SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: User Impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Traffic
Project Number: 169205
Principal Investigator:
Jorge Prozzi
(512) 232-3488
P.I. Affiliation: University of Texas at Austin
prozzi@mail.utexas.edu
Project Monitor:
Dr. Dario Perdomo
Zachry Construction Co.,
San Antonio, Texas
Phone: (210) 554-3804
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/08
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/09
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $39,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $39,000
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
Truck is the dominant mode of transportation for U.S. trade with Mexico. Between 1994 and 2000, the number of northbound trucks crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, increased from 2.8 million to 4.2 million annually. This resulted in increased pressures on the highway corridors serving the NAFTA region. This growth in truck-borne freight volumes is expected to continue, especially once Mexican trucking companies are allowed to access U.S. markets located beyond the border commercial zone. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 700 Mexico-domiciled motor carriers have applied for authority to operate beyond the U.S. commercial zone once regulations are relaxed. A change in the traffic loading characteristics of trucks could significantly increase the impacts of NAFTA related truck traffic on the highway corridors, especially in those states which are greatly affected by NAFTA traffic, such as Texas. A recent SWUTC study entitled “Characterizing Highway Traffic in the U.S.-Mexico Trade Corridors Based on the Damaging Effects on the Border Surface Transportation Infrastructure” has looked at how traffic loading patterns will change once the border opens to Mexican trucking companies and how the latter will affect pavement performance. The study, however, does not account for the impact of deteriorated pavements on the users (i.e., traveling public and trucking companies) of the corridors. The objective of this study is to review a number of existing models to determine their relevance in calculating the effects of pavement condition on the traveling public and on goods movement on key NAFTA trade corridors.
Project Objectives:
A number of models have been calibrated that can be used to determine the impact of pavement deterioration on the users of the highway system, including The Highway Design and Standards Maintenance Model (HDM-III), The Highway Development and Management System Model (HDM-IV), The Vehicle Operating Costs Model (HDM-VOC), The Paved Road Deterioration Model (HDM-PRD), The Road Users Charges Model (RUC), and the Roads Economic Decision Model (RED). The research team will review these and other available models to determine their relevance in calculating the effects of pavement condition on the traveling public and on goods movement on key NAFTA trade corridors. Each of these models will be evaluated in terms of available data to calibrate the models for key NAFTA corridors, data input requirements, robustness, and user friendliness. The research team will recommend a model that can be used to quantify the impacts of pavement deterioration on the traveling public and goods movements on key NAFTA corridors.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Literature Review
The objective of this task is to conduct an extensive literature review of the models identified and to determine where and how they have been implemented in the past, any issues that arose, as well as general information about the performance of the models.
Task 2: Review Identified Models
The objectives of this task are to obtain the various models and to evaluate the models in terms of their relevance in calculating the effects of pavement condition on the traveling public and on goods movement on key NAFTA trade corridors.
The World Bank has developed and assisted in the development of numerous models to determine the impact of pavement deterioration on highway users. These models include:
With the exception of HDM-IV all these models are available for download from the World Bank website (see http://web.worldbank.org/) at no charge. These models will be downloaded and reviewed in terms of their limitations, data requirements, complexity, robustness, assumptions, and required expertise. Also, when evaluating these models the research team will be cognizant of the data requirements and complexity in calibrating the model for Texas conditions.
Task 3: Recommend and Test Model
The objectives of this task are to recommend and test the recommended model by applying it to one or two key NAFTA trade corridors in Texas. The recommended model will be calibrated with available data for Texas and the user impacts (i.e., costs) associated with pavement deterioration will be determined. The process will be documented and all assumptions and concerns in applying the model will be documented.
Task 4: Technology Transfer and Reporting
The objectives of this task are to deliver a report documenting the research performed and to disseminate the main results of the study by submitting a paper for presentation at the next Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
Index Terms:
Free Trade Area of the Americas, Free trade agreements, Truck traffic, Freight transportation, Motor carriers, Texas-Mexico Border region, Truck tractors, Trucking, Freight traffic, Research projects