TY - RPRT AN - 01144550 AU - Smit, Andre de Fortier AU - National Center for Asphalt Technology AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Synthesis of NCAT Low-Noise HMA Studies PY - 2008/03 SP - 9p AB - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored a study (AU4-C2) at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) to evaluate different low noise HMA pavement solutions. The study involved the construction and testing of 12 low noise hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement structures at the NCAT Test Track. Five structures comprising coarse and fine, single and double layered open graded friction course asphalt mixtures were paved on the north-tangent at the Test Track in November 2005. NCAT Report 07-02 (1) reports on the design and testing of these structures. Construction of an additional seven structures on the south tangent at the test track was completed during the reconstruction efforts undertaken for the Phase 3 experiment at the Test Track late in 2006. These structures comprised a variety of HMA mixtures including dense-graded Superpave and stone-matrix asphalt (SMA) with varying nominal maximum aggregate sizes, as well as a microsurfacing and a propriety mixture donated by East Alabama Paving, the contractor on the Test Track Phase 3 reconstruction project. NCAT Report 07-03 (2) reports on the design and testing of these south-tangent structures. The purpose of this report is to synthesize the findings previously reported to provide an overview of the study and to draw conclusions regarding the relative performance of the different low-noise HMA structures evaluated. KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Noise control KW - Pavement performance KW - Test tracks UR - http://www.eng.auburn.edu/research/centers/ncat/files/reports/2008/rep08-01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/904341 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01133725 AU - Massabo, Roberta AU - Infrastructure Technology Institute (ITI) AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The ICCML as a Novel Teaching Tool to Improve Undergraduate Education and Student Learning of Civil Engineering PY - 2008/03//Final Technical Report SP - 30p AB - This project investigated the feasibility of using the Infrastructure Construction and Condition Monitoring Laboratory (ICCML) of the Infrastructure Technology Institute at Northwestern University, its website and remotely operated web-cameras as a novel teaching tool to improve undergraduate education and student learning of civil engineering. Teaching material (courseware) has been developed using the case study method and new technologies. The courseware is incorporated into a highly structured and expandable website (http://www.iti.northwestern.edu/iccml_site) and deals with an in-depth analysis and presentation of the 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge, a project of the City of Chicago (under construction at the southwest end of Grant Park in the years 2003-04). Real time view of the construction operations was made possible through a remotely operated web camera overlooking the construction site. The main educational goal of the project is to bring knowledge from the infrastructure/building industry to university curricula. The website allowed active monitoring of construction sites that would otherwise be restricted and incorporates information on the history of the projects, construction plans, design drawings, calculations and other material that would otherwise be confidential and restricted to the design team and contractors. The courseware is intended to be a tool to synthesize and apply knowledge acquired in different undergraduate civil engineering courses through interactive activities, quizzes and open-ended problems. KW - Civil engineering KW - Construction sites KW - Education and training methods KW - Infrastructure Construction and Condition Monitoring Laboratory (Northwestern University) KW - Web cameras KW - Websites (Information retrieval) UR - http://iti.northwestern.edu/publications/utc/tea-21/FR-3-5-Massabo.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/894216 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01129899 AU - Bennert, Thomas A AU - Maher, Ali AU - Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation AU - New Jersey Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - The Use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate in a Dense Graded Aggregate Base Course PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 65p AB - The research project was broken up into 2 different parts. The first part involved evaluating the potential use of the Time Domain Reflectometry, TDR (ASTM D6780), as a non-nuclear means for determining the dry density and moisture content of granular base and subbase aggregates during quality control. Just prior to the study, Humboldt Equipment Company provided a device called the Electrical Density Gauge (EDG) that also claimed to be a non-nuclear means of determining dry density and moisture content. Both units were used on five separate field trials (5 sections for the TDR and 3 sections for the EDG) and compared against the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT’s) nuclear density gauge. The field trials indicated that the TDR test method, as it currently stands according to ASTM D6780, does not compare well with the nuclear density gauge readings. This was mainly attributed to the TDR’s soil constant calibration procedure. There also appeared to be a lack of sensitivity with the TDR method when compared to the nuclear gauge. The EDG showed a better correlation to the nuclear gauge, although this was expected since at the time of the study, the EDG device required field calibration. A newer version of the EDG now incorporates a laboratory calibration procedure that would eliminate the need for field calibration with a nuclear gauge. The second part of the research study was to evaluate potential methods of increasing the permeability of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), while attempting to maintain its structural integrity (i.e. – California Bearing Ratio, CBR). Before laboratory testing began, a survey was developed, sent to various state agencies, and tabulated to determine if other state agencies currently utilized RCA, and if so, what experience did they have regarding the drainage characteristics of the material. After the survey results were tabulated, laboratory testing was conducted on RCA blended with different aggregates; dense-graded aggregate (DGA), NJDOT I-3, and poorly graded sand. Work was also conducted on RCA material which was processed over a coarser sieve size (2 in.), as opposed to the finer 1.5 in. currently specified by NJDOT, in an attempt to include a larger, coarser fraction that could open up the internal structure of the RCA. This was in an attempt to meet some of the state agency specifications of the various states who responded to the survey saying they did not have any current issues with the permeability/drainage of their RCA materials. The results of the laboratory testing showed that the best performing modification to the RCA was when blended with 50% DGA. This increased the permeability to levels considered average, while still providing excellent bearing strength. The attempts of using the NJDOT I-3 and poorly graded sand did not dramatically increase the permeability, while a decrease in bearing strength was still reported. Increasing the top size of the processed/screened RCA from 1.5 in. to 2.0 in. helped to increase the permeability, while achieving the same bearing strength properties (CBR). KW - Aggregate gradation KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - California bearing ratio KW - Dense graded aggregates KW - Dry density KW - Electrical density gages KW - Field tests KW - Laboratory tests KW - Moisture content KW - Nuclear density gages KW - Permeability KW - Recycled concrete aggregate KW - Recycled materials KW - Time domain reflectometers UR - http://www.nj.gov/transportation/refdata/research/reports/FHWA-NJ-2008-002.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/890113 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01128958 AU - Luttrell, Tim AU - Sampson, W AU - Ismart, D AU - Matherly, D AU - Science Applications International Corporation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume VII: Predicting Performance with Traffic Analysis Tools PY - 2008/03//Case Studies SP - 51p AB - This document provides insights into the common pitfalls and challenges associated with use of traffic analysis tools for predicting future performance of a transportation facility. It provides five in-depth case studies that demonstrate common ways to ensure appropriate results when using a microsimulation tool, and also includes “how to” material that allows users to address common challenges associated with microsimulation analysis. KW - Case studies KW - Highway operations KW - Microsimulation KW - Operational analysis KW - Performance prediction KW - Traffic analysis tools KW - Traffic simulation KW - Traffic system performance UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08055/fhwahop08055.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30800/30828/fhwahop08055.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/889290 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01123419 AU - Strong, Christopher K AU - Panse, Satchit AU - Veneziano, David A AU - Hayden, Larry AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Video Surveillance Trailer User's Manual PY - 2008/03 SP - 56p AB - As part of the California/Oregon Advanced Transportation System (COATS) and COATS Showcase projects, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) purchased three video surveillance trailers. The overall purpose of these trailers was to provide long-term video surveillance of traffic to support a variety of research and evaluation activities. The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of the usage and capabilities of WTI's video surveillance trailers. KW - Manuals KW - Traffic surveillance KW - Video cameras UR - http://www.wti.montana.edu/ForceDownloadHandler.ashx?name=426719_Video_Equipment_Manual.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/884671 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01118729 AU - Gordy, Dylan T AU - Whittington, Jordan S AU - Mississippi Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of DRM System for Reflective Crack Prevention PY - 2008/03 SP - 67p AB - Reflective cracking in asphalt pavements presents a serious problem for highway agencies worldwide. A new interlayer membrane system, DRM, which is a proprietary system consisting of a sealant and an emulsion, was constructed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for evaluation as a reflective crack relief layer. This report details the construction process and product evaluation. KW - Aggregates KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Condition surveys KW - Emulsions KW - Interlayer membrane system KW - Mississippi KW - Monitoring KW - Overlays (Pavements) KW - Prevention KW - Reflection UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/44000/44500/44554/State_Study_157_-_Evaluation_of_DRM_System_for_Reflective_Crack_Prevention.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/878508 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01118116 AU - Crum, Nicole AU - Fitch, Jennifer AU - Vermont Agency of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - GlasGrid Pavement Reinforcement System, Charleston and Barnet, Vermont PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 18p AB - The appearance of cracking in pavement roadways leads to increased maintenance needs and a shorter pavement life. As a result, many products have been developed to help prevent distresses in new asphalt pavement overlays by minimizing the appearance of cracking, in particular reflective cracking. One way to combat the appearance of reflective cracking is through the use of geotextiles that are designed to reinforce the pavement overlay and distribute the stresses in the underlying layers. These geotextile materials are placed on the underlying pavement layer prior to placement of the overlay and help to prevent or delay cracks from propagating through into the new asphalt overlay. In the fall of 1998, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) engaged in an assessment of a type of geotextile designed to prevent reflective cracking, known as the GlasGrid® Pavement Reinforcement System. Several problems were encountered during installation. The projects were evaluated annually to observe the location and type of cracking and when it began in both the experimental test sites and in the adjacent areas. Cracking was observed to have begun at roughly the same time in both areas. No conclusions can be made regarding the performance of GlasGrid, as the experimental installations were flawed in both design and application in such a way that the performance of the product was likely compromised. KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Geotextiles KW - GlasGrid KW - Overlays (Pavements) KW - Reflection cracking KW - Reinforcing materials KW - Vermont UR - http://vtransengineering.vermont.gov/sites/aot_program_development/files/documents/materialsandresearch/completedprojects/AOT_GlasGridFinal.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/875291 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01115374 AU - Huijser, Marcel P AU - Paul, Kylie J S AU - Oechsli, Lauren AU - Ament, Rob AU - Clevenger, Anthony P AU - Ford, Adam AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Parks Canada AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Wildlife-Vehicle Collision and Crossing Mitigation Plan for Hwy 93S in Kootenay and Banff National Park and the Roads in and Around Radium Hot Springs PY - 2008/03//Highway Mitigation Plan SP - 258p AB - This manuscript provides a highway mitigation plan aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and providing safe crossing opportunities for wildlife along Highway 93S through Kootenay and Banff National Park (British Columbia and Alberta, Canada) and the roads in and around Radium Hot Springs (Highway 93S and Highway 95). This manuscript identifies and prioritizes road sections for potential mitigation measures, provides a mitigation plan aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and providing safe wildlife crossing opportunities, and reviews potential funding mechanisms for such mitigation measures. KW - Alberta KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Banff National Park KW - British Columbia KW - Financing KW - Highways KW - Kootenay National Park KW - Mitigation KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4w1929_final_mitigation_report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/874876 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01115329 AU - Huijser, Marcel P AU - Paul, Kylie J S AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Parks Canada AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Wildlife-Vehicle Collision and Crossing Mitigation Measures: A Literature Review for Parks Canada, Kootenay National Park PY - 2008/03//Literature Review SP - 119p AB - This report reviews mitigation measures aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and at maintaining or improving habitat connectivity for wildlife. This review represents the first task of a project that aims to identify, prioritize, and develop a highway mitigation plan for Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park and adjacent road sections. The mitigation measures reviewed are aimed at either influencing driver behavior or animal movements with regard to large mammals and mammals that are of conservation concern. For each mitigation measure the report includes a general description of the measure, species that may benefit from the measure, the effectiveness of the mitigation measure in terms of reducing WVCs, examples of studies examining the effectiveness of the mitigation measure in terms of reducing WVCs, the effectiveness of the mitigation measure in terms of reducing the barrier effect of roads and traffic, potential disadvantages or undesired side effects of the measure, maintenance requirements of the mitigation measure, and the range of costs for construction, installation and/or maintenance of the mitigation measure, if available. The authors of this report consider animal detection systems and wildlife fencing, in combination with animal detection systems and wildlife underpasses and overpasses, to be potential primary mitigation measures that should be considered for the reduction of WVCs along Highway 93 South through Kootenay National Park and adjacent road sections. KW - Animal behavior KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Behavior KW - Costs KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Highways KW - Kootenay National Park KW - Mitigation KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W1929_Final_Lit_Review.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/874879 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01112648 AU - Charbeneau, Randall J AU - Jeong, Jaehak AU - Barrett, Michael E AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Highway Drainage at Superelevation Transitions PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 180p AB - This research has addressed issues associated with highway drainage at superelevation transitions. A physical modeling experimental program focused on the effects of surface roughness and rainfall intensity on the hydraulic behavior of stormwater runoff from pavement surfaces. A diffusion wave numerical model was developed to simulate stormwater runoff at superelevation transitions. The model was applied to evaluate the influence of longitudinal grade on maximum ponding depth. Conclusions from the modeling program are that maximum ponding depth does not depend significantly on longitudinal grade, but the location of maximum ponding depth is very sensitive to longitudinal grade, moving from the outside pavement edge for small longitudinal slope, to the center of the roadway for moderate slope, and to the inside pavement edge for large longitudinal grade. KW - Depth KW - Drainage KW - Highway design KW - Highway grades KW - Hydraulic properties KW - Mathematical models KW - Pavement transition areas KW - Ponding KW - Rainfall intensity KW - Roughness KW - Runoff KW - Superelevation UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4875_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/872428 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01112577 AU - Jenness, James W AU - Lerner, Neil D AU - Mazor, Steven D AU - Osberg, J Scott AU - Tefft, Brian C AU - Westat AU - Automobile Club of Southern California AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AU - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety TI - Use of Advanced In-Vehicle Technology by Young and Older Early Adopters. Survey Results on Navigation Systems PY - 2008/03 SP - 144p AB - This document describes the results of survey research undertaken by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Questionnaires (10,000) were mailed to insurance customers who own vehicles that may have in-vehicle navigation systems as standard or optional original equipment. Half of the questionnaires were mailed to vehicle owners who were younger than 65, and half of the questionnaires were mailed to owners who were 65 or older. The response rate was approximately 22 percent, including 1,494 respondents who had a navigation system. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with 83 navigation system owners. Survey items addressed topics such as learning to use the system, behavioral adaptation, system effectiveness, and perceived safety of the system. Several differences in responses between younger and older respondents were noted. Other response differences were related to vehicle manufacturer and experience with the vehicle (miles driven). KW - Advanced driver information systems KW - Aged drivers KW - Automobile navigation systems KW - Driver support systems KW - Drivers KW - In-vehicle routing and navigation systems KW - In-vehicle technology KW - Interviewing KW - Motor vehicle navigational aids KW - Onboard navigational aids KW - Questionnaires KW - Surveys KW - Technological innovations UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Multimedia/PDFs/Crash%20Avoidance/2008/DOT-HS-810-927.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/872330 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111558 AU - Alexiadis, Vassili AU - Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Integrated Corridor Management Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Test Corridor Model Description PY - 2008/03 SP - 49p AB - This technical memorandum provides a description and definition of the test corridor; and provides explanatory meta-data including an inventory of the facilities in the test corridor, and the key challenges in providing efficient traffic operations in the test corridor. This document summarizes the results of the corridor selection process and makes the recommendation of selecting the I-880 corridor in Alameda County, California as the test corridor for analysis, modeling and simulation. KW - Analysis KW - Highway operations KW - Integrated corridor management KW - Metadata KW - Modeling KW - Simulation KW - Tests KW - Transportation corridors UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30400/30406/14413.htm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30400/30406/14413_files/14413.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14415_files/14415.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/870510 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111486 AU - Dunlap, Karen L AU - Mullins, Tracy G AU - Stein, Marilyn AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Guidelines for Community Supervision of DWI Offenders PY - 2008/03 SP - 101p AB - In spite of the tireless efforts of thousands of highway safety advocates over the past 25 years, impaired driving continues to be a major problem in this country. Every hour, drivers are arrested for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated and, for many, this will not be their first offense. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationwide one person every 40 minutes, approximately 35 people a day, or nearly 13,000 people each year, die in traffic crashes involving a vehicle driver or a motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2006). All 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have established the BAC of .08 g/dL as the “per se” level that is “over the limit” under their laws. In addition, some drivers are impaired by drugs and medications. To protect the public and provide driving while impaired (DWI) offenders with adequate interventions to help promote behavior change, it is important for community corrections agencies to assess their practices and programs for this population. The guidelines presented in this document are intended to provide a framework for developing, implementing and operating effective programs for the community supervision of DWI offenders. These strategies are recommended to achieve the best possible outcomes and to provide a structure from which to build a solid approach and direction to ensure longterm public safety by reducing recidivism through offender behavioral change. KW - Behavior modification KW - Community action programs KW - Countermeasures KW - Drugged drivers KW - Drunk drivers KW - Highway safety KW - Impaired drivers KW - Safety programs KW - Traffic safety UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30200/30204/810940.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/870868 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111396 AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Matteson, Anne AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents Factbook 2004 PY - 2008/03//Special Report SP - 73p AB - This document presents aggregate statistics on buses involved in traffic accidents in 2004. The statistics are derived from the Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA) file, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The BIFA database is a census of all buses involved in a fatal accident in the United States, and provides coverage of buses recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. BIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the bus from the BIFA survey. KW - Bus crashes KW - Buses KW - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents KW - Crash data KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Transportation safety UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58090/1/96746%20A06.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871068 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111395 AU - LeBlanc, David AU - Bezzina, D AU - Tiernan, T AU - Gabel, M AU - Pomerleau, D AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Functional Requirements for Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) – Light Vehicle Platform PY - 2008/03 SP - 55p AB - The purpose of the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) project is to evaluate the potential safety benefits and driver acceptance of an integrated set of crash-warning technologies installed on both heavy truck and light vehicle platforms. IVBSS is an integrated set of technologies that is intended to help the driver avoid road-departure, rear-end, and lane-change crashes by providing occasional crash alerts and advisories to enhance the driver’s awareness of the driving situation. This document proposes functional requirements for the system to be developed and field-tested on the light vehicle platform. These requirements are generated solely for the system created within this project, and are not intended to be prescriptive for integrated crash systems developed outside the project. The light vehicle platform encompasses passenger vehicles including sedans, sport-utility vehicles, light trucks, minivans, and vans. The IVBSS on the light vehicle platform addresses the following crash types: (1) Road departures due to unintended lateral drift, (2) Road departures due to travel through curves at excessive speeds, (3) Rear-end crashes, and (4) Lane-change and merge crashes due to unsafe lane movements. KW - Alignment KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Lane changing KW - Light trucks KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Rear end crashes KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic safety KW - Warning systems UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58193/1/100878.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871104 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111387 AU - LeBlanc, David AU - Nowak, M AU - Tang, Zaiyang AU - Pomerleau, D AU - Sardar, H AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - System Performance Guidelines for a Prototype Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) – Heavy Truck Platform PY - 2008/03 SP - 25p AB - The purpose of the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) project is to evaluate the potential safety benefits and driver acceptance of an integrated set of crash-warning technologies installed on both light-vehicle and heavy-truck platforms. The IVBSS is an integrated set of technologies that is intended to help the driver avoid crashes by providing crash alerts in potential crash-imminent situations and advisories to enhance the driver’s awareness of the driving situation. This report proposes quantitative and measurable performance metrics that are considered achievable and appropriate for the IVBSS system on a heavy truck (Class 8). The guidelines build upon previous project reports that present functional requirements. This effort also borrows from previous specification efforts for stand-alone crash warning systems – especially prior U.S. DOT projects and ISO standards efforts. However the focus is on the integration of these functions. In some performance areas, integration allows improvements in potential safety benefits through enhanced system awareness. In other areas, integration presents a challenge, especially in ensuring driver acceptance because the broad scope of IVBSS means more potential sources of false or nuisance alerts. KW - Crashes KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Heavy duty vehicles KW - Integrated systems KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Performance measurement KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic safety KW - Warning systems UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58194/1/100879.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871106 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111384 AU - LeBlanc, David AU - Bezzina, D AU - Tiernan, T AU - Freeman, K AU - Gabel, M AU - Pomerleau, D AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - System Performance Guidelines for a Prototype Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) – Light Vehicle Platform PY - 2008/03 SP - 28p AB - The purpose of the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) project is to evaluate the potential safety benefits and driver acceptance of an integrated set of crash-warning technologies installed on both light-vehicle and heavy-truck platforms. The IVBSS is an integrated set of technologies that is intended to help the driver avoid crashes by providing crash alerts in potential crash-imminent situations and advisories to enhance the driver’s awareness of the driving situation. This report proposes quantitative and measurable performance metrics that are considered achievable and appropriate for the IVBSS system on a light vehicle platform. The guidelines build upon previous project reports that present functional requirements. This effort also borrows from previous specification efforts for stand-alone crash warning systems – especially prior U.S. DOT projects and ISO standards efforts. However the focus is on the integration of these functions. In some performance areas, integration allows improvements in potential safety benefits through enhanced system awareness. In other areas, integration presents a challenge, especially in ensuring driver acceptance because the broad scope of IVBSS means more potential sources of false or nuisance alerts. KW - Crashes KW - Integrated systems KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Light duty vehicles KW - Light trucks KW - Performance measurement KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic safety KW - Warning systems UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58195/1/100880.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871107 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111374 AU - LeBlanc, David AU - Sardar, H AU - Nowak, M AU - Tang, Zaiyang AU - Pomerleau, D AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Functional Requirements for Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) – Heavy Truck Platform PY - 2008/03 SP - 53p AB - The purpose of the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) project is to evaluate the potential safety benefits and driver acceptance of an integrated set of crash-warning technologies installed on both heavy truck and light vehicle platforms. IVBSS is an integrated set of technologies that is intended to help the driver avoid road-departure, rear-end, and lane-change crashes by providing occasional crash alerts and advisories to enhance the driver’s awareness of the driving situation. This document proposes functional requirements for the system to be developed and field-tested on the heavy truck platform. These requirements are generated solely for the system created within this project, and are not intended to be prescriptive for integrated crash systems developed outside the project. The heavy truck platform encompasses class 8 trucks operating with one trailer or without a trailer. The IVBSS on the heavy truck platform addresses the following crash types: · Road departures due to unintended lateral drift, · Rear-end crashes, and · Lane-change and merge crashes due to unsafe lane movements by the heavy truck. KW - Crashes KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Heavy duty vehicles KW - Impact tests KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Lane changing KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Rear end crashes KW - Traffic crashes UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58192/1/100877.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871102 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111364 AU - Bogard, Scott AU - Tang, Zaiyang AU - Nowak, M AU - Kovacich, J AU - Reed, A AU - Sayer, James AU - Sardar, H AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems Heavy Truck Verification Test Plan PY - 2008/03 SP - 149p AB - This test plan documents the procedures that were used to verify that the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) heavy truck platform met all its performance requirements. The document was prepared by The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Eaton Corporation in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The test procedures described in this document were used to assess whether the prototype heavy-truck integrated system performed as intended and met its performance requirements. These tests were also used to identify areas for system improvement to ensure system repeatability, robustness and readiness. The test plan describes each of the test procedures and includes the following details: 1. Test scenarios and conditions (e.g., speeds, closing speeds, road geometry, etc.); 2. Procedures and protocols to run the tests; 3. Pass/Fail criteria for determining repeatability and robustness; and 4. Performance metrics or measurement variables that will be used to evaluate system performance when compared to an independent measurement system. KW - Alignment KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Heavy duty vehicles KW - Highway alignment KW - Integrated systems KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Performance measurement KW - Test procedures KW - Traffic speed UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58190/1/100875.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871100 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111359 AU - Green, Paul E AU - Matteson, Anne AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Evaluation of 2006 Wisconsin Crash Data Reported to the MCMIS Crash File PY - 2008/03//Special Report SP - 38p AB - This report is part of a series evaluating the data reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) Crash File undertaken by the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The earlier studies showed that reporting to the MCMIS Crash File was incomplete. This report examines the factors that are associated with reporting rates for the state of Wisconsin. MCMIS Crash File records were matched to the Wisconsin Crash file to determine the nature and extent of underreporting. Overall, it appears that Wisconsin is reporting 71.0 percent of crash involvements that should be reported to the MCMIS Crash file. All of the variables needed to identify vehicles that should be reported to the MCMIS Crash file are recorded in the Wisconsin PAR file. The vehicle type variable seems to be a derived variable since there is no space for recording levels of vehicle type on the crash report form. Vehicles coded as utility trucks are not included in this evaluation because it is estimated that only 8 percent have GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. The reporting rate for tractor combinations is close to 90 percent, but the rate for straight trucks is approximately 50 percent. Reporting rates also show a decreasing trend as crash severity decreases. The reporting rate for the towed due to disabling damage criterion is 67.6 percent. Based on agency type, the reporting rate for the state patrol is 81.5 percent. Missing data percentages in the MCMIS Crash File are generally low, except as noted for certain variables. A comparison of the vehicle configuration variable between the Wisconsin and MCMIS Crash files shows some disagreement in the coding of this variable. KW - Crash data KW - Crash reports KW - Crash severity KW - Motor Carrier Management Information System Crash File KW - Motor carriers KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck tractors KW - Truck traffic KW - Trucking KW - Trucking safety KW - Underreporting (Traffic accident injuries) KW - Wisconsin UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58356/1/100945.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871070 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111356 AU - Husain, M AU - Tiernan, T AU - Bezzina, D AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems Light Vehicle Verification Test Plan PY - 2008/03 SP - 163p AB - This test plan documents the procedures that were used to verify that the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) light vehicle platform met all its performance requirements. The document was prepared by Visteon Corporation in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The test procedures described in this document were used to assess whether the prototype light vehicle integrated system performed as intended and meets its performance requirements. These tests were also used to identify areas for system improvement to ensure system repeatability, robustness and readiness. The test plan describes each of the test procedures and includes the following details: 1. Test scenarios and conditions (e.g., speeds, closing speeds, road geometry, etc.); 2. Procedures and protocols to run the tests; 3. Pass/Fail criteria for determining repeatability and robustness; and 4. Performance metrics or measurement variables that were used to evaluate system performance when compared to an independent measurement system. KW - Alignment KW - Integrated systems KW - Integrated Vehicle Based Safety Systems (Initiative) KW - Light trucks KW - Performance measurement KW - Test procedures KW - Traffic speed KW - Vehicle design UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58191/1/100876.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871101 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01109894 AU - Fick, Gary J AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Testing Guide for Implementing Concrete Paving Quality Control Procedures PY - 2008/03 SP - 130p AB - Construction of portland cement concrete pavements is a complex process. A small fraction of the concrete pavements constructed in the United States over the last few decades have either failed prematurely or exhibited moderate to severe distress. In an effort to prevent future premature failures, 17 state transportation agencies pooled their resources, and a pooled fund research project, Material and Construction Optimization for Prevention of Premature Pavement Distress in PCC Pavements, was undertaken in 2003. Its purpose was to evaluate existing quality control tests, and then select and advance the state-of-the-practice of those tests most useful for optimizing concrete pavements during mix design, mix verification, and construction. The testing guide is one product of that project. The guide provides three recommended testing schemes (Levels A, B, and C, depending on a pavement's design life and traffic volumes, etc.) that balance the costs of testing with the risk of failure for various project types. The recommended tests are all part of a comprehensive suite of tests described in detail in this guide. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Handbooks KW - Paving KW - Quality control KW - State of the practice KW - Test procedures UR - http://www.cptechcenter.org/publications/mco/testing_guide.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/44000/44200/44272/testing_guide.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/869475 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108735 AU - Schurr, Karen S AU - Movva, Krishna Chaitanya AU - Zhang, Linna AU - University of Nebraska, Lincoln AU - Nebraska Department of Roads AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Improved Method of Using Traffic Estimates to Evaluate Intersection Improvements PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 156p AB - Traffic volume estimating is necessary for planning, designing, and maintaining a reasonable quality of service along roadway networks. Reliable estimation of traffic volumes is needed to realistically assess problems and determine appropriate solutions that meet the expectations of the traveling public. Regression equations were developed to find the relationship between average peak hour volume and the design hourly volume/average annual daily traffic to ensure the appropriate design of geometric and traffic control improvements that best fit traffic characteristics in Nebraska. KW - Annual average daily traffic KW - Design hourly volume KW - Nebraska KW - Peak hour traffic KW - Quality of service KW - Traffic estimation KW - Traffic flow KW - Traffic forecasting KW - Traffic volume UR - http://nlc1.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/R6000/B016.0126-2008.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865834 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108657 AU - Winters, Philip L AU - Barbeau, Sean J AU - Georggi, Nevine L AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Smart Phone Application to Influence Travel Behavior (TRAC-IT Phase 3) PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 140p AB - This three-phase research study focuses on using innovative technology to better understand and pattern household travel behavior for the purposes of educating, promoting, and encouraging households to utilize other alternatives to driving alone. The scope of Phase 1 called for preliminary development and testing of a portable unit consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioning system (GPS) device, and a wireless card, all-in-one unit nicknamed “TRAC-IT.” Phase 2 investigated the impact of the travel feedback advisory system on household travel behavior. The objective of Phase 3 was to determine the capabilities of GPS-enabled mobile phones in tracking person movements across modes (car, bike, bus, etc.) and over extended time periods (e.g., weekly versus daily). A basic requirement of the system was that the mobile device selected had to be a commercially available, low cost, off-the-shelf, and a widely used device. The device also had to be equipped with embedded GPS capabilities for highly accurate position data, able to communicate this information wirelessly back to a server, and able to receive user input allowing the manual entry of survey data by participants that cannot be extracted from GPS data. Wireless communication features of the mobile phone were envisioned to offer the user with real-time information that could influence their current travel behavior. The use of GPS-enabled mobile phones and an application such as TRAC-IT presents a unique opportunity to collect high-resolution individual travel behavior data that are instantly transferred to a server for analysis by transportation professionals. As more “indoor GPS” (high-sensitivity) chips become available in the mobile phone market, it is expected that GPS data from mobile phones that are more accurate will be collected and these should be able to obtain location fixes where current phones cannot. Based on the continuous research of new innovative approaches to travel data collection using location-based approaches, the TRAC-IT research team concluded that GPS-enabled mobile phones will continue to be a vital tool in travel behavior data collection. KW - Cellular telephones KW - Feedback KW - Global Positioning System KW - Mode choice KW - Public transit KW - Smart growth KW - Smart structures KW - Surveys KW - Tracking systems KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Travel behavior KW - Travel surveys UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BD549-35_rpt.pdf UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/abstracts/abs77709.htm UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/77709.