Initial Investigation for Traffic Monitoring Equipment Evaluation Facility (0-4664-1)

TxDOT's Transportation Planning and Programming (TPP) Division routinely tests a wide variety of devices for counting axles or vehicles; measuring vehicle speed, headway, and gap; classifying vehicles by length and/or axle spacing; and weighing vehicles in-motion. However, TPP needs a traffic monitoring equipment evaluation facility to enhance its capabilities in conducting these tests, in facilitating training, and in allowing vendor comparisons and demonstrations. This project investigated funding sources, design options, and viable locations for this traffic monitoring equipment evaluation facility. The project provided research and development to design a generic facility to evaluate traffic data collection equipment and sensors and perform traffic data collection research. This report covers the first 9 months of this 2-year project, identifying potential funding sources and candidate sites for further consideration. The most prominent funding sources are construction funds (include the site as part of a TxDOT construction project) and State Planning and Research (SPR) funds. The most promising sites identified thus far are on 1-35 north of Georgetown near the Bell County line. Future research will include an evaluation of Kistler Lineas Quartz weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors, a determination of minimum pavement structural support to ensure adequate sensor service life, and a forensic evaluation pertaining to failure mode of East Texas in-pavement traffic monitoring sensors.