Abstract

The paper presents outline of historical development of characteristics of traffic loading on roads. The influence of determination of equivalent standard axle load on results of traffic analysis was discussed. Experimental AASHTO method and factors calculated with use of this method for Polish conditions were presented. Formulas for calculation of factors for tandem and tridem axles were given. The French method and its comparison with the AASHTO method were presented. The analysis of the effect of determination of the exponent „n” from n = 4 to n = 12 on evaluation of the equivalent traffic, at various rate of overloading of axles of vehicles, were given. Theoretical bases of evaluation of equivalent axle load factors according to mechanistic methods were proposed. Examples of evaluation of factors from fatigue laws are given and practical conclusions are presented.