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865780 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108634 AU - Winters, Philip L AU - Barbeau, Sean J AU - Georggi, Nevine L AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Testing the Impact of Personalized Feedback on Household Travel Behavior (TRAC-IT Phase 2) PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 125p AB - When presented with their household’s travel patterns and practical ways to improve their trip planning or even eliminate trips, more travelers could find new opportunities to use transit, bicycling or walking, and do less solo driving. This three-phase study harnessed the exponential growth of personal mobile electronic devices integrated with increasingly accurate global positioning systems to develop a non-proprietary location aware information system (TRAC-IT). The conceptual phase used a personal digital assistant equipped with GPS and developed a rule-based expert system to collect travel data and generate travel suggestions. The second phase created a Personal Travel Coach consisting of an enhanced rule-based expert system and a real-time path prediction prototype. The third phase resulted in the first non-proprietary, intelligent software system on GPS-enabled mobile phones to successfully track person movements across all modes and also developed innovative analysis techniques such as purpose and mode detection algorithms. Path prediction allows TRAC-IT to detect potential incidents within the user’s probable travel route and provide real-time travel advice to the traveler before they reach the problem areas. The TRAC-IT system should advance the quality and quantity of household multimodal data collected in travel surveys. The TRAC-IT application’s Personal Travel Coach components; the Expert System and Path Prediction Prototype, give transportation professionals the next-generation location aware information system they need to understand, plan, and influence travel behavior. Technical and policy- based challenges, inherent with such innovative research, are also discussed. KW - Feedback control KW - Global Positioning System KW - Households KW - Public transit KW - Surveys KW - Tracking systems KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Travel behavior KW - Travel patterns KW - Travel surveys KW - Trip purpose UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BD549_24_rpt.pdf UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/abstracts/abs77609.htm UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/77609.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865777 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108410 AU - Chaudhary, Neil K AU - Tison, Julie AU - Preusser Research Group, Incorporated AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Estimated Medical Cost Savings in New Hampshire by Implementation of a Primary Seat Belt Law PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 10p AB - This report examines 2005 hospital discharge data reporting cases where the external cause of injury to a vehicle occupant was a motor vehicle crash to predict the estimated savings to the State of New Hampshire if a primary seat belt law is implemented. The savings are calculated using costs based on the report "Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes" (DOT HS-809 446). In New Hampshire, there is an expectation of a primary law reducing the burden of insurance companies by about $5.1 million from crashes occurring in a single year alone. The citizens of New Hampshire would benefit by a reduction of $1.2 million while the Federal Government would reduce its costs by $1.2 million. The State of New Hampshire would also reduce its spending by more than $400,000. KW - Cost savings KW - Costs KW - Crash injuries KW - Crashes KW - Economic impacts KW - Medical costs KW - New Hampshire KW - Primary seat belt laws KW - Savings KW - Seat belt use KW - Seat belts KW - State laws UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30178/810934.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/867563 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01107782 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Speed Enforcement Program Guidelines PY - 2008/03 SP - 72p AB - It is well-established that speeding represents a risk to public safety. Excessive speed increases the likelihood of crashing and the risk of severe injury in a crash. In 2005, more than 13,000 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes. Reducing speeding is a high-priority objective and effective speed enforcement is an essential countermeasure to reduce speeding and lower crash risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration have developed "Speed Enforcement Program Guidelines" to provide law enforcement personnel and decision makers with detailed information on how to establish and maintain an effective speed enforcement program. The guidelines were developed with input from many of the most successful law enforcement agencies in the United States and include information that can help establish an effective speed enforcement program, including details on: Program management; Problem identification; Enforcement countermeasures; Role of engineering; Public outreach and communications; Legislation, regulation and policy; and Program evaluation. KW - Countermeasures KW - Guidelines KW - Legislation KW - Outreach KW - Policy KW - Problem identification KW - Program evaluation KW - Program management KW - Public information programs KW - Regulations KW - Speed control KW - Speed enforcement programs KW - Speed limits KW - Speeding KW - Traffic engineering KW - Traffic law enforcement UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30165/810915.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/866995 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105624 AU - Alexiadis, Vassili AU - Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Integrated Corridor Management Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Experimental Plan for the Test Corridor PY - 2008/03 SP - 38p AB - This document, the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) Experimental Plan, lays out the scope of analysis that will be conducted through the application of the AMS methodology to the Test Corridor. The specific objectives of the Experimental Plan are: (1) Create an AMS framework that identifies strategies, scenarios, and procedures for tailoring AMS general approaches towards the Test Corridor; and (2) Specify the AMS framework, based on the analysis and application of existing tools, and integrating existing tools into an internally consistent and flexible system approach that is able to support the Test Corridor ICM functional requirements. KW - Analysis KW - Integrated corridor management KW - Modeling KW - Simulation KW - Strategic planning KW - Transportation corridors UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14415.htm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14415_files/14415.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864894 ER - TY - SER AN - 01104549 JO - Successes in Stewardship PB - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Section 4(f) Final Rule: New Guidance on a Complex Regulation PY - 2008/03 SP - n.p. AB - Section 4(f), the statute that protects public parks, recreational areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and public and private historical sites from use by proposed transportation projects, is one of the most stringent environmental laws related to transportation. On March 12, 2008, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a Section 4(f) Final Rule in the Federal Register to help clarify the 4(f) approval process and simplify its regulatory requirements. The March 2008 Successes in Stewardship Newsletter provides a first look at the Final Rule, highlighting key changes made to the 4(f) regulation as required by Section 6009 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). KW - Environmental protection KW - Environmental stewardship KW - Laws KW - Regulation KW - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users UR - http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/newsletters/mar08nl.asp UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863173 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104041 AU - Persaud, Bhagwant AU - Lyon, Craig AU - Eccles, Kimberly A AU - Lefler, Nancy X AU - Amjadi, Roya AU - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated AU - Persaud and Lyon, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Safety Evaluation of Increasing Retroreflectivity of STOP Signs PY - 2008/03 SP - 44p AB - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized a Pooled Fund Study of 26 States to evaluate low-cost safety strategies as part of its strategic highway safety effort. One of the strategies chosen to be evaluated for this study was STOP signs with increased retroreflectivity. This strategy is intended to reduce the frequency of crashes related to driver unawareness of stop control at unsignalized intersections. Geometric, traffic, and crash data were obtained at unsignalized intersections for 231 sites in Connecticut and 108 sites in South Carolina. In each case, the strategy was implemented as a blanket application of STOP signs with increased retroreflectivity. Empirical Bayes (EB) methods were incorporated in a before-after analysis to determine the safety effectiveness of increasing the sign retroreflectivity. There was a statistically significant reduction in rear-end crashes in South Carolina. Based on the results of the disaggregate analysis, reductions in crashes were found at three-legged intersections and at intersections with low approach volumes. The analysis also indicated a slight reduction in nighttime- and injury-related crashes in Connecticut and South Carolina, but the results were not statistically significant. It was determined that a sample size much larger than that available would be needed to detect a significant effect in these types of crashes. Given the very low cost of installing STOP signs with increased retroreflectivity, even with conservative assumptions, only a very modest reduction in crashes is needed to justify their use. Therefore, this strategy has the potential to reduce crashes cost-effectively, particularly at lower volume intersections. KW - Awareness KW - Before and after studies KW - Connecticut KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Data collection KW - Drivers KW - Empirical Bayes method KW - Nighttime crashes KW - Rear end crashes KW - Retroreflectivity KW - South Carolina KW - Stop signs KW - Stop-controlled intersections KW - Three leg intersections KW - Traffic safety KW - Unsignalized intersections UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/08041/index.cfm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/31000/31200/31212/FHWA-HRT-08-041.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864062 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104039 AU - Gross, Frank AU - Jagannathan, Ramanujan AU - Persaud, Bhagwant AU - Lyon, Craig AU - Eccles, Kimberly A AU - Lefler, Nancy X AU - Amjadi, Roya AU - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated AU - Persaud and Lyon, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Safety Evaluation of STOP AHEAD Pavement Markings PY - 2008/03 SP - 56p AB - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized a Pooled Fund Study of 26 States to evaluate low-cost safety strategies as part of its strategic highway safety effort. One of the strategies chosen to be evaluated for this study was STOP AHEAD pavement markings. This strategy is intended to reduce the frequency of crashes related to driver unawareness of stop-control at unsignalized intersections. Geometric, traffic, and crash data were obtained at unsignalized intersections for 8 sites in Arkansas, 9 sites in Maryland, and 158 sites in Minnesota. To account for potential selection bias and regression-to-the-mean, an empirical Bayes before-after analysis was conducted to determine the safety effectiveness of installing STOP AHEAD pavement markings. Results of the aggregate analysis indicate a statistically significant reduction in total crashes for Arkansas, Maryland, and the two States combined. The combined aggregate analysis indicates that at least a 15-percent reduction in total crashes can be expected conservatively. There is also a statistically significant reduction in right-angle and rear-end crashes for Arkansas. A reduction in injury crashes is shown for Arkansas and Maryland and is statistically significant at the ten percent level for the two States combined. The results for Minnesota were not included in the main analysis, but support the conclusion that this strategy is safety effective. The disaggregate analysis indicated that crash reductions are highly significant at three-legged intersections and significantly greater than reductions at four-legged intersections. The strategy was also more effective at intersections with all-way stop-control (AWSC). Given the low-cost of this strategy, even with conservative assumptions, a modest reduction in crashes is needed to justify their use. Based on the estimated safety effectiveness of STOP AHEAD pavement markings, the necessary crash reduction to obtain a 2:1 benefit-cost ratio is easily achieved. Therefore, this strategy has the potential to reduce crashes cost-effectively at unsignalized intersections, particularly at three-legged and AWSC intersections. KW - All-way stop-controlled intersections KW - Arkansas KW - Awareness KW - Before and after studies KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Data collection KW - Drivers KW - Empirical Bayes method KW - Four leg intersections KW - Maryland KW - Minnesota KW - Road markings KW - Stop-controlled intersections KW - Three leg intersections KW - Traffic safety KW - Unsignalized intersections UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/08043/index.cfm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/31000/31200/31213/FHWA-HRT-08-043.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864052 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104035 AU - Srinivasan, Raghavan AU - Carter, Daniel L AU - Eccles, Kimberly A AU - Persaud, Bhagwant AU - Lefler, Nancy X AU - Lyon, Craig AU - Amjadi, Roya AU - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated AU - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Safety Evaluation of Flashing Beacons at STOP-Controlled Intersections PY - 2008/03 SP - 44p AB - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized a pooled fund study of 26 States to evaluate low-cost safety strategies as part of its strategic highway safety effort. One of the strategies chosen to be evaluated for this study was flashing beacons. Three types of flashing beacons—intersection control beacons, beacons mounted on STOP signs, and actuated beacons—were considered collectively at stop-controlled intersections. This strategy is intended to reduce the frequency of crashes related to driver unawareness of stop control at unsignalized intersections. Geometric, traffic, and crash data were obtained at stop-controlled intersections for 64 sites in North Carolina and 42 sites in South Carolina. Empirical Bayes methods were incorporated in a before-after analysis to determine the safety effectiveness of installing flashing beacons, while accounting for potential selection bias and regression-to-the-mean effects. Overall, installation of flashing beacons in North Carolina resulted in statistically significant reductions in total, angle, and injury plus fatal crashes. The intersections in South Carolina experienced very little change following the introduction of flashing beacons. The combined results from both the States supports the conclusion that an angle crash reduction of 13 percent and an injury and fatal crash reduction of 10 percent can be expected. The economic analysis based on the combined results for angle and nonangle accidents from both States indicates that standard flashing beacons and some of the actuated ones (i.e., the less expensive beacons) are economically justified, but that a benefit cost ratio of 2:1 may not be achievable for the more expensive actuated beacon types. KW - Awareness KW - Before and after studies KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Data collection KW - Drivers KW - Empirical Bayes method KW - Flashing beacons KW - North Carolina KW - South Carolina KW - Stop-controlled intersections KW - Traffic safety KW - Unsignalized intersections UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/08044/index.cfm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/31000/31000/31092/FHWA-HRT-08-044.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864057 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104026 AU - Anderson, Keith W AU - Pierce, Linda M AU - Uhlmeyer, Jeffrey S AU - Weston, Jim AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Long-Term Pavement Performance and Noise Characteristics of Open-Graded Friction Courses - Project 2 PY - 2008/03//Post-Construction and Performance Report SP - 62p AB - This experimental project is being conducted as a part of Washington State Department of Transportation's effort to produce pavements that reduce the noise generated at the tire/pavement interface. Experimental sections of open-graded friction courses were built using asphalt rubber and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified binders. A section of conventional Class ½ inch hot mix asphalt (HMA) serves as the control section for the two experimental sections. Sound intensity measurements were conducted using the On Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) method immediately after construction and monthly since the end of construction. OBSI readings immediately after construction indicated that the open-graded asphalt rubber and SBS modified sections were 3.7 to 2.0 decibels, respectively, quieter than the Class ½ inch HMA control section. The most recent readings, taken in December of 2007, show the asphalt rubber section to be 3.3 dBA quieter than the ½ inch HMA control section and the SBS modified to be 2.4 dBA quieter. Pavement wear/rutting and roughness data indicates that there has been virtually no increase in the measured rutting and only a slight increase in the roughness for both of the open-graded sections and the control section. This experimental evaluation will continue for a minimum of five years. KW - Asphalt rubber KW - Bituminous binders KW - Experimental roads KW - Measurement KW - On board equipment KW - Open graded aggregates KW - Pavement performance KW - Rolling contact KW - Roughness KW - Rutting KW - Sound intensity KW - Styrene butadiene styrene KW - Tire/pavement noise KW - Wear UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/691.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863992 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104016 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Speed Enforcement Camera Systems Operational Guidelines PY - 2008/03 SP - 91p AB - Automated speed enforcement (ASE) systems are an important element in speed management and can be a very effective countermeasure to prevent speeding-related crashes. However, when used, ASE is a supplement to, not a replacement for, traditional enforcement operations. Advantages of ASE include: the ability to increase safety for law enforcement officers by implementing ASE in areas where traditional traffic stops are dangerous or infeasible due to roadway design, the ability to continuously enforce the speed limit, and reductions in traffic congestion sometimes caused by driver distraction at traffic stops. The ASE guidelines are intended to serve program managers, administrators, law enforcement, traffic engineers, program evaluators, and other individuals responsible for the strategic vision and daily operations of the program. The guidelines are written from a U.S. perspective and emphasize U.S. contexts and best practices. However, they are also drawn from the experiences of exemplary programs internationally. The guidelines are intended to be accessible and inclusive, with an emphasis on presenting options and describing the advantages, particularly in increased traffic flow and reduced congestion, and disadvantages of each, so that an ASE program can be tailored to the needs of a particular jurisdiction. The technological state of the practice in ASE is developing rapidly. Some specific technologies are described, but rather than focus on the capabilities of current technologies, the emphasis is on identifying the functional requirements that technologies must meet so that the guidelines remain relevant as technologies evolve. KW - Automated enforcement KW - Best practices KW - Cameras KW - Countermeasures KW - Guidelines KW - Speed control KW - Speed limits KW - Speeding KW - Technological innovations KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic flow KW - Traffic law enforcement UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30166/810916.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863908 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01103975 AU - Montejo, Luis A AU - Kowalsky, Mervyn J AU - Hassan, Tasnim AU - North Carolina State University, Raleigh AU - Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns at Sub-Freezing Temperatures PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 397p AB - The final goal of this research was to develop recommendations for the future seismic design or assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge bent structures in cold seismic regions. Ten large scale circular columns were constructed and tested under cyclic reversal of loads inside an environmental chamber in the North Carolina State University Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL). The columns were tested at freezing (-40°C, -40°F) and ambient (23°C, 74°F) temperatures. In order to characterize every aspect of the seismic response at low temperatures, the columns' design was governed by a desired behavior: shear dominated columns, flexural dominated columns and reinforced concrete filled steel tube columns. Results obtained show that RC members exposed to the combined effects of sub-freezing temperatures and cyclic loads undergo a gradual increase in strength and stiffness coupled with a reduction in displacement capacity. The experimental results were used to calibrate a fiber-based model and a series of static and inelastic analyses were performed to typical Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities bent configurations. Based on the results obtained from the experimental tests, the non-linear simulations and a moment-curvature parametric analysis, a simple methodology was developed to account for the low temperature flexural overstrength and reduction in ductility capacity. KW - Bents KW - Columns KW - Ductility KW - Earthquake resistant design KW - Flexural strength KW - Frigid regions KW - Laboratory tests KW - Low temperature KW - Reinforced concrete bridges KW - Repeated loads KW - Simulation KW - Structural analysis UR - http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/fhwa_ak_rd_08_01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863601 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102421 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - I-26 Connector, I-40 to US-19-23-70 north of Asheville, Buncombe county : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/03//Volumes held: Draft(2v) KW - Environmental impact statements KW - North Carolina UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862382 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102419 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Layton Interchange, Layton City : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/03//Volumes held: Draft KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Utah UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862380 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102333 AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Request for operations specifications amendment by Horizon Air to provide scheduled air service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/03//Volumes held: Draft, Final(4v),Record of decision B1 KW - California KW - Environmental impact statements UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862294 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102081 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Grand Parkway (State Highway 99) Segment F-1 from US 290 to SH 249 : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/03//Volumes held: Draft(2v) (3 vols. in 2), F(4v) KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Texas UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862042 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100751 AU - Scullion, Tom AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Construction Details and Initial Performance of Two High-Performance Base Sections PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 28p AB - Traditional Texas flexible bases specified under Item 247 perform well as long as they are kept dry. However, rapid and sudden failures can occur if water enters these bases. In Project 0-4358 draft specifications (proposed Item 245) were developed for high-performance flexible base materials. These specifications tighten all existing specifications, place an upper limit of 10 percent on the amount of material passing the No. 200 sieve, and introduce new procedures to ensure that the base is not moisture susceptible. In project 5-4358-01 two Texas Department of Transportation pavements containing bases that met the proposed high-performance base specifications were constructed. No handling or segregation problems were encountered. The main concern found by the contractors was the use of nuclear density gauges for measuring density. Alternative methods were investigated. The initial field moduli were measured to be 60 ksi. The long-term benefits of these low-fines bases could not be demonstrated in this short project, since all the applicable sections are new and performing well. However performance problems were encountered on a third section constructed on SH 43. In that case the design caused a “bath-tub” effect and water became trapped in the low fines base. Based on this experience a “day-lighting” requirement was placed in the Item 245 specification. High-performance bases will cost more than traditional bases, and they are not needed in many areas of west Texas where rainfall is low. However, these bases will be economically viable in many areas of northeast Texas, especially with the escalating prices of traditional road building materials. KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Fines content KW - Flexible pavements KW - Granular bases KW - Moisture susceptibility KW - Road construction KW - Specifications KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-4358-01-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860388 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100723 AU - Ullman, Gerald L AU - Finley, Melisa D AU - Pike, Adam M AU - Knapp, Keith K AU - Songchitruksa, Praprut AU - Williams, Alicia A AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Studies to Improve Temporary Traffic Control at Urban Freeway Interchanges and Pavement Marking Material Selection in Work Zones PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 228p AB - This report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to develop guidelines on (1) how to improve temporary traffic control at work zones in and near urban freeway interchanges, and (2) selecting appropriate pavement marking materials in work zones. Laboratory studies conducted using laptop computers and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Driving Simulator indicate that continuing to use guide signs that no longer align directly over travel lanes (as often occurs during interchange reconstruction or widening) will degrade drivers’ abilities to properly choose lanes and negotiate through the interchange area. The use of temporary work zone diagrammatic signing and/or pavement marking symbols to denote route destinations for the various lanes will help offset this degradation. Other findings from the laboratory studies are discussed in the report. Monte Carlo simulation was used to model the interrelationships and variability of estimates of pavement marking material service life, project phase duration for which the marking is intended to provide service, and cost of the marking material in determining which pavement marking material would provide the lowest total expected cost for a particular work zone roadway condition. Matrices were generated of recommended pavement marking materials as a function of expected project phase duration and Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT). Additional matrices provided allow practitioners to adopt more liberal or conservative assumptions of the input variables when selecting a marking material. KW - Costs KW - Driving simulators KW - Freeways KW - Interchanges KW - Laboratory studies KW - Monte Carlo method KW - Road marking materials KW - Service life KW - Simulation KW - Urban areas KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5238-2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860361 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100722 AU - Alvarez, Allex E AU - Martin, Amy Epps AU - Estakhri, Cindy K AU - Button, Joe W AU - Kraus, Zachary AU - Prapaitrakul, Nikornpon AU - Glover, Charles J AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation and Recommended Improvements for Mix Design of Permeable Friction Courses PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 180p AB - This project focuses on the improvement of the mix design and the development of guidelines for construction and maintenance of permeable friction courses (PFC). The study started with an information search documented in Technical Report 0-5262-1 that summarizes information from a worldwide literature review and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) district interviews focused on performance, maintenance, and construction of PFC. The information gathered was used to define an experimental design directed to evaluate four main aspects of PFC mix design: volumetrics, functionality (or drainability), durability, and aging. These aspects were evaluated for mixtures fabricated with both TxDOT asphalt types: PG-76-22 and asphalt rubber. Dimensional analysis and calculation of the theoretical maximum specific gravity of the mixture were recommended for evaluating total air voids (AV) content and water accessible AV content. The computation of water accessible AV was suggested for future application in design and performance evaluations. In addition, the density specification was modified (from 78-82 percent to 76-80 percent) to ensure adequate drainability. Field evaluation of drainability during construction was recommended to ensure adequate initial functionality properties in terms of permeability. For durability, the draindown test and the Cantabro loss test (conducted in both dry and wet conditions) were recommended. In addition, density requirements for field compaction were suggested to improve the control of functionality and durability. Technical Report 0-5262-2 constitutes the second interim report and documents construction and maintenance guidelines for PFC. KW - Air voids KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Asphalt rubber KW - Density KW - Durability KW - Friction course KW - Mix design KW - Open graded aggregates KW - Permeability KW - Specific gravity UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5262-3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860358 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100245 AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Draft Environmental Impact Statement: I-29 Improvements in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa PY - 2008/03 SP - v.p. AB - The Iowa Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have initiated the planning studies for the improvements to Interstate 29 in Woodbury County, Iowa. The project begins approximately 0.25 mile south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge over the Missouri River and continues approximately 3.5 miles north to approximately 0.7 mile west of the Hamilton Boulevard Interchange along the existing I-29 corridor. The proposed project includes expanding the existing four lane roadway to six lanes and improving safety by modifying interchanges. This Draft Environmental Impact Statement identifies three Build Alternatives and the No Build Alternative for detailed evaluation. Potential impacts of the alternatives have been evaluated and include those to wetlands, water resources, historic buildings, homes, businesses, parks, and public facilities and services. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Environmental impacts KW - Highway improvement projects KW - Highway safety KW - Highway widening KW - Improvements KW - Interchanges KW - Interstate highways KW - Iowa UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860181 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100235 AU - de Melo e Silva, Fernando AU - McNinch, Terance L AU - Dong, Jianping AU - Gadgil, Kedar AU - Michigan Technological University, Houghton AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Midwest Regional University Transportation Center TI - Meaningful Use of Collected Local Roads Data and Information PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 167p AB - There are more than 39,000 local agencies managing 2,000,000 miles of roads throughout the United States. The responsibility for such an immense infrastructure network in a time of limited resources demands the application of contemporary pavement management principles. Yet, the vast majority of these agencies could be classified as small or rural, and implementation of management systems and practices is a significant challenge. The study analyzed responses of an extensive survey completed by over 400 local agencies throughout the upper Midwest. The report identifies current pavement management practices, factors that promote management system implementation, and the challenges (organizational, cultural and technical) that impede implementation. Pavement management systems used throughout the U.S. were cataloged along with capabilities and system specifics. Training available in the survey states was identified and cataloged, and training objectives were applied against a Body of Knowledge Framework. Researchers also conducted in-depth review of the models that had been adopted for use in the RoadSoft® GIS Pavement Strategy module. This review reconsidered the original assumptions of the models, made adjustments to conform to those assumptions, and used actual condition data (three counties, 1733 data points) to compare the output of the new models. The findings are of value to the Federal Highway Administration, state departments of transportation, local agencies, universities and technology transfer centers in their efforts to expand pavement management system implementation within cities, counties, towns, and villages. KW - Asset management KW - Cities KW - Counties KW - Implementation KW - Local government agencies KW - Local roads KW - Midwestern States KW - Pavement management systems KW - Rural highways KW - Surveys KW - Towns KW - Urban highways UR - http://www.mrutc.org/research/0605/06-05_FR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860133 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100232 AU - Grove, Jim AU - Fick, Gary AU - Steffes, Bob AU - Rupnow, Tyson D AU - Bektas, Fatih AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Material and Construction Optimization for Prevention of Premature Pavement Distress in PCC Pavements: Phase III Final Report PY - 2008/03//Final Report, Phase III SP - 296p AB - Mixture materials, mix design, and pavement construction are not isolated steps in the concrete paving process. Each affects the other in ways that determine overall pavement quality and long-term performance. However, equipment and procedures commonly used to test concrete materials and concrete pavements have not changed in decades, leaving gaps in our ability to understand and control the factors that determine concrete durability. The concrete paving community needs tests that will adequately characterize the materials, predict interactions, and monitor the properties of the concrete. The overall objectives of this study are (1) to evaluate conventional and new methods for testing concrete and concrete materials to prevent material and construction problems that could lead to premature concrete pavement distress and (2) to examine and refine a suite of tests that can accurately evaluate concrete pavement properties. The project included three phases. In Phase I, the research team contacted each of 16 participating states to gather information about concrete and concrete material tests. A preliminary suite of tests to ensure long-term pavement performance was developed. The tests were selected to provide useful and easy-to-interpret results that can be performed reasonably and routinely in terms of time, expertise, training, and cost. The tests examine concrete pavement properties in five focal areas critical to the long life and durability of concrete pavements: (1) workability, (2) strength development, (3) air system, (4) permeability, and (5) shrinkage. The tests were relevant at three stages in the concrete paving process: mix design, preconstruction verification, and construction quality control. In Phase II, the research team conducted field testing in each participating state to evaluate the preliminary suite of tests and demonstrate the testing technologies and procedures using local materials. A Mobile Concrete Research Lab was designed and equipped to facilitate the demonstrations. This report documents the results of the 16 state projects. Phase III refined and finalized lab and field tests based on state project test data. The results of the overall project are detailed in this report. The final suite of tests is detailed in the accompanying testing guide. KW - Air voids KW - Compressive strength KW - Concrete KW - Concrete pavements KW - Concrete tests KW - Field tests KW - Laboratory tests KW - Mix design KW - Pavement performance KW - Paving KW - Permeability KW - Preconstruction KW - Quality control KW - Shrinkage KW - Workability UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/mco-final.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860160 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100225 AU - Chou, Eddie Yein Juin AU - Pulugurta, Haricharan AU - Datta, Debargha AU - University of Toledo AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pavement Forecasting Models PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 212p AB - The primary objectives of this study were to develop models to forecast future pavement conditions and to determine remaining service life of pavements based on the forecasted conditions. Based on available data in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) pavement database, which contains the condition history of each pavement section, along with its location, year of construction, thickness, materials used, climate, and rehabilitation records, individual regression, family regression, and Markov probabilistic models were developed. For the latter two models, pavements were first grouped into "families" with similar characteristics, based on pavement type, priority, District location, and past performance. Forecasting models were then developed for each such "family." The developed models were evaluated by comparing the predicted conditions with the actual observed conditions for the five year period between 2001 and 2005. The Markov model was found to have the highest overall prediction accuracy among all the models evaluated, and it can also predict future distresses in addition to the PCR values. As a result of this study, ODOT can forecast future pavement conditions and estimate the remaining service life of pavements. Future rehabilitation needs can also be determined. Such capabilities will significantly benefit planning and management decision-making at both project and network levels. KW - Decision making KW - Forecasting KW - Markov processes KW - Mathematical models KW - Pavement condition rating KW - Pavement management systems KW - Pavement performance KW - Probabilistic models KW - Service life UR - http://worldcat.org/arcviewer/1/OHI/2009/02/03/H1233689206989/viewer/file2.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55844/FHWA-OH-2008-3_PAVEMENT_FORECASTING_MODELS.PDF UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55845/FHWA-OH-2008-3_PAVEMENT_FORECASTING_MODELS_EXEC_SUMMARY.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860080 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100215 AU - Everett, Thomas D AU - Weykamp, Peter AU - Capers, Harry A AU - Cox, William R AU - Drda, Thomas S AU - Hummel, Lawrence AU - Jensen, Paul AU - Juntunen, David A AU - Kimball, Tod AU - Washer, Glenn A AU - American Trade Initiatives AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Bridge Evaluation Quality Assurance in Europe PY - 2008/03 SP - 60p AB - The National Bridge Inspection Standards require transportation agencies to use quality control and quality assurance procedures to maintain accuracy and consistency in their bridge inspection programs. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study to look at European bridge inspection practices related to quality assurance. The scan team found that European agencies use their bridge inspection programs to insure highway user safety, meet durability and serviceability expectations, and enhance capital investment decisions. They emphasize quality assurance through well-defined inspector qualifications, periodic certification of inspectors, data collection, and the use of appropriate equipment to evaluate structures. Team recommendations for U.S. implementation include developing a rational basis for bridge inspection frequency, guidelines for developing quality assurance/quality control procedures, illustrations and reference photos for manuals, and integrated inspection repair approaches. KW - Bridges KW - Certification KW - Europe KW - Guidelines KW - Inspection KW - Inspectors KW - Manuals KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Study tours KW - Training UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl08016/pl08016.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860050 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099858 AU - Rister, Brad W AU - Hopwood, Theodore AU - University of Kentucky, Lexington AU - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Investigation of Voids/Cracking on the I-275 Twin Bridges Over the Ohio River in Kenton County - Phase I PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 15p AB - An evaluation of the northbound bridge approach and the abutment wall of the (Combs-Hehl) bridge on I-275 in Kenton County was conducted in September 2007. The inspection consisted of using ground penetrating radar to look for potential voids beneath the concrete approach slab and a video camera inspection to inspect the void space beneath the pier cap/concrete beam in front of the abutment wall. Results of field testing and recommendations are as follows: A possible void approximately 1-2 in. in depth resides under the approach slab approximately 105 ft before the bridge abutment in the fast lane. It is recommended that this section be filled with cement grout. The camera inspection beneath the pier cap/concrete beam indicates that approximately 447 cu ft of material has been displaced. It is suggested that the void space be filled with either cement grout or crushed aggregate. It is also recommended that the water eroding around the side of the abutment wall be diverted away from the bridge embankment. KW - Air voids KW - Bridge abutments KW - Bridge approaches KW - Cement grouts KW - Crushed aggregates KW - Erosion control KW - Ground penetrating radar KW - Inspection KW - Kenton County (Kentucky) KW - Ohio River KW - Video cameras UR - http://www.ktc.uky.edu/files/2012/06/KTC_08_07_KH_60_07_1F.