HVTIS Field Manual

Heavy Vehicle Travel Information System
Field Manual

May 2001
Revised Sep. 2007

HEAVY VEHICLE TRAVEL INFORMATION SYSTEM
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND
The data from the Heavy Vehicle Travel Information System (HVTIS) will be used to analyze
the amount and nature of truck travel at the national and regional level. The information would
be used by FHWA and other DOT administrations to evaluate changes in truck travel in order to
assess impacts on the highway safety; the role of travel in economic productivity; impacts of
changes in truck travel on infrastructure condition, and maintaining our mobility while
protecting the human and natural environment. The increasing dependence on truck transport
requires that data be available to better assess its overall contribution to the Nation’s well-being.
The data will allow transportation professionals at the Federal, state and metropolitan levels to
make informed decisions about policies and plans.
The majority of States collect vehicle weight data periodically throughout the year using weighin-motion devices and also collect vehicle classification and/or total vehicle volume data
continuously. To support the HVTIS data needs, the FHWA is requesting that the various State
Highway Agencies provide monthly reporting of vehicle classification and/or total vehicle
volume as well as annual reporting of weight data they collect as part of their existing traffic data
collection programs.
Through its three stages of development, the HVTIS will provide increasingly detailed heavy
vehicle data:
1. National estimates of heavy vehicle highway travel on a monthly basis.
2. National estimates of axle loadings and highway ton-miles of freight moved each month,
and
3. Highway specific estimates of truck volumes and loadings
TRAFFIC DATA RECORDS
This section contains instructions for coding data in the formats requested by the FHWA.
The record formats and coding instructions have been developed to provide input to the Heavy
Vehicle Travel Information System. The HVTIS is supported by the Travel Monitoring Analysis
System (TMAS), which incorporates the Traffic Volume Trends (TVT) system, and the Vehicle
Travel Information System (VTRIS), which will be integrated into TMAS.
2

TMAS is a web-based system used to process the continuous traffic volume and vehicle
classification data and produce a monthly Traffic Volume Trends report. The VTRIS is used to
process the vehicle classification and truck weight data. Both are database management systems
that validate, summarize, and maintain traffic data. TMAS and VTRIS require data in the
formats described in this section. VTRIS is available for downloading on the FHWA website
from the VTRIS webpage at .
The data records are divided into four types: station description data, traffic volume data,
vehicle classification data, and truck weight data. Each type of data has its own individualized
record format. Specific coding instructions and record layouts are discussed separately for each type
of data in the next chapters.
Note that some fields are labeled “critical.” This means that a record cannot be processed by
TMAS or VTRIS without them. All data files described here are ASCII flat files. For fields with
missing or inapplicable data, enter blanks. Numbers such as counts should be right-justified and
filled with leading blanks or zeros unless noted otherwise.
Certain data items are common to all four types of records. For example, all records contain
a six-character station identification. This allows States to use a common identification system for
all traffic monitoring stations.
Several fields in the station description record were replaced with fields that are needed
to tie traffic data to geographic information systems (GIS). This will allow traffic data to be
overlaid on the National Highway Planning Network (NHPN) and similar systems.

3

DATA SUBMITTALS TO THE FHWA
Copies of vehicle classification data collected by continuous automatic vehicle classifiers
should be submitted monthly. In those States that also collect traffic volume data by permanent
automatic traffic recorders, this data should also be submitted monthly. Both types of data should be
submitted to FHWA within 20 days after the close of the month for which the data were collected.
The station description record need only be sent annually or when there is a change.
Traffic data should be uploaded and validated with the Travel Monitoring Analysis System
(TMAS) at . The user must first register with the User Profile and
Access Control System (UPACS).
Annually, each State should submit to the FHWA the vehicle classification and truck weight
data collected at weigh-in-motion (WIM) sites. Data for the preceding calendar year should be
submitted by June 15th. More frequent submissions are also acceptable.
If continuous weigh-in-motion data are available, send up to one week of data per quarter
(select any week without a holiday). The data should be addressed as follows:
Federal Highway Administration
Travel Monitoring and Surveys Division, HPPI-30
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Attention: Truck Weight Study
All data should be in the record formats described in this section and edited for
reasonableness. If the files are large, it is preferable that a compression program be used to
condense them. Please provide the name of a contact person and the telephone number in case
further clarification is necessary. For further information, contact the Travel Monitoring and
Surveys Division at (202) 366-0175.

