CHAPTER 6:CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Conclusion
The intention of this research study was to estimate the truck factors (ESAL) for each
vehicle category in provincial roads. Axle load survey is the widely used method to
calculate ESAL values in Sri Lanka. The resources are very limited and only RDA is
doing the axle load survey. Different approaches have been used for the estimation of
ESALs for provincial roads. In some cases legal axle load limits have been used for
the analysis. Some people have used maximum truck loads and sample surveys to
determine the ESAL values. Recently JBIC funded Provincial Road Improvement
Project had used one ESAL values for the entire road network in Central and
Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Therefore a reliable methodology is required to estimate the ESAL values for

provincial roads. The technical capabilities and financial capacities are very much
limited in provincial sector. Therefore a simple and cheap but accurate method is
required for this situation. The main two parameters required for this work are the
vehicle load and the distribution of load among the axles. If we can estimate the loads
in each axle, then using following formula we can calculate the corresponding ESAL.
ESAL = (P*a/8.16)^4.5 + (P*b8.16)^4.5
P = Total truck load
a = percentage of load distribution to front axle
b = percentage of load distribution to rear axle
Various methods have been adopted to define the truck load ‘P’ and most of the
situation it has been taken as 10 tons. The distribution ratios; a = 30% and b = 70%
for most of the situation.
A rational approach was introduced to estimate the truck loads for each vehicle
category. This is done by the field observations. The vehicle volume, type of material
and loading condition is recorded during the field survey. Using the bulk density of
each material type the vehicle load can be calculated with high accuracy.
Comprehensive data analyses were carried out to determine the load distribution
ratios. Historical data was used for this analysis and quite interesting relationships
were found for each vehicle category. The distribution factors were further developed

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for each material type. Therefore the accuracy of distribution ratios is very high. With
these

The method introduced for the estimation of ESAL is very straight forward and
simple. High technical inputs are not required for the implementation. High-tech
equipments are not required. It is quick and easy, therefore large amount if trucks can
be measured during the field survey. The survey can be carried out for several days
for the same road to see all the traffic variations and seasonal changes. And it can be
used for all roads and then CNSA for each individual road can be found.
The accuracy of the findings was checked using actual axle load survey data. It was
found that results are almost 95% accurate. As we know, even for axle load survey
sample trucks will be taken for the survey. The ESAL will be calculated based in the
sample datIt is also estimation with some accuracy.

The final use of these findings is for the pavement design work. In provincial sector,
RN 31 catalogue is widely used for the design of pavement structure. In RN 31,
Traffic classes are used to determine the pavement structure. Therefore highly
accurate & expensive methods are not required for provincial roads. The method
developed in this study can be used to estimate ESAL values for each vehicle
category on all provincial roads.

6.2 Recommendations
This methodology can be further improved with following studies.

It is noted that the vehicle loads and distributions are both sensitive to type of vehicle.
A comprehensive vehicle classification system will help to short out the problem to a
certain extent. For an example, Medium trucks can be sub divided into small, average
and large. And in provincial roads there are typical vehicle types and loading
conditions. Therefore the vehicle classification has to be further modified to suite the
local conditions. It also improves the accuracy of empty truck loads when small sub
groups are introduced.

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The estimation of gross weight is highly sensitive to bulk density of each material.
Other factors like vehicle volume and loading condition can be accurately estimated.
Therefore a rational method is required to determine the bulk specific gravity for most
common material types. This can be done either by weighing the loads at weighing
stations or keeping records during axle load surveys.

For medium and heavy truck category, further analysis is required for the load
distribution factors. For each material type different loading condition should be
considered to improve the accuracy, For some instances the number of samples are
not sufficient, therefore a good sample data base has to collected for further analysis.

The methodology requires continues changes and modifications to improve the

reliability and accuracy. The regular checks with actual axle load survey results are
highly recommended for this type of estimations

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