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859600 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099678 AU - Department of Transportation TI - Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study, Phase I PY - 2008/03 SP - 439p AB - Climate affects the design, construction, safety, operations, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure and systems. The prospect of a changing climate raises critical questions regarding how alterations in temperature, precipitation, storm events, and other aspects of the climate could affect the nation’s roads, airports, rail, transit systems, pipelines, ports, and waterways. Phase I of this regional assessment of climate change and its potential impacts on transportation systems addresses these questions for the region of the U.S. central Gulf Coast between Galveston, Texas and Mobile, Alabama. This region contains multimodal transportation infrastructure that is critical to regional and national transportation services. Historical trends and future climate scenarios were used to establish a context for examining the potential effects of climate change on all major transportation modes within the region. Climate changes anticipated during the next 50 to 100 years for the central Gulf Coast include warming temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased storm intensity. The warming of the oceans and decline of polar ice sheets is expected to accelerate the rate of sea level rise globally. The effects of sea level rise in most central Gulf Coast counties will be exacerbated by the sinking of the land surface, which is accounted for in this assessment. The significance of these climate factors for transportation systems was assessed. Warming temperatures are likely to increase the costs of transportation construction, maintenance, and operations. More frequent extreme precipitation events may disrupt transportation networks with flooding and visibility problems. Relative sea level rise will make much of the existing infrastructure more prone to frequent or permanent inundation – 27 percent of the major roads, 9 percent of the rail lines, and 72 percent of the ports are built on land at or below 122 cm (4 feet) in elevation. Increased storm intensity may lead to increased service disruption and infrastructure damage: More than half of the area’s major highways (64 percent of Interstates; 57 percent of arterials), almost half of the rail miles, 29 airports, and virtually all of the ports are below 7 m (23 feet) in elevation and subject to flooding and possible damage due to hurricane storm surge. Consideration of these factors in today’s transportation decisions and planning processes should lead to a more robust, resilient, and cost-effective transportation network in the coming decades. KW - Airports KW - Climate change KW - Construction KW - Economic impacts KW - Flood damage KW - Gulf Coast (United States) KW - Highways KW - Hurricanes KW - Infrastructure KW - Maintenance KW - Pipelines KW - Ports KW - Public transit KW - Railroads KW - Sea level KW - Storm surges KW - Temperature KW - Transportation operations UR - http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-7/final-report/sap4-7-final-all.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/32000/32100/32124/32124.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851785 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099668 AU - Knecht, William R AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Use of Weather Information by General Aviation Pilots, Part II, Qualitative: Exploring Factors Involved in Weather-Related Decision Making PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 22p AB - Interview data obtained from 221 general aviation (GA) pilots are qualitatively scored for factors which influence weather-related decision making. Factors finding relatively strong support are (a) the specific type of weather to be faced (storms, ice, visibility, and cloud ceiling are of greatest concern to GA pilots), (b) type of flight (IFR vs. VFR), (c) pilot physiological state (primarily disorientation), and (d) the inherent uncertainty of weather and the resultant cognitive difficulty of understanding this uncertainty. Factors finding more modest support are (a) social and/or economic pressures, and (b) impulsive behavior. Additionally, relatively strong support is found in previously unpublished data for the influence of mission goals. Research directions, remediations, and the value of qualitative analysis are discussed. KW - Decision making KW - General aviation pilots KW - Instrument flying KW - Physiological aspects KW - Understanding KW - Visual flight KW - Weather UR - http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/faa-aviation-medicine-reports/AM08-07.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859205 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099598 AU - Jackson, Newton C AU - Vargas, Adriana AU - Pucinelli, Jason AU - Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chartered AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Quieter Pavements Survey PY - 2008/03//Research Report SP - 38p AB - This study looked at the performance of quieter pavements in use in the United States of America and Europe with specific emphasis on those states that are using open-graded mixes for both friction or porous courses on an ongoing basis. All states were contacted and 34 states responded with information on their use of open-graded mixes and stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixes. Eleven states were able to provide an estimate of the range and average service life of their open-graded mixes and three states provided information on the service life of their SMA mixes. Specifications for open-graded mixes and SMA mixes were compiled from 20 states and compared to Washington State's open-graded friction course mix and the open-graded mix used on recent test sections built by the Washington State Department of Transportation. KW - Friction KW - Noise KW - Open graded aggregates KW - Pavement performance KW - Pavements KW - Quiet pavements KW - Service life KW - Specifications KW - States KW - Stone matrix asphalt KW - Washington (State) UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/688.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859349 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099547 AU - Crovetti, James A AU - Marquette University AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Over Rubblized PCC PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 80p AB - This report has presented findings of research conducted to determine the viability of constructing Portland cement concrete pavements over rubblized PCC. Rubblization of aged PCC pavements is a common technique for in-place recycling of these pavements. For the vast majority of applications, the rubblized PCC layer is surfaced with hot mix asphalt (HMA). The use of Portland cement concrete as a surfacing material offers designers another option which may provide good performance and be cost-effective under certain conditions. The current concrete pavement design procedures utilized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) allow for the incorporation of a rubblized PCC base layer and an increase in the design value for the subgrade support k-value based on AASHTO guidelines. Over the practical range of rubblized concrete layer thicknesses investigated during this research, composite k-values were shown to increase by a factor of approximately 2 to 4 times, depending on the thickness of the rubblized layer and the quality of the natural subgrade support. This increase in composite k-value was shown to reduce the concrete layer thickness requirement between 0.25 to 1.45 inches, depending on subgrade quality and design ESAL loadings. The greatest reduction in required PCC thickness was seen for the combination of high subgrade support and low design ESAL loadings. As design ESAL levels increase, the allowable PCC thickness reduction decreases for all subgrade qualities. Based on the research results collected to date, there are no restrictions to the continued design and construction of Portland cement concrete pavements over rubblized PCC. KW - Comminution KW - Concrete pavements KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Materials adaptation and use KW - Pavement layers KW - Pavements KW - Paving materials KW - Portland cement concrete KW - Subbase (Pavements) KW - Subgrade materials KW - Wisconsin UR - http://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/53304/0092-00-11FinalReport.pdf UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/00-11pccoverrubblized-fr2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859175 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099503 AU - Wyrick, David A AU - Eseonu, Chinweike I AU - University of Minnesota, Duluth AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Minnesota Department of Transportation AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - FY06 NATSRL-Integration of Automated Vehicle System Data Acquisition into Fleet Management PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 46p AB - Previous work at the University of Minnesota Duluth on fleet asset management determined a key shortcoming in life cycle costing analysis was the poor quality of available data. Automation of data acquisition was recommended to minimize errors inherent in manual data collection and data entry. This project investigates the feasibility of collecting data from engine computers on board Class 330 and 350 snowplows and wirelessly transmitting these data directly into the Maximus M5 maintenance information system. Wireless modems were evaluated to select models that could function in the physical setting and temperature conditions of northern Minnesota. One modem met all the criteria and was field-tested in several different snowplow units. The modem functioned, but the interface with the on-board computer prevented data transfer due to embedded proprietary software by the engine manufacturers. Third party providers do offer real-time remote data collection from engine computers. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) expressed concern over data protection and cost with this approach, so alternative management strategies were developed. Under these conditions, the recommendation is to increase the frequency of cable-acquired data from the engines and implement best practices for data acquisition. KW - Best practices KW - Data collection KW - Driver information systems KW - Fleet management KW - Minnesota KW - Modems KW - Real time information KW - Traveler information and communication systems KW - Vehicle maintenance KW - Vehicle operations KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportdetail.html?id=1590 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859143 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099476 AU - Buddemeyer, Jenna AU - Young, Rhonda Kae AU - Vander Giessen, Steven AU - University of Wyoming, Laramie AU - Wyoming Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Highway Construction Related Business Impacts: Phase 3 Effort for the Town of Dubois PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 116p AB - Highway construction projects not only impact the traveling public, but can also impact businesses situated adjacent to the construction project. Even though construction projects are temporary situations, many businesses worry about the level of impact during construction and the length and magnitude of the associated recovery period. Highway construction impacts on businesses may come in the form of a temporary loss of customers, revenue, and property value as well as the creation of noise and air pollution and a host of other problems. Phases I and II of the business impacts study attempted to quantify the estimated business impacts for rural areas such as Wyoming. The intent of Phase III is to investigate the business-related impacts in the town of Dubois, Wyoming due to four highway construction projects on Togwotee Pass scheduled for completion over seven years. The main objective of the research effort is to address the concerns of the business owners and to measure the effectiveness of mitigation and public involvement techniques undertaken by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), business owners, and the community. Research on the relationship between highway construction projects and business impacts in Dubious will provide (WYDOT’s) project managers the information on what types of businesses benefit from various mitigation and public involvement efforts. KW - Businesses KW - Construction of specific facilities KW - Construction projects KW - Economic impacts KW - General service businesses KW - Losses KW - Project management KW - Road construction KW - Wyoming UR - http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Central-Corridor/Publications-And-Resources/Environmental/Construction-Impacts-SEA/Draft-CI-SEA/CC-ConstructionSEA-docs-Buddenmeyer2008.aspx UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51900/51953/CC-ConstructionSEA-docs-Buddenmeyer2008.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859185 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099052 AU - Yu, Lei AU - Qi, Yi AU - Azimi, Mehdi AU - Guo, Lei AU - Guo, Chenyan AU - Texas Southern University, Houston AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Left-Turn Lane Design and Operation PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 226p AB - This project examined important issues related to the design and operation of left-turn lanes. It developed an analytical model for determining the queue storage lengths of left-turn lanes at signalized intersections by considering both parts of left-turn queue: (1) the vehicles that arrive during the red phase (red-phase queue), and (2) the queue of vehicles carried over from previous cycles (leftover queue). The evaluation results indicated that the developed model considerably outperforms the existing methods by providing more accurate estimates of left-turn queue lengths. In addition, a decision-making flowchart for installing multiple left-turn lanes was developed by combining the warrants in four categories: (1) capacity and volume based, (2) left-turn queue length based, (3) safety based, and (4) geometric condition based warrants. Furthermore, the safety benefits of extending the lengths of left-turn lanes were analyzed and the analysis results indicated that extending the length of left-turn lanes will significantly reduce the rear-end accident risk at intersections. Finally, this research investigated the left-turn bay taper length estimation and the impacts of signal phasing sequence on left-turn operation. It recommended using different sets of bay taper lengths for the intersections in the urban and non-urban areas and it suggested the way to select the proper signal phasing sequence for the intersections with left-turn lane overflow and/or blockage problems. KW - Crash risk forecasting KW - Decision making KW - Design KW - Flow charts KW - Left turn lanes KW - Length KW - Mathematical models KW - Multiple left turn lanes KW - Rear end crashes KW - Signalized intersections KW - Traffic queue length KW - Traffic queuing KW - Traffic safety KW - Traffic signal phases UR - https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015071907862 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859448 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099049 AU - Ballard, Andrew J AU - Ullman, Brooke R AU - Trout, Nada D AU - Venglar, Steven P AU - Borchardt, Darrell W AU - Voigt, Anthony P AU - Obeng-Boampong, Kwaku AU - Rajbhandari, Rajat AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Hurricane Evacuation Traffic Operations PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 222p AB - This research, using focus groups and surveys of individuals who had experienced hurricane evacuations in Texas, assessed various hurricane evacuation traffic signs and pavement markings for developing guidelines. This report contains the process and findings from that effort. Other specific issues addressed include the following: best means of operating traffic signals during mass evacuation; identification of data needs for an after-action review of evacuation traffic operations; intelligent transportation system’s role in evacuations; methods of reducing field staffing requirements during evacuations; and applicability of Houston’s Beltway 8 East as an evacuation route. This research also produced tri-fold brochures intended to communicate to the public regarding where and how new contraflow routes will operate during hurricane evacuations. Finally, the report includes findings from traffic simulation computer modeling of various critical locations throughout Texas’ evacuation contraflow routes. KW - Brochures KW - Contraflow lanes KW - Evacuation KW - Focus groups KW - Guidelines KW - Highway operations KW - Highway traffic control KW - Hurricanes KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Road markings KW - Surveys KW - Texas KW - Traffic signals KW - Traffic signs KW - Traffic simulation UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-4962-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859449 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099042 AU - Schrock, Steven D AU - See, Chen Fei AU - Mulinazzi, Thomas E AU - University of Kansas, Lawrence AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Public Opinion and Understanding of Advance Warning Arrow Displays Used in Short-Term, Mobile, and Moving Work Zones PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 43p AB - In long-term work zones on multilane highways and/or freeways, the Federal Highway Administration has interpreted the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to mean that only one advance warning arrow display can be used to denote the closure of a single lane. Where two or more lanes are closed, a single arrow display is used for each lane to be closed. However, in short duration, mobile, and moving work convoys the MUTCD allows the use of multiple arrow displays to indicate a single lane closure. These disparate uses for arrow displays create the potential for confusion by drivers. This paper describes the results of four focus group interviews with Midwestern drivers. Participants were shown several mocked images of shadow work vehicles with arrow displays and were questioned on how well they understood and/or interpreted the message conveyed by arrow displays depending on the display type and quantity of displays used, and looked specifically for potential driver confusion. Focus group participants generally considered panel displays that included motion (e.g., sequential arrows and sequential chevrons) as implying a more important situation and preferred their use over flashing versions. While participants were receptive to the use of multiple arrow displays on multiple shadow vehicles, a minority indicated that this conveyed a need to move over more than one lane. Participants also indicated that staggering sequential shadow vehicles from the shoulder into the closed lane provided useful information as to the number and location of the closed lanes. KW - Arrow panel displays KW - Flashing yellow arrow KW - Focus groups KW - Lane closure KW - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices KW - Midwestern States KW - Public opinion KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/smartwz/documents/project_reports/2008-schrock-advance-arrow.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859429 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099031 AU - Anderson, Keith W AU - Pierce, Linda M AU - Uhlmeyer, Jeffrey S AU - Weston, Jim AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Long-Term Pavement Performance and Noise Characteristics of Open-Graded Friction Courses PY - 2008/03//Post-Construction and Performance Report SP - 98p AB - This experimental project is being conducted as a part of the Washington State Department of Transportation's effort to produce pavements that reduce the noise generated at the tire/pavement interface. Experimental sections of open-graded friction courses (OGFCs) were built using asphalt rubber (AR) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer modified asphalt binders. A section of conventional Class ½ inch hot mix asphalt (HMA) serves as the control section for the two experimental sections. Sound intensity measurements were conducted using the On Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) method immediately after construction and monthly, weather permitting, for a year following construction. OBSI readings immediately after construction indicated that the OGFC-AR and OGFC-SBS sections were 2.8 to 3.8 decibels, respectively, quieter than the Class ½ inch HMA control section. Data from one year later showed that the AR and SBS modified sections were 1.5 to 3.3 decibels quieter, respectively, than the control section. Sound intensity readings taken between wheel paths are at levels similar to the initial readings after the sections were constructed indicating that studded tire wear is having a negative effect on the sound absorbing qualities of the open-graded mixes. KW - Asphalt rubber KW - Bituminous binders KW - Experimental roads KW - Measurement KW - On board equipment KW - Open graded aggregates KW - Pavement performance KW - Rolling contact KW - Sound intensity KW - Studded tires KW - Styrene butadiene styrene KW - Tire/pavement noise UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/683.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859259 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098934 AU - Zollinger, Dan G AU - Lee, Sang Ick AU - Puccinelli, Jason AU - Jackson, Newton C AU - Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chartered AU - Texas A&M University, College Station AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Long Term Pavement Performance Computed Parameter: Moisture Content PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 104p AB - A study was conducted to compute in situ soil parameters based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) traces obtained from Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) test sections instrumented for the seasonal monitoring program (SMP). Ten TDR sensors were installed in the base and subgrade layers at each of the 70 SMP test sites monitored as part of the LTPP program. A comprehensive description of a new method developed as part of the study to estimate moisture content, dry density, reflectivity, and conductivity of the soil from TDR traces is provided in the report. This new method utilizes transmission line equations and micromechanics models calibrated to site-specific conditions for each site/layer combination. Background information on existing empirical methodologies used to estimate subsurface moisture content from TDR traces is also documented. The results were compared to previous methods as well as ground truth data to evaluate the ability of the new model to predict soil parameters. The transmission line equation and micromechanics method was found to provide accurate results and was used to interpret over 270,000 TDR records stored in the LTPP database. A computer program (MicroMoist) was developed to aid in the computation of soil parameters based on TDR trace data and calibration information. Details on the program are provided along with descriptions of the tables developed to store the computed values in the LTPP Information Management System database. KW - Dry density KW - Electrical conductivity KW - Equations KW - Long-Term Pavement Performance Program KW - Micromechanics KW - MicroMoist (Computer program) KW - Moisture content KW - Reflectivity KW - Seasonal Monitoring Program (LTPP) KW - Test sections KW - Time domain reflectometers UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/08035/08035.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859220 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098927 AU - Alexiadis, Vassili AU - Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Integrated Corridor Management Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Methodology PY - 2008/03 SP - 69p AB - This Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Methodologies Document provides a discussion of potential Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) analytical approaches for the assessment of generic corridor operations. The AMS framework described in this report identifies strategies and procedures for tailoring AMS general approaches toward individual corridors with different application requirements and modeling characteristics. KW - Bus transit operations KW - Highway operations KW - Integrated corridor management KW - Integrated Corridor Management Initiative KW - Methodology KW - Strategic planning KW - Transportation corridors UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14414.htm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14414_files/14414.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859204 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098923 AU - Saito, Mitsuro AU - Chuo, Kaitlin AU - Brigham Young University AU - Utah Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of the Applicability of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model to Safety Audits of Two-Lane Rural Highways PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 154p AB - The Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) is a suite of software developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for monitoring and analyzing two-lane rural highways in the United States. Among the six modules available in IHSDM, two were chosen for evaluation because of their applicability to audit safety of the two-lane rural highways in Utah, namely the Crash Prediction Module (CPM) and the Intersection Review Module (IRM). It was found that the CPM can produce reasonably reliable crash predictions if appropriate input data, especially alignment data, reflect the existing conditions at reasonable accuracy and engineering judgment is used. Using crash records available from the crash database developed by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and CPM’s crash prediction capability, UDOT’s traffic and safety engineers can locate “hot spots” for detailed safety audit, thus making the safety audit task more focused and effective. Unlike the CPM, the outputs of the IRM are qualitative and include primarily suggestions and recommendations. They will help the traffic and safety engineers know what to look for as they visit the sites, such as a lack of stopping sight distance and a lack of passing sight distance. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that the CPM and IRM of IHSDM could be a useful tool for engineering decision-making during safety audits of two-lane rural highways. However, the outputs from these modules demand knowledge and experience in highway design. KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - High risk locations KW - Interactive Highway Safety Design Model KW - Modules (Computer programs) KW - Passing sight distance KW - Rural highways KW - Safety audits KW - Stopping sight distance KW - Two lane highways KW - Utah UR - http://utah.ptfs.com/awweb/awarchive?type=download&item=10716 UR - http://utah.ptfs.com/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=10716 UR - http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=7818905395840981 UR - http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=7819207735860594 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859167 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098908 AU - Montana Department of Transportation AU - Headwaters Policy/Planning Partnership, LLP AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Growing Neighborhoods in Growing Corridors: Land Use Planning for Highway Noise PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 52p AB - This document aims to provide technical assistance to local authorities that wish to consider noise as an integral part of land use planning decisions. It provides tools to help local planning staffs and policy makers consider noise impacts as a routine part of their development regulations and review processes. Montanans tend to want economic development, and many areas of the state are getting it. People move here, in part, to get away from the hectic pace of bigger cities. With development, the potential for conflicts between traffic noise and noise-sensitive land uses is almost certain to increase. Meeting the traffic noise challenge, while developing attractive communities and essential transportation corridors, will require sustained action at the state and local levels. Cooperative efforts and actions to avoid highway traffic noise problems are smart for residents, local governments, and the state. This toolkit was developed to help local governments address the challenges of highway noise. The local basis for addressing noise may be found in local planning goals and objectives that are common elements of local policies that address public health, safety and welfare, and general quality of life. Integrating noise as a regulatory or programmatic consideration in local land use planning is likely to require modification of local policies and programs. This document provides model language that may be considered for integration into growth policies, subdivision regulations, zoning regulations, and land acquisition efforts. The Montana Department of Transportation crafted this because highway noise issues are very likely to become more significant in many areas of the state, and because state and federal agencies cannot address them all. Local decision makers are likely to become increasingly responsible for noise impacts arising from land use decisions. KW - Economic development KW - Land use planning KW - Local government KW - Montana KW - Noise control KW - Ordinances KW - Policy KW - Property acquisition KW - Regulations KW - Toolkits KW - Traffic noise KW - Zoning UR - http://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/research/external/docs/research_proj/noise_plan/final_report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26865/final_report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859128 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098907 AU - Smith, Michelle M AU - Hoel, Lester A AU - Miller, John S AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - A Methodology to Evaluate Unplanned Proposed Transportation Projects PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 49p AB - The Virginia Department of Transportation may be asked to consider proposed transportation projects that have not originated within the transportation planning process. Examples include offers by the private sector to build infrastructure in exchange for permission to develop land, advocacy by a regional government to add an interchange to a National Highway System route to encourage economic growth, a city’s plan to narrow an arterial facility to increase community cohesion, and a county’s request for pedestrian crossings on a high speed arterial facility. This report refers to these proposals as stand-alone projects. In the short term, stand-alone projects may have significant merit as they can result in the provision of additional infrastructure or improved relations between state and local stakeholders. In the long term, they may not be beneficial if they result in adverse safety or operational consequences for the overall transportation system. Stand-alone proposals are difficult to evaluate because they lack detailed data, have not been studied as part of a region’s planning process, require a relatively short response time, and are not discussed in the literature. This report describes stand-alone projects that have been proposed in Virginia, describes a methodology for evaluating them, and applies the methodology to two such projects: (1) a developer’s proposal to provide additional infrastructure as part of a desired rezoning, and (2) a county’s request to accommodate pedestrians on a 45 mph arterial facility bisecting residential and commercial development. Application of the methodology yielded the advantages and disadvantages for each proposal. For example, although the first project will reduce mainline delay for one facility, it will increase queue delay on another, will preclude the construction of two interchanges, and will increase delay overall. Yet the methodology also reveals that there is not necessarily a best answer: although the second project showed that a pedestrian overpass could accommodate pedestrian crossings at a capital cost of $0.16 per pedestrian crossing (compared to a capital cost of less than $0.01 per crossing for a pedestrian phase at an existing signal), neither alternative ensured that pedestrian risk would be minimized because pedestrian compliance with traffic laws could not be forecast precisely given the data available. In such situations, the utility of the methodology is that it delineates aspects of the proposal that can be assessed with available data in contrast to those that require judgment by decision makers. Because the study found that stand-alone projects are more common than expected and that they may yield negative or positive results, the report recommends that the methodology developed in this study be considered where stand-alone projects are to be evaluated and no other planning process is applicable. Depending on the availability of data, the level of accuracy desired, and the ability of the analyst to select the most appropriate performance measures, the methodology requires roughly 40 person-hours and does not require specialized software. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Evaluation KW - Methodology KW - Short range planning KW - Sketch planning KW - Stand-alone projects KW - Transportation planning KW - Transportation projects KW - Virginia UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-r10.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37500/37533/08-r10.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859135 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098906 AU - Crooks, Kevin AU - Haas, Chris AU - Baruch-Mordo, Sharon AU - Middledorf, Kris AU - Magle, Seth AU - Shenk, Tanya AU - Wilson, Ken AU - Theobald, Dave AU - Colorado State University, Fort Collins AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Roads and Connectivity in Colorado: Animal-Vehicle Collisions, Wildlife Mitigation Structures, and Lynx-Roadway Interactions PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 185p AB - This report investigates the impact of highways and landscape connectivity in Colorado. To do so, it describes three complementary research questions. Given the threat of roads to both wildlife populations and human safety, describing the distribution of animal-vehicle collisions (AVC) is a necessary step in understanding potential roadway impacts. In the first section, hotspots of AVC occurrence on highways throughout Colorado are identified, and the characteristics associated with such areas are described. To address roadway impacts, mitigation efforts are increasingly common, although rigorous assessments of the functionality of such mitigation treatments are relatively rare. The second section reviews research efforts to design and implement field monitoring of roadway-wildlife interactions at three road segments in Colorado slated for construction and installation of wildlife crossing structures. This corresponds to the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT’s) Highway Corridor Wildlife Mitigation/Habitat Connectivity Research Study Phases II & III: Development of Mitigation Goals and Pre-Construction Data Collection. Rare carnivores such as lynx may be particularly susceptible to roadway impacts, but the effects of roadways on lynx reintroduced in Colorado are largely unknown. The third section reviews wildlife use of seven underpasses specifically installed as mitigation for the potential impacts of road construction on lynx; this research project corresponds to CDOT’s Wildlife Underpass (Lynx) Monitoring Research Study. It examines the relationship between the movements of radio-collared lynx to roadways throughout the state and provides evidence that lynx in Colorado are selectively avoiding highways. The study results should be used for determining future locations of underpasses and other road-related mitigation for wildlife species, and future developments should continue to minimize impacts to rare and imperiled species. KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Cats KW - Colorado KW - Endangered species KW - Environmental impacts KW - Environmental mitigation KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Highways KW - Lynx KW - Monitoring KW - Road construction KW - Underpasses KW - Wildlife KW - Wildlife crossings KW - Wildlife mitigation UR - http://www.dot.state.co.us/publications/PDFFiles/lynx.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859134 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098902 AU - George, Bruce F AU - Cadle Creek Consulting AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Rail Trespasser Fatalities: Developing Demographic Profiles PY - 2008/03 SP - 83p AB - This study is part of a continuing program to reduce trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and the grievous toll of resulting deaths and injuries. Approximately 500 individuals die annually in the United States while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way. The ultimate goal of this study is to establish a foundation upon which to build an outreach or public education program and create law enforcement efforts focused on those most at risk. A three-phase process is envisaged: First, gather information regarding fatalities, including home addresses of the decedents; Second, conduct a demographic analysis of the decedents and do a market analysis of the households and neighborhoods from which they came (based on the addresses) in order to develop a generic profile of those at risk; Third, develop a public awareness program targeting those who may take such risks in the future. This report addresses the first two steps in this process. KW - Age KW - Demographics KW - Ethnic groups KW - Fatalities KW - Gender KW - Race KW - Railroad tracks KW - Socioeconomic factors KW - Suicide KW - Trespassers UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L02669 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859125 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098897 AU - MacKenzie, Ellen J AU - Carlini, Anthony R AU - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Configurations of EMS Systems: A Pilot Study PY - 2008/03 SP - 87p AB - Emergency medical services (EMS) systems are configured differently depending on several factors, including the size, demographics, geography, and politics of the local communities they serve. Although some information exists about the organization, financing, and delivery of EMS in the Nation’s 200 largest cities, there is less information available about how services are organized outside large urban areas, in which 75% of the nation’s population resides. There is little evidence to support alternative system designs and configurations in terms of their impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. To this end, there is a need to develop a typology of system configurations so they may be evaluated on a common basis. This pilot research attempts to develop such a typology by characterizing local EMS systems in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. EMS systems were invited to respond to a 20-question survey to assess their structural components and response configurations as well as topics such as system access, financing, medical direction, and operating procedures. Respondents also provided subjective assessments of additional system features and environmental factors. An 86.1% response rate was achieved. Many responses varied both within and across States. Many system characteristics also varied significantly by the level of rurality, including system access, primary agency types, and operating procedures. Overall, respondents indicated positive system environments and support structures within their systems. With slight modification, this pilot research could be repeated on a national scale. KW - Emergency medical services KW - Financing KW - Middle Atlantic States KW - Operations KW - Pilot studies KW - Surveys KW - System configuration KW - System design KW - Typology UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/810911.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30163/810911.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/857472 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091875 AU - Petry, Thomas M AU - Richardson, David N AU - Ge, Louis AU - Han, Yuh-Puu AU - Lusher, Steven Michael AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Resilient Moduli of Typical Missouri Soils and Unbound Granular Base Materials PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 198p AB - The objective of this project is to accurately determine the resilient moduli for common Missouri subgrade soils and unbound granular base materials in accordance with the AASHTO T 307 test method. The test results included moduli data from 27 common subgrade soils out of the 99 Missouri soil associations and from 5 unbound granular bases. These materials, selected and provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation, were tested at their optimum water content and at an elevated water content, which would normally occur as a worse case scenario during the life of a pavement. The five unbound granular base materials, representing a normal range in geologic source, particle shape, and Plasticity Index of the fines, were tested at two different gradations (high and low side of the Type 5 specification limits) as well as the aforementioned two water contents. All testing included 3 replications for all materials at both water contents if possible. Data are provided in the tehcnical report format with all applicable tables and graphs. KW - Aggregate gradation KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Granular bases KW - Graphs KW - Materials tests KW - Missouri KW - Modulus of resilience KW - Moisture content KW - Soils KW - Subgrade (Pavements) KW - Tables (Data) UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R175_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/27000/27000/27003/R175_CR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851887 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091762 AU - Cain, Alasdair AU - National Bus Rapid Transit Institute AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - FTA Mission to India – Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, September 20 – 30, 2007 - Trip Report PY - 2008/03//Trip Report SP - 35p AB - This report summarizes the activities associated with the FTA Mission to India conducted in September 2007. The mission provided the U.S. delegation with the opportunity to meet with senior Indian transportation officials, and to gain first-hand knowledge of India’s current plans for transportation infrastructure improvements. The tour was also designed to identify any lessons learned for the U.S. transit industry, particularly in relation to the implementation and operation of Bus Rapid Transit systems, and to identify opportunities for U.S. transit industry involvement in the development of India’s transportation infrastructure. The mission itinerary included visits to Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, attending a BRT Workshop in Ahmedabad and the India Urban Space Conference in Mumbai. A highlight of the mission was the formal ratification of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the United States Department of Transportation and the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of the Republic of India. The Memorandum is designed to enable the two countries to collaborate in the fields of public transportation, inter-modal transportation, intelligent transportation systems, traffic information, capacity building, and training in public transportation, in addition to other fields of mutual interest. KW - Ahmedabad (India) KW - Bus rapid transit KW - Capacity building KW - Cooperation KW - Delhi (India) KW - Infrastructure KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Intermodal transportation KW - Lessons learned KW - Mumbai (India) KW - Public transit KW - Traffic data KW - Training KW - U.S. Federal Transit Administration KW - United States UR - http://www.nbrti.org/docs/pdf/India_2008_trip_report%203_section%20508.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30107/India_Trip_Report_Final_March_2008_2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851573 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091510 AU - Ferdowski, Mehdi AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - High Voltage Disconnect Systems PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 15p AB - The recent establishment of the National University Transportation Center at MST under the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users," expands the research and education activities to include alternative transportation fuels and other issues that are at the forefront of society and the national agenda. MST in partnership with MTI will establish a rural hydrogen transportation test bed for developing, demonstrating, evaluating, and promoting hydrogen-based technologies in a real-world environment. The State of Missouri is ideally suited to develop and demonstrate the proper operation of hydrogen highways in a rural setting, which represents over 25 percent of the nation's transportation needs and which is not well-represented in the current major national projects. A holistic approach will be taken to address not just the technology but also public perception, permitting, safety standards, and education and training. A key partner already engaged is the NASFM, who regards this project as an "excellent candidate for the model approach to introducing hydrogen to communities." The tasks identified in five areas, viz., Infrastructure Development and Deployment, High-Pressure Composite Cylinders, Inspection and Monitoring, Statistically Validated Codes and Standards, and Safety, constitute a comprehensive research, development and demonstration program to address some of the challenges described in the U.S. Department of Transportation Hydrogen Roadmap 2005. