Development of heavy vehicle characteristics model using weigh in motion at jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah / Mohd Azahar Awang

This study investigates the characteristics and trends of heavy vehicle traffic, particularly overloaded vehicles, on the Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (JSAHMS) bridge in Malaysia. Utilizing weigh-in-motion (WIM) data collected from 3 Sites over 31 months of data, the research analyses traffic composition, axle load range distribution, and the relationship between heavy vehicle volume and overload occurrences. Findings reveal distinct traffic patterns on weekdays and weekends, with significant variations in heavy vehicle percentages across locations. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Duncan's test, confirm these differences. The ANOVA analysis reveals that there are statistically significant differences in the mean counts of heavy vehicles between the Sites. The high F-value and the very low p-value (< 0.001) suggest that the Sites means are not equal and the variation between Sites is significantly greater than the variation within Sites. This implies that the different Sites are affecting the total numbers of heavy vehicle. Based on the Duncan test results, we can conclude the Site 1 has the highest average number of heavy vehicles and is significantly different from Site 2 and Site 3. Regression models establish correlations between total traffic and heavy vehicle numbers, aiding in predicting future trends. Additionally, the study proposes a monitoring framework for JSAHMS, focusing on Sites with higher overload occurrences, to enhance enforcement and mitigate infrastructure damage caused by overloaded heavy vehicles. This research provides valuable insights for transportation planning, infrastructure management, and policy development, addressing the critical issue of overloaded heavy vehicles in Malaysia.