4

CHAPTER 2
STATION DESCRIPTION DATA FORMATS
The Station Description record format is used for all traffic volume, vehicle classification,
and truck weight monitoring stations. A Station Description file contains one record for each traffic
monitoring station per year. All fields are considered to be character fields. The optional file
naming convention is "ssyy.STA", where ss is state postal abbreviation and yy is the last two digits
of the year. Table 1 summarizes the Station Description record.
Fields designated as Critical are required for entry into the HVTIS database.
1.

Record Type (Column 1) - Critical
S = Station description record

2.

FIPS State Codes (Columns 2-3) - Critical
State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
D.C.
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky

Code
01
02
04
05
06
08
09
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

State
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota

5

Code
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38

State
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Puerto Rico

Code
39
40
41
42
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
53
54
55
56
72

Table 1: Station Description Record
(OMB No. 2125-0587)
Field

Columns

Width

Description

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

1
2-3
4-9
10
11
12-13
14-15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24-25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34-45
46-51
52-59
60-68
69-72
73-78
79-80
81-82
83-85
86
87-98
99
100
101-108
109
110-117
118-167

1
2
6
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
12
6
8
9
4
6
2
2
3
1
12
1
1
8
1
8
50

Record Type
FIPS State Code
Station ID
Direction of Travel Code
Lane of Travel
Year of Data
Functional Classification Code
Number of Lanes in Direction Indicated
Sample Type for Traffic Volume
Number of Lanes Monitored for Traffic Volume
Method of Traffic Volume Counting
Sample Type for Vehicle Classification
Number of Lanes Monitored for Vehicle Class.
Method of Vehicle Classification
Algorithm for Vehicle Classification
Classification System for Vehicle Classification
Sample Type for Truck Weight
Number of Lanes Monitored for Truck Weight
Method of Truck Weighing
Calibration of Weighing System
Method of Data Retrieval
Type of Sensor
Second Type of Sensor
Primary Purpose
LRS Identification
LRS Location Point
Latitude
Longitude
SHRP Site Identification
Previous Station ID
Year Station Established
Year Station Discontinued
FIPS County Code
HPMS Sample Type
HPMS Sample Identifier
National Highway System
Posted Route Signing
Posted Signed Route Number
Concurrent Route Signing
Concurrent Signed Route Number
Station Location
6

3.

Station Identification (Columns 4-9) - Critical

This field should contain an alphanumeric designation for the station where the survey data are
collected. Station identification field entries must be identical in all records for a given station.
Differences in characters, including spaces, blanks, hyphens, etc., prevent proper match. Right
justify the Station ID if it is less than 6 characters. There should be no embedded blanks.
4.

Direction of Travel Code (Column 10) - Critical

Do not combine directions. There should be a separate record for each direction. Whether or not
lanes are combined in each direction depends on the next field.
Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0

5.

Direction
North
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
Southwest
West
Northwest
North-South or Northeast-Southwest combined (ATR stations only)
East-West or Southeast-Northwest combined (ATR stations only)

Lane of Travel (Column 11) - Critical

Either each lane is considered a separate station or all lanes in each direction are combined.
Code
0
1
2-9

Lane
Data with lanes combined
Outside (rightmost) lane
Other lanes

Note: The Station ID, Direction of Travel, and Lane of Travel make up the Station Code. There
should be one Station Description record per Station Code. Stations can be either by lane or with
lanes combined by direction, but not both.
6.

Year of Data (Columns 12-13) - Critical

Code the last two digits of the year in which the data were collected.

7

7.

Functional Classification Code (Columns 14-15) - Critical
Code

Functional Classification

RURAL
01
02
06
07
08
09

Principal Arterial - Interstate
Principal Arterial - Other
Minor Arterial
Major Collector
Minor Collector
Local System

11
12
14
16
17
19

Principal Arterial - Interstate
Principal Arterial - Other Freeways or Expressways
Principal Arterial - Other
Minor Arterial
Collector
Local System

URBAN

8.

Number of Lanes in Direction Indicated (Column 16)

Code the number of lanes in one direction at the site. Use "9" if there are more than eight lanes.
9.

Sample Type for Traffic Volume (Column 17)
T = Station used for Traffic Volume Trends
N = Station not used for Traffic Volume Trends

10.

Number of Lanes Monitored for Traffic Volume (Column 18)

Code the number of lanes in one direction that are monitored at this site. Use "9" if there are more
than eight lanes.
11.