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Composite materials KW - Disconnection KW - Education and training KW - High voltage KW - Highways KW - Hydrogen KW - Missouri KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users KW - Storage facilities KW - Storage tanks UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Ferdowsi_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26925/R170_Ferdowsi_Final_Report_Complete.doc.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851845 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091280 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Young Drivers PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 6p AB - There were 202.8 million licensed drivers in the United States in 2006. Young drivers, between 15 and 20 years old, accounted for 6.4% (13.0 million) of the total, a 7.2% increase from the 12.1 million young drivers in 1996. In 2006, 7,463 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes – an 8% decrease from the 8,074 involved in 1996. Driver fatalities for this age group increased by 3% between 1996 and 2006. For young males, driver fatalities rose by 5%, compared with a 3% decrease for young females. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds (based on 2004 figures, which are the latest mortality data currently available from the National Center for Health Statistics). In 2006, 3,490 15- to 20-year-old drivers were killed and an additional 272,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes. In 2006, 12.9% (7,463) of all the drivers involved in fatal crashes (57,695) were young drivers age 15 to 20 years old, and 16% (1,621,000) of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes (10,558,000) were young drivers. Additional statistics on young driver involvement in fatal crashes in 2006 are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Gender KW - Statistics KW - Teenage drivers KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810817.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851512 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091277 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Older Population PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 6p AB - In 2006, 12% of the total U.S. resident population (37 million) were people age 65 and older. There were 30 million older licensed drivers in 2006 — an 18% increase from 1996. In contrast, the total number of licensed drivers increased by only 13% from 1996 to 2006. Older drivers made up 15% of all licensed drivers in 2006, compared with 14% in 1996. In 2006, 202,000 older individuals were injured in traffic crashes, accounting for 8% of all the people injured in traffic crashes during the year. These older individuals made up 14% of all traffic fatalities, 14% of all vehicle occupant fatalities, and 19% of all pedestrian fatalities. Most traffic fatalities involving older drivers in 2006 occurred during the daytime (81%), on weekdays (72%), and involved other vehicles (72 %). Additional statistics on older pedestrian and older driver accident involvement and traffic fatalities in 2006 are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Aged KW - Aged drivers KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Pedestrian-vehicle crashes KW - Statistics KW - Time of crashes KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810808.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851482 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091276 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Overview PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 12p AB - Motor vehicle travel is the primary means of transportation in the United States, providing an unprecedented degree of mobility. Yet for all its advantages, deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people of every age from 2 through 34 (based on 2004 data). Traffic fatalities accounted for more than 90 percent of transportation-related fatalities. In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in the estimated 5,973,000 police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes, 2,575,000 people were injured, and 4,189,000 crashes involved property damage only. This overview fact sheet contains statistics on motor vehicle fatalities based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Crash and injury statistics are based on data from the General Estimates System (GES). KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - General Estimates System KW - Property damage KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810809.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851471 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091275 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Rural/Urban Comparison PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 5p AB - In 2006, there were 38,588 fatal crashes resulting in 42,642 deaths. Rural areas accounted for 55% of the fatal crashes and 56% of the fatalities. Urban areas accounted for 45% of the fatal crashes and 44% of the fatalities. According to the 2006 Census, 23% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas, however, rural fatalities accounted for 56% of all traffic fatalities in 2006. From 1997 to 2006, rural fatalities decreased 7% whereas urban fatalities increased by 9%. Further details concerning these accidents with regard to vehicle miles traveled, speeding, alcohol involvement, seat belt use, and rollover are provided in this fact sheet. KW - Drunk driving KW - Fatalities KW - Rollover crashes KW - Rural areas KW - Seat belt use KW - Speeding KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States KW - Urban areas KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810812.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851488 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091272 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Alcohol-Impaired Driving PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 6p AB - Traffic fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes fell by 0.8%, from 13,582 in 2005 to 13,470 in 2006. The 13,470 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2006 were almost the same as compared to 13,451 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities reported in 1996. The 13,470 fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during 2006 represent an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 39 minutes. In 2006, all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had by law created a threshold making it illegal per se to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Of the 13,470 people who died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2006, 8,615 (64%) were drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher. The remaining fatalities consisted of 4,030 (30%) motor vehicle occupants and 825 (6%) nonoccupants. Additional statistics on alcohol-impaired-driving fatal crashes in 2006 are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Blood alcohol levels KW - Drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Fatalities KW - Nonoccupants KW - Per se laws KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States KW - Vehicle occupants UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810801.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851472 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091271 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Large Trucks PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 5p AB - In 2006, 385,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,732 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 4,995 people died (12% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2005) and an additional 106,000 were injured in those crashes. In 2006, large trucks accounted for 4% of all registered vehicles and 7% of total vehicle miles traveled. In 2006, large trucks accounted for 8% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4% of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes. One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2006 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. Additional statistics on the involvement of large trucks in fatal and injury crashes in 2006 are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Property damage KW - Registrations KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - Truck crashes KW - Trucks KW - United States KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810805.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851477 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091269 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data: Motorcycles PY - 2008/03//Updated edition SP - 6p AB - In 2006, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed – an increase of 5% over the 4,576 motorcyclists killed in 2005. There were 88,000 motorcyclists injured during 2006. An estimated 137, 000 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes since the enactment of the Highway Safety and National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. Motorcycles made up nearly 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4% of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured. Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2006 was 5.5 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. The injury rate for motorcyclists was 1.2 times the injury rate for passenger car occupants. In 2006, motorcyclists accounted for 11% of total traffic fatalities, 13% of all occupant fatalities, and 4% of all occupants injured. Additional statistics on motorcyclist involvement in traffic accidents in 2006 are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Motorcycle crashes KW - Motorcyclists KW - Registrations KW - Statistics KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/TSF/2006/810806.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851481 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090631 AU - Sheikh, Nauman M AU - Bligh, Roger P AU - Menges, Wanda L AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Crash Testing and Evaluation of F-Shape Barriers on Slopes PY - 2008/03//Technical Report SP - 86p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) "Roadway Design Manual" currently suggests that concrete barrier not be placed on slopes steeper than 10H:1V. This suggestion has limited the placement of concrete barriers to narrow, flat, paved medians or at the edge of the shoulder. Based on the results of full-scale crash testing, researchers determined that TxDOT’s cast-in-place permanent F-shape barrier and the precast free-standing X-bolt F-shape barrier are suitable for placement on roadside and median foreslopes of 6H:1V or less. Additionally, these barriers are suitable to be placed at any lateral offset from the roadway edge, and for any width of depressed V-ditch median as long as the barrier is placed at its center. Further, similar or better performance would be expected for barrier placement on more gentle (e.g., 8H:1V) slopes. Increasing the maximum slope on which median barriers can be placed will allow many installations to be placed further from the travelway, which in turn will most likely lead to a reduction in barrier impact frequency and severity. KW - Barriers (Roads) KW - Impact tests KW - Median barriers KW - Roadside KW - Slopes KW - Temporary barriers UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5210-3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850869 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090630 AU - Neal, Margaret B AU - Baggett, Sharon AU - Sullivan, Kathleen A AU - Mahan, Tyrae AU - Portland State University AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - The Older Driver in Oregon: A Survey of Driving Behavior and Cessation PY - 2008/03//Final Report SP - 159p AB - In a study of older adults and their travel patterns in Oregon, a statewide mail survey and telephone interviews were conducted with older drivers and older adults who had voluntarily chosen to stop driving. The purpose of the study was to determine: (1) the factors that influence driving cessation; (2) the physical and emotional barriers that delay driving cessation; (3) what opportunities exist for alternative transportation after driving cessation; (4) whether drivers make relocation decisions on the basis of driving cessation; (5) the warning signs that make a driver stop driving; and (6) whether a crisis situation generally forces a driver to stop driving. Completed mail surveys included those from 342 respondents who were current drivers (184 urban and 141 rural, plus 17 who did not report whether they lived in an urban or rural area) and 158 respondents who had voluntarily ceased driving (110 urban and 37 rural, plus 11 who did not report their urban/rural status). Telephone interviews were completed with 33 urban drivers, 36 rural drivers, 25 urban ceasers, and 6 rural ceasers. Changes in driving patterns, occurred gradually and late, mostly for respondents in their late 70’s or early 80’s. Among the results of the study was the finding that those most likely to have chosen to stop driving were older, depressed females in poorer health who were living in senior housing, using alternative transportation when available, making fewer trips, and seeing fewer limitations associated with using alternative transportation. Relocation to improve access to transportation alternatives was not seen by most respondents as a viable option. Because this study was a cross-sectional, not longitudinal, analysis, it was not possible to determine causality (e.g., to know whether people became depressed as a result of ceasing to drive or being depressed led them to cease driving, or to know whether poor health was the result or cause of driving cessation). Additional research is needed to establish causality, ideally following groups of individuals in particular age cohorts over time, including individuals forced to stop driving through the Medically-At-Risk Program. Such research would enable better understanding of the factors affecting driving decisions and the effects of those decisions, and help to signal possible strategies to implement to encourage the use of alternative transportation. KW - Aged drivers KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Depression (Mental condition) KW - Driving cessation KW - Health KW - Interviewing KW - Oregon KW - Rural areas KW - Surveys KW - Travel patterns KW - Urban areas UR - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/ResearchReports/Older_Driver_in_Oregon.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850863 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090089 AU - Dailey, Daniel J AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Office of the Secretary of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Improved Positioning for Fleet Management and Traveler Information PY - 2008/03//Final Research Report SP - 39p AB - This proposal investigates the possibilities for transit management to take advantage of the ever increasing wireless/Wi-Fi infrastructure in urban areas. In previous projects with Metro and Sound Transit, the authors have evaluated the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning for fleet management and traveler information. While the GPS positioning worked well for both buses on the regional freeways and trains on regional tracks, it deteriorated when the vehicles entered the dense urban core. This is caused by tall buildings or other structures occluding the GPS satellites. This deviation can be sufficient to place the vehicle on the wrong street and disrupt fleet management and traveler information. An additional source of positioning information is becoming more prevalent by the day, the Wi-Fi hotspot. These act as beacons at known locations. This beacon-like position can be integrated with GPS though optimal filtering. KW - Bus transit operations KW - Fleet management KW - Global Positioning System KW - IEEE 802.11 (Standard) KW - Traveler information and communication systems KW - Urban areas KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://www.lib.washington.edu/msd/norestriction/b60954164.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850684 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089787 AU - Wang, Yinhai AU - Nguyen, Ngan Ha AU - Levy, Atli Bjorn E AU - Wu, Yao-Jan AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Office of the Secretary of Transportation TI - Cost Effective Safety Improvements for Two-Lane Rural Roads PY - 2008/03//Final Technical Report SP - 113p AB - Traffic accidents cause loss of life and property. Proper identification of accident causal factors is essential for composing countermeasures against traffic accidents and reducing related costs. However, two-lane rural roads have distinctive roadway characteristics compared with other types of roads. In order to find cost-effective countermeasures and prioritize roadway safety improvement plans for two-lane rural roadways, a better understanding of the relationship between accident risk and respective characteristics is necessary. This study focuses on accident analysis of two-lane rural roads in Washington State. Six representative state routes (SRs), SR-2, SR-12, SR-20, SR-21, SR-97 and SR-101, are selected as study routes based on their location, length, and geometric characteristics. Along with the six-year (1999~2004) accident data from the Highway Safety Information System (HSIS), roadway video image data and geographical information system data retrieved from Washington State Department of Transportation are employed in this study. Econometric modeling methods are utilized to identify accident causal factors and evaluate their impacts on accident risk at roadway segments and intersections, respectively. Results from the statistical analyses and accident risk models not only help identify accident causal factors, but also provide valuable insights for developing countermeasures against two-lane rural road traffic accidents. KW - Crash analysis KW - Crash causes KW - Crash risk forecasting KW - Econometric models KW - Geographic information systems KW - Geometric design KW - Rural highways KW - Statistical analysis KW - Traffic crashes KW - Two lane highways KW - Video images KW - Washington (State) UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26846/TNW2008-04_Wang.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850370 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099880 AU - Garvey, Philip M AU - Damin, Stephen J AU - Pietrucha, Martin T AU - Pennsylvania State University, University Park AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pavement Markings State-of-the-Practice Study PY - 2008/02/29/Final Report SP - 43p AB - Longitudinal pavement markings are used to delineate the limits of a travel lane, convey regulations or warnings, provide guidance to road users, and/or supplement other traffic control devices. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is interested in identifying pavement marking products, practices, and "lessons learned" in other states with climates and winter maintenance activities similar to those found in Pennsylvania. The Department executed an agreement with the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at Penn State to perform research in this area to learn more about pavement marking practices. The goal of this research was to draw on the successes and failures of other states to improve Pennsylvania's pavement marking program. This research report documents pavement marking practices in 19 other states and the solutions these states have developed and implemented to improve the visibility and useful life of pavement markings. This report includes a matrix that details the current state-of-the-practice in state pavement marking programs. KW - Lessons learned KW - Road markings KW - State of the practice KW - States KW - Surveys UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Reducing%20Fatalities/PSU%20008%20Final%20Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859650 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099533 AU - Stolle, Cody S AU - Polivka, Karla A AU - Bielenberg, Robert Wayne AU - Reid, John D AU - Faller, Ronald K AU - Rohde, John R AU - Sicking, Dean L AU - University of Nebraska, Lincoln AU - Nebraska Department of Roads AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Phase IV Development of a Short-Radius Guardrail for Intersecting Roadways PY - 2008/02/29/Final Report SP - 228p AB - This research study consisted of the development and testing of a short-radius guardrail system for protection of hazards near intersecting roadways and capable of meeting the Test Level 3 (TL-3) impact conditions of the Update to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report Number 350 criteria. A short-radius system was designed and consisted of a curved and slotted thrie beam nose section with two adjacent slotted thrie beam sections supported by a breakaway posts. One side of the system was attached to a TL-3 steel post approach transition while the other attached to a TL-2 end terminal. KW - Acceptance tests KW - Breakaway supports KW - Guardrail terminals KW - Guardrails KW - Highway safety KW - Impact tests KW - Intersections KW - Radius KW - Roadside structures KW - Traffic safety UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855957 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01123014 AU - Pulugurtha, Srinivas Subrahmanyam AU - University of North Carolina, Charlotte AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Relationship between Pavement Macrotexture and Crash Incidences on North Carolina Roads PY - 2008/02/27/Final Report SP - 90p AB - A recent study in Australia has shown that there is a relation between low pavement macrotexture and crash incidences on highways. However, literature documents no such research in the United States. This study focuses on evaluating the role of pavement macrotexture in crashes on selected roads in the state of North Carolina (NC). Pavement macrotexture refers to variations in the road surface in the range 0.02” (0.5 mm) to approximately 2” (50 mm). Laser profilometer data obtained from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is processed to calculate estimated pavement macrotexture at one-sixteenth of a mile interval according to the ASTM standards. Crash data collected over the same lengths of the corridors were integrated with the calculated pavement macrotexture. Scatter plots, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that a strong relationship exists between pavement macrotexture and crash incidences on NC roads. Analyses and evaluation indicate that crashes decrease with increase in pavement macrotexture on NC roads. Pavement macrotexture greater than or equal to 0.06” (but typically less than 0.12”) would be most appropriate to provide safe and efficient transportation to road users. KW - Bivariate analysis KW - Crashes KW - Highway safety KW - Laser profilometer KW - Macrotexture KW - Multivariate analysis KW - North Carolina KW - Pavement design UR - http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2007-12FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/884741 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01109871 AU - Cichocki, J AU - Sarvis, A AU - Gannett Fleming, Incorporated AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Using Spatial Tools to Analyze Crash and Roadway Data, Project Number 0605(08) PY - 2008/02/25/Final Report SP - 26p AB - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) engaged Gannett Fleming to conduct research into best practices in the use of geospatial analysis tools for highway safety analyses. The goals of the effort were to define a methodology for PennDOT to follow in identifying the best candidate locations for highway safety improvements, and to develop a Proof of Concept to test the proposed methodology. After conducting interviews and workshops involving more than 35 of PennDOT's stakeholders in highway safety processes, Gannett Fleming interviewed highway safety managers in five other state and federal highway agencies to determine what innovative tools and practices are currently being used. Gannett Fleming's research also included a review of literature related to the study from more than 80 sources. Based on Gannett Fleming's research and analysis, PennDOT selected the "Highway Safety Data Relationships Knowledge Base" for further research. The knowledge base is an information repository based on concepts in data mining and expert systems. It uses advanced statistical analysis methods and expert business knowledge rules to discover data patterns based on correlation and other forms of relationships in the data. The knowledge base can be applied to diagnosing specific combinations of data attributes and features that may indicate the causative factors among homogeneous populations of crashes. Most highway safety data analyses involve studying correlations among multiple data sets. The knowledge base is an innovative and comprehensive tool for such an application. It provides a framework for identifying and managing relationships among many combinations of data sets that are useful in highway safety analyses. Gannett Fleming proceeded to develop a prototype as a proof of concept. Gannett Fleming demonstrated the prototype using actual PennDOT crash data. Three analysis scenarios were demonstrated: evaluating safety programming alternatives for alcohol-involved crashes, diagnosing data patterns of crashes at a selected highway location, and identifying potential sites for system-wide deployment of a selected countermeasure. KW - Best practices KW - Crash data KW - Data mining KW - Expert systems KW - Geospatial analysis KW - Highway safety KW - Improvements KW - Interviewing KW - Literature reviews KW - Location KW - Proof of concept KW - Prototypes KW - Statistical analysis UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Reducing%20Fatalities/060508%20Spatial%20Tools%20Final%20Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/869554 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01461753 TI - High-Performance Stress-Relaxing Cementitious Composites for Crack Free Pavements and Transportation Structures AB - Concrete transportation structures are subject to cracking that leads to deterioration--corrosion, weakening due to sulfate attack, and damage from alkali-silica reactivity. These problems shorten the service lives of bridges, tunnels, and pavements and reduce their level of performance. The goal of this EAR project is to design concretes with increased resistance to cracking. Paradoxically, one method proposed introduces controlled cracking on a nano to micrometer scale to lower the tensile stresses in concrete to a level where they will not cause macroscale cracking or curling. This relaxation would be induced by utilizing stress-relaxing cementitious composites (SRCCs), which are achieved by embedding nano to micrometer scale inclusions that reduce the concrete's brittleness without sacrificing its strength. Previous attempts to limit cracking have focused mainly on cracking caused by shrinkage and have included reducing the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio, using mineral admixtures, and adding shrinkage-reducing admixtures. The SRCC approach in this project, however, will address not only cracks caused by shrinkage but also those related to thermal changes, expansive corrosion reactions, ASR expansions, and other causes. To maximize the prospects of success, the Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program study will investigate SRCCs on two scales, using two models. On the nano to micrometer scale, materials being explored include surface-treated carbon nanotubes, silica fume, metakaolin, fly ash, limestone powder, and rice husk ash. The stress-relaxation effect of these materials occurs as nano (or micro) cracks form at the interface of the cement paste matrix molecules and the embedded SRCC molecules, releasing energy. After crack formation, further relaxation results from sliding friction at the interface. On the micrometer to millimeter scale, various types of waste plastic are being investigated for their ability to increase concrete's visco-elasticity. Should this method prove successful and be widely adopted, it could benefit the environment tremendously. Plastics occupy about 25 percent of the total volume of landfills, and their manufacture consumes about 10 percent of the country's total fossil fuel use. Only 5 percent of plastics produced in the United States are now recycled. KW - Admixtures KW - Alkali silica reactions KW - Cementitious materials KW - Corrosion KW - Cracking KW - Deterioration KW - Relaxation (Mechanics) KW - Research projects KW - Service life KW - Shrinkage KW - Sulfate attack KW - Sulfate resisting cement UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/pubs/09065.cfm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1229973 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339010 AU - Bogan, Arthur E AU - Huang, Yanyan AU - Raley, Morgan E AU - Levine, Jay F AU - North Carolina State University, Raleigh AU - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Intraspecific phylogenetic relationships in the freshwater bivalve genus Alasmidonta (Bivalvia: Unionidae) PY - 2008/02/18/Final Report SP - 30p AB - The genus Alasmidonta currently contains 12 species with 3 species presumed extinct. Six species of Alasmidonta occur in North Carolina, including the presumed extinct Alasmidonta robusta. Tissue samples from all taxa of living Alasmidonta species were included in a test of the monophyly of the genus and the relationships of the species using mitochondrial DNA sequences from cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (ND1). Alasmidonta (Prolasmidonta) heterodon and Alasmidonta (Pressodonta) viridis are significantly different from the rest of Alasmidonta and the two subgenera are elevated to generic level. Alasmidonta varicosa is split into two separate species as is A. viridis. Alasmidonta raveneliana is represented by two separate conservation units corresponding to the French Broad and Little Tennessee River drainages. Further work is needed to understand the variation in A. marginata between the upper Mississippi River basin and the Ohio River drainage populations. The results of this work are important to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and their aquatic biologists in planning conservation and mitigation plans. Several areas are identified where further field and laboratory work are required for a more complete understanding of the distribution and relationships of Alasmidonta species occurring in North Carolina. KW - Conservation KW - Endangered species KW - Environmental impacts KW - Environmental mitigation KW - Freshwater mussels KW - Highways KW - North Carolina UR - http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/hwy-0754finalreport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101553 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464752 TI - Validation and Enhancement of the Highway Capacity Manual's Interchange Ramp Terminal Methodology AB - The objective of this project is to enhance the analysis methods outlined in the new Chapter 26 of the HCM. This enhancement will be accomplished by validating the basic methodology and extending the methodology to handle interchanges with roundabouts at the ramp terminals and include the impacts of adjacent signalized intersections.

KW - Highway capacity KW - Highway Capacity Manual KW - Interchanges KW - Methodology KW - Ramp terminals KW - Ramps KW - Roundabouts KW - Signalized intersections UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1970 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232984 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01330464 AU - Department of Transportation TI - Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9‑1‑1) System Initiative Executive Summary: Preliminary Analysis of Cost, Value, and Risk PY - 2008/02/12/Version 2.0 SP - 7p AB - Access to emergency services provided by 9-1-1 in today’s world is evolving. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) understands that 9-1-1 will ultimately become part of a broader array of interconnected networks supporting emergency services from public access to the delivery of emergency information to dispatchers and first responders. However, the decision to deploy a new, IP-based “Next Generation 9-1-1” (NG9-1-1), system is not a simple one, and is affected by many complex factors surrounding institutional and service arrangements, equipment and infrastructure, and funding. The purpose of The Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) System Initiative Preliminary Analysis of Cost, Value and Risk report is to examine the costs, value, and risk associated with moving to a next generation environment. This analysis focuses on the estimation of the lifecycle costs, identification of key values and risks inherent in each alternative, and a comparison the risk-adjusted lifecycle costs and values. KW - 911 Emergency Telephone System KW - Access KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Emergency communication systems KW - Emergency medical services KW - Information technology KW - Life cycle costing KW - Next generation design KW - Risk assessment KW - Value UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/35000/35600/35676/NG911_FINAL_ES_PrelimCostValueRiskAnalysis_v2.0_021208.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1093604 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099608 AU - Bhamidipati, Chiranjivi Sarma AU - Demetsky, Michael AU - University of Virginia, Charlottesville AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Framework for Evaluation of System Impacts of Intermodal Terminals using Commodity Flow Data PY - 2008/02/08/Final Report SP - 117p AB - With the challenges attributable to increasing freight traffic and roadway congestion it is necessary to investigate opportunities for better management of goods movements. Rail-truck intermodal freight transportation can be considered as one such solution for reducing long-haul truck traffic on highways. For the rail-truck intermodal freight transportation to act as an effective transportation alternative, it is necessary to evaluate its impacts on the transportation system. A framework for evaluation of rail-truck intermodal terminal projects with qualitative and quantitative measures has been established using public goals and private stakeholder perspective. With the use of a case study, some of these measures have been evaluated. Recommendations have also been made on data collection procedures for making a full scale evaluation. The case study selected for the Project is the proposed freight intermodal terminal at Petersburg, Virginia, conceived by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. This analysis formed a bridge between a region and a corridor based analysis. The key findings of the study are as follows: (a) Evaluation of an intermodal terminal project requires a systematic multi-regional modeling approach; (b) The impacts of an intermodal terminal are region and trade corridor specific; and (c) In cases where estimated intermodal rail drayage forms a small share of the overall truck traffic, the introduction of an intermodal terminal does not have substantial impacts on accessibility, mobility, or safety. The study successfully developed models for estimation of impacts, including a two-stage accessibility model for drayage, a truck-rail mode choice model, truck involved crash models, and secondary local freight traffic impact model, mainly using data from the Commonwealth of Virginia. KW - Commodity flow KW - Evaluation KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Impacts KW - Intermodal terminals KW - Intermodal transportation KW - Mode choice KW - Railroads KW - Regional transportation KW - Trade KW - Transportation corridors KW - Trucking UR - http://cts.virginia.edu/docs/UVACTS-14-5-111.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859201 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462964 TI - Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 221. Traffic Incident Management Program for Worker Safety AB - The objective of this research is to summarize existing research findings and approaches related to traffic incident management (TIM) safety and to establish a set of recommendations for national action to enhance the safety of TIM workers--in essence providing the foundation for a national TIM+ Program. The research product should emphasize worker and public safety as well as proven TIM practices, and may be based on findings from the European scan and resources from the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) and affiliated organizations. The resulting product will serve as a basis for national action as well as a tool for establishing coordinated TIM programs on local, state, and regional (e.g. corridor-based) bases. A workshop was held in May 2009 to review draft material. The draft report is currently under review by the project panel and the revised report is expected in June 2010. KW - Corridors KW - Incident management KW - Local area networks KW - National Cooperative Highway Research Program KW - Regional planning KW - State highways KW - Traffic incidents KW - Traffic safety UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1236 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231189 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464255 TI - Quick Response for Special Needs. Task 08. Enhanced Modeling of Aircraft Taxiway Noise - Scoping AB - This research project is designed to respond to a growing understanding that continuing reduction of noise levels related to aircraft flight operations means that previously ignored noise from aircraft ground operations, such as taxiing, now has more of an effect on nearby communities. Taxiing and idling in runway queues, especially during peak hour operations or at night, can significantly contribute to noise contours and Day-Night Average Sound Levels (DNL). This is particularly true when taxiways are very close to the airport property lines and near neighborhoods or other noise sensitive locations. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Integrated Noise Model (INM) is the agency's required tool for environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, and Part 150 studies. Currently, INM users who need to assess the contribution of noise from aircraft ground operations must develop a workaround approach within the model or externally. Developing this new capability directly within the tool would be a natural extension of other currently planned enhancements of the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT)/INM, such as better modeling of start of the take-off roll, and thrust reversal and it would enable the FAA and users to cover all modes of operations in the vicinity of an airport. Given that consultants are currently often asked to include predictions of aircraft noise resulting from ground operations, having a single method within AEDT/INM will ensure consistency in the implementation across various airports and studies. Also, it would pave the way for joint modeling of noise and emissions, considering that taxiway local air quality modeling is already implemented within FAA analysis tools The purpose of this study is to help improve the ability to evaluate noise generated by aircraft ground operations, allowing airport staff, airport planners, and consultants to incorporate taxiway noise modeling in their evaluations systematically when needed. This capability will increase the accuracy of airport noise modeling, thus improving chances that significant noise impacts and incompatible land-uses are properly identified, and that appropriate mitigation strategies are addressed. The enhancement to the model will also enable joint assessment of both noise and air quality, resulting in more balanced and comprehensive decisions in airport planning. Failure to properly consider taxiway and gate noise in airport environmental assessments with quantifiable metrics, such as DNL, could lead to misinformation on the local and comprehensive effects of a proposed action. This could result in proposed airport layout improvements that inadvertently bring taxiing aircraft closer to noise sensitive receptors and create unwanted misunderstandings between communities and airports. KW - Aircraft noise KW - Airport capacity KW - Airport noise KW - Airport operations KW - Airport runways KW - Environmental impacts KW - INM (Integrated Noise Model) KW - Land use planning KW - Noise KW - Research projects KW - Scoping UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2687 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232484 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462635 TI - Innovative Approaches to Addressing Aviation Capacity Issues in Coastal Mega-Regions AB - Most areas of the United States have plans and capabilities to meet projected aviation demand.  However, this is not the case in the two mega-regions located along the east and west coasts, namely, the northeast corridor travel shed on the east coast and the California-Arizona-Nevada travel shed on the west coast.  A recently released Federal Aviation Administration study, Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System 2007-2025 (commonly referred to as FACT-2) indicates metropolitan areas and regions along the east and west coasts are experiencing large amounts of growth in population and economic activity that demonstrate chronic congestion problems in the air and on the ground.  Based on the FACT-2 information, conditions in these two coastal mega-regions are projected to get worse in the future.  Traditional approaches are unlikely to address these problems that extend beyond current jurisdictional and legislative authorities of existing agencies. Current airport planning is done at three levels: (1) airport specific (master planning); (2) regional area (normally the geographic area corresponding to a metropolitan planning organization's jurisdiction); and (3) statewide system.  Those focused plans are not sufficient to address capacity limitations when considering "mega-regions" of airports along the east and west coasts.   For example, the effects that the traffic from major airports within each of these coastal mega-regions have on each other need to be better understood. New and innovative processes/methodologies are needed if the aviation capacity issues in these congested coastal mega-regions are going to be successfully addressed.  These high-density areas invite an entirely new approach for planning and decision making that goes beyond the existing practice for transportation planning and programming that is usually accomplished within single travel modes and political jurisdictions or regions.  Optimizing available resources for the expansion of transportation infrastructure to accommodate anticipated growth should be a key consideration. The objective of this research is to develop integrated strategic actions to enhance decision making to address the constrained aviation system capacity and growing travel demand in the high-density, multijurisdictional, multimodal, coastal mega-regions along the east and west coasts.  The research is intended to be used by transportation agencies and operators, as well as for informing public officials at the federal, state, and local levels.

 

KW - Air transportation facilities KW - Airport capacity KW - Aviation KW - Megaprojects KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1971 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230856 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464699 TI - Research Program Design---Administration of Highway and Transportation Agencies. Task-Order Support for Research on the Administration of Highway and Transportation Agencies AB - The objective of Project 20-24A is to provide--in a flexible, ongoing, quick-response manner--research on topics intended to address the specific needs of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and other top managers of State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). The primary mechanism for securing research on specific topics will be task-order contracts. This request for statements of qualifications and availability will be used to establish 2 to 4 task-order contracts to undertake studies in FY 2008 through FY 2010.
