Frost law

Frost laws are seasonal restrictions on traffic weight limits and speeds on roadways subject to thaw weakening.

In climates that experience below-freezing temperatures, damage to roads from thaw-weakening have led to many U.S. states, Canadian provinces[1] and other jurisdictions to enact laws that restrict vehicle loads during spring months, when road structures are thawing from above in a manner that limits water from escaping the soil structure, thereby weakening the pavement underpinnings.[2] [3] [4] The U.S. State of Michigan, for example, during the months of March, April and May reduce legal axle weights of vehicles by up to 35%. Some areas also require heavy vehicles to travel a maximum of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), regardless of the posted limit. [5] Some states allow load increases on roads during the freezing season.[6]

References

  1. ^ Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program (C-SHRP) (September 2000), Seasonal Restrictions in Canada and around the World, C-SHRP Technical Brief #21, Ottawa, Ontario, pp. 8, ISBN 1-55187-059-2, http://cshrp.org/products/brief-21.pdf 
  2. ^ Wisconsin Department of Transportation (2007), Springtime posted roads (state numbered highways only), http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/truck/postedroads.htm, retrieved 2010-03-28 
  3. ^ 2009 Minnesota Statutes (2009), 169.87 Seasonal Load Restriction; Route Designation., https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.87, retrieved 2010-03-29 
  4. ^ Transports Quebec (2010), Québec Pavement Story, http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises_en/zone_fournisseurs/reseau_routier/chaussee/chaussees_climat_quebecois, retrieved 2010-03-21 
  5. ^ Van Buren County Community Center (2010), Seasonal Weight Restrictions, http://www.vbco.org/government0214.asp, retrieved 2010-03-28 
  6. ^ 2009 Minnesota Statutes (2009), 169.826 Gross Weight Seasonal Increases., https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.826, retrieved 2010-03-29 

See also

External links