Decreasing the cost of hauling timber through increased payload

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dc.contributor.authorBeardsell, Michael G.en
dc.contributor.committeechairWalbridge Jr., T.A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberShaffer, Robert M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberStuart, William B.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSinclair, S.A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberPeters, P.A.en
dc.contributor.departmentForestryen
dc.date.accessioned2015-06-24T13:35:22Zen
dc.date.available2015-06-24T13:35:22Zen
dc.date.issued1986en
dc.description.abstractThe potential for decreasing timber transportation costs in the South by increasing truck payloads was investigated using a combination of theoretical and case-study methods. A survey of transportation regulations in the South found considerable disparities between states. Attempts to model the factors which determine payload per unit of bunk area and load center of gravity location met with only moderate success, but illustrated the difficulties loggers experience in estimating gross and axle weights in the woods. A method was developed for evaluating the impact of Federal Bridge Formula axle weight constraints on the payloads of tractor-trailers with varying dimensions and axle configurations. Analysis of scalehouse data found log truck gross weights lower on average than the legal maximum but also highly variable. Eliminating both overloading and underloading would result in an increase in average payload, reduced overweight lines, and improved public relations. Tractor-trailer tare weights were also highly variable indicating potential for increasing payload by using lightweight equipment. Recommendations focused first on taking steps to keep GVW’s within a narrow range around the legal maximum by adopting alternative loading strategies, improving GVW estimation, and using scalehouse data as a management tool. When this goal is achieved, options for decreasing tare weight should be considered. Suggestions for future research included a study of GVW estimation accuracy using a variety of estimation techniques, and field testing of the project recommendations.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.format.extentviii, 133 leavesen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/53617en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 14701737en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V856 1986.B427en
dc.subject.lcshLog transportation -- Economic aspectsen
dc.subject.lcshLog transportation -- Sunbelt Statesen
dc.subject.lcshTrucking -- Economic aspectsen
dc.subject.lcshTrucking -- Law and legislation -- Sunbelt Statesen
dc.titleDecreasing the cost of hauling timber through increased payloaden
dc.typeDissertationen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineForestryen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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