 
KW - Administration KW - Chief executive officers KW - Project managers KW - Qualifications KW - Research KW - State departments of transportation KW - Technical support KW - Transportation planning UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2340 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232931 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462590 TI - Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 1-08. The Law and Regulations of Airport Ownership AB - The majority of U.S. airports are owned and operated by government entities. A recent survey conducted by the North American Airports Council International revealed that city-owned airports is the most common U.S. ownership structure (38%) followed by regional/airport authority (25%), single county (17%) and multiple-jurisdictions at 9%. States account for 5% of the total, including BWI, ANC, and the Hawaiian airports. Unified port authorities account for another 3% -- examples include the Port of Seattle, Port of Portland, etc. The federal government holds the title to Ronald Regan Washington National and Dulles International airports, but has leased these facilities to a regional authority for operations and management. Approximately 1% of the airports surveyed were privately owned and operated. Domestic and international air-carrier passenger traffic though U.S. airports is expected to double within the next two decades. Some have asserted that traditional government funding for such a massive expansion of landside and airside facilities and services cannot meet that need. The answer, some assert, may lie in tapping the equity market through privatization as an effective means of avoiding congestion and upgrading facilities. In the wake of this interest in privatization of airports and air navigation services, such issues as liability, appropriate cost pricing, revenue allocation and investment management are becoming more important. It should be noted, however, that a number of federal government agencies have considered and rejected privatization, and many airports remain unsuited for private sector participation. Legal and economic constraints inhibit private U.S. airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has permitted and even encouraged some privatization, such as contracting for airport management or allowing private companies to develop and lease terminals, but it has expressed concern about selling or leasing an entire airport to the private sector. (See Report # GAO/T-RCED-96-82). There is concern as to whether private airports should have access to tax-exempt borrowing and whether privatization would lead to an overall reduction in the funding level for federal airport grants. Other reports anticipate reluctance, particularly on the part of cities, that may lose economically when having to compete with local private airports. These are policy issues that are well beyond the scope of this study. Only a few studies and surveys have been found that address the privatization of U.S. airports. These are generally centered on the benefits vs. concerns of service contracts, leases, and ownership partnerships between public entities and private investors or contractors. Privatization presents numerous tort liability, environmental, labor, airline safety, and security regulatory challenges. In order to address these challenges, all players involved are in need of an informational source, much like a primer that is uncomplicated and easily assessable. There are few sources that inform owners and the aviation legal profession of the state of the law on private airport ownership in general, and these issues in particular. This project should define what airport ownership includes, identify and analyze existing privatization projects, and explain the legal problems encountered during these privatizations. The description of these transactions should include a variety of privatization types (transfers of fee simple, leases, management and operation contracts, etc.). One result of this analysis would be a compendium of anticipated legal issues for those considering or embarking on any variation of privatization and the way in which those legal issues have been resolved. All federal, state and local legislation and regulations that affect privatization should be identified. The analyses should identify and comment upon the relevant federal guidance on privatization and recent articles published on the subject. The goal is to produce a comprehensive Legal Research Digest Report with relevant precedent and legal guidance. KW - Air traffic control KW - Air traffic control facilities KW - Airport operations KW - Airport planning KW - Airports KW - Landside capacity KW - Landside operations (Airports) KW - Ownership KW - Privatization KW - Regional airlines KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2544 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230811 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01502065 AU - Hansen, Will AU - Wei, Ya AU - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor AU - Michigan Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - PCC Pavement Acceptance Criteria for New Construction When Built-In Curling Exists PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 60p AB - Top-down, mid-slab cracking from built-in curling/warping is a major distress type that exists with two Michigan jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) projects (Interstate-94, CS 11017 and Interstate-96, CS 47065) on unbound open-graded drainage course (OGDC). A characteristic feature of this distress is its rapid initiation and development rate. Within 5 years after construction, 90% or more of slabs in the truck lane have developed full-depth cracking with associated spalling and faulting. Rehabilitation options are generally not cost effective. This study's major objectives are two-fold: (1) Determine, from field and laboratory measurements, the magnitude of built-in curl/warp from a temperature gradient and moisture shrinkage gradient from Michigan conditions; and the resulting effect on JPCP resistance to mid-slab, top-down fatigue cracking. (2) Establish, based on these results and finite element analysis, critical values for built-in curl/warp to develop additional Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) quality control/quality assurance acceptance criteria. This research study achieved its objective of providing justification for the development of new acceptance criteria (specifications) to be used during construction for concrete pavement placement. Also, because the contractor's construction practices can have long term ramifications affecting the concrete slab's condition, continued department monitoring of its condition after construction (contract) is completed, is warranted. A major new finding of this study is that moisture warping from exposure to water at the slab bottom causes permanent slab joint/corner uplift resulting in fatigue cracking from truck loading at these unsupported joints. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Cracking of concrete pavements KW - Curling KW - Fatigue cracking KW - Field studies KW - Finite element method KW - Laboratory studies KW - Michigan KW - Pavement distress KW - Pavement joints KW - Performance based specifications KW - Portland cement concrete KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Warpage UR - http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/RC-1481_410485_7.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1279655 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01470010 AU - Russell, Bruce W AU - Frantzen, Jeffrey A AU - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater AU - Oklahoma Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluating Percent Within Limits (PWL) Specifications, Volume 2: Portland Cement Concrete Pavements PY - 2008/02//Final Report (Draft) SP - 39p AB - The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) let four paving projects where “percent within limits” (PWL) specifications were employed. The PWL Specifications are intended to be used as part of the Quality Assessment program to determine the statistical probability of conformance to specified material properties and construction details, and to base the Pay Factor (PF) off of the probability of conformance to specifications. The specifications are relatively new to the ODOT, as are the governing principles. In fact, the four paving jobs are the first to implement the PWL specifications to calculate the probability of conformance and associated pay factors. This project evaluates the performance of the PWL specifications and the suitability of PWL specifications for future jobs. The objectives of this project were to: (1) Assess the accuracy of the PWL specifications in estimating the probabilities and judging the overall quality of the installed pavements and materials employed. (2) Evaluate qualitatively the PWL specifications for their ability to produce cooperation between ODOT and its contractors and to lessen the requirements for sampling and testing by ODOT. (3) Assess the PWL specifications for their ability to properly reward contractors for the quality of their efforts. KW - Acceptance tests KW - Oklahoma Department of Transportation KW - Pavement management systems KW - Pay factors KW - Percent within limits KW - Performance based specifications KW - Portland cement concrete KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control UR - http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/spr-rip/library/reports/fhwa-ok0605v2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1237866 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01454405 AU - Oh, JungEun (Jen) AU - Sinha, Kumares C AU - Purdue University AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Alternatives to Fuel Tax: A State Level Perspective PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 174p AB - Under the current fuel-tax-based highway financing system, the funding gap between highway needs and revenue available is expected to grow as vehicle fuel economy improves and use of alternative fuels increases. Consequently, the highway financing mechanism needs to be restructured or a different financing strategy undertaken. Previous research provided examples of successful implementation of pricing schemes in terms of design of pricing scheme, technology issues, legal and institutional issues, and public acceptability. Synthesizing this information, a methodological framework was established for evaluation of alternative user charging schemes. Based on the assessment of the current and projected highway revenue and the needs and demand of Indiana, the study developed three alternative financing schemes: (1) enhancement of the current tax system; (2) addition of new funding sources to supplement the current system; and (3) replacement of the current system with new financing schemes. The first alternative suggests an increase and/or indexing of fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, supplemented by adjustments in other general taxes where possible. The second alternative includes an option to impose tolls, which was estimated to yield annual revenue in the range of $40-$90 million, depending on the toll rate schedules. The third alternative is to establish a distance-based charging scheme (VMT fees), the rates of which can be calculated from highway expenditure and demand information. Based on the past three-year data, it was found that on average 2.9 cents need to be charged per vehicle-mile traveled, with separate rates varying by road functional class. More rigorous analysis was conducted on the basis of a highway cost allocation study to calculate separate unit rates by vehicle class as well as road functional class. Under the suggested pricing structure, named as Indiana Statewide Comprehensive Usage-based Road Pricing (ISCURP), automobiles are charged 1.21 cents per mile, single unit trucks 9.18 cents per mile, and combination trucks 23.54 cents per mile. Each alternative was evaluated on the basis of the established criteria and compared with the other two alternatives. The third alternative, to replace the current fuel tax system with VMT fees, was found to have the best potential in achieving revenue adequacy, system efficiency, and equity. The implementation of this alternative, however, could be cost-prohibitive and could face opposition from the public. Based on evaluation results, a stepwise modification of the current system was proposed, aiming at a long-term goal of implementing ISCURP. In the short-term, it is suggested to implement the first alternative, which requires minimal cost of execution, and in the meantime, to inform and educate the public to prepare them for major changes in pricing schemes. In the medium-term, a pilot study for ISCURP could be completed. Finally, in the long-term, a structure would need to be designed whereby highway agencies could know the exact costs of preservation and maintenance by facility type and user classification so that ISCURP can be successfully implemented. KW - Financing KW - Fuel taxes KW - Highway Cost Allocation Study KW - Revenues KW - Road pricing KW - Tolls KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5703/1288284313445 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1218802 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01366520 AU - Jocoy, Christine L AU - Del Casino, Vincent J AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Mobility of Homeless People and Their Use of Public Transit in Long Beach, California PY - 2008/02 SP - 92p AB - The mobility of the homeless is often constrained by certain social and geographic factors, including the concentration of homeless in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and in public spaces in downtown areas that can be used for sleeping and networking. Geographically, these spaces may be identified as “spaces of containment,” sites in which marginalized populations, such as the homeless, are maintained through the production of social and spatial barriers to their mobility. Despite the assumption that homeless individuals are relatively immobile because of their circumstances, mobility is crucial to the ability of homeless people to move between stigmatized and nonstigmatized places, such as places of employment. Public transportation services offer a critical outlet for homeless individuals with limited resources who must use public transit to access services, shelter, affordable housing, education, and employment. This research examines the mobility patterns and public transit use by homeless people in Long Beach, CA, and evaluates the extent to which the mobility provided by public transit constrains or enables their ability to navigate between stigmatized and non-stigmatized places. The goal is to provide insights for addressing the needs of the City of Long Beach’s homeless population. KW - Central business districts KW - Economic and social factors KW - Employment KW - Gender KW - Homeless persons KW - Long Beach (California) KW - Mobility KW - Network analysis (Planning) KW - Public transit KW - Transportation disadvantaged persons KW - Travel behavior UR - http://www.metrans.org/sites/default/files/research-project/06-13_Jocoy_final_0_0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1134472 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01330440 AU - Department of Transportation TI - Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9‑1‑1) System Initiative: Proof of Concept Deployment Plan PY - 2008/02//Version 1.0 SP - 45p AB - The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Proof-of-Concept (POC) demonstration is envisioned to test key features and functionalities of the NG9-1-1 system. The Interim POC System Design Document defines the detailed system design of the POC demonstration test-bed. This document describes how the POC test-bed equipment will be deployed within the Booz Allen Hamilton, Texas A&M University, and Columbia University test laboratories and at selected Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP). It outlines detailed plans to develop and deploy software components required to successfully demonstrate the capabilities of the NG9-1-1 POC system design components. These include: (1) Call origination software components for SIPc client, public switched telephone network (PSTN) gateway software, Internet Protocol (IP) gateway software, cellular gateway software, and telematics gateway software; (2) NG9-1-1 databases such as Identity and Access Management (IdAM), Business Rules, Location-to-Service-Translation (LoST), and Call Record: (3) Call receiving software components for IP-based Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) and Human Machine Interface (HMI). The plan includes a detailed timeline and milestones for developing, testing, and deploying the POC test-bed components. In addition, it lists the configuration management (CM), risk management, maintenance, training, and communication plans and procedures that will be used to ensure effective and efficient deployment of the POC test-bed components. KW - 911 Emergency Telephone System KW - Databases KW - Deployment KW - Emergency communication systems KW - Emergency telephone calls KW - Information technology KW - Next generation design KW - Proof of concept KW - Software KW - Testing KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/35000/35600/35675/NG911_POC_DeployPlan_FINAL_v1.0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1093608 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01220114 AU - Rahimi, Mansour AU - Asef-Vaziri, Ardavan AU - Harrison, Robert AU - Vaughn-Cooke, Monica AU - Salamati, Katayoun AU - Conrad, Matthew AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - California State University, Long Beach AU - California State University, Northridge AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - University Transportation Centers Program TI - Integrating Inland Ports into the Intermodal Goods Movement System for Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach PY - 2008/02 SP - 67 AB - Site location methods for inland ports in five counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura) were identified and analyzed for their potential for integration into a more efficient regional intermodal goods movement system served by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A single facility location model was used to define the location of a theoretical inland to minimize the total truck-miles traveled; this location coincides with the location of BNSF’s trans-modal facilities in the city of Commerce. This model was extended to a series of location-allocation models with up to six inland port locations included. With no inland port (current system), the total daily VMT was estimated to be 220,100 miles, and the average truck trip length was 11.6 miles. As more inland ports are added to the location-allocation model, the total truck miles traveled is reduced significantly. The new system follows the notion of “satellite inland port,” which is based on a hub-and-spoke configuration. It is assumed that containers will be delivered to the inland ports via rail and then distributed via trucks. With significant reductions in VMT, proportional congestion and air pollution reductions are expected. The results show that the proposed mathematical approach is a useful platform for initial investigations into inland port site selection. KW - Freight traffic KW - Hub and spoke systems KW - Intermodal terminals KW - Location KW - Mathematical models KW - Port of Long Beach KW - Port of Los Angeles KW - River ports KW - Traffic congestion KW - Truck traffic KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://www.metrans.org/sites/default/files/research-project/07-01_Rahimi_Final_Report_0_0.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42500/42540/07-01-Final-Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/936005 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01219906 AU - Blackburn, Robert R AU - Fleege, Edward J AU - Amsler, Duane E AU - Blackburn and Associates AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Calibration Accuracy of Manual and Ground-Speed-Controlled Salters PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 295p AB - Automatic control of material application rates is achieved with ground-speed-oriented controllers. This type of controller has been used in Europe since the 1970s. Some state departments of transportation (DOTs) were using versions of ground-speed controllers on dry material spreaders as early as the 1980s. However, it was not until the SHRP and FHWA anti-icing studies in the 1990s that highway winter maintenance agencies became interested in ground-speed controllers and the controller/spreader manufacturers responded to the need. There are a wide variety of controllers manufactured as demonstrated by the spectrum used by the Clear Roads state DOTs. In order for ground-speed controllers to optimally discharge salt and prewetted material, their calibration settings need to be accurate. The aim of this study was to determine if ground-speed-controller units accurately control the spreader discharge of salt and other material, and if they provide the savings expected when compared to manually controlled units. The overall objective of the study was to document the accuracy of calibrated ground-speed-controller units along with the performance of these units as compared to manual spreader controls. Actual salt, abrasive, and prewetting liquid chemical dispensing rates from spreader trucks with various types of manual and ground-speed-controller units were investigated and documented from both a yard study and in simulated field settings that would be used during winter storm events. Testing of up to eight spreader/controller combinations was conducted. The actual discharge quantities (solid and liquid materials) were compared against theoretical discharges. Manufacturers’ calibration procedures were reviewed and calibration verification tests were developed to ensure proper calibration. KW - Accuracy KW - Automatic applicator control (Deicers) KW - Automatic controllers KW - Calibration KW - Deicers (Equipment) KW - Ground speed controllers KW - Winter maintenance UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/06-21calibration-f.pdf UR - http://www.clearroads.org/files/06-21CalibrationFinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/980747 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01173859 AU - Mogawer, Walaa S AU - Austerman, Alexander J AU - University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth AU - Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Warm Mix Asphalt Technology to Determine its Applicability for Massachusetts PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 101p AB - In an effort to achieve consistent field densities with its Gap Graded Stone Matrix Asphalt hot mix asphalt mix, the Massachusetts Highway Department chose to evaluate the organic additive Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technology Sasobit(R) in the laboratory and in a field trial as a compaction aid. A candidate field trial project on a southbound section of Interstate 95 (I-95) in Danvers, Massachusetts, was selected for the WMA trial. The same Gap Graded Stone Matrix Asphalt hot mix asphalt mix with and without the WMA technology additive was produced and placed along or on the roadside on the same production day. The experimental plan for this research project consisted of: documentation of construction procedures in the field, random sampling of materials, HMA specimen fabrication with the Superpave Gyratory compactor and Marshall compactor, material property testing (binder, aggregates and plant produced mix), and laboratory performance testing of the plant produced mix in terms of dynamic modulus, rutting, and moisture susceptibility. Also included in the study was an investigation into the effect on the specimen volumetric properties of re-heating the plant-produced mix. Overall, based on this research project, the addition of WMA technology into the Gap Graded Stone Matrix Asphalt mix yielded a mix with similar volumetric and performance characteristics to the control mix (without WMA technology) but with the added benefits of increased compaction at lower temperatures and lower visible emissions. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Field studies KW - Gap graded aggregates KW - Laboratory studies KW - Massachusetts KW - Sasobit KW - Stone matrix asphalt KW - Warm mix paving mixtures UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/933492 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01173144 AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - National Aviation Research Plan, 2008 PY - 2008/02 SP - 94p AB - The 2008 National Aviation Research Plan (NARP) explains how the research and development (R&D) programs are progressing toward achieving the R&D milestones/targets. The plan also includes more detailed information on how the R&D programs support both the FAA Operational Evolution Partnership (OEP), which provides the complete path for all FAA NextGen activities including R&D, and the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) Research and Development Plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System FY 2009 FY 2013, published August 31, 2007, hereafter referred to as the JPDO R&D Plan, which provides the R&D requirements for NextGen. KW - Air traffic control KW - Air traffic controllers KW - Airport planning KW - Airport runways KW - Airport terminals KW - Aviation safety KW - Civil aviation KW - Strategic planning UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/927781 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01167121 AU - Knodler, Michael A AU - Rosenberg, Heather AU - University of Massachusetts, Amherst AU - Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Final Report: Development of a Scenic Roads Database in Massachusetts PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 49p AB - In Massachusetts, municipalities are permitted to provide special designations to selected roadways, for reasons which may include, but are not limited to the recognition of the historical significance or beauty of a roadway and maintaining a higher level of regulation over the roadway in an effort to preserve its characteristics. Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 40, Section 15C, provides an opportunity for the designation of "scenic" roads. The purpose of this research project was to identify all scenic, historic and other specially designated roadways in Massachusetts for the purpose of building a centralized database. The database will be used and maintained by the Office of Transportation Planning (Planning), and the acquired data will potentially serve as the foundation of a new layer in Planning's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database. Valid responses were obtained from 289 of the 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, with 154 indicating no scenic or specially designated roads. More than 2,500 specially designated roadways were identified within the 135 municipalities, indicating a significant presence of these roadways in the Commonwealth. KW - Databases KW - Geographic information systems KW - Massachusetts KW - Scenic highways UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/926172 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01167106 AU - Knodler, Michael A AU - Muttart, Jeffrey AU - University of Massachusetts, Amherst AU - Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pavement Sensors for Monitoring Winter Roadway Conditions Along the Maurice J. Tobin Bridge PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 38p AB - Given the primary goal of maintaining safe driving conditions, the decision on when to treat a roadway for winter weather conditions is of paramount importance in the overall effective maintenance of a roadway. Many sources of data can be utilized in making the decision regarding when to treat. However, recent advances in technology, primarily related to sensing capabilities, can now provide timely and accurate data that can assist in the decision-making process. Following collection and assessments of pertinent information related to the technologies, a project implementation meeting was held with representatives of the research team, Massachusetts Port Authority ((MassPort), Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway), and Executive Office of Transportation & Public Works (EOTPW) with the purpose of discussing the findings and identifying possible implementation strategies. After reviewing the technologies, the meeting participants discussed several implementation possibilities and recommendations for further consideration including a road surface information system (RSIS) and both a hand held and truck mounted infrared temperature measuring device. KW - Pavement maintenance KW - Road weather information systems KW - Sensors KW - Snow and ice control KW - Weather KW - Winter maintenance UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/926229 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01138291 AU - Wiegmann, Douglas A AU - Talleur, Donald A AU - Johnson, C M AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Redesigning Weather-Related Training and Testing of General Aviation Pilots: Applying Traditional Curriculum Evaluation and Advanced Simulation-Based Methods PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 18p AB - Weather-related accidents, particularly accidents due to visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), are associated with the highest fatality rate within general aviation (GA). Previous research indicates that accidents related to VFR flight into IMC most often involve inexperienced pilots who lack the appropriate skills to properly plan VFR cross-country flights, effectively assess changes in weather conditions during flight and appropriately evaluate and eliminate risks associated with adverse weather. Together, these findings point to a need to reevaluate weather-related instruction currently provided to pilots during ab initio training. The primary goal of the report is to present the findings of an analysis of (1) the content of weather-related source material disseminated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), (2) the content of weather-related test questions contained in the FAA private pilot written exam, (3) the performance of pilots on weather-related exam questions and (4) the relationship between performance on the written exam and performance on the private pilot oral exam. Results are discussed in terms of improving weather-related training and testing, with the goal of reducing VFR flight into IMC accidents. KW - Aircraft pilotage KW - Crash investigation KW - Flight simulators KW - Flight training KW - Fronts (Meteorology) KW - General aviation KW - Instrument flying KW - Instrument landing systems KW - Visual flight KW - Weather radar UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/898361 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01135870 AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Railroad Employee Fatalities, 2006: Case Studies and Analysis PY - 2008/02 SP - 123p AB - This document, entitled 2006 Railroad Employee Fatalities: Case Studies and Analysis, was developed to promote and enhance awareness of many unsafe behaviors and conditions that typically contribute to railroad employee fatalities, and is intended to assist railroad industry stakeholders in their efforts to prevent similar tragedies. KW - Case studies KW - Crash analysis KW - Crash investigation KW - Employees KW - Fatalities KW - Human factors engineering KW - Industrial accidents KW - Railroad safety KW - Railroad transportation UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/896157 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01135427 AU - Pogorelsky, N AU - HDR-HLB Decision Economics AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Freight Benefit/Cost Study: Highway Freight Logistics Reorganization Benefits Estimation Tool Report and Documentation PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 61p AB - The Freight Benefit/Cost Study is a multi-year effort originating in the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and Operations. The Freight Benefit/Cost Study project has gone through three phases of development. Phase I focused on developing the theory and logic. Phase II determined the sensitivity of a firm to infrastructural investment on a national level. Phase III established the approach, sensitivities and data inputs required to calculate long-term benefits of highway-freight infrastructural investment on a regional level and constructed a tool for state and local entities to estimate additional benefits derived though logistics rearrangements from highway performance improvements. This Microsoft ExcelCO-based tool can be used to estimate additive freight benefits resulting from highway performance improving investments. These benefits can be summed with the conventional benefits expressed through CBA to present a more complete picture of the return on highway investment. This report describes the Highway Freight Logistics Reorganization Benefits Estimation Tool, its use, and data requirements. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Freight documents KW - Freight transportation KW - Highway transportation KW - Investments KW - Logistics KW - Mobility KW - Productivity KW - Traffic estimation UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/econ_methods/bca_logistics/fhwa_bca_tool_doc.pdf UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/econ_methods/bca_logistics/index.htm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/891769 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01135377 AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Key Transportation Indicators, February 2008 PY - 2008/02 SP - 20p AB - This report is intended to provide timely, easily accessible information for the transportation community. It was developed by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and is updated each quarter on the BTS website. The indicators fall under two broad categories: those that provide context about the economy and society in which transportation functions, and those that convey information about an aspect of transportation. To the extent possible, these latter indicators are transportation-wide in scope; however, some apply to only part of the transportation system. Reference tables at the beginning of the document provide key statistics about U.S. social and economic characteristics, and about the extent of the transportation system. For indicators that are highly seasonal, the current value of that indicator is compared to the same time period in the previous year (e.g., April 2001 compared to April 2000). Otherwise, the tables show a comparison of the current value to a comparable preceeding period of time (e.g., the data for the month of April 2001 compared to that of March 2001). KW - Air transportation KW - Amtrak KW - Economic indicators KW - Fatalities KW - Fuel prices KW - Ground transportation KW - Indicators (Instruments) KW - Mexico KW - On time performance KW - Passenger transportation KW - Railroad transportation KW - Statistical analysis KW - Transportation UR - http://www.bts.gov/publications/key_transportation_indicators/february_2008/pdf/entire.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/894435 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01129535 AU - Smith, Kurt D AU - Hoerner, Todd E AU - Peshkin, David G AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Concrete Pavement Preservation Workshop PY - 2008/02//Reference Manual SP - 222p AB - This document serves as the Reference Manual for the 1 1/2-day Federal Highway Administration workshop on concrete pavement preservation. The purpose of the document is to provide the most up-to-date information available on the design, construction, and selection of cost-effective concrete pavement preservation strategies. It concentrates primarily on strategies and methods that are applicable at the project level, and not at the network level, where pavement management activities function and addresses such issues as prioritizing and budgeting. Detailed information is presented on seven specific concrete pavement preservation treatments: slab stabilization, partial-depth repairs, full-depth repairs, retrofitted edge drains, load transfer restoration, diamond grinding and joint resealing. In addition, information is provided on pavement evaluation techniques and strategy selection procedures. KW - Budgeting KW - Concrete pavements KW - Diamond grinding KW - Edge drains KW - Full-depth reclamation KW - Joint resealing KW - Joint sealing KW - Load transfer KW - Load transfer restoration KW - Manuals KW - Partial depth repairs KW - Pavement management systems KW - Pavement preservation KW - Retrofitting KW - Slab stabilization KW - Strategic planning KW - Workshops UR - http://www.cptechcenter.org/publications/preservation_reference_manual.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/889843 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01121956 AU - Becker, Scott AU - Kauffman, Matthew AU - Hubert, Wayne AU - University of Wyoming, Laramie AU - Wyoming Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Moose Highway Crossings in the Buffalo Fork Valley, Wyoming PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 37p AB - The purpose of this study was to provide the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) with information that could be used to assess the importance of habitat, landscape, and anthropogenic features that are essential determinants in evaluating moose crossing locations in northwest Wyoming. Approximately 30 moose were captured, tranquilized, and collared using global positioning system (GPS) collars. The collars were programmed to provide a fix every hour from 15 November to 15 June, and every five hours from 16 June to 14 November. The results of this study demonstrated that models developed to assess adult female moose winter habitat selection could be used at a finer spatial scale to accurately identify areas where moose are most likely to cross U.S. Highway 26/287 in the Buffalo Valley. The moose crossing events were not randomly distributed, but occurred at predictable locations that could be estimated by examining winter habitat selection parameters that contained an abundance of forage provided by aspen and willow-dominated, riparian habitats, on either side of the road. KW - Collars KW - Global Positioning System KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Highway planning KW - Landscape design KW - Moose KW - Wildlife crossings KW - Wyoming UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51900/51952/12366996740.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/884117 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01115369 AU - Kim, Dongho AU - Won, Moon C AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Bonded Concrete Overlay on IH 610 in Houston, Texas PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 42p AB - Bonded concrete overlays could provide cost-effective rehabilitation methods for structurally deficient portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. Four-inch bonded concrete overlay (BCO) placed in 1986 on Houston’s IH 610 North has provided quite satisfactory performance for more than 20 years. Ten test sections were placed as a part of the BCO project during the construction, and after 20 years, they provide invaluable information on the long-term performance of BCO. The variables included in the test sections are reinforcement, coarse aggregate type, and existing pavement condition. The overall performance of 4-in. BCO has been excellent, even though there were a few patches made to address partial depth punchouts. Four-inch BCO over 8-in. continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) reduced deflections by about one-third, which is good evidence for BCO’s ability to enhance the structural capacity of under-designed PCC pavements. Between the two reinforcement types used, welded wire fabric and steel fibers, welded wire fabric provided better performance. It appears that welded wire fabric provided more effective restraint on concrete volume change potential, thus improving bonds between BCO and existing concrete. Two coarse aggregate types were used in the test sections: siliceous river gravel (SRG) and limestone (LS). For the comparable condition, LS provided better performance than SRG. This finding is consistent with the performance in new CRCP, where more spalling and mid-depth horizontal cracking problems occur in sections with SRG. The condition of existing pavement, at least as evaluated with the method adopted in this study, does not appear to have substantial effects on the performance of BCOs. Delaminations and resulting partial depth punchouts were the primary structural distresses. Delaminations were along longitudinal warping joints, as well as under the wheel paths. Those along the longitudinal warping joints appear to be due to environmental loading, while those under the wheel paths were due to wheel load stresses. Full saw cuts through BCO at longitudinal warping joints will minimize delaminations. KW - Bond strength (Materials) KW - Bonded concrete overlays KW - Concrete overlays KW - Continuously reinforced concrete pavements KW - Deflection KW - Delamination KW - Houston (Texas) KW - Limestone aggregates KW - Pavement performance KW - Punchouts KW - Siliceous river gravel KW - Steel fibers KW - Welded wire fabrics UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4893_3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/873788 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01115337 AU - Yang, Kuo-Hsin AU - Zornberg, Jorge G AU - Wright, Stephen G AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Numerical Modeling of Narrow MSE Walls with Extensible Reinforcements PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 72 AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is experiencing wider use of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls placed adjacent to an existing stable wall. In numerous cases, the space (width) available for the new wall is less than the width established in current guidelines for stand-alone MSE walls. This wall system combining an existing stable wall and a new MSE wall with constrained space is referred as a narrow MSE wall system. Although walls have already been designed and constructed for such applications, the actual mechanism of the narrow MSE wall system is still unclear. Accordingly, the current research project was undertaken. A detailed review of relevant literature has been compiled and design considerations have been proposed and presented in the companion project report. This report presents a series of numerical analyses of narrow MSE wall systems. The numerical models were conducted using finite element and limit equilibrium methods. Both models were validated by the results of centrifuge testing. The proposed procedure of numerical modeling narrow MSE wall system serves as a basis of practical applications. Furthermore, a series of parametric studies was performed based on the validity of the calibrated numerical models. The behaviors and mechanics of the narrow MSE wall systems were investigated and studied through the parametric studies. The results of parametric studies allow the actual location of failure surface in a narrow MSE wall to be defined and the mechanism causing the external failure when wall aspect ratio is below 0.25 to be understood. KW - Earth walls KW - Finite element method KW - Limit equilibrium method KW - Mathematical models KW - Mechanically stabilized earth KW - Width UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5506_2.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55875/FHWA-TX-08-0-5506-2.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/873827 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01112753 AU - Yang, Kuo-Hsin AU - Zornberg, Jorge G AU - Wright, Stephen G AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Numerical Modeling of Narrow MSE Walls with Extensible Reinforcements PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 72p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is experiencing wider use of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls placed adjacent to an existing stable wall. In numerous cases, the space (width) available for the new wall is less than the width established in current guidelines for stand-alone MSE walls. This wall system combining an existing stable wall and a new MSE wall with constrained space is referred as a narrow MSE wall system. Although walls have already been designed and constructed for such applications, the actual mechanism of the narrow MSE wall system is still unclear. Accordingly, the current research project was undertaken. A detailed review of relevant literature has been complied and design considerations have been proposed and presented in the companion project report. This report presents a series of numerical analyses of narrow MSE wall systems. The numerical models were conducted using finite element and limit equilibrium methods. Both models were validated by the results of centrifuge testing. The proposed procedure of numerical modeling narrow MSE wall system serves as a basis of practical applications. Furthermore, a series of parametric studies was performed based on the validity of the calibrated numerical models. The behaviors and mechanics of the narrow MSE wall systems were investigated and studied through the parametric studies. The results of parametric studies allows one to define the actual location of failure surface in a narrow MSE wall and to understand the mechanism causing the external failure when wall aspect ratio is below 0.25. KW - Centrifuges KW - Earth walls KW - Finite element method KW - Geotechnical engineering KW - Limit equilibrium method KW - Mathematical models KW - Mechanically stabilized earth KW - Mechanics KW - Parametric analysis KW - Retaining walls UR - http://www.caee.utexas.edu/prof/zornberg/old/khyang%20publications.htm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/872624 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111575 AU - He, B Brian AU - Van Gerpen, Jon AU - National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Biodiesel Quality Affected by Sulfur Content Originated by Different Feedstocks and a Database for the Same PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 15p AB - According to EPA regulations, the deadline for compliance with stringent limitations on the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel was 2006. EPA regulations set the same ultra-low sulfur standard for biodiesel as well. Generally, biodiesel contains lower sulfur than fossil diesel. However, due to the divisibility of feedstock origins, the sulfur content in biodiesel may be higher than 15 ppm. Sufficient information regarding sulfur content in biodiesel would be critical to biodiesel producers, distributors, and consumers and beneficial as a guideline in compliance with federal policy of ultra-low sulfur transportation fuels. To answer the questions regarding how the sulfur content in the feedstocks affects the biodiesel quality, this research studies biodiesel quality as affected by the sulfur content of different feedstocks. Sulfur contents in feedstocks, seed meals, oils/fats, and biodiesel made from different feedstocks were investigated according to ASTM standards. Results showed that the sulfur content varied greatly from one source to another. The highest level of sulfur in seed and meal was found in rapeseed and mustard seeds. The expeller pressed oils have very little sulfur. The sulfur is further reduced when the oils are processed into biodiesel. Results of 16 oil/fat samples showed an even more significant reduction after converting to biodiesel. Six of those oils/fats, however, had a sulfur level greater than 15 ppm. Although four fuels of biodiesel made from those oils met the sulfur specification, corn oil and tallow did not. KW - Biodiesel fuels KW - Compliance KW - Diesel fuels KW - Environmental protection KW - Exhaust gases KW - Quality control KW - Sulfur UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/870398 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111370 AU - Matteson, Anne AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents Factbook 2005 PY - 2008/02//Special Report SP - 105p AB - This document presents aggregate statistics on trucks involved in traffic accidents in 2005. The statistics are derived from the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) file, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The TIFA database provides coverage of all medium and heavy trucks recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. TIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the truck from the TIFA survey. KW - Crash data KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Medium trucks KW - Statistics KW - Truck crashes KW - Trucking safety KW - Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58054/1/48532%20A48.