Stochastic model for multi-lane traffic effects on bridges

In modern approaches, the target and design values for traffic effects on bridges are obtained through suitable stochastic traffic models processing recorded traffic data. To this aim, several theoretical and numerical stochastic models have recently been proposed. Despite their elegance, theoretical models often have limited fields of application, while numerical models, particularly efficient when single-lane traffic flow is considered, turn out to be unsatisfactory when traffic in several lanes, or a combination of traffic actions with those from other sources must be dealt with. This paper presents a more general theoretical stochastic traffic model, which is able, not only to reproduce actual traffic, but to account for such traffic interactions as well. The model, based on an equilibrium renewal process of vehicle arrivals, can be used in all cases where sophisticated evaluation of real traffic effects is required, such as calibration of conventional load models in bridge codes, assessment of existing bridges, as well as the design and analysis of bridges with less traditional schemes or subjected to particular traffic conditions. The efficiency of the model is illustrated through meaningful applications.