Method of Traffic Volume Counting (Column 19)
1 = Human observation (manual)
2 = Portable traffic recording device
3 = Permanent automatic traffic recorder (ATR)

12.

Sample Type for Vehicle Classification (Column 20)
H = Station used for Heavy Vehicle Travel Information System
N = Station not used for Heavy Vehicle Travel Information System

13.

Number of Lanes Monitored for Vehicle Classification (Column 21)

Code the number of lanes in one direction that are monitored for vehicle classification at this site.
Use "9" if there are more than eight lanes.
14.

Method of Vehicle Classification (Column 22)
8

1 = Human observation (manual) vehicle classification
2 = Portable vehicle classification device
3 = Permanent vehicle classification device

15.

Algorithm for Vehicle Classification (Column 23)

Code the type of input and processing used to classify vehicles:
A = Human observation on site (manual)
B = Human observation of vehicle image (e.g., video)
C = Automated interpretation of vehicle image or signature (e.g., video, microwave, sonic)
D = Vehicle length classification
E = Axle spacing with ASTM Standard E1572
F = Axle spacing with Scheme F
G = Axle spacing with Scheme F modified
H = Other axle spacing algorithm
K = Axle spacing and weight algorithm
L = Axle spacing and vehicle length algorithm
M = Axle spacing, weight, and vehicle length algorithm
N = Axle spacing and other input(s) not specified above
Z = Other means not specified above

16.

Classification System for Vehicle Classification (Columns 24-25)

This indicates the total number of classes in the vehicle classification system. The default value is
13 which indicates the standard FHWA 13 class system (see Appendix 4-C). The other vehicle
classification systems are based on the HPMS and the Traffic Monitoring System (TMS)
documentation. The value that is used will determine the number of count fields needed on the
Vehicle Classification Record. In the following list the numbers in parentheses are from the FHWA
13 class system:
1 = One class: total volume
2 = Two classes: non-commercial (classes 1-3) and commercial (classes 4-13) vehicles
3 = Three classes: non-commercial (classes 1-3), single-unit commercial (classes 4-7), combination
commercial (classes 8-13) vehicles
4 = Four classes: non-commercial (classes 1-3), single-unit commercial (classes 4-7), single-trailer
commercial (classes 8-10), multi-trailer commercial (classes 11-13) vehicles
5 = Five classes as follows:
1 of 5 = two-axle, two or four-tire vehicles (classes 1-3)
2 of 5 = buses (class 4)
3 of 5 = single-unit trucks (classes 5-7)
4 of 5 = single-trailer combination trucks (classes 8-10)
5 of 5 = multiple-trailer combination trucks (classes 11-13)
13 = FHWA's standard 13 class system (see Appendix 4-C)
14 = FHWA's 13 class system plus a class 14 (State or vendor defined)
15 = FHWA's 13 class system plus classes 14 and 15 (State or vendor defined)
Other numbers = number of classes (unsupported)

9

17.

Sample Type for Truck Weight (Column 26)
B = Station used for TMG sample and Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) Long Term Pavement
Performance (LTPP) sample
L = Station used for SHRP/LTPP sample (but not TMG sample)
T = Station used for TMG sample (but not SHRP/LTPP sample)
N = Station not used for any of the above

18.

Number of Lanes Monitored for Truck Weight (Column 27)

Code the number of lanes in one direction that are monitored for truck weight at this site. Use "9" if
there are more than eight lanes.
19.

Method of Truck Weighing (Column 28)
1 = Portable static scale
2 = Chassis-mounted, towed static scale
3 = Platform or pit static scale
4 = Portable weigh-in-motion system
5 = Permanent weigh-in-motion system

20.

Calibration of Weighing System (Column 29)

Code the method used to calibrate the weighing system, e.g., comparing weight-in-motion and
weights from static scales.
A = ASTM Standard E1318
B = Subset of ASTM Standard E1318
C = Combination of test trucks and trucks from the traffic stream (but not ASTM E1318)
D = Other sample of trucks from the traffic stream
M = Moving average of the steering axle of 3S2s
S = Static calibration
T = Test trucks only
U = Uncalibrated
Z = Other method
21.

Method of Data Retrieval (Column 30)
1 = Not automated (manual)
2 = Automated (telemetry)

10

22.