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871067 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111310 AU - HLB Decision Economics, Incorporated AU - ICF International AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Freight Benefit/Cost Study: Phase III - Analysis of Regional Benefits of Highway-Freight Improvements PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 73p AB - The Freight Benefit/Cost Study is a multi-year effort originating in the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and Operations, supported by HLB Decision Economics (Subsequently HDR|HLB Decision Economics) and ICF International. The Freight Benefit/Cost Study project has gone through three phases of development. Phase I focused on developing the theory and logic. Phase II determined the sensitivity of a firm to infrastructural investment on a national level. This phase, Phase III, establishes the approach, sensitivities and data inputs required to calculate long-term benefits of highway-freight infrastructural investment on a regional level and will investigate the construction of a tool for state and local entities to estimate additional benefits derived though logistics rearrangements from highway performance improvements. This Phase III report assesses impacts of improvements beyond traditional travel time savings within the conventional benefit cost analysis framework. That is, the methodology adopted allows for the quantification of the effects of transportation system improvements in relation to (1) immediate cost reduction to carriers and shippers, (2) the impact of improved logistics while keeping output fixed, and (3) additional gains from reorganization such as increased demand and new or improved products. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Cost reduction KW - Freight transportation KW - Highways KW - Impacts KW - Improvements KW - Logistics KW - Motor carriers KW - Shippers KW - Transportation infrastructure UR - http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/econ_methods/freight_cba_study/freight_cba_phase3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871006 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01110152 AU - McCracken, Jennifer K AU - Asbahan, Rania E AU - Vandenbossche, Julie M AU - University of Pittsburgh AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - S.R.-22 Smart Pavement: Response Characteristics of a Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement to Applied and Environmental Loads - Phase II Final Report PY - 2008/02//Phase II Final Report SP - 359p AB - The primary objective of this study is to develop tools used in the design and construction of more cost-effective concrete pavements. One of the project goals is to establish the inputs suitable for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to use in the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) (ver. 1.0) by establishing the following for the site conditions on SR 22 in Murrysville, Pennsylvania: concrete material properties; strength correlations; gradients that develop throughout the pavement structure; construction and seasonal curling and warping and pavement response under environmental and applied loads. A summary of the MEPDG inputs as well as the sensitivity of the performance prediction of the Smart Pavement to inputs defined using different hierarchical levels was provided. The measured temperature and moisture conditions throughout the pavement structure were compared to those predicted by the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model, which is embedded in the MEPDG. The change in the shape of the slab as a result of seasonal gradients was defined based on the static strain and pressure gage data and slab profile measurements. Dynamic strain data were collected in conjunction with known truck loads and axle configurations and falling weight deflectometer testing. While the sensor data was collected continuously every 15 minutes since the time of construction, field data measurements were made seasonally for the first three years after paving. Finally, a finite element model was developed and validated using strain measurements from the dynamic strain testing. Findings have been provided based on the first three years of measurements. A subsequent report will be published under Contract 510601/WO-003 that will discuss the stress generated by these applied loads. The stress determined using the validated finite element model will then be used to evaluate the performance prediction of the MEPDG based on the accumulated damage produced by the calculated stress. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Curling (Pavements) KW - Data collection KW - Field tests KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Murrysville (Pennsylvania) KW - Pavement performance KW - Seasonal variations KW - Sensors KW - Smart pavements KW - Warpage UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/869689 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01109891 AU - Westat AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Safety Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers (SBUCMVD) 2007 Survey PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 52p AB - The Safety Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers (SBUCMVD) Survey is a nationally representative field data collection program that provides estimates of safety belt restraint use by drivers and other occupants of medium and heavy duty commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The 2007 survey is the first of its kind, drawing upon the sample design and field data collection methodologies used in the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) of passenger vehicle occupants. Restraint use studies were conducted in 2002, 2005 and 2006 that focused on drivers of class 7 and 8 vehicles observed primarily at truck stops in 12 states. This new study is based upon a statistically valid research design that includes medium duty, class 7, and class 8 CMVs observed from roadsides in a randomly selected sample of Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) across the United States. As such, comparisons with results from previous years are not valid. The 2007 overall safety belt usage rate for drivers of all medium and heavy duty trucks and buses combined was 65%. The usage rate for CMV other occupants was 57%. A total of 15,864 CMVs, 15,864 drivers, and 1,059 CMV other occupants were observed at 654 sites. Safety belt use was observed to be higher in states governed by primary belt use laws (69%) than secondary belt use laws (59%). Safety belt usage among drivers and other occupants combined in units identified as part of a regional or national fleet (67%) was also observed to be higher than independent owner-operators (56%). This report describes the overall design of the study, the methods used to collect the data, and the estimation and tabulation processes. Highlights from the analyses are contained in the body of the report. KW - Commercial drivers KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Medium trucks KW - Owner operators KW - Primary enforcement laws KW - Safety Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Survey KW - Seat belt use KW - Seat belts KW - Secondary enforcement KW - Surveys KW - Truck drivers KW - Vehicle fleets UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/869515 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105646 AU - Wood, Sharon L AU - Poser, Marcel AU - Frank, Karl H AU - Bean, Matthew J AU - Dowd, Joseph A AU - Eggers, John C AU - Freytag, Dylan AU - Kallivokas, Loukas F AU - Lee, Jun Ki AU - Pebley, Aaron J AU - Ridd, Jennifer E AU - Warpinski, Margaret AU - Williamson, Eric B AU - Willox, Adrienne AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Bending Fatigue Response of Grouted Stay Cables PY - 2008/02//Research Report SP - 252p AB - Both the Fred Hartman Bridge and the Veterans Memorial Bridge have experienced large-amplitude vibrations of the stay cables. A major concern resulting from these vibrations is the possibility of fatigue damage to the parallel, seven-wire, prestressing strand in the grouted stay cables – and the overall safety of the bridges. An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the susceptibility of grouted stay cables to fatigue damage. Two series of experiments were conducted: twelve stay-cable specimens were subjected to bending fatigue loads in the first series and three small-scale specimens were subjected to bending fatigue loads in the second series. The test results indicate that fatigue damage is expected to be concentrated in the regions of highest bending stress: the ends of the stays and locations where a damper or restrainer induces local bending in the stay. The risk of fatigue damage was considered to be low at the tension ring, along the free length of the stay, and in the vicinity of unintentionally crossed strands. The acoustic monitoring systems installed on the Fred Hartman Bridge and the Veterans Memorial Bridge provided a reliable means of detecting wire breaks in the laboratory specimens. However, the actual location of a wire break may be 2 to 3 ft from the location identified by the acoustic sensors. Transverse stiffness and natural frequencies of the test specimens were not sufficiently sensitive to detect the accumulation of fatigue damage. Accumulation of fatigue damage is a slow process, and many wire fractures can be tolerated before the strength or stiffness of the grouted stay cable is compromised. A threshold number of wire breaks at a single location (10% of the total number of wires in the stay) was established before corrective action is recommended for existing stay cables. KW - Acoustic detectors KW - Bending KW - Bridge cables KW - Cable stayed bridges KW - Fatigue (Mechanics) KW - Grout KW - Prestressing strands KW - Vibration UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_1401_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865202 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105638 AU - Zornberg, Jorge G AU - Prozzi, Jolanda P AU - Gupta, Ranjiv AU - Luo, Rong AU - McCartney, J S AU - Ferreira, J Z AU - Nogueira, C AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Validating Mechanisms in Geosynthetic Reinforced Pavements PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 268p AB - Base reinforcement results from the addition of a geosynthetic at the bottom of or within a base course to increase the structural or load-carrying capacity of a pavement system. While there is clear evidence that geosynthetic reinforcements can lead to improved pavement performance, the identification and quantification of the parameters that contribute to such improvement has remained, at best, unclear. In addition, pavement structures deteriorate under the combined effects of traffic loading and environmental conditions such as moisture changes. The effect of moisture changes can be particularly detrimental in many locations of Texas, which are characterized by the presence of expansive clays. Consequently, this research focused on the assessment of the effect of geosynthetics on the pavement structural section and on its resistance to environmental changes. It is well documented that the use of geosynthetics for unbound base courses can lead to improved performance and reduced costs in pavement systems. However, appropriate selection of geosynthetics is compromised by the difficulty in associating their relevant properties to pavement performance. Accordingly, important objectives of this research included: (i) determining the properties of geosynthetics that contribute to enhance the performance of pavement systems, and (ii) developing material specifications that incorporate the geosynthetic and soil properties that govern the pavement performance. KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Expansive clays KW - Geosynthetics KW - Pavement performance KW - Reinforcement (Engineering) KW - Specifications KW - Texas UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4829_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865197 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105380 AU - Folliard, Kevin J AU - Drimalas, Thano AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Class C Fly Ash in Sulfate Environments PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 26p AB - This report describes the evaluation of Class C fly ash in sulfate environments. The practical relevance of this is especially critical in regions where high-calcium ash is the only type of fly ash available. Research is needed to identify what specific characteristics of high-calcium fly ash impact sulfate resistance, from a chemical and mineralogical perspective, and guidance is needed on how to incorporate high-calcium fly ash in concrete in sulfate-rich environments. KW - Admixtures KW - Class C fly ash KW - Concrete KW - Fly ash KW - Sulfate resistance KW - Sulfates UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4889_2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865106 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105016 AU - Petry, Thomas M AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Interpretation of Echo Sounding and Sub-bottom Profiling Data Mark Twain Bridge A-3798, MoDOT Route 107 PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 8p AB - Echo sounding data and sub-bottom profiling data were acquired on the water surface in proximity to bridge bents 4-8 (Mark Twain Bridge A-3798, MoDOT Route 107). The echo sounding data imaged the lake bottom and were used to generate contoured maps showing variable depth to the lake bottom. The sub-bottom profiling data imaged the lake bottom but did not image the underlying soil or rock. This is because the talus or alluvium deposits are absent in places and/or heterogeneous and relatively dense. KW - Contour maps KW - Imagery KW - Missouri KW - Soil profiles KW - Sounding KW - Subgrade (Pavements) UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26914/R175_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863944 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104561 AU - Yoo, Sang Hong AU - Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Appalachian Regional Commission TI - Phase III - GIS for the Appalachian Development Highway System 2007 Cost to Complete Estimate PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 13p AB - The proposed research will create an Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Geographic Information System (GIS) for integrating and disseminating GIS and transportation data that will increase the accuracy and efficiency associated with completing the 2007 ADHS Cost to Complete Estimate. This project will create applications needed in order to facilitate improved methods of data collection and mapping utilizing the most advanced web-based techniques in GIS. This project will not only help the ARC but will provide a model for other federal and state agencies to follow for improved efficiencies with regards to updating and editing geospatial information. KW - Cost estimating KW - Data collection KW - Geographic information systems KW - Information dissemination KW - Mapping KW - Web-based systems UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26954/TTP_0601_ARC_Phase_III_Final_Report_feb_2008.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863375 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104047 AU - Flanigan, Erin AU - Howard, Mark AU - Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - An Interim Guidebook on the Congestion Management Process in Metropolitan Transportation Planning PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 62p AB - The Congestion Management Process (CMP), which has evolved from what was previously known as the Congestion Management System (CMS), is a systematic approach, collaboratively developed and implemented throughout a metropolitan region, that provides for the safe and effective management and operation of new and existing transportation facilities through the use of demand reduction and operational management strategies. The CMP is required to be developed and implemented as an integral part of the metropolitan planning process in Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) – urbanized areas with a population over 200,000, or any area where designation as a TMA has been requested. Although the CMP is not required in non-TMAs, the CMP represents the state-of-the-practice in addressing congestion, and should be considered in metropolitan areas that are facing current and future congestion challenges. This guidebook provides information on how to create an objectives-driven, performance-based congestion management process. While the focus of this guidebook is on the CMP, the principles of objectives-driven, performance-based planning can also be applied to other aspects of regional concern (safety, economic development, environment, etc.) in a metropolitan transportation plan (MTP). The CMP represents the “state-of-the-practice” in responding to the growing challenge of congestion on urban transportation networks. KW - Congestion management systems KW - Handbooks KW - Metropolitan areas KW - State of the practice KW - Traffic congestion KW - Transportation planning UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/cmpguidebook/cmpguidebook.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864181 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01103977 AU - Nabors, Dan AU - Schneider, Robert James AU - Leven, Dalia AU - Lieberman, Kimberly AU - Mitchell, Colleen AU - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pedestrian Safety Guide for Transit Agencies PY - 2008/02//Final Guide SP - 68p AB - The guide is intended to provide transit agency staff with an easy-to-use resource for improving pedestrian safety. The guide includes a variety of approaches to address common pedestrian safety issues that are likely to arise near transit stations, bus stops, and other places where transit (bus or rail) is operated. It provides references to publications, guides and other tools to identify pedestrian safety problems. Descriptions of engineering, education and enforcement programs that have been effectively applied by transit agencies are included as well as background information about pedestrian safety and access to transit. KW - Bus stops KW - Guides to information KW - Handbooks KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Rail transit stations KW - Safety engineering KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_transit/ped_transguide/about.cfm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/56000/56100/56113/TRANSIT_GUIDE.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863651 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01103803 AU - Binger, Gary AU - Lee, Richard J AU - Rivasplata, Charles R AU - Lynch, Alexis AU - San Jose State University AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Connecting Transportation Decision Making with Responsible Land Use: State and Regional Policies, Programs, and Incentives PY - 2008/02 SP - 170p AB - This report examines the coordination between transportation funding and land use practices. It focuses on state and regional initiatives that are directed at curbing unsustainable land use patterns through the use of targeted transportation funding. The objective of the report is to provide planning agencies at varying levels of government with tools that can be used to strengthen the connection between transportation and land use planning. The report showcases 17 jurisdictions in the United States that have developed a total of 40 policies, programs, and incentives to connect transportation funding with various “smart growth” efforts. The variety of approaches indicate that the successful linkage of transportation planning with land use decision making is most likely dependent on creating context-specific strategies. KW - Government funding KW - Incentives KW - Land use planning KW - Local government agencies KW - Policy KW - Regional government KW - Regional planning KW - State government agencies KW - Transportation planning UR - http://transweb.sjsu.edu/mtiportal/research/publications/documents/07-03.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/863301 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102120 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - SH-75 Timmerman to Ketchum, US-20 to Saddie Road : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/02//Volumes held: Draft(3v)(v.2 fol), Final KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Idaho UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862081 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100787 AU - Wenzel, Jonathan E AU - Picou, Jason W AU - Lee, Sunggyu AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Control of Ethanol Dehydration in the Supercritical Water Reforming of Ethanol into Hydrogen PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 11p AB - Ethanol, a renewable resource, may be reformed non-catalytically into hydrogen by a novel process utilizing supercritical water which acts synergistically as a solvent and as a reactant. Ethanol reformed by this process does not require energy-intensive separation following fermentation or subsequent distillation. In addition this novel process produces little or no carbon build-up inside the reactor even after days of continuous operation. The principal reactions that occur are: (1) direct reformation of ethanol into hydrogen and carbon oxides; (2) pyrolytic decomposition of ethanol into hydrogen, methane, and carbon oxides; and (3) dehydration of ethanol. Dehydration of ethanol occurs as an undesired reaction in the non-catalytic reformation of ethanol to hydrogen. A preliminary series of supercritical water reformation of ethanol experiments were conducted to validate a novel 400 mL Haynes Alloy 230 tubular reactor for supercritical water reformation process. It is found that the ethanol dehydration reaction is present as a side reaction even in the water-rich mixture of the current process and its byproduct ethylene further undergoes hydrogenation reaction with the process ultimate product, hydrogen, producing ethane. Experiments were performed between 857 K and 1042 K at 24 MPa. The effects of temperature and space time upon molar concentration of ethylene and ethane in the gaseous ambient products are discussed. The optimal process conditions that minimize this wasteful ethane formation are found and experimentally demonstrated. KW - Ethanol KW - Hydrogen KW - Hydrogen production KW - Renewable energy sources KW - Supercritical water KW - Supercritical water reactors UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R166_CR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860531 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099051 AU - Vipulanandan, Cumaraswamy AU - Puppala, Anand J AU - Jao, M AU - Kim, M S AU - Vasudevan, H AU - Kumar, P AU - Mo, Y L AU - University of Houston AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Correlation of Texas Cone Penetrometer Test Values and Shear Strength of Texas Soils: Technical Report PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 208p AB - This report discusses the correlation of Texas Cone Penetrometer (TCP) test values and shear strength of Texas soils. Data collected over the past decade by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from several parts of Texas were used to verify the current correlation between TCP blow count and the undrained shear strengths of clays with higher (CH) and low liquid limits (CL), sandy clay (SC) and other soils. Over 4000 sets of data were used to verify the current TxDOT relationships for the entire state of Texas and three TxDOT districts from where most of the data were collected. Limited field studies were performed to verify the current TxDOT relationship with CH and CL soils. Based on the data available and statistical analyses, linear and nonlinear relationships between undrained shear strength of soil and TCP blow count have been developed. The statistical parameters including the probability distribution functions (PDF) for the undrained shear strength (S sub u) and TCP blow count (N sub TCP ) based on the type of soil were determined. Analyses showed that the current TxDOT design relationships overestimated the undrained shear strength (S sub u ) and TCP blow count (N sub TCP ) was dependent on the depth for all types of soils investigated. The depth dependency also varied from location to location. The undrained shear strength versus TCP blow count relationships developed were also influenced by the locations. KW - Clay soils KW - Cone penetrometers KW - Correlation analysis KW - Distributions (Statistics) KW - Shear strength KW - Soil penetration test KW - Soils KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-4862-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859447 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098935 AU - D'Angelo, John A AU - Harm, Eric E AU - Bartoszek, John C AU - Baumgardner, Gaylon L AU - Corrigan, Matthew R AU - Cowsert, Jack E AU - Harman, Thomas P AU - Jamshidi, Mostafa AU - Jones, H Wayne AU - Newcomb, David E AU - Prowell, Brian D AU - Sines, Ronald A AU - Yeaton, Bruce A AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Warm-Mix Asphalt: European Practice PY - 2008/02 SP - 72p AB - Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) is a group of technologies that allow a reduction in the temperatures at which asphalt mixes are produced and placed. These technologies tend to reduce the viscosity of the asphalt and provide for the complete coating of aggregates at lower temperatures. WMA is produced at temperatures 20 to 55 °C (35 to 100 °F) lower than typical hot-mix asphalt (HMA). In 2007, a team of U.S. materials experts visited Belgium, France, Germany, and Norway to evaluate various WMA technologies through the Federal Highway Administration’s International Technology Scanning Program. The scan team learned that the benefits of WMA technologies include reduced fuel usage and emissions in support of sustainable development, improved field compaction, which can facilitate longer haul distances and cool weather pavement, and better working conditions. A range of technologies is available to produce WMA. European agencies expect WMA performance to be the same as or better than the performance of HMA. Although several areas need to be addressed as these technologies are adapted to U.S. materials and production practices, the scan team believes that the United States has no long-term barriers to WMA use. With additional research and trials, the team expects that highway agencies will allow WMA as an alternative to HMA. KW - Belgium KW - Benefits KW - Compaction KW - France KW - Fuel consumption KW - Germany KW - International Technology Scanning Program KW - Norway KW - Pavement performance KW - Pollutants KW - Study tours KW - Sustainable development KW - Warm mix paving mixtures KW - Working conditions UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl08007/pl08007.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859207 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098911 AU - Sandt, Laura S AU - Schneider, Robert James AU - Nabors, Dan AU - Thomas, Libby AU - Mitchell, Colleen AU - Eldridge, R J AU - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities PY - 2008/02//Final Guide SP - 79p AB - This guide is intended to assist residents, parents, community association members, and others in getting involved in making communities safer for pedestrians. The guide includes facts, ideas, and resources to help residents learn about traffic problems that affect pedestrians and find ways to help address these problems and promote pedestrian safety. The guide includes information on identifying problems, taking action to address pedestrian concerns, finding solutions to improve pedestrian safety, and resources to get additional information. KW - Communities KW - Community action programs KW - Education KW - Handbooks KW - Information resources KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Residential areas KW - Walking UR - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_cmnity/ped_walkguide/index.cfm UR - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_cmnity/ped_walkguide/residentsguide.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859124 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01098909 AU - More, Alec AU - Munnich, Lee W AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Rural Transportation Safety and the Strategic Highway Safety Plan: An Examination of Select State Programs and Practices PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 27p AB - This first in a series of Center for Excellence in Rural Safety (CERS) research summaries examines the current state of safety planning through interviews and a comprehensive review of the newly mandated strategic highway safety plans (SHSPs) and supporting documents from six states representing different U.S. regions: Alabama, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington. The researchers took several steps to develop a knowledge base of existing conditions pertaining to safety planning in the six states. During the analysis, five key themes emerged: 1. A focus on changing driver behavior; 2. The importance of state-level public policy and political leadership; 3. The use of emerging technologies; 4. The importance of sustained, collaborative approaches; and 5. The use of measurement-driven approaches, which rely on enhanced data collection and new interpretive methodologies. In addition to these findings, case studies of each state provide a synopsis of certain aspects of their SHSPs. Recommendations concerning the SHSP development process and emphasis areas include: strengthening public engagement activities and initiatives to communicate the importance of roadway safety, reviewing the development structure and safety stakeholders involved, and continuing integration across agencies contributing to safety. KW - Alabama KW - Behavior KW - Case studies KW - Cooperation KW - Drivers KW - Highway safety KW - Idaho KW - Leadership KW - Maryland KW - Minnesota KW - Public policy KW - Recommendations KW - Rural transportation KW - State government KW - Strategic Highway Safety Plan KW - Strategic planning KW - Technological innovations KW - Vermont KW - Washington (State) UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=880 UR - http://www.ruralsafety.umn.edu/publications/documents/ImprovingRuralTransp-01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/857434 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01095651 AU - Plotkin, Donald AU - Davis, David AU - Federal Railroad Administration AU - Transportation Technology Center, Incorporated TI - Bridge Approaches and Track Stiffness PY - 2008/02 SP - 41p AB - Over time, it is not uncommon for a dip in the track to develop off the end of a bridge—on the bridge approach. This dip, or bump at the end of the bridge, is often a rough-riding spot and one that requires resurfacing at more frequent intervals than does the rest of the track. A commonly held belief is that this dip in the track is caused by dynamic forces resulting from wheel loads crossing an abrupt change in stiffness between the track on the bridge and the track off the bridge. A literature search found no documented field measurements to support this belief, only two modeling studies which predicted that the effect would be negligible. Five different methods were then employed to evaluate the potential for a track stiffness change to produce dynamic loads of practical significance. These methods ranged from the most technically sophisticated to the most basic. The results from all five pointed to the same conclusion—that changes in track stiffness at a bridge end have no practical effect on either track settlement or ride quality at a bridge approach. KW - Bridge abutments KW - Bridge approaches KW - Bridge substructures KW - Deflection KW - Load tests KW - Railroad bridges KW - Railroad facilities KW - Railroad tracks KW - Stiffness UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/387 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855728 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094996 AU - Pickerill, Heath AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - 2007 Summer Transportation Institute Final Report PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 11p AB - The Missouri LTAP at the University of Missouri-Rolla hosted its eighth U.S. Department of Transportation Summer Transportation Institute (STI). The mission of the institute’s program is as follows: To contribute to the development of a diverse, well-qualified workforce for the transportation industry by encouraging secondary school students to pursue transportation careers. In concert with this mission and with UMR’s unique strengths, the objectives of this effort were to provide an educational experience for high school students which explored a wide variety of aspects of the transportation industry and its role in our society. To that end, the STI curriculum provided educational opportunities for its students in critical areas of transportation. The twelve tenth-, eleventh- and twelfth-grade students who were chosen for the program were exposed to university life, leadership and team-building activities, and a series of guest speakers, hands-on laboratories, and field trips. The institute was comprised of two weeks covering all modes of transportation and was headquartered at the Missouri LTAP Center. The Federal Highway Administration’s money was used as “seed” money to fund the institute, which cost more than twice the amount funded. Staff from the Missouri LTAP and Distance and Continuing Education Department of UMR conducted the two-week institute. Government agencies and private firms provided substantial support in funding, staff assistance and educational materials as well. Youths from across the State of Missouri were recruited. Program brochures and applications were distributed to more than 1,500 high school students who had indicated an interest in engineering; STI staff contacted all high school counselors who have recommended former program participants; parents of former STI participants were again asked to recruit; and the National Society of Black Engineers and local MODOT personnel were also again asked to help to identify and recruit likely candidates. Twelve applications were received and twelve were accepted. Applicants were selected based upon their academic standing and their essays explaining their interest in transportation. The average grade point average of the chosen group exceeded 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Five of the twelve were entering tenth grade in the fall, four were entering eleventh, and three were entering twelfth. There were four African Americans and eight Caucasian. Two of the students were female and ten were male. Additional demographics details are listed in the attachment. KW - High school students KW - Job opportunities KW - Labor force KW - Missouri KW - Students KW - Summer KW - Summer Transportation Institute KW - Transportation careers UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/ETT179_2007_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/19000/19400/19471/ETT179_2007_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852878 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094995 AU - Brow, Richard K AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Alkali-Resistant Calcium Iron Phosphate Glass Fibers for Concrete Reinforcement PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 64p AB - The physical properties and alkaline corrosion resistant properties of calcium-ironphosphate glasses were studied. Iron addition decreases the thermal expansion coefficient and increases the Young’s modulus in comparison with the addition of calcium oxide. Glass dissolution behavior in alkaline solutions was studied by weight loss experiments, x-ray diffraction, and analytical scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the dissolution rate decreases when the phosphate chain length decreases. Calcium oxide can improve the glass durability in high pH solutions in comparison with ferric oxide. Phase equilibrium modeling was used to explain the formation of corrosion products, including hydroxyapatite. KW - Alkali silica reactions KW - Building materials KW - Calcium KW - Calcium oxide KW - Corrosion KW - Diffraction KW - Glass fibers KW - Reinforced concrete KW - Scanning electron microscopy KW - Thermal expansion UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R129_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26921/R129_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852407 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094992 AU - Zoughi, Reza AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Iconic 2007 PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 20p AB - This conference is dedicated to providing a unified and unique international forum in which different communities (Acoustics, Electromagnetics and Optics) are brought together for the exchange of ideas in the realm of innovative Near-Field Methods in Characterization Techniques, Simulations and Applications including: active and passive probe design and calibration; dielectric and magnetic material characterization; test benches; imaging; ISM applications, simulations and modeling; experimental validation; antenna design and measurement for communications, radars, industrial and automotive applications; EMC measurements, shielding, interferences and signal integrity; EMC for automotive, transportation and industrial applications; EM dosimetry and biomedical applications; nondestructive testing and evaluation and embedded sensors for structural, transportation and industrial applications and other important topical subjects with an emphasis on Near-Field Methods. KW - Acoustics KW - Calibration KW - Conferences KW - Electromagnetism KW - Near field KW - Optics KW - Probes (Measuring devices) KW - Simulation KW - Transportation planning KW - Validation UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/ETT176_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26910/ETT176_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852607 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094991 AU - Anderson, Neil L AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Assessment of Karst Activity at Springfield Route 60 Study Site PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 20p AB - Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) proposes to acquire electrical resistivity data within a roadway right of way (ROW). These geophysical data will be processed, analyzed and interpreted with the objective of locating and mapping any subsurface voids that might compromise the integrity of the pipeline/roadway. The main project deliverable will be a map showing the location and estimated depth of any voids. KW - Air voids KW - Electrical resistivity KW - Foundations KW - Geophysical prospecting KW - Mapping KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Right of way (Traffic) KW - Subsoil KW - Technology transfer UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R194_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26933/R194_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852132 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094988 AU - Rolufs, Angela AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - 2006 Summer Transportation Institute Final Report PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 21p AB - The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla hosted its seventh U.S. Department of Transportation Summer Transportation Institute (STI). The mission of the institute’s program is as follows: To contribute to the development of a diverse, well-qualified workforce for the transportation industry by encouraging secondary school students to pursue transportation careers. In concert with this mission and with UMR’s unique strengths, the objectives of this effort were to provide an educational experience for high school students which explored a wide variety of aspects of the transportation industry and its role in our society. To that end, the STI curriculum provided educational opportunities for its students in critical areas of transportation, math and science, personal growth, and computer skills. The fifteen tenth-, eleventh- and twelfth-grade students who were chosen for the program were exposed to university life, leadership and team-building activities, a three-credit college literature course, and a series of lectures, seminars, hands-on laboratories, and field trips. The institute was comprised of four weeks covering college orientation, and highway, air, public and intermodal transportation (see Appendix III.) and was headquartered in Civil Engineering’s Butler-Carlton Building. The Federal Highway Administration’s money was used as “seed” money to fund the institute which cost more than twice the amount funded. The four-week institute was conducted by staff, faculty, and students from the Departments of Civil Engineering and English. Government agencies and private firms provided substantial support in funding, staff assistance and educational materials as well. See Appendix VIII. for a complete list of sponsors. Youths from across the State of Missouri were recruited. Program brochures and applications were distributed to more than1,500 high school students who had indicated an interest in engineering; STI staff contacted all high school counselors who have recommended former program participants; parents of former STI participants were again asked to recruit; and the National Society of Black Engineers and local MODOT personnel were also again asked to help to identify and recruit likely candidates. Twenty-nine applications were received and fifteen were accepted. Copies of recruitment materials are provided in Appendix IX. Applicants were selected based upon their academic standing, recommendation letters, and their essays explaining their interest in transportation. The project team assessed the applications and accepted the fifteen aforementioned applicants. The average grade point average of the chosen group exceeded 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Four of the fifteen were entering tenth grade in the fall, four were entering eleventh, seven were entering twelfth, and there was one student information not returned by the prior Director and the information is unknown. There were nine African Americans, one Asian, two Other, and three Caucasian. Four of the students were female and eleven were male. Additional demographics details are listed in Appendix VI. KW - High school students KW - Job opportunities KW - Labor force KW - Missouri KW - Students KW - Summer KW - Summer Transportation Institute KW - Transportation careers UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/ETT179_2006_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26908/ETT179_2006_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852824 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01094987 AU - Ziehl, Paul H AU - Galati, Nestore AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - CLT and AE Methods of In-Situ Load Testing: Comparison and Development of Evaluation Criteria: In-Situ Evaluation of Post-Tensioned Parking Garage, Kansas City, Missouri PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 46p AB - The objective of the proposed research project is to compare the results of two recently introduced nondestructive load test methods to the existing 24-hour load test method described in Chapter 20 of ACI 318-05. The two new methods of nondestructive evaluation are the Cyclic Load Test (CLT) and Acoustic Emission (AE) methods. Each method offers advantages over the 24-hour load test method and each is particularly well suited to different aspects of structural evaluation. The focus of the research