摘要: |
The purposes of this report is to examine the current state of commercial vehicle data handling in an effort to identify ways in which the Arizona Department of Transportation's (AzDOT) practices can be improved. This is done through a three-fold approach that includes a literature review, survey of other states' practices, and an AzDOT needs assessment. The literature review shows an absence of a best practices consensus relative to coordination of commercial vehicle data. Obstacles to developing an effective program appear to be lack of funding, data quality, timeliness of delivery, and incompatible data formats. Success is contingent on inter- and intra-agency cooperation among data collection units. A survey of state practices showed data collection is typically centralized in one or two departments. Data collection is part of a permanent program using permanent data collection sites supplemented by portable equipment. No apparent method of operation led to an 'effective' or 'very effective' self-rating. Commercial vehicle data are primarily used to meet federal reporting requirements with limited use for size and weight enforcement. The needs assessment showed the lack of commercial vehicle data for effective size and weight enforcement as the area where the current system falls short of user needs. This is due in part to the lack of coordination and communication between data collection units. Additionally, a large percentage of traffic count and classification equipment is in need of repair or replacement. Weigh-in-motion equipment is absent on critical interstate highways and truck bypass routes. |