Type of Sensor (Column 31)

Code the type of sensor used for traffic detection.
A = Automatic vehicle identification (AVI)
B = Bending plate
C = Capacitance strip
D = Capacitance mat/pad
E = Hydraulic load cells
F = Fiber optic
G = Strain gauge on bridge beam
H = Human observation (manual)
I = Infrared
K = Laser/lidar
L = Inductance loop
M = Magnetometer
P = Piezoelectric
Q = Quartz piezoelectric
R = Road tube
S = Sonic/acoustic
T = Tape switch
U = Ultrasonic
V = Video image
W = Microwave
X = Radio wave
Z = Other

23.

Second Type of Sensor (Column 32)

If there are two types of sensors at the station, code the second using the same codes as Type of
Sensor. Otherwise, code "N" for none.
24.

Primary Purpose (Column 33)

This field indicates the primary purpose for installing the station and hence which organization is
responsible for it and supplies the data.
E = Enforcement purposes (e.g., speed or weight enforcement)
I = Operations purposes in support of ITS initiatives
L = Load data for pavement design or pavement management purposes
O = Operations purposes but not ITS
P = Planning or traffic statistics purposes
R = Research purposes (e.g., LTPP)

25.

LRS Identification (Columns 34-45)

The LRS Identification reported in this item for the station must be the same as the LRS
identification reported in the HPMS for the section of roadway where the station is located. The
LRS identification is a 12-character, right justified value. The LRS ID can be alphanumeric, but
must not contain blanks; leading zeros must be coded. More information concerning the LRS
may be found in Chapter V of the HPMS Field Manual, Linear Referencing System
11

Requirements.
26.

LRS Location Point (Columns 46-51)

This is the LRS location point for the station. It is similar information to the LRS Beginning Point
and LRS Ending Point in the HPMS. The KMPT for the station must be within the range of the LRS
beginning point and LRS ending point for the roadway section upon which the station is located. It
is coded in kilometers with an implied decimal in the middle: XXX.XXX.
27.

Latitude (Columns 52-59)

This is the latitude of the station location with the north hemisphere assumed and decimal place
understood as XX.XXX XXX.
28.

Longitude (Columns 60-68)

This is the longitude of the station location with the west hemisphere assumed and decimal place
understood as XXX.XXX XXX.
29.

SHRP Site Identification (Columns 69-72)

If the site is used in the SHRP/LTPP sample, give the SHRP site ID.
30.

Previous Station ID (Columns 73-78)

If the station replaces another station, give the station ID that was used previously.
31.

Year Station Established (Columns 79-80)

Code the last two digits of the appropriate year if known.
32.

Year Station Discontinued (Columns 81-82)

Code the last two digits of the appropriate year if known.
33.

FIPS County Code (Columns 83-85)

Use the three-digit FIPS county code (see Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 6,
"Counties of the States of the United States").
34.

HPMS Sample Type (Column 86)
N = No, not on an HPMS standard sample section
Y = Yes, on an HPMS standard sample section

35.

HPMS Sample Identifier (Columns 87-98)
12

If the station is on an HPMS standard sample section, code the HPMS Sample Identifier per the
HPMS Field Manual (Item 47).
36.

National Highway System (Column 66)
N = No, not on National Highway System
Y = Yes, on National Highway System

37.

Posted Route Signing (Column 100)

This is the same as Route Signing in HPMS Field Manual (Item 22).
Code
0
1
2
3
4

38.

Description
Not signed
Interstate
U.S.
State
Off-Interstate Business Marker

Code
5
6
7
8
9

Description
County
Township
Municipal
Parkway or Forest Route Marker
None of the above

Posted Signed Route Number (Columns 101-108)

Code the route number of the principal route on which the station is located. If the station is located
on a city street, zero-fill this field. This is the same as Signed Route Number in HPMS Field
Manual (Item 24).
39.

Concurrent Route Signing (Column 109)

Code same as Posted Route Signing for concurrent route if there is one.
40.

Concurrent Signed Route Number (Columns 110-117)

Code same as Posted Signed Route Number for concurrent route if there is one.
41.

Station Location (Columns 118-167)

For stations located on a numbered route, enter the distance and direction of the station from the
nearest major intersecting route or state border or landmark on state road maps. If the station is
located on a city street, enter the city and street name. Abbreviate if necessary. Left justify.

13

CHAPTER 3
TRAFFIC VOLUME DATA FORMATS
The Traffic Volume file contains one record for each day of traffic monitoring. All numeric
fields should be right-justified and zero-filled. Table 2 summarizes the Hourly Traffic Volume
record.
Fields designated as Critical are required for entry into the HVTIS database.
1.

