The purpose of this thesis is to develop a computer application capable of automating the task of oversize vehicle permit review.  Realization of the application is made possible by recent developments in the emerging field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Commercial GIS software is used to support custom application programs that are written specifically for this application.

        The purpose of the application is to determine the ideal route for an oversize vehicle through a road network, while accounting for the fact that the passage of these large and heavy vehicles through certain parts of the network may be compromised due to the load ratings of bridges or critical clearance heights.  In order to properly route the vehicles through the road network, turning movements and relative preference weightings of the network links also have to be accounted for.

        The application functions by prompting the user to enter statistics regarding the physical extent of the vehicle, as well as the origin and destination of the desired trip.  The application then can use the tools of the GIS to determine the ideal permissible route through a digital road network model.

        Such an application would be helpful to transportation engineering authorities, who not only have a vested interest in protecting their road network infrastructure, but are also required by the Federal Highway Administration to regulate the passage of oversize vehicles in their jurisdiction.  The work performed also serves as a possible stepping stone for the development of future applications that could incorporate various Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies.