Investigation of the effects of oil field traffic on low volume roadways

Abstract

The farm to market roads in Texas are designed to provide service for relatively low traffic volumes and infrequent heavy vehicles. Efforts to increase domestic oil production have increased the demand placed on the rural highway system. These roads were not initially constructed to endure the impact of oil field traffic. This dissertation identifies oil field traffic and provides an estimate of annual cost associated with a reduced pavement life. Identification of oil field traffic through site specific observation provides the basis for the investigation. The study includes a description of traffic during the development of an oil well, an estimation of reduction in pavement life under these operating conditions, a description of associated roadway damage, and an estimation of increased annual pavement cost due to oil well traffic. The evaluation of an oil well is photographically documented and provides both a count of the number of axles and an identification of the physical characteristics of the vehicle. Axle weights are estimated using standard "W-Tables" and converted to equivalent 18 kip single axle load repetitions. Three main components of the analysis procedure include a pavement analysis, traffic analysis, and an estimate of the potential traffic generated by an oil well and placed on a section of F.M. roadway. A resurfacing interval for a bituminous surface treated pavement is then determined by comparing the estimated cumulative traffic demand with the terminal structural capability of the intended use pavement section. Comparison of the resurfacing intervals demonstrates the reduction in pavement life; a further comparison is made of the respective annual cost per mile of roadway. The difference between the estimated annual costs constitutes a unit capital loss due to increased traffic. A computational example of the analysis procedure is provided. Specific assumptions and limitations are also discussed. The results of the analysis are summarized in a chart and table format.