state highways. • Compile current practice and research by states and foreign countries related to effects that OSOW have on roundabout location, design and accommodation. [4Surveys] • Fill in information gaps with respect to roundabout design and operations for this class of vehicle[Interviews, emails ] 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

“Nots” • Not a project to develop design guidelines or recommend design methods • Not a project to develop truck routing guidelines • Not a project to study states’/legal issues/laws/politics • But all are important 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

“Message” • My opinion-- • We must do a good job accommodating all trucks on designated routes -- • And do a good job accommodating OSOW on routes necessary to key industry and the economy • Or politicians may do it for us ! 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Surveys • Survey 1: States – general • Survey 2: States – specific roundabout questions • Survey 3: Industry – Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) • Survey 4: Industry - partnered with American Transportation Research institute ( ATRI) • Survey summaries with authors’ comments in final report • Detailed survey responses in final report appendices • Bothfree on line http://www.ksdot.org/burmatrres/kdotlib2.asp 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

(9th of 11) 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Key Roundabout Concerns • Long loads • Low-boy clearance (ClearancesNo.1 concern) • OSOW riding up on exterior curb • Placement of signs and landscaping • Concerns about objects in the center island • Concern about [self-propelled]farm and emergency response vehicles • Final report has 3 appendices with detailed responses/examples on the “concern” issues. 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Roundabout Concerns • To summarize, my view: communication is essential ! • Both within DOT – permitting and design • And with industry – 15 [out of 50] responded they interact with OSOW hailers or trucking associations on designs such as roundabouts. 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Some Mitigation Suggestions-1 • Mountable curbing • Removable signage • Address stationary landscape features • Larger radius designs to accommodate longer vehicles-if safety not compromised 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Some Mitigation suggestions -2 Industry Agreed all Have Merit • Wide truck aprons – 12 feet or more with minimum slope and mountable curb • Custom or tapered center islands for movements • Paved area behind curb for right side off-tracking • Installing removable signs and light pole setbacks • Allow trucks to cross over median and allow counter flow movement • Right turn lanes – sometimes gated • Lower curbs 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Miscellaneous Ideas • Stabilized soil in center island • Pass through lanes in center island- gated • Completely traversable center islands (like minis) 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Some Select Examples • Several more in final report: • http://www.ksdot.org/burmatrres/kdotlib2.asp 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Generalized Concept- more paved areas 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

T&DI Congress 2014, Orlando, FL

Truck& OSOW Routing • WisDOT Freight Network (FN) • OSOW Check Routes • 7 truck configurations • Opinion: All transportation agencies should consider 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

2014 ITE Joint Western/Midwestern meeting, rapid City, S.D., June 30

One of dozens using various roundabout dimensions and check vehicles 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Leading to composites for roundabouts of varying dimensions this one for: 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Overall General Conclusion • 1.transportation agencies should conduct a survey to develop a freight network which includes segments where OSOW need to be accommodated, including turning movements and capabilitiesand develop appropriate, state-specific, check vehicles 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Key Conclusions from Examples • Wide truck aprons can help in many situations • In special cases central island could be all truck apron • Central island could be narrowed our tapered for through movements; or have lanes through • Allowing contraflow can be cost-effective in some cases • Raised curbs should be kept low – suggest 3” max • European low but rough truck apron may have merit 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Conclusions from Surveys • Ground clearance by low vehicles is a major problem • Knowing what OSOW use a particular route and their dimensions and turning characteristics are essential • All obstructions need to be considered and some routes may not be suitable 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

“Message” Worth Repeating • My opinion-- • We must do a good job accommodating all trucks on designated routes -- • And do a good job accommodating OSOW necessary to key industry and the economy • Or politicians may do it for us ! 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Trains Do It ! TRAINS DO IT 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Pooled Fund State Sponsors; and Technical Contacts • Connecticut; William Britnell • Iowa; Jeremy Vortherms • Kansas ( Lead State) ; Steve King (Monitor) • Mississippi; Bob Mabry • Ohio; James Young • Oregon; Rich Crossler-Laird • Washington; Brian Walsh • Wisconsin; Patrick Fleming/Peter Lynch (UW) 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Other Sponsors • Transoft Solutions; Steven Chan • KSUTC; Bobb Stokes • MATC; MustaqueHossain 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

The End • Questions ? • Report and appendices: • http://www.ksdot.org/burmatrres/kdotlib2.asp • My email: geno@ksu.edu 2014 Joint Western/Midwestern ITE District Meeting, Rapid City, S.D., Jume 30

Eight-state Pooled Fund Study on Accommodating Oversize/Overweight Vehicles at Roundabouts