Partners Sought for Low Volume Roads Project

Additional funding partners are needed to launch a Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) project about load management practices for low volume roads.

Agencies interested in the project are encouraged to consider making a contribution by contacting Sarah Wells. Committed funding partners will be invited to appoint a representative to the project steering committee.   

The project, advanced by the Pavements and Soils and Materials Standing Committees and endorsed by the Chief Engineers’ Council, would develop a synthesis of low volume road pavement and load management practices and guidance for possible enhancements to those practices.

Background

Almost all Canadian provinces restrict truck axle weights during the spring thaw period. Several provinces allow trucks to carry extra weight during the winter months. The weight limit, methods to trigger the start, end and duration of the spring load restriction and winter premium periods vary across the country.  Those variations can hinder the route and load management for interprovincial truck traffic.

The project aims to review and assess current practices and research to:

• Manage seasonal weights, including selection of roads, weight limits, and methods used to determine dates of spring restrictions and winter weight premiums.
• Provide recommendations to identify a pavement structure requiring spring load restrictions.
• Summarize mechanistic responses of weak pavements including seasonal variation and impact on pavement service life.
• Recommend how pavement designs can be adjusted to optimize economic aspect of weight restrictions and premiums.
• Synthesize available relevant technology to manage seasonal loadings.

Current funding partners for this project include Alberta Transportation, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure and Yukon Highways and Public Works.