Record Type (Column 1) - Critical
3 = Traffic volume record

2.

FIPS State Code (Columns 2-3) - See chapter 2. - Critical

3.

Functional Classification Code (Columns 4-5) - See chapter 2. - Critical

4.

Station Identification (Columns 6-11) - See chapter 2. - Critical

This should be right-justified and zero-filled. - Critical
5.

Direction of Travel Code (Column 12) - See chapter 2. - Critical

6.

Lane of Travel (Column 13) - See chapter 2. - Critical

The code for combined lanes (0) is preferred.
7.

Year of Data (Columns 14-15) - See chapter 2. - Critical

8.

Month of Data (Columns 16-17) - Critical
01 = January
02 = February
03 = March
04 = April
05 = May
06 = June
07 = July
08 = August
09 = September
10 = October
11 = November
12 = December

14

9.

Day of Data (Columns 18-19) - Critical

Code the day of the month of data, 01-31. Must correspond to the month of data.
10.

Day of Week (Column 20) - Optional
1 = Sunday
2 = Monday
3 = Tuesday
4 = Wednesday
5 = Thursday
6 = Friday
7 = Saturday

11-34. Traffic Volume Counted Fields (Columns 21-25, ..., 136-140)
Enter the traffic volume counted during the hour covered. If the data are missing, code a -1 or
blanks.
Field
11
12
.
.
.
34

35.

Hour Covered
00:01 am to 01:00 am
01:01 am to 02:00 am
.
.
.
11:01 pm to 12:00 midnight

Restrictions (Column 141)
0 = no restrictions
1 = construction or other activity affected traffic flow
2 = traffic counting device problem (e.g., malfunction or overflow)

15

Table 2: Hourly Traffic Volume Record
(OMB No. 2125-0587)
Field Columns

Length

Description

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35

1
2
2
6
1
1
2
2
2
1
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1

Record Type
FIPS State Code
Functional Classification
Station Identification
Direction of Travel
Lane of Travel
Year of Data
Month of Data
Day of Data
Day of Week
Traffic Volume Counted, 00:01 - 01:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 01:01 - 02:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 02:01 - 03:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 03:01 - 04:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 04:01 - 05:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 05:01 - 06:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 06:01 - 07:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 07:01 - 08:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 08:01 - 09:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 09:01 - 10:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 10:01 - 11:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 11:01 - 12:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 12:01 - 13:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 13:01 - 14:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 14:01 - 15:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 15:01 - 16:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 16:01 - 17:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 17:01 - 18:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 18:01 - 19:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 19:01 - 20:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 20:01 - 21:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 21:01 - 22:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 22:01 - 23:00
Traffic Volume Counted, 23:01 - 24:00
Restrictions

1
2-3
4-5
6-11
12
13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41-45
46-50
51-55
56-60
61-65
66-70
71-75
76-80
81-85
86-90
91-95
96-100
101-105
106-110
111-115
116-120
121-125
126-130
131-135
136-140
141

16

CHAPTER 4
VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION DATA FORMATS
The Vehicle Classification file contains one record for each hour with the traffic volume by
vehicle class. The optional file naming convention is "ssyy.CLA", where ss is state postal
abbreviation and yy is the last two digits of the year. Table 3 summarizes the Vehicle Classification
record.
Fields designated as Critical are required for entry into the HVTIS database.
1.

Record Type (Column 1) - Critical
C = Vehicle classification record

2.

FIPS State Code (Columns 2-3) - Critical - See chapter 2.

3.

Station Identification (Columns 4-9) - Critical - See chapter 2.

4.

Direction of Travel Code (Column 10) - Critical - See chapter 2.

5.

Lane of Travel (Column 11) - Critical - See chapter 2.

Note: The Station ID, Direction of Travel, and Lane of Travel make up the Station Code.
There should be one Station Description record per Station Code.
6.

Year of Data (Columns 12-13) - Critical - See chapter 2.

7.

Month of Data (Columns 14-15) - Critical - See chapter 3.

8.

Day of Data (Columns 16-17) - Critical - See chapter 3.

9.

Hour of Data (Columns 18-19) - Critical

Code the beginning of the hour in which the count was taken:
00 = 0:01 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
01 = 1:01 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
.
.
.
22 = 10:01 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
23 = 11:01 p.m. to Midnight

10.