effort is an existing reinforced concrete (RC) building in Kansas City, Missouri. This building provides an ideal real world test bed for comparison between the three different methods of in-situ evaluation (24-hour, CLT, and AE methods). Preliminary results from this experimental campaign will form the basis for future research related to the appropriateness of each method and the understanding of each method on a more fundamental basis. The research proposed will provide the initial data that is necessary for the successful pursuit of larger funds from international agencies. The proposed seed monies will be used as the basis for follow-up grants that will be written to the National Science Foundation, the European Community, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and other agencies to test full-scale structures in the laboratory and in the field in order to validate the changes proposed by ACI 437: Strength Evaluation of Existing Concrete Buildings and to provide sufficient engineering evidence that is currently missing. KW - Acoustic emission tests KW - Cyclic tests KW - Kansas City (Missouri) KW - Load tests KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Parking facilities KW - Parking garages KW - Posttensioning KW - Reinforced concrete KW - Test beds UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R167_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26923/R167_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/852284 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091879 AU - Anderson, Neil L AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Geophysical Assessment of Karst Activity PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 15p AB - The Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) proposes to acquire electrical resistivity data within a pipeline/roadway right of way (ROW). These geophysical data will be processed, analyzed and interpreted with the objective of locating and mapping any subsurface voids that might compromise the integrity of the pipeline/roadway. The main project deliverable will be a map showing the location and estimated depth of any voids. KW - Air voids KW - Depth KW - Geologically affected surfaces KW - Geophysical prospecting KW - Karst KW - Pipelines KW - Resistivity method KW - Right of way (Land) KW - Seismic prospecting KW - Traffic lanes UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R189_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26932/R189_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851894 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091878 AU - Wang, Jianmin AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Leaching Behavior of Coal Combustion Products and the Environmental Implication in Road Construction PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 5p AB - The use of coal fly ash in road base and sub-base applications can provide better properties and performance, and is superior to it being otherwise disposed and becoming a possible environmental liability. Understanding the metal leaching behavior for various fly ashes can help the construction industry and the energy industry in selecting the environmentally benign fly ash for road construction and for other beneficial use applications, and determining the long term environmental impact of fly ash during road construction. Coal fly ash contains many regulated cationic and oxyanionic elements such as antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, and selenium. Due to the implantation of several new air emission control regulations, future fly ash may contain elevated concentrations of volatile trace elements especially oxyanionic elements. Since oxyanionic elements have greater mobility in the environment, being less studied previously, and are generally more toxic than cationic elements, understanding the leaching behavior of oxyanionic elements from fly ash is significant in determining the potential environmental impact of fly ash during disposal or beneficial use, selecting the appropriate fly ash for road construction, and developing methods to control the leaching of oxyanionic elements. This research becomes more urgent due to the implementation of more stringent arsenic standards in drinking water that will become effective in January 2006. This research will focus on the leaching behavior of 6 major oxyanionic elements, antimony, arsenic, boron, chromium, molybdenum, and selenium, for various fly ashes under different management scenarios, using both batch and column experiments. Mathematical models will be developed to quantify the leaching behavior of these elements. Speciation of these oxyanionic elements will be determined using the most advanced Perkin-Elmer HPLC-ICP-MS system available at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST). KW - Coal KW - Coal slurry KW - Combustion KW - Environmental impacts KW - Fly ash KW - Leaching KW - Paving KW - Paving materials KW - Road construction KW - Subbase (Pavements) KW - Subbase materials UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R178_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26916/R178_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851892 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091877 AU - Anderson, Neil L AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Interpretation of Electrical Resistivity Data Acquired at the Aurora Plant Site PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 5p AB - Missouri University of Science & Technology (MST) proposes to acquire high-resolution reflection seismic data at the Knight Hawk Coal Company construction site. These geophysical data will be processed, analyzed and interpreted with the objective of locating and mapping any subsurface voids that might compromise the integrity of bedrock at a planned construction site. The main project deliverable will be a map showing the location and estimated depth of any voids on the construction site. KW - Air voids KW - Coal KW - Construction sites KW - Data collection KW - Digital mapping KW - Earthquake resistant design KW - Imaging systems KW - Information dissemination KW - Mapping KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Seismic prospecting KW - Technology transfer UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R177_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26913/R177_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851890 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091876 AU - Anderson, Neil L AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Detection of Zone Seepage Beneath Earthfill Dam PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 14p AB - The Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) proposes to acquire resistivity and self-potential data at the Lake Sherwood earth fill dam site. These geophysical data will be processed, analyzed and interpreted with the objective of locating and mapping seepage pathways that might compromise the integrity of the earth fill dam. The main project deliverable will be a map showing the location and estimated depth of any seepage pathways at the site. KW - Components of embankments and retaining walls KW - Embankments KW - Fills KW - Geophysical prospecting KW - Hydrologic phenomena KW - Resistivity method KW - Retaining walls KW - Seepage KW - Soil mapping KW - Technology transfer UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R182-R188_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26912/R182-R188_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851897 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091846 AU - Skolnik, Jonathan AU - Noyes, Kristin AU - Nguyen, Paul AU - Jack Faucett Associates, Incorporated AU - Arizona Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Driver Education for Safety in Adverse Driving Conditions PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 169p AB - Under certain adverse driving conditions, often times the driver of a vehicle has inadequate training or education and ends up taking wrongful action leading to severe crashes. The purpose of this research was to determine the state-of-the-art practices in educating drivers for safety in certain adverse driving conditions and to develop a realistic module of a driver education program addressing that topic. In addition, the research sought to determine whether any relevant laws and regulations related to driving in the State of Arizona need to be changed in order to properly address safety under adverse driving conditions. The study consisted of four main tasks, which included a literature review, statistical analysis of Arizona crash data, a survey of other states regarding their driver education programs, and targeted case studies of selected states and other private or semi-government agencies involved in driver education curriculum development and implementation. It is the recommendation of this report that Arizona continue its on-going efforts to convene a driver education task force consisting of both Arizona Department of Education and Motor Vehicle Department representatives with the goal of developing uniform standards for both driver education curriculum and training for driver education instructors to apply to both the public school driver education program and the professional driver training schools. In addition, because Arizona does not have an existing state-level driver education curriculum, the state should adopt a complete driver education curriculum as opposed to a module geared towards adverse driving conditions. That said, should that effort not be possible, it is the recommendation of this report that one of the two adverse conditions related modules (Montana or Texas/Virginia). Both of these modules are well designed and thorough and both would service Arizona well. They are similar in their coverage of adverse driving conditions. The choice between the two would come down to Arizona's preference between the NIDB model with which the Montana curriculum is more closely aligned, and the ADTSEA model with which the Virginia/Texas module is more closely aligned. KW - Arizona KW - Case studies KW - Curricula KW - Driver education KW - Driver training KW - Driving conditions KW - Policy KW - Safety KW - Standardization KW - State laws KW - Weather conditions UR - http://apps.azdot.gov/ADOTLibrary/publications/project_reports/PDF/AZ609.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851333 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091739 AU - Gale, William F AU - Gale, Hyacinth S AU - Watson, Jean AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Airliner Cabin Environment Research AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Field Evaluation of Whole Airliner Decontamination Technologies - Wide-Body Aircraft With Dual-Use Application for Railcars PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 15p AB - The outcome of a field evaluation of decontamination of a wide-body aircraft using AeroClave’s thermal decontamination system both as a stand-alone technology and as a means of delivering STERIS vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP®) is discussed. The report is submitted in the context of a decontamination technology selection exercise, laboratory work conducted on the efficacy of thermal decontamination, and as a follow-on to a field evaluation performed previously on a McDonnell Douglas DC–9 aircraft. The thermal decontamination system appears to be capable of reproducing temperatures needed for an efficacious antiviral process. However, work will be required to improve the temperature control and humidity levels attainable. The thermal decontamination + VHP add-in combination was found to be sporicidal at numerous locations within the cabin. The impact of issues relating to the failure to deactivate Biological Indicators (BIs) in certain locations with limited peroxide penetration, condensation of peroxide within the cabin, and more generally, issues related to the presence of residual peroxide in the cabin after aeration need to be addressed. Serious weather-related disruptions and a limited budget, coupled with a tight schedule, precluded these concerns being addressed on this occasion. Overall, the field evaluation of both the stand-alone thermal decontamination system and the VHP add-in can be described as successful. KW - Decontamination KW - Field studies KW - Hydrogen peroxide KW - Railroad cars KW - Technology assessment KW - Temperature KW - Temperature control KW - Thermal treatment KW - Vaporized hydrogen peroxide KW - Wide body aircraft UR - http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA477163 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851569 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091722 AU - Burian, Dennis AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Functional Genomics Group--Program Description PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 15p AB - Regulation of gene expression is a complex process that exquisitely responds to the environment to maintain cellular and, ultimately, organismal homeostasis. Gene expression research is undertaken at the Federal Aviation Administration as a means of discovering sets of biomarkers that change in response to environmental factors that affect aviation safety. This article reviews mechanisms of gene regulation and discusses how genomics is changing the way medicine is practiced today as a means of demonstrating that molecular medicine is here to stay. Next, the protocols that have been developed into a cohesive workflow to perform gene expression analysis are presented. Environmental factors currently under investigation are delineated, followed by a discussion of other factors of interest for future research. We believe this research will benefit the aviation industry by improving the accuracy of the data used to write regulation, thus improving the already remarkable safety record of the aviation industry and decreasing medical risks to flight crew. KW - Aviation medicine KW - Aviation safety KW - Biomarkers KW - Flight crews KW - Gene expression KW - Gene regulation KW - Genetics UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2000s/media/200805.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851570 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091700 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Real-Time Traveler Information Program PY - 2008/02 SP - n.p. AB - The Real-Time Traveler Information program focuses on information for all sorts of travel on the surface transportation networks, including how the information is collected, how it is processed, how it is provided to consumers, and how it may be used by transportation system operators to improve travel for everyone. The 511 Traveler Information Telephone Number promises to provide people with unprecedented access to traveler information. 511 is a simple 3-digit number that can be available anywhere in the country, providing current travel conditions and information. KW - 511 (National Travel Information Number) KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Ground transportation KW - Real time information UR - http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travelinfo/about/aboutus.htm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851297 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091697 AU - Department of Transportation TI - The U.S. Department of Transportation Rural Safety Initiative PY - 2008/02 SP - n.p. AB - On February 29, 2008, the Secretary of Transportation announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural Safety Initiative. This targeted, national effort will help raise awareness of the risks drivers face on America’s rural roads. The initiative will support States in improving rural road safety by highlighting available tools and programs, and it will provide assistance and encourage demonstrations of innovative, quick and effective leveraging of existing resources. This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships. Raising awareness is key to the success of the Rural Safety Initiative. KW - Drivers KW - Emergency medical services KW - Highway design KW - Highway safety KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Partnerships KW - Rural highways UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851295 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091672 AU - Reconnecting America AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Station Area Planning: How To Make Great Transit-Oriented Places PY - 2008/02 SP - 28p AB - This station area planning manual is intended to help simplify the complex decisions that surround planning for transit-oriented development projects and station areas by providing details about the scales of development that are likely to occur in different types of places. The manual begins with a discussion of seven “TOD place types,” followed by a self-diagnostic questionnaire to help planning partners identify a particular station area in a TOD typology. There are also typologies of the buildings and open space – plazas and parks – that are often included in these transit-oriented place types. All of the typologies can help inform decisions by enabling the planning partners to visualize and talk about the possibilities for station area plans. The second section is a discussion of station area planning principles, and includes TOD plan checklists for each principle to help planning partners consider all the options. Again, the goal is to help all the planning partners better understand the potential outcomes at the beginning of the planning process. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the creation of high-performing TOD projects and great neighborhoods. KW - City planning KW - Public transit KW - Rail transit stations KW - Transit oriented development KW - Transportation planning UR - http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/public/books UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851659 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091664 AU - Ball, Jerry AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - The Impact of Training on General Aviation Pilots' Ability to Make Strategic Weather-Related Decisions PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 18p AB - Inadvertent flight into hazardous weather can have devastating results for general aviation pilots (NTSB, 2005; Goh and Wiegmann, 2001). In fact, weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a graphical weather display combined with an instructional training paradigm could improve pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance from convective thunderstorm activity. Previous research suggested that giving pilots the ability to see accurately the weather they are flying in and around may tempt some pilots to try to fly through small breaks in the convective activity. Indeed, Beringer and Ball (2004) found that pilots using graphical weather could be classified into two types of users (tactical vs. strategic). Tactical users were those pilots who used the information to try and navigate through or very close to the hazardous weather. Strategic users were those pilots who used the graphical information to plan and maintain a safe distance (20 nautical miles or greater) from the storm. An instructional slide presentation based on the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM, 7-1-27) guidelines was developed with the intent of modifying the behavior of users classified as “tactical.” Fifty-seven general aviation pilots were evaluated on a low-visibility visual flight rules (VFR) scenario where they encountered an encroaching thunderstorm traversing their flight plan. The pilots were separated into two groups, tactical or strategic users, according to how they responded to a simulated scenario of a VFR flight using a graphical weather display. Half of the pilots in each group then received training to see if it would decrease the incidence of tactical usage. Additionally, a control group was evaluated that flew the multifunction display without the graphical weather information. The hypothesis that training would improve the tactical pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance was supported. The analyses indicate that training lowered the tactical users from 100% tactical usage down to 44% tactical usage. It also significantly increased the average distance tactical users flew from the thunderstorm from 10.2 miles (SD = 4.0) to 31.3 miles (SD = 18.2); t (8.76) = -3.401, p< .008 (equal variances not assumed). The strategic and tactical untrained user groups were not significantly different from their respective control group (no training and no graphical weather) on how close they flew to the weather or cells. KW - Aviation safety KW - Decision making KW - General aviation pilots KW - Information display systems KW - Thunderstorms KW - Training KW - Weather UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2000s/media/200803.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851571 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091661 AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Pocket Guide to Transportation 2008 PY - 2008/02 SP - 56p AB - This booklet provides a statistical guide on the state of transportation in the United States. Covering highway, air, rail, maritime, urban transit and pipeline, the contents include transportation topics such as system extent and use; safety; security; mobility; economy; and environment. A glossary of terms is provided. KW - Air transportation KW - Economic impacts KW - Economic indicators KW - Environmental impacts KW - Highways KW - Mobility KW - Pipelines KW - Public transit KW - Railroads KW - Security KW - Statistics KW - Transportation safety KW - United States KW - Utilization KW - Water transportation UR - http://www.bts.gov/publications/pocket_guide_to_transportation/2008/pdf/entire.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26904/entire.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851376 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091651 AU - Hoffman, Alan AU - The Mission Group AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Advanced Network Planning for Bus Rapid Transit: The “Quickway” Model as a Modal Alternative to “Light Rail Lite” PY - 2008/02 SP - 116p AB - Transit planning in the United States has tended toward viewing BRT as an analogue to light rail transit, with similar operating patterns. This model, referred to as “Light Rail Lite,” is compared to international best practices, which have often favored the development of a grade-separated bus infrastructure (“Quickways”) that in turn supports a varied mix of all-stops, express, and branching services. This model, dubbed the Quickway model, evolved out of the practical necessity of cities to meet ambitious ridership or mode split targets. The two models are contrasted along the key dimensions of BRT service, and significant differences are identified. Three international case studies—Ottawa, Bogotá, and Brisbane—are reviewed for their particular application of this model and of the results they have obtained. Four domestic cities are compared to these international examples: Eugene, Oregon, and Los Angeles are profiled for their adoption of the Light Rail Lite model, and two other cities, Pittsburgh and Miami, are profiled for their BRT implementations which share elements in common with the Quickway model. A set of lessons is drawn from this comparison, including a review of those conditions which may favor the adoption of either model or light rail in any given urban context. Recommendations are offered at the level of the Federal Government, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and planning and engineering firms, for the proper planning and evaluation of Quickway-based alternatives. An appendix introduces a fifth domestic case study, a Quickway-based planning effort sponsored by a nonprofit organization for the San Diego region, and the preliminary results of this effort are reviewed. KW - Bogota (Colombia) KW - Brisbane (Australia) KW - Bus rapid transit KW - Busways KW - Case studies KW - Eugene (Oregon) KW - Infrastructure KW - Light rail lite KW - Los Angeles (California) KW - Miami (Florida) KW - Ottawa (Canada) KW - Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) KW - Public transit KW - Quickways KW - T-ways KW - Transportation planning KW - Urban areas UR - http://www.nbrti.org/docs/pdf/BRT%20Network%20Planning%20Study%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26875/BRT_Network_Planning_Study_-_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851316 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091509 AU - Chandrashekhara, K AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Modeling of Composite Hydrogen Storage Cylinders Using Finite Element Analysis PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 16p AB - Pressurized hydrogen storage cylinders are critical components of hydrogen transportation systems. Composite cylinders have pressure/thermal relief devices that are activated in case of an emergency. The difficulty in accurately analyzing the behavior of a filament wound composite storage cylinder derives from continually varying orientation of the fibers. In the proposed research, a finite element model will be developed to perform thermo-mechanical analysis of storage cylinders. Optimization of design variables such as, cylinder size, type of liner, fiber orientation, thickness of the various layers, and location of the pressure relief device will be performed. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Clean fuels KW - Cylinders KW - Fibers KW - Finite element method KW - Fuel storage KW - Hydrogen KW - Hydrogen fuels KW - Hydrogen storage UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_KC_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26927/R170_KC_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851863 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091467 AU - Gupta, K AU - McClanahan, A AU - Erikson, K AU - Zoughi, R AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Show Me the Road to Hydrogen Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 47p AB - Information is lacking about failure mechanisms associated with various hydrogen transportation systems, the types of typical failures, and critical locations where they may occur. Although one may consider these systems to be related to carbon-reinforced pressure vessels, their specific uses, material interactions with hydrogen, and unique in-service accumulated damages are expected to impose certain NDE restrictions and limitations that pressure vessels used in aerospace industry may not suffer from. Therefore, in consultation with public safety authorities and experts, researchers must evaluate, select and bring in various suitable NDE methods for an effective synergistically integrated approach to the NDE of these different components. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Failure analysis KW - Hydrogen KW - Hydrogen fuels KW - Hydrogen storage KW - Materials tests KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Pressure vessels KW - Safety UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Zoughi_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26931/R170_Zoughi_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851864 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091309 AU - Quiroga, Cesar AU - Koncz, Nicholas AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Engineering Design Data Management - Practices and Framework Development PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 196p AB - During the project development process, districts produce enormous amounts of engineering data in a variety of data formats with varying levels of accuracy and resolution on several types of storage media. Examples include aerial photography and topographic information, drawings at various levels of development, survey data, right of way and utility maps, and traffic counts. These data are a valuable asset, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has begun to implement strategies to ensure the usability and integrity of the data. However, the amount of data that districts produce and receive is growing steadily, which makes it increasingly difficult to manage the data effectively. Although district personnel have a wealth of data at their disposal, frequent lack of data integrity, accessibility, quality control, or plain awareness makes it unnecessarily difficult to put the data to good use. These inefficiencies result in redundant data collection efforts and contribute to project delays. This report summarizes research conducted to evaluate and document current engineering design data management practices at TxDOT. The report also describes a prototype engineering data management framework to assist divisions and districts in their effort to manage engineering data effectively. The focus of the report is on data types, spatial and temporal data attributes, and associated documentation used during the design phase of typical highway improvement projects. The report summarizes procedures, practices, and systems TxDOT and other government agencies use for managing engineering design data; describes an integrated geographic information system (GIS)-based data model for engineering design data that complies with TxDOT data architecture requirements; and documents the results of tests completed on the engineering design data model by using offline and online testing environments. KW - Data management KW - Data quality KW - Design engineering KW - Engineering data KW - Geographic information systems KW - Highway improvement projects KW - Project management KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5246-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851761 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090633 AU - Aguiniga, Francisco AU - Matakis, Kevin AU - Estrada, Hector AU - Sai, Joseph AU - Leelani, Pat AU - Shelden, Jeff AU - Texas A&M University, Kingsville AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Report Synthesis of Wave Load Design Methods for Coastal Bridges PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 178p AB - Several coastal bridges have been destroyed by historic and recent hurricanes. Currently no guidelines exist for the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves. This document presents an introduction to weather and hurricanes, fundamental concepts of water waves, and a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks. A section on the parameters most relevant to the design of bridge superstructures against hurricane waves is included in this document. This report provides a synthesis of data found in several historical databases and databases maintained regularly by government organizations and research laboratories. A methodology to update the databases is also presented. A plan of action to develop design methodology is also included and followed by a chapter on benefits of expanding this research beyond the synthesis stage. The document ends with a set of conclusions and recommendations. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge superstructures KW - Coastal engineering KW - Coasts KW - Databases KW - Hurricanes KW - Ocean waves KW - Sea walls KW - Updating (Databases) KW - Water waves UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850858 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090632 AU - Sebesta, Stephen AU - Harris, J Patrick AU - Liu, Wenting AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Improving Lab Compaction Methods for Roadway Base Materials PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 96p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employs the impact hammer method of sample compaction for laboratory preparation of road base and subgrade materials for testing. Experience has shown that this method may not adequately represent the true field performance of the materials. This report describes results investigating how different lab compaction methods influence the laboratory characterization of the materials. As compared to Tex-113-E, modified compaction improved the performance of a Grade 2 Texas base, but not the Grade 1 material tested. Vibratory compaction resulted in improved performance for both bases tested. Unfortunately, efforts to study the soil fabric to investigate what lab technique best mimics the field structure were unsuccessful. However, future work in this project will utilize four additional Texas base materials, including field sections, in efforts to validate the preliminary findings described in this report. KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Compaction KW - Laboratory compaction KW - Laboratory tests KW - Materials tests KW - Sample preparation KW - Subgrade materials KW - Vibratory compaction UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5135-2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850870 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090230 AU - Aguiniga, Francisco AU - Matakis, Kevin AU - Estrada, Hector AU - Sai, Joseph AU - Leelani, Pat AU - Shelden, Jeff AU - Texas A&M University, Kingsville AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Wave Forces on Bridge Decks: State of the Art and State of the Practice Review PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 83p AB - The extensive bridge damage caused by recent hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico showed a need for a design method against wave forces. A literature review revealed that current guidelines offer limited help to bridge designers, since current information related to the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves is inadequate. This document presents a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge members KW - Bridge superstructures KW - Gulf of Mexico KW - Hurricanes KW - State of the art KW - State of the practice KW - Water waves KW - Wave height KW - Wind waves UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850686 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090225 AU - Chu, Chi-Lueng AU - Chaudhary, Nadeem A AU - Johnson, Jeremy D AU - Sunkari, Srinivasa R AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Enhancements to PASSER V Signal Timing Optimization Program PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 55p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and many other agencies in the U.S. prefer to time their traffic signals to maximize through progression for arterial traffic. Because of this need, the PASSER™ series of traffic signal timing optimization software has become an important asset to these agencies. Recent access management analysis of several arterial roadways in Texas required the comparison of alternatives with different signal spacing, inevitably leaving some intersections unsignalized. Since all the members of the PASSER software family cannot presently analyze unsignalized intersections, it was necessary to use the Synchro® traffic optimization tool for analysis. However, as the Synchro tool is not designed to provide arterial progression, questions were raised about the usability of the results, since TxDOT would inevitably time signals along an arterial to achieve progressed flow. The objective of this project is to enhance PASSER V to provide the capability to analyze the impacts of unsignalized intersections, including driveways, located on signalized arterials. In projects including traffic management improvements or access management improvements, different intersections are signalized or unsignalized to achieve various operational or safety improvement objectives. With the additional feature to analyze unsignalized intersections, PASSER V users are able to make side-by-side comparisons between alternatives for these projects. KW - Arterial highways KW - Bandwidth (Traffic signals) KW - Intersection elements KW - PASSER V (Computer program) KW - Signalization KW - Signalized intersections KW - Texas KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic flow KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Traffic signal timing KW - Traffic simulation UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55873/FHWA-TX-0-5424-1.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850712 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090204 AU - Hu, Xiaodi AU - Zhou, Fujie AU - Scullion, Tom AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pilot Implementation of the Overlay Tester and Double-Blade Saw PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 34p AB - Past experience and recent field performance data has shown that several of Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) widely used asphalt mixtures are rut resistant but increasingly prone to cracking. Under Research Project 0-4467 the Overlay Tester (OT) was successfully demonstrated as a simple performance-related test to identify the crack resistance of asphalt mixtures. This implementation project focused on developing specifications for the OT, purchasing three units, and conducting shakedown tests on the new units. Within lab testing at the Texas Transportation Institute produced very consistent results. However, variability problems were encountered in the initial Round-Robin tests between labs. An investigation was conducted to identify the source of the differences. Several factors were identified and these are described in this report. Recommendations were made to modify the test protocol and it is highly recommended that a second Round-Robin test be conducted to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the overlay tester. Additionally, specifications for double-bladed saws were developed and three saws were purchased and delivered to Districts labs. The samples cut with these saws meet the required operational tolerances. However, it was recommended that calibration may be required on mixtures made with extremely hard rock, such as river gravels. The results obtained with both the new overlay testers and double bladed saws are presented in this report. The specifications for each device are given in the Appendices. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Calibration KW - Field tests KW - Overlays (Pavements) KW - Pavement cracking KW - Shakedown tests KW - Surface course (Pavements) KW - Testing equipment KW - Texas UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850709 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090192 AU - Chrysler, Susan T AU - Williams, Alicia A AU - Fitzpatrick, Kay AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Driver Comprehension of Signing and Markings for Toll Facilities PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 144p AB - This report describes research activities regarding the comprehension of the signs and pavement markings for toll roads and managed lanes. Texas Transportation Institute researchers conducted seven focus groups, which explored driver understanding of toll road route markers, open road tolling payment options, pavement marking symbols, and preferential lane pavement markings in four Texas cities. Researchers also reviewed the ongoing development of revisions to the toll road chapter for the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. KW - Guide signs KW - Managed lanes KW - Rate, fare and toll collection KW - Road markings KW - Texas KW - Toll collection KW - Toll roads KW - Traffic control devices KW - Traffic signs by purpose UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5446-2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850706 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090149 AU - Estakhri, Cindy K AU - Alvarez, Allex E AU - Martin, Amy Epps AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Guidelines on Construction and Maintenance of Porous Friction Courses in Texas PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 44p AB - Porous or permeable friction courses (PFC) are hot mix asphalt mixtures placed at the surface of a pavement structure in a thin layer to produce several benefits for the traveling public in terms of safety, economy, and the environment. It is a sacrificial wearing course consisting of an aggregate with relatively uniform grading and little or no fines and mineral filler and it is designed to have a high air void content compared to dense-graded mixtures. This document presents construction and maintenance guidelines for PFC which is based on a compilation of information from (1) published literature; (2) interviews with engineers and inspectors of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) districts with experience in the construction of PFCs; and (3) onsite field observations during the construction of 10 PFC projects around the state. Construction guidelines are presented on mixture production, storage and transportation, surface preparation, mixture placement, compaction and joint construction, and mixture acceptance. Since most of the PFCs constructed in Texas have performed very well to date, there is little experience regarding maintenance of PFCs. Based on information from the literature, guidelines are presented on corrective maintenance, surface maintenance, winter maintenance, and rehabilitation. KW - Aging (Materials) KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Compaction KW - Friction course KW - Mix design KW - Open graded aggregates KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement maintenance KW - Porous materials KW - Texas KW - Winter maintenance UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850713 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090127 AU - Brydia, Robert E AU - Ruback, Leonard G AU - Rajbhandari, Rajat AU - Johnson, Jeremy D AU - Brackin, Edward AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Communications Trends and their Impact On TXDOT Its Deployments PY - 2008/02//Technical Report SP - 90p AB - The Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been used in multiple Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) deployments across the state. ATMS utilizes a physical communications infrastructure that provides connections to field devices, provides video streams, and enables information flow to other centers, the media and/or the public. Several trends have an impact on the design and operation of this physical infrastructure, including: (1) development of the next generation software interfaces for ATMS, (2) development of a core technology architecture for TxDOT, (3) communication of industry trends, and (4) needs of information providers. This project documented the current state of ATMS deployments, analyzed the impacts of the above trends, and developed a conceptual model for an ATMS network architecture to be used in future ITS deployments. This architecture is discussed in terms of services, security, and areas of responsibility. KW - Advanced traffic management systems KW - Architecture KW - Communication systems KW - Information dissemination KW - Information technology KW - Infrastructure KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Technological innovations KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5586-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850185 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090087 AU - Donaldson, Bridget M AU - Lafon, Nelson W AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Testing an Integrated PDA-GPS System to Collect Standardized Animal Carcass Removal Data PY - 2008/02//Final Contract Report SP - 24p AB - Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) have a growing impact in the United States in terms of safety, economic loss, and species conservation. According to estimates from insurance claims, Virginia has consistently ranked as one of the top seven states for deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) since 2002. Of the state’s estimated 43,500 to 47,700 DVCs in 2006, less than 14% were reported to the police and stored in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT's) accident database. Virginia has no standardized method of sufficiently tracking AVC occurrences and locations, creating difficulty in researching and implementing mitigation efforts to reduce accidents. Valuable AVC data can be obtained from documenting the instances and locations of animal carcasses from the roadway, but most transportation organizations do not systematically record these removals. This project entailed testing a personal data assistant (PDA) enabled with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for the collection and analysis of animal carcass removals (CRs) from the roadway. Using GPS-enabled PDAs and software developed by Western Transportation Institute, maintenance personnel from a VDOT area headquarters in Rockbridge County collected 8 months of spatially accurate CR data. Rockbridge County DVC estimates derived from the CR data collected for this study were more than 9 times greater than the number of AVCs reported in police records. These spatial data can be easily used for density analyses to determine “hotspots” of AVCs. Implementing mitigation at these areas can ultimately lead to fewer AVCs and associated reductions of human deaths, injuries, and financial losses; improved traffic operations; a reduction in maintenance costs related to carcass removal and disposal; and wildlife conservation. VDOT is currently undergoing changes to its method of documenting roadway maintenance activities, including the deployment of GPS-enabled PDAs to all area headquarters. These PDAs provide a mechanism for collecting spatially accurate and standardized CR data, but collecting and reporting CRs are currently not requirements. Given the PDA’s ease of use and the benefits these data would provide, the study recommends that this procedure be integrated into regular practice by VDOT area headquarters. As VDOT is receiving added regulatory pressure to implement measures to reduce AVCs, improving CR data collection using the technology described in this report can help provide an objective method for deciding whether and where mitigation is needed. KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Data collection KW - Deer KW - Global Positioning System KW - Personal digital assistants KW - Road kill UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-cr10.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37400/37477/08-cr10.