Nellore - Chilkaluripet Six Laning Project Replies to comments on Axle Load Survey Ref: Your Letter No.

ICT:NH-5:TL:080 dated 10th January 2012 S.No Comments by IE Date and Day of Survey to be provided. Concessionaire is also to provide methodology adopted for the survey indicating, Sample Size for each category of vehicles, Sampling Procedure, number of pads used etc.

Reply

Survey at CH:1344+600 is done on 22/9/2010 (Wednesday), at CH:1264+080 on 23/9/2010 (Thursday) and at CH:1200 on 27/9/2010 (Monday). Sample size and sampling procedure were followed as per IRC 37 guidelines. Two set of weighing pads (one pad per direction) were used for the survey

Table 2-3 of report VDF values are very low compared to previous surveys. VDF of 0.16 persented for buses at Km 1344/600 - Nellore - Chilakaluripet direction which is very low. Valyes are more than 1 at all other locations. Concessionaire is required to verify the value or substantiate with reasons for such a low VDF. The values are approximately 1/3rd of feasibility study report values and 1/5th of Halcrow survey data. The values are found very low when compared to other nearby stretches of NH. Concessionaire is required to verify the values, calibration of axle load pads, analysis procedure and substantiate with reasons for such a low VDF values. Concessionaire is also required to submit raw axle load data for verification of IE

VDF for differenent vehicle categories are calculated according to the captured survey data. Raw survey data has been checked and the results are the same. In comparison with feasibility report, VDF value variations are significiant for 3-axle truck and multiaxle vehicle category, but the variations in 2-axle truck are found negligible. While comparing with HALCROW report, VDF value variations are more for 2-axle truck, 3-axle truck and Multi axle vehicles, this indicates the survey data is influenced by local variations. However, for verfication purposes Raw survey data will be submitted to IE for cross check.

Annexure-4: Axle Load survey Analysis- Summary of axle load survey data using frequency distribution table has been presented. As per IRC Standards, actual measured axle loads of individual vehicles shall be used for computation of VDF using 4th power equation. Frequency distribution table, adopting mid-values of axle load range, using average axle load values for VDF calculation are not confirming to IRC Standards. In order to correct the VDF calculations the concessionaire is also required to submit raw axle load data sheets for verification of Independent Engineer.

The analysis procedure adopted in this project is according to the IRC:37-2001 Annexure-2. The load equiavlency factor is computed using the 4th Power equation for each class mark of the axle load survey. We have also checked the analysis using the method suggested by IE and the resultant VDF values are same. The axle load data sheets are being submitted along with this reply for your verification.

Axle load survey of Medaramitila - Ongole section is missing. In View of about 40% of traffic joining from SH2 (Narkatapalli-Addanki-Medaramitla state highway which is currently being 4-lanned), axle load survey conducted at Km:1200 will not represent the axle load spectrum for Medaramitla - Ongole Section. Hence fresh traffic survey as well as axle load survey shall be conducted in Medaramitla - Ongole section

During Reconnaisance survey, no significant amount of diversion of traffic to the project corridor was observed, hence the impact on design MSA will be negligible.

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S.No

Comments by IE In order to compare VDF, axle load and traffic surveys shall be conducted simultaneously for expansion of sample axle load survey data with traffic. Since concessionaire used Halcrow's traffic data (Traffic survey conducted before signing the conecssion aggregement), it clearly indicates that traffic and axle load surveys are of different time periods.

Reply

IRC doesn't mandate to conduct axle load survey and traffic surveys simultaneously as axle load survey is sample based survey and will be carried out for one day.

In order to capture the varied axle spectrum for all categories of vehicles, the classfication system is Annexure-4: Axle load survey analys - vehicle expanded for Axle load survey based And hence the classification system adopted for axle load survey does vehicle classification does not match.on number of not match with traffic Table 1-4, Commercial traffic axles. And hence the vehicle classification does not (AADT), Pavement design report page 7. match. However the total traffic observed by Axle load and Traffic Surveys remains the same

Since the composition of LCV-passenger, LCV goods, Triden axle trucks and Semi Truck Trailer is not available in traffic survey the same shall not be used for computation of VDF.

The average value of VDF obtained for LCV-passenger and LCV goods is used for design traffic calculation for LCV and the average of Tridem axle trucks and semi truck trailer is used for design traffic calculation of MAVs. For computation of VDF the vehicles were classified based on number of axles. Detailed calculation indicating the breakup of vehicle types used for MSA computation will be submitted for verification purposes

Since tractor-trailer traffic is seasonal, carry only About 200 tractor-trailer were found at Km.1200 toll agricultural products for shorter trips, volume is plaza. Axle load survey does not cover tractor with considerably less (only 5% of the total traffic) and there trailer which is very significant on the project is no specific axle load limits to compute VDF the same corridor. is not considered in axle load survey. Annexure-4: Page 15 - Incomplete Table provided (no This is due to printing mistake and will be rectified. of samples, VDF and other details missing). Axle Load survey of Multi-Axle buses and Truck Trailer missing

9 10

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S.No

Comments by IE

Reply

As observed in table significantly inadequate sample size for vehicle category 1, 2, 4 and 8 has been observed. As per IRC, minimum sample size for each category of vehicles in each direction of traffic movement shall not be less than 10%. The axle load survey data with many missing samples and insufficient Sample sizes are taken according to IRC guidelines. The 11 samples is not acceptable for design of highway same can be verified from the Raw survey data parameters. Concessionaire and PMC are required to recognise the importance of axle load and traffic surveys iin the overall project development and maintenance for coming 30 years and rectify the above errors and reconduct traffic as well as axle load survey under notice of IE.

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