Total Hourly Volume (Columns 20-24)

17

This numeric field is the total traffic volume for the hour. The total volume is needed because some
vehicles might not be classified, in which case the sum of the class counts would not equal the total
volume. If the total volume is not collected, leave this field blank or put “-1" (for missing data).
The following class count fields are numeric fields with the traffic volume by vehicle class for each
hour of data. Field number 16 in the Station Description Record, "Classification System for Vehicle
Classification," determines the number of classes expected from the station. The default
classification system is the FHWA 13 class system (see Appendix 4-C).
These counts should be checked for reasonableness. For example, Class 13 should not be larger
than 99. VTRIS allows users to set a limit for each class count
11.

Class 1 Count (Columns 25-29) - Optional

Class 1 is for Motorcycles, which is an optional class. If motorcycles are not counted, enter "-1" or
blanks in the Class 1 field.
12.

Class 2 Count (Columns 30-34) - Critical

Class 2 is for Passenger Cars.
13.

Class 3 Count (Columns 35-39) - Optional

Class 3 is for Other Two-Axle, Four-Tire, Single-Unit Vehicles. However, classes 2 and 3 may be
combined, in which case the total for both classes should be entered in the class 2 field and "-1" or
blanks in the Class 3 field.
14.

Class 4 Count (Columns 40-44) - Critical

Class 4 is for Buses.
15.

Class 5 Count (Columns 45-49) - Critical

Class 5 is for Two-Axle, Six-Tire, Single-Unit Trucks.
16.

Class 6 Count (Columns 50-54) - Critical

Class 6 is for Three-Axle, Single-Unit Trucks.
17.

Class 7 Count (Columns 55-59) - Critical

Class 7 is for Four-or-More Axle, Single-Unit Trucks.
18.

Class 8 Count (Columns 60-64) - Critical

Class 8 is for Four-or-Less Axle, Single-Trailer Trucks.
18

19.

Class 9 Count (Columns 65-69) - Critical

Class 9 is for Five-Axle, Single-Trailer Trucks.
20.

Class 10 Count (Columns 70-74) - Critical

Class 10 is for Six-or-More Axle, Single-Trailer Trucks.
21.

Class 11 Count (Columns 75-79) - Critical

Class 11 is for Five-or-Less Axle, Multi-Trailer Trucks.
22.

Class 12 Count (Columns 80-84) - Critical

Class 12 is for Six-Axle, Multi-Trailer Trucks.
23.

Class 13 Count (Columns 85-89) - Critical

Class 13 is for Seven-or-More Axle, Multi-Trailer Trucks.
The Vehicle Classification record may be ended here if exactly 13 classes are used. However, some
automatic vehicle classification systems have one or two more classes usually designating
"Unclassified" or "Unclassifiable" vehicles. If Class 14 and/or Class 15 are included such that the
total of all the classes equals the total volume, then the Total Volume field may be left blank.
24.

Class 14 Count (Columns 90-94) - Optional

If a Class 14 is used, enter the count for the hour here.
25.

Class 15 Count (Columns 95-99) - Optional

If a Class 15 is used, enter the count for the hour here.

19

Table 3: Vehicle Classification Record
(OMB No. 2125-0587)
Field

Columns

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

1
2-3
4-9
10
11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89

Length

Description

1
2
6
1
1
2
2
2
2
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Record Type
FIPS State Code
Station ID
Direction of Travel Code
Lane of Travel
Year of Data
Month of Data
Day of Data
Hour of Data
Total Volume
Class 1 Count
Class 2 Count
Class 3 Count
Class 4 Count
Class 5 Count
Class 6 Count
Class 7 Count
Class 8 Count
Class 9 Count
Class 10 Count
Class 11 Count
Class 12 Count
Class 13 Count

End the record here if the FHWA 13 class system is being used.
24
25

90-94
95-99

5
5

Class 14 Count (optional)
Class 15 Count (optional)

20

CHAPTER 5
TRUCK WEIGHT DATA FORMATS
The Truck Weight file contains one record for each truck with its axle weights and spacings.
The optional file naming convention is "ssyy.WGT", where ss is the state postal abbreviation and yy
is the last two digits of the year. Table 4 summarizes the Truck Weight record.
Fields designated as Critical are required for entry into the HVTIS database.
1.

Record Type (Column 1) - Critical
W = Truck weight record

2.

FIPS State Code (Columns 2-3) - Critical - See chapter 2.

3.

Station Identification (Columns 4-9) - Critical - See chapter 2.

4.

