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Effects of Increased Weights of Alternative Fuel Trucks on Pavement and Bridges

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  • Harvey, John PhD
  • Saboori, Arash
  • Miller, Marshall PhD
  • Kim, Changmo PhD
  • Jaller, Miguel PhD
  • Lea, Jon
  • Kendall, Alissa PhD
  • Saboori, Ashkan

Abstract

California’s truck fleet composition is shifting to include more natural gas vehicles (NGVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and it will shift more quickly to meet state greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals. These alternative fuel trucks (AFTs) may introduce heavier axle loads, which may increase pavement damage and GHG emissions from work to maintain pavements. This project aimed to provide conceptual-level estimates of the effects of vehicle fleet changes on road and bridge infrastructure. Three AFT implementation scenarios were analyzed using typical Calif. state and local pavement structures, and a federal study’s results were used to assess the effects on bridges. This study found that more NGV, EV, and FC trucks are expected among short-haul and medium-duty vehicles than among long-haul vehicles, for which range issues arise with EVs and FCs. But the estimates predicted that by 2050, alternative fuels would power 25–70% of long-haul and 40–95% of short-haul and medium-duty trucks. AFT implementation is expected to be focused in the 11 counties with the greatest freight traffic—primarily urban counties along major freight corridors. Results from the implementation scenarios suggest that introducing heavier AFTs will only result in minimal additional pavement damage, with its extent dependent on the pavement structure and AFT implementation scenario. Although allowing weight increases of up to 2,000 lbs. is unlikely to cause major issues on more modern bridges, the effects of truck concentrations at those new limits on inadequate bridges needs more careful evaluation. The study’s most aggressive market penetration scenario yielded an approximate net reduction in annual well-to-wheel truck propulsion emissions of 1,200–2,700 kT per year of CO2 -e by 2030, and 6,300–34,000 kT by 2050 versus current truck technologies. Negligible effects on GHG emissions from pavement maintenance and rehabilitation resulted from AFT implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Harvey, John PhD & Saboori, Arash & Miller, Marshall PhD & Kim, Changmo PhD & Jaller, Miguel PhD & Lea, Jon & Kendall, Alissa PhD & Saboori, Ashkan, 2020. "Effects of Increased Weights of Alternative Fuel Trucks on Pavement and Bridges," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt4z94w3xr, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt4z94w3xr
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Burke, Andrew PhD & Miller, Marshall PhD, 2020. "Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-duty Truck Technology, Markets, and Policy Assessments for California," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7n68r0q8, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fonseca, Camila & Jiang, Haiyue & Zeerak, Raihana & Zhao, Jerry Zhirong, 2024. "Explaining the adoption of electric vehicle fees across the United States," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 139-149.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Engineering; Trucks; electric vehicles; emissions; alternate fuels; greenhouse gasses; pavement distress; pavement performance; highway bridges; life cycle analysis;
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