Direction of Travel Code (Column 10) - Critical - See chapter 2.

5.

Lane of Travel (Column 11) - Critical - See chapter 2.

Note: The Station ID, Direction of Travel, and Lane of Travel make up the Station Code.
There should be one Station Description record per Station Code.
6.

Year of Data (Columns 12-13) - Critical - See chapter 2.

7.

Month of Data (Columns 14-15) - Critical - See chapter 3.

8.

Day of Data (Columns 16-17) - Critical - See chapter 3.

9.

Hour of Data (Columns 18-19) - Critical

Code the beginning of the hour in which the count was taken:
00 = 0:01 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
01 = 1:01 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
.
.
.
22 = 10:01 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
23 = 11:01 p.m. to Midnight

10.

Vehicle Class (Columns 20-21) - Critical

Enter the class of the vehicle from FHWA Vehicle Classes 1 to 13. Classes 1 - 3 are ordinarily
omitted.
21

A dummy vehicle class of -1 indicates that weight data for this hour are missing. A dummy vehicle
class of 0 indicates that weight data for this hour are not missing, and thus if there are no Truck
Weight records for the hour, then there were no trucks during that hour. Without these indications,
no Truck Weight records for an hour might be interpreted to mean that the WIM system was not
working.
11.

Open (Columns 22-24) - Optional

This field is for special studies or State use such as for vehicle speed (kilometers per hour) or
pavement temperature (degrees Celsius in the range -99 to +99).
12.

Total Weight of Vehicle (Columns 25-28)

Enter the gross vehicle weight to the nearest tenth of a metric ton (100 kilograms) without a decimal
point. This should equal the sum of all the axle weights except for rounding.
13.

Number of Axles (Columns 29-30)

Enter the total number of axles in use by the vehicle (including any trailers).
The Number of Axles determines how many Axle Weight and Spacing fields will be expected. Axle
Weight and Spacing fields that are not needed may be omitted. If a fixed-length record is desired,
pad the record with blanks to the desired length.
The rest of the record alternates between axle weights and axle spacings, starting from the front of
the vehicle. Axle weights are to the nearest tenth of a metric ton (100 kilograms) without a decimal
point. Axle spacings are to the nearest tenth of a meter (100 millimeters) without a decimal point.
Reasonableness checks should be performed on the axle weights and spacings. The default limits in
VTRIS are 200 to 20,000 kilograms for axle weights and 0.5 to 15 meters for axle spacings. The
user may adjust these values.
14.

A-axle Weight (Columns 31-33)

15.

A-B Axle Spacing (Columns 34-36)

16.

B-axle Weight (Columns 37-39)

17.

B-C Axle Spacing (Columns 40-42)

18.

C-axle Weight (Columns 43-45)

19.

C-D Axle Spacing (Columns 46-48)

20.

D-axle Weight (Columns 49-51)
22

21.

D-E Axle Spacing (Columns 52-54)

22.

E-axle Weight (Columns 55-57)

23.

E-F Axle Spacing (Columns 58-60)

24.

F-axle Weight (Columns 61-63)

25.

F-G Axle Spacing (Columns 64-66)

26.

G-axle Weight (Columns 67-69)

27.

G-H Axle Spacing (Columns 70-72)

28.

H-axle Weight (Columns 73-75)

29.

H-I Axle Spacing (Columns 76-78)

30.

I-axle Spacing (Columns 79-81)

31.

I-J Axle Spacing (Columns 82-84)

32.

J-axle Weight (Columns 85-87)

33.

J-K Axle Spacing (Columns 88-90)

34.

K-axle Weight (Columns 91-93)

35.

K-L Axle Spacing (Columns 94-96)

36.

L-axle Weight (Columns 97-99)

37.

L-M Axle Spacing (Columns 100-102)

38.

M-axle Weight (Columns 103-105)

Additional axle spacing and axle weight fields may be added in the same manner if needed.

23

Table 4: Truck Weight Record
(OMB No. 2125-0587)
Field Columns
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38

1
2-3
4-9
10
11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-24
25-28
29-30
31-33
34-36
37-39
40-42
43-45
46-48
49-51
52-54
55-57
58-60
61-63
64-66
67-69
70-72
73-75
76-78
79-81
82-84
85-87
88-90
91-93
94-96
97-99
100-102
103-105

Length

Description

1
2
6
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Record Type
FIPS State Code
Station ID
Direction of Travel Code
Lane of Travel
Year of Data
Month of Data
Day of Data
Hour of Data
Vehicle Class
Open
Total Weight of Vehicle
Number of Axles
A-axle Weight
A-B Axle Spacing
B-axle Weight
B-C Axle Spacing
C-axle Weight
C-D Axle Spacing
D-axle Weight
D-E Axle Spacing
E-axle Weight
E-F Axle Spacing
F-axle Weight
F-G Axle Spacing
G-axle Weight
G-H Axle Spacing
H-axle Weight
H-I Axle Spacing
I-axle Weight
I-J Axle Spacing
J-axle Weight
J-K Axle Spacing
K-axle Weight
K-L Axle Spacing
L-axle Weight
L-M Axle Spacing
M-axle Weight

Note: The number of axles determines the number of axle weight and spacing fields.

24

APPENDIX A
FHWA VEHICLE TYPES
The classification scheme is separated into categories depending on whether the vehicle
carries passengers or commodities. Non-passenger vehicles are further subdivided by number of
axles and number of units, including both power and trailer units. Note that the addition of a light
trailer to a vehicle does not change the classification of the vehicle.
Automatic vehicle classifiers need an algorithm to interpret axle spacing information to
correctly classify vehicles into these categories. The algorithm most commonly used is based on the
“Scheme F” developed by Maine DOT in the mid-1980s. The FHWA does not endorse “Scheme
F” or any other classification algorithm. Axle spacing characteristics for specific vehicle types
are known to change from State to State. As a result, no single algorithm is best for all cases. It is
up to each agency to develop, test, and refine an algorithm that meets its own needs.

FHWA VEHICLE CLASSES WITH DEFINITIONS
1.

Motorcycles (Optional) -- All two or three-wheeled motorized vehicles. Typical vehicles in
this category have saddle type seats and are steered by handlebars rather than
steering wheels. This category includes motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds,
motor-powered bicycles, and three-wheel motorcycles. This vehicle type may be
reported at the option of the State.

2.

Passenger Cars -- All sedans, coupes, and station wagons manufactured primarily for the
purpose of carrying passengers and including those passenger cars pulling
recreational or other light trailers.

3.

Other Two-Axle, Four-Tire Single Unit Vehicles -- All two-axle, four-tire, vehicles, other
than passenger cars. Included in this classification are pickups, panels, vans, and
other vehicles such as campers, motor homes, ambulances, hearses, carryalls, and
minibuses. Other two-axle, four-tire single-unit vehicles pulling recreational or other
light trailers are included in this classification. Because automatic vehicle classifiers
have difficulty distinguishing class 3 from class 2, these two classes may be
combined into class 2.

4.

Buses -- All vehicles manufactured as traditional passenger-carrying buses with two axles
and six tires or three or more axles. This category includes only traditional buses
(including school buses) functioning as passenger-carrying vehicles. Modified buses
should be considered to be a truck and should be appropriately classified.
NOTE: In reporting information on trucks the following criteria should be used:
25

a.

Truck tractor units traveling without a trailer will be considered single-unit trucks.

b.

A truck tractor unit pulling other such units in a "saddle mount" configuration will be
considered one single-unit truck and will be defined only by the axles on the pulling
unit.

c.

Vehicles are defined by the number of axles in contact with the road. Therefore,
"floating" axles are counted only when in the down position.

d.

The term "trailer" includes both semi- and full trailers.

5.

Two-Axle, Six-Tire, Single-Unit Trucks -- All vehicles on a single frame including trucks,
camping and recreational vehicles, motor homes, etc., with two axles and dual rear
wheels.

6.

Three-Axle Single-Unit Trucks -- All vehicles on a single frame including trucks, camping
and recreational vehicles, motor homes, etc., with three axles.

7.

Four or More Axle Single-Unit Trucks -- All trucks on a single frame with four or more
axles.

8.

Four or Fewer Axle Single-Trailer Trucks -- All vehicles with four or fewer axles
consisting of two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

9.

Five-Axle Single-Trailer Trucks -- All five-axle vehicles consisting of two units, one of
which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

10.

Six or More Axle Single-Trailer Trucks -- All vehicles with six or more axles consisting of
two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

11.

Five or fewer Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks -- All vehicles with five or fewer axles consisting
of three or more units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

12.

Six-Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks -- All six-axle vehicles consisting of three or more units,
one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

13.

Seven or More Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks -- All vehicles with seven or more axles
consisting of three or more units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power
unit.

26