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850379 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090085 AU - Mokarem, David W AU - Lane, D Stephen AU - Ozyildirim, H Celik AU - Sprinkel, Michael M AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Measurement of Early Age Shrinkage of Virginia Concrete Mixtures PY - 2008/02//Final Report SP - 23p AB - Concrete volume changes throughout its service life. The total in-service volume change is the result of applied loads and shrinkage. When loaded, concrete undergoes an instantaneous elastic deformation and a slow inelastic deformation called creep. Deformation of concrete in the absence of applied loads that results in a volume decrease is often called shrinkage and is related to moisture loss and temperature change. Drying shrinkage has been studied extensively; ASTM C 157 measures the shrinkage of concrete prisms over time. The specimens are cured and tested in a variety of ways; however, they are not tested for length change during the first 24 hr after they are cast. Therefore, the magnitude of the early age (first 24 hr) volume change is not measured using this standard. With the use of high performance concrete and rapid setting cements, there is a potential for a significant early age volume change because of the increased cement content and heat of hydration within the first 24 hr after the concrete is cast. Therefore, there is a need to measure this early age volume change in order to determine its magnitude and its effect on the durability of the concrete structure. The first objective of this investigation was to develop a simple, accurate technique to measure the early age volume change of concrete. The second objective was to investigate the early age volume change of a variety of concrete mixtures used by the Virginia Department of Transportation using the developed technique to aid in determining if the mixtures tested had significant early age shrinkage, which could lead to a higher probability of concrete cracking. Measurements on a variety of concretes using the testing procedure developed showed that mixtures with lower early age shrinkage tended to have greater shrinkage at later ages relative to mixtures with greater early age shrinkage. By using this procedure, VDOT will be able to determine the total magnitude of shrinkage in various concrete mixtures, which will lead to a better understanding of the material being used. The result will be project specifications that will lead to a more durable, longer lasting, and safer concrete structure. KW - Concrete KW - Cracking KW - Durability KW - Shrinkage KW - Volume changes UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-r9.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37400/37475/08-r9.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850380 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089797 AU - Wang, Linbing AU - Lane, D Stephen AU - Lu, Yang AU - Druta, Cristian AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Portable Image Analysis System for Characterizing Aggregate Morphology PY - 2008/02//Final Contract Report SP - 60p AB - In the last decade, the application of image-based evaluation of particle shape, angularity and texture has been widely researched to characterize aggregate morphology. These efforts have been driven by the knowledge that the morphologic characteristics affect the properties and ultimate performance of aggregate mixtures in hot-mixed asphalt, hydraulic cement concrete and bound and unbound pavement layers, yet the lack of rapid, objective, and quantitative methods for assessment have inhibited their application in the engineering process. Developed systems for computer-based imaging and image analysis can cost up to $30- 40,000 and are usually not portable to the field. However, recent advances in technology have produced pocket computers having as much processing power as was available in some desktop computers. This project takes advantage of these advances to develop an inexpensive portable image analysis system for characterizing aggregate morphology. The system was developed with an integral pocket computer-high resolution camera but can also use individual components consisting of a digital camera and lap- or desk-top computer. Digital images of aggregate particles are captured with the camera. These images are analyzed within the Matlab software program environment with a macro developed and written for this project that uses Fast Fourier Transform to characterize the particle morphology with respect to three parameters: shape, angularity and texture, based on the particle perimeter (outline or edge). By analyzing a number of particles from a source, it can be characterized with respect to these three parameters. Following development of the analysis program, 10 coarse aggregates from various Virginia sources were analyzed. Particles of each aggregate were randomly chosen so that each group contained the various shapes and textures representative of the source. Three images of each particle were obtained at distances of 2, 3, and 10 in. to evaluate the resolution needed for adequate analysis. The reliability of the image processing was assessed by statistically analyzing the shape, angularity, and texture values to determine how the threshold parameter affects the particle edge acquisition. Asymptotic analysis was performed to determine the number of images needed to obtain a statistically stable value for each aggregate parameter. It was determined that images acquired at close range (2 or 3 in.) were needed to provide sufficient resolution to adequately characterize the aggregate. It was also found that statistically valid values for aggregate shape, angularity, and texture can be obtained from fifteen particle images of random orientation. It can be concluded that the system can be successfully used to characterize coarse aggregate morphology. It is recommended that the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Materials Division begin collecting images of aggregates used statewide and collaborate with the VTRC to perform the characterizations and build the database of aggregate morphologic characteristics. This information, coupled with performance testing of the materials, will provide the basis for incorporating the characterization parameters into specifications and guide material usage in the future. KW - Aggregates KW - Aggregates by shape and surface texture KW - Angularity KW - Coarse aggregates KW - Geomorphology KW - Image analysis KW - Imaging systems KW - Shape KW - Texture UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-cr11.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37400/37476/08-cr11.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850377 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089779 AU - Turkiyyah, George AU - Sprague, Tyler AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Office of the Secretary of Transportation TI - Optimization-Based Methods for Road Image Registration PY - 2008/02//Final Technical Report SP - 16p AB - A number of transportation agencies are now relying on direct imaging for monitoring and cataloguing the state of their roadway systems. Images provide objective information to characterize the pavement as well as roadside hardware. The tasks of processing, interpreting, and assessing the condition of the pavement from image data sets poses formidable challenges however. Not only are the data sets extremely large but they are not taken under ideal conditions neither in geometric location and alignment, nor in photometric consistency due to a number of factors including the inaccuracy of dead reckoning as well as the dynamics of the collection vehicles. The resulting images provide, in essence, a set of independent overlapping snapshots of regions of the pavement that must be merged together to produce the continuous mosaic that is needed for automated analysis and interpretation. This requires the registration of these images. Image registration is defined as the problem of aligning features in one image/view to corresponding features in another image/view of the same object. Registration brings independent images into the same reference frame. To be effective, this process must be automated, requiring minimal or no user intervention. In this work, the authors describe a non-parametric optimization procedure that is capable of producing general nonlinear deformations to register multiple images so they can be merged, compared and analyzed. KW - Automation KW - Image analysis KW - Image registration KW - Optimization KW - Pavement performance KW - Video imaging detectors UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26828/TNW2008-03_Turkiyyah.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850321 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089667 AU - Nixon, Jeffery M AU - Schindler, Anton Karel AU - Barnes, Robert W AU - Wade, Samuel A AU - Auburn University AU - Alabama Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of the Maturity Method to Estimate Concrete Strength in Field Applications PY - 2008/02//Research Report SP - 332p AB - Estimating the strength of concrete is essential to contractors and engineers to allow concrete construction operations to proceed safely and expediently. The maturity method is a technique that allows the in-place concrete strength to be estimated using the time and temperature history of freshly placed concrete. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the accuracy of the maturity method to assess concrete strength under field conditions and develop a specification for Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to implement the maturity method. The construction of a precast prestressed girder and bridge deck sections were monitored for this project. For each project, the accuracy of the maturity method for estimating the in-place strength of concrete was evaluated. A mock girder and mock bridge decks were constructed to test the in-place strength. The in-place strength was tested with pullout tests, compression testing of cast-in-place cylinders, and compression testing of cores. The accuracy of using laboratory-cured specimens versus field-cured specimens for developing the strength-maturity relationship to estimate the in-place strength was also evaluated. Seasonal effects on the maturity method were also evaluated during the bridge deck project. The optimum locations of temperature sensors used in estimating the in-place strength were determined in the prestressed girder and bridge deck. Finally, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard ASTM C 1074 recommended procedures for implementing the maturity method were evaluated on the actual bridge decks that were constructed. It was found that the maturity method may only be accurate for estimating the in-place strength of the concrete up to an equivalent age of seven days. The Nurse-Saul maturity function with a datum temperature of 0 °C (32 °F) was found to be the most accurate function for estimating the strength when considering all projects and variables. When comparing the activation energies for the Arrhenius maturity function, an activation energy of 33,500 J/mol was more accurate for the warm-weather concrete placements, and an activation energy of 40,000 J/mol was more accurate for the cold-weather concrete placements. This supports the results of the laboratory study. The maturity method accurately estimated the pullout and cast-in-place cylinder strengths. The ASTM C 1074 recommended procedures were determined to be useful, but some modifications were recommended for implementation on ALDOT projects. A draft specification to implement the maturity method is presented in this report. KW - Accuracy KW - Activation (Chemistry) KW - Bridge decks KW - Compression tests KW - Concrete KW - Concrete maturity method KW - Concrete strength KW - Field tests KW - Girders KW - Laboratory tests KW - Pullout tests KW - Seasonal variations KW - Specifications KW - Strength of materials KW - Test procedures UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850218 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089657 AU - Wang, Yinhai AU - Hallenbeck, Mark E AU - Cheevarunothai, Patikhom AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Washington State Transportation Center AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Quantifying Incident-Induced Travel Delays on Freeways Using Traffic Sensor Data PY - 2008/02//Final Research Report SP - 79p AB - Traffic congestion is a major operational problem for freeways in Washington State. Recent studies have estimated that more than 50% of freeway congestion is caused by traffic incidents. To help the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) identify effective countermeasures against such congestion-inducing incidents, a thorough understanding of travel delays caused by incidents is essential. This research project developed a new algorithm for quantifying travel delays induced by different incident categories using traffic data extracted from archived loop detector data and incident log data recorded by the WSDOT Incident Response (IR) team. The algorithm applies a modified deterministic queuing theory to estimate incident-induced delay using one-minute aggregated loop detector data. Incident-induced delay refers to the difference between the total delay and the recurring travel delay at the time and location associated with the impact of incident. The specialty of the delay calculation in this study is the use of a dynamic traffic-volume-based background profile, which is considered a more accurate representative of prevailing traffic conditions. According to the test results, the proposed algorithm can provide good incident-induced delay estimates and capture the evolution of freeway traffic flow during incident duration. Since the actual traffic data measured by loop detectors are used in this study to compute vehicle arrival and departure rates for delay calculations, the estimated incident-induced delay should be much closer to the reality than simulation based estimates. Additionally, the proposed algorithm was implemented in the Advanced Roadway Incident Analyzer (ARIA) system. ARIA is a database-driven computer system that automates all the computational processes. More accurate incident delay information will help WSDOT improve its understanding of congestion-inducing incidents and select more effective countermeasures against incident-related traffic congestion on freeways. KW - Advanced Roadway Incident Analyzer KW - Algorithms KW - Freeways KW - Loop detectors KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic data KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic flow KW - Traffic incidents UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26829/TNW2008-02_Yinhai.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850059 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088303 AU - National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission TI - The Path Forward: Funding and Financing Our Surface Transportation System PY - 2008/02//Interim Report SP - 40p AB - This interim report presents the mandate and the goals of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission and outlines how these goals will be met. It explains how the transportation infrastructure funding problem is currently viewed and the plan of approach, as well as how feedback will be solicited on preliminary thinking. The starting point is specifying the scope of the funding problem as initially seen and the consequences of the problem for mobility, the economy, and quality of life. In brief, the current surface transportation funding approach is perceived as suffering from three main problems: (1) Revenue is insufficient to maintain the national network and build needed improvements to the system; (2) Current funding mechanisms and levels of revenue are not closely linked to use of the transportation system, allowing demand and costs to grow faster than revenue; and (3) Critical components of the current approach to investing transportation revenue are not structurally driven toward cost effectiveness, dissipating the effectiveness of existing revenue. This report provides the criteria for evaluating various funding sources and financing techniques. It describes the broader surface transportation system issues and challenges that provide the context for examining possible funding recommendations. Stakeholder feedback is invited on all aspects of the approach in order to help develop constructive and specific recommendations that will support the nation’s future transportation needs. Finally, some preliminary observations are identified. In brief: System demands are outpacing investment; System maintenance costs are competing with necessary expansion of the system; The fuel tax, which has been the key federal funding source for the surface transportation system, is no longer sufficient at current rates; More direct user charges should be explored; and Not only more investment is needed in the system, but more intelligent investment complemented by better operation of the system. The challenge is to examine carefully all options and develop recommendations for funding the vision, goals, policies and programs suggested by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission and others. KW - Airports KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Costs KW - Federal aid highways KW - Financing KW - Fuel taxes KW - Intermodal facilities KW - Local roads KW - Mobility KW - National economy KW - Public transit KW - Quality of life KW - Railroad transportation KW - Revenues KW - Seaports KW - State highways KW - Transportation infrastructure KW - User charges KW - Water transportation UR - http://financecommission.dot.gov/Documents/Interim%20Report%20-%20The%20Path%20Forward.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849605 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464750 TI - Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 251. Consideration of Pavement Preservation in the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide AB - This topic will develop a chapter on pavement preservation to be included in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG).  A consultant has been selected and work started in late January 2008.  Work is proceeding on schedule. KW - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials KW - Mechanistic design KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Pavement design KW - Preservation UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2332 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232982 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01333357 AU - Senzig, David A AU - Lee, Jonathan T AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Environmental Considerations of the NGATS ATM-Airportal Concept PY - 2008/01/31 SP - 31p AB - This report discusses some of the environmental considerations of the Airportal Concept. This information in this report is based on the NGATS ATM-Airportal Concept by J. Lee, et al., version 1.0 dated September 28, 2007. This report is intended to provide the Airportal project with an overview of environmental aspects of the Airportal Concept document, and to present possible environmental gaps and overlaps with other JPDO projects. This report begins with a general overview of aviation environmental considerations, including a sub-section on how an individual aircraft operation can impact the environment. The next section discusses environmental elements of Airport surface concepts, which is followed by a section on Airportal terminal concepts. The final section discusses some to gaps and overlaps of Airportal relative to some existing programs. A list of acronyms can be found after the main body of the document. Two appendices present details of some of the environmental analyses in the body of the document. KW - Air traffic KW - Air traffic control KW - Air transportation facilities KW - Airport operations KW - Airport terminals KW - Civil aviation KW - Environmental impacts KW - Next Generation Air Transportation System KW - Terminal operations UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/35000/35700/35796/DOT-VNTSC-FTA-11-01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1094917 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108453 AU - Brown, V J AU - Anderson, M S AU - Sell, R N AU - Zewatsky, J A AU - Orban, J E AU - Battelle AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Kentucky Commercial Vehicle Safety Applications Evaluation: Technical Report PY - 2008/01/31/Technical Report SP - 144p AB - An advanced-technology Integrated Safety and Security Enforcement System (ISSES), now deployed at three commercial vehicle inspection sites along interstate highways in Kentucky, was evaluated from the point of view of system performance, potential effects on inspection selection efficiency (choosing the highest-risk trucks from the stream of commerce), user acceptance, and costs. Overall, despite the fact that commercial vehicle law enforcement staffing levels in Kentucky did not allow for full-time, dedicated use of the ISSES by inspectors at the time of the evaluation, the subsystems that were under evaluation in this task were found to be performing effectively in a stand-alone mode. The ISSES software and components now deployed, though operational, are considered to be in a development mode. The roadside system was not yet integrated with in-state or national databases of historical safety information on carriers or vehicles, so the ISSES was not able to provide instant, “actionable” historical information that the inspectors could apply in their decision-making. Such integration has the potential, if implemented, to afford significant benefits in vehicle screening and safety enforcement. Kentucky’s current inspection selection methods were compared with potential applications of ISSES technology across a set of scenarios, used to model improvements in commercial vehicle safety. Applying various combinations of inspection selection strategies and available or envisioned technologies for real-time vehicle identification and safety information exchange at the roadside, in a hypothetical statewide deployment supporting about 44,000 vehicle inspections and 86,000 driver inspections in a year, the ISSES was estimated to contribute to incremental reductions of between 63 and 629 commercial vehicle-related crashes per year, reductions of between 16 and 163 personal injuries, and reductions of up to 7 fatalities. Overall, to the extent that they had been exposed to the ISSES, the users were positive toward it and appeared to recognize its potential, but within their current organizational environment, they regarded it as more of a developmental test or research device than as a tool that they wanted to use immediately in their day-to-day commercial vehicle inspection and law enforcement duties. KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Inspection KW - Inspection stations KW - Integrated Safety and Security Enforcement System KW - Kentucky KW - Law enforcement KW - Trucking KW - Vehicle safety UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14400.htm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14400_files/14400.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/868487 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105613 AU - Brown, V J AU - Anderson, M S AU - Sell, R N AU - Zewatsky, J A AU - Orban, J E AU - Battelle AU - Department of Transportation TI - Summary Report for Kentucky Commercial Vehicle Safety Applications Evaluation PY - 2008/01/31/Summary Report SP - 51p AB - An advanced-technology Integrated Safety and Security Enforcement System (ISSES), now deployed at three commercial vehicle inspection sites along interstate highways in Kentucky, was evaluated from the point of view of system performance, potential effects on inspection selection efficiency (choosing the highest-risk trucks from the stream of commerce), user acceptance, and costs. Overall, the subsystems that were under evaluation in this task were found to be performing effectively in a stand-alone mode. The ISSES software and components now deployed, though operational, are considered to be in a development mode. The roadside system was not yet integrated with in-state or national databases of historical safety information on carriers or vehicles, so the ISSES was not able to provide instant, “actionable” historical information that the inspectors could apply in their decision-making. Kentucky’s current inspection selection methods were compared with potential applications of ISSES technology across a set of scenarios, used to model improvements in commercial vehicle safety. Applying various combinations of inspection selection strategies and available or envisioned technologies for real-time vehicle identification and safety information exchange at the roadside, in a hypothetical statewide deployment supporting about 44,000 vehicle inspections and 86,000 driver inspections in a year, the ISSES was estimated to contribute to incremental reductions of between 63 and 629 commercial vehicle-related crashes per year, reductions of between 16 and 163 personal injuries, and reductions of up to 7 fatalities. Overall, to the extent that they had been exposed to the ISSES, the users were positive toward it and appeared to recognize its potential, but they regarded it as more of a developmental test or research device than as a tool that they wanted to use immediately in their day-to-day commercial vehicle inspection and law enforcement duties. Further information on the evaluation approach and methods is provided in a separate Technical Report (FHWA-JPO-08-025, EDL No. 14400). KW - Acceptance KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Costs KW - Highway safety KW - Inspection KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Kentucky KW - Law enforcement KW - Motor carriers KW - Risk analysis KW - Technological innovations KW - Trucking safety KW - Weigh station bypasses UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14405.htm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864892 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105107 AU - Brown, V J AU - Anderson, M S AU - Sell, R N AU - Zewatsky, J A AU - Orban, J E AU - Battelle AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Technical Report For Kentucky Commercial Vehicle Safety Applications Evaluation PY - 2008/01/31/Technical Report SP - 144p AB - An advanced-technology Integrated Safety and Security Enforcement System (ISSES), now deployed at three commercial vehicle inspection sites along interstate highways in Kentucky, was evaluated from the point of view of system performance, potential effects on inspection selection efficiency (choosing the highest-risk trucks from the stream of commerce), user acceptance, and costs. Overall, despite the fact that commercial vehicle law enforcement staffing levels in Kentucky did not allow for full-time, dedicated use of the ISSES by inspectors at the time of the evaluation, the subsystems that were under evaluation in this task were found to be performing effectively in a stand-alone mode. The ISSES software and components now deployed, though operational, are considered to be in a development mode. The roadside system was not yet integrated with instate or national databases of historical safety information on carriers or vehicles, so the ISSES was not able to provide instant, “actionable” historical information that the inspectors could apply in their decision-making. Such integration has the potential, if implemented, to afford significant benefits in vehicle screening and safety enforcement. Kentucky’s current inspection selection methods were compared with potential applications of ISSES technology across a set of scenarios, used to model improvements in commercial vehicle safety. Applying various combinations of inspection selection strategies and available or envisioned technologies for real-time vehicle identification and safety information exchange at the roadside, in a hypothetical statewide deployment supporting about 44,000 vehicle inspections and 86,000 driver inspections in a year, the ISSES was estimated to contribute to incremental reductions of between 63 and 629 commercial vehicle-related crashes per year, reductions of between 16 and 163 personal injuries, and reductions of up to 7 fatalities. Overall, to the extent that they had been exposed to the ISSES, the users were positive toward it and appeared to recognize its potential, but within their current organizational environment, they regarded it as more of a developmental test or research device than as a tool that they wanted to use immediately in their day-today commercial vehicle inspection and law enforcement duties. KW - Acceptance KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Costs KW - Inspection KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Kentucky KW - Law enforcement KW - Motor carriers KW - Risk analysis KW - Technological innovations KW - Trucking safety KW - Weigh station bypasses UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14400.htm UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14400_files/14400.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864075 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464615 TI - Research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment. Task 43. Guidance on Legal Sufficiency Criteria for Adequate Cumulative and Secondary Impacts Analysis in EIS Documents AB -
To meet the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), a transportation agency must evaluate the secondary and cumulative impacts of proposed transportation projects, along with the direct impacts, in Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments. The Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) define cumulative effects as "the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such other actions" (40 CFR ~ 1508.7). Secondary, or indirect, impacts are defined as "effects which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable." (40 CFR 1508.8(b). In spite of these definitions, the legal sufficiency of many such analyses of indirect and cumulative impacts have been called into question by the courts. The objective of this project is to develop guidelines on the most effective ways to analyze cumulative and indirect impacts in the context of NEPA requirements.
KW - Environment KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Environmental impacts KW - Guidelines KW - Impact studies KW - Impact tests KW - Transportation projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1661 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232846 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464745 TI - Target-Setting Methods and Data Management To Support Performance-Based Resource Allocation by Transportation Agencies AB - Transportation agencies at all levels of government are embracing performance measurement to guide their resource allocation decisions for operations, asset management, capital investment, planning, and policy development. While there is extensive and growing literature on defining and applying performance measures, little attention has been given to specific methods for setting performance targets within the context of their efforts to achieve multiple objectives and interact with multiple decisionmakers and stakeholder groups. Setting targets generally entails balancing among competing objectives and dealing with political implications. Unless performance targets are set with sound and defensible bases, and with the concurrence of key decisionmakers and stakeholders, the effectiveness of performance measurement as a management tool to improve agency efficiency and accountability is compromised. The objectives of this research are to (1) describe a comprehensive framework and set of methods (a) to analyze opportunities to improve the multiple-objective performance of transportation systems within the context of broader societal goals and (b) to set specific performance targets to guide agency policies, plans, and programs; (2) detail the factors that influence target setting and the success of performance-based resource allocation systems and explain how agencies may successfully design, implement, and use such systems; and (3) analyze the data and information needs, data acquisition and management systems, and institutional relationships required to support successful performance-based resource allocation systems. The research will guide agencies in establishing and applying performance-based resource-allocation decisionmaking and target setting. Case studies of organizations that use performance-based resource allocation will be provided, together with examples to illustrate methods for presenting performance information to decisionmakers and other stakeholders. Examples of successful performance-based decision-support systems will be provided from transportation and other fields, and directions given for adapting these cases and examples to transportation agencies. The project will be accomplished in three phases.
  
KW - Data management KW - Decision making KW - Policy KW - Policy making KW - Resource allocation KW - Target search UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2147 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232977 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462838 TI - Marketing Techniques for Small Airports AB - Small airports are often under pressure to explain their contribution to the community or justify their very existence. Yet these same airports are under pressure to keep expenses down. These conflicting demands require efficient and effective marketing practices and do not allow for the "trial-and-error" method when resources are scarce. Airports currently use a variety of marketing practices to retain and build business, strengthen relationships with their target audiences, and develop air service. There is a need to educate airport decision-makers as to the factors that influence the airport marketing effort and to identify, assess, and share the most successful practices with the rest of the airport industry. The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook for small airport marketing, external communications, and public information. The guidebook should describe effective airport marketing practices, provide guidance in their use, and assist airports in developing an airport marketing strategy. KW - Airport facilities KW - Airport operations KW - Airport terminals KW - Airports KW - Communications KW - Guidelines KW - Marketing KW - Public information programs KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1583 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231061 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462738 TI - Identifying and Using Low-Cost and Quickly Implementable Ways to Address Freight-System Mobility Constraints AB - The nation's freight infrastructure is well established and mature but overburdened. Dramatically increasing congestion inflicts costs on shippers, consumers, and the environment. Evolving technologies, growing demand, changing business practices, shifting patterns of commerce, and government policies designed to address environmental and other public concerns have impact on system performance. Because expansions to the system are often complicated and expensive, both private-sector firms and public policymakers try to find operational improvements, organizational changes, or other low-cost and quickly implementable ways to address freight-system mobility constraints. Both the public and private sectors benefit from such solutions that make the best use of the existing system. However, efforts to improve system capacity may sometimes have unanticipated consequences when users or supply chains react in unexpected ways; for example, traffic diversions caused by a new highway toll charge may exceed planners' projections when large numbers of trucks operated by smaller companies choose alternate routes to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. Research is needed to develop widely acceptable methods for identifying and evaluating low-cost and quickly implementable ways to address freight-system mobility constraints and their potential contribution to improving the nation's freight system. The objectives of this project are to (a) develop a more standardized description of the dimensions of the freight system (e.g., elements of each mode and across modes, stakeholders, types of mobility constraints) that will help improve communication among freight-system decisionmakers and stakeholders and facilitate examination of freight-system mobility constraints and the operational practices or system enhancements used to address these constraints; (b) analyze explicitly the business practices and institutional factors that influence freight-system decisionmakers and stakeholders as they respond to freight-system mobility constraints and regulatory and other public policy initiatives; (c) develop a methodology that private- and public-sector decisionmakers can use to identify, categorize, and evaluate quickly implementable, low-cost capital, operational, and public policy actions that can enhance freight mobility by addressing system constraints; and (d) apply that methodology in a generic way to create a catalog of actions that may be most useful in addressing the nation's freight-system mobility constraints.
 
KW - Carriers KW - Commodities KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Intermodal transportation KW - Mobility KW - Policy KW - Research projects KW - Truck tractors KW - Trucking UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1576 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230960 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462737 TI - Institutional Arrangements in the Freight Transportation System AB - The freight industry is a unique blend of private- and public-sector organizations, each with its own objectives and constraints.  Political and jurisdictional boundaries do not define market relationships, but can impact them.  Effective freight policy requires coordination and collaboration among public and private interests. New forms of public-private, private-private, and public-public arrangements are needed to address challenges that do not conform to government jurisdictions, geographic boundaries, or traditional dividing lines between government and business. The objective of this project is to describe successful and promising institutional arrangements for improving freight movement, now and in the future. 

KW - Coordination KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Institutional issues KW - Jurisdictions KW - Political factors KW - Public private partnerships KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1581 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230959 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462824 TI - Freight-Demand Modeling to Support Public-Sector Decision Making AB - The private sector is largely responsible for development and management of the nation's freight flow system, but public agencies at all levels face important investment and policy decisions that may affect those flows. Decision makers need to understand the large and shifting increases in traffic generated, for example, by ports, inland terminals, and mega-destination centers. The U.S. Department of Transportation in 2004 launched the Freight Model Improvement Program (FMIP) as a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and with support from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Each of these agencies has developed models for national-level analysis in support of their own unique missions. Some state and regional agencies have undertaken their own modeling efforts. The Florida Intermodal Statewide Highway Freight Model, for example, is intended to serve as a planning tool to support the state's efforts to provide adequate highway connections to other freight modes and regional freight hubs. Agencies in Ohio and Oregon are pursuing similar efforts. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is one of several metropolitan agencies developing and using models for truck traffic in their regions. Other regional and local agencies such as port and toll-road authorities also model the markets they serve. Given the growth in freight and its importance to national, state, and regional economies, public-sector agencies need improved capabilities to analyze freight demand. The objective of this project is to (a) investigate, identify, and report on high-priority, high-payoff improvements in freight-demand models and other analysis tools and (b) develop a guidebook to assist model developers in implementing these improvements. This project will select one or more of the highest-priority, high-payoff recommendations and develop a comprehensive process to implement the improvement. The recommendations included in the guidebook will ultimately improve the usability of freight-demand models and other analysis tools for public-sector decision makers at a range of geographical levels. The guidebook will relate freight-demand models and other analysis tools to planning; engineering; construction; and use of infrastructure, finance, environmental mitigation, systems operation, and economic impact. KW - Decision making KW - Demand responsive transportation KW - Freight service KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Intermodal transportation KW - Toll roads UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1578 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231047 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462682 TI - Guidebook for Evaluating Fuel Choices for Post-2010 Transit Bus Procurements: Update of TCRP Report 38 AB - The objective of this research is to provide a comprehensive update of TCRP Report 38 to assist with 2010-compliant transit bus procurements. The update should cover a range of energy sources and fuels, including diesel; gasoline; compressed natural gas (CNG); liquefied natural gas (LNG); ethanol; liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); biodiesel; electrical energy sources (e.g., battery, fuel cell, or catenary); hydrogen and hydrogen blends; di-methyl ether (DME); biogas; and other potential fuels. For each fuel and supporting technology, similar information as provided in TCRP Report 38 should be provided, including, but not limited to, the state of the fuel/technology for potential transit application, emissions information, capital and operating cost information, impacts on operations and facilities, and other appropriate information. For the purposes of this project, "fuels" means energy sources that propel a transit vehicle. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Biomass fuels KW - Compressed natural gas KW - Ethers KW - Liquefied gases KW - Liquefied natural gas KW - Liquefied petroleum gas KW - Natural gas buses KW - Public transit KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1592 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230904 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462825 TI - Impacts of Public Policy on the Freight Transportation System AB - Public policies that affect transportation often focus on the movement of people with less attention to the movement of goods. When freight is considered, the focus is often on one mode, rather than on all components of the freight system. The freight system is largely a private-sector enterprise, but public policy decisions have major impacts on its development and operations. Policy decisions potentially impacting the freight system can be categorized in such areas as: energy, environment, finance and investment, incentives, institutional and programmatic structure, markets and market change, modal choice, public health, real estate and land use, regulation, safety, security, social issues, subsidies and user fees, tax structure, and trade and national competitiveness. These decisions often have intended and unintended consequences for one or more sectors of the freight transportation system. Policymakers would benefit from research that identifies the impacts that public policies can have on the freight transportation system. The objective of this research is to identify intended and unintended impacts (either direct or indirect) of a broad array of public policies on the freight system. The intent is to promote a better understanding of these complex relationships and foster appreciation for how public policies affect the freight transportation system. KW - Freight service KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Land use KW - Mode choice KW - National Cooperative Freight Research Program KW - Public policy KW - Research projects KW - Safety and security UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1574 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231048 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100224 AU - Rangaraju, Prasada Rao AU - Pattnaik, Rashmi Ranjan AU - Clemson University AU - South Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Rapid Set Patching Materials for PCC Applications PY - 2008/01/22/Final Report SP - 169p AB - A wide variety of rapid set patching materials are available in the industry for repair of concrete. However, the selection of an appropriate material for a particular repair job is challenging as these materials possess a range of physical and mechanical properties and definitive criteria for establishing the compatibility between repair materials and substrate concrete are not adequately defined. Improper selection of repair material, without investigating the compatibility between repair materials and substrate concrete, is a common reason for failure. In this research study, compatibility between eight repair materials, that are on the approved list of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and a typical substrate concrete was investigated in three stages. First, individual properties of the repair materials such as setting time, flow, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, bond strength, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw resistance, and permeability, were determined using standard ASTM test procedures. Second, the compatibility between repair material and substrate concrete was investigated by testing a composite beam (substrate concrete patched with repair material) in flexure under third point loading. Third, a correlation between the individual repair material properties and the performance of the composite beam was investigated to predict the compatibility of the concrete repair. Based on these studies, the compatibility of the repair materials was evaluated and a new test method is proposed to examine the compatibility between repair material and substrate concrete. KW - Beams KW - Bond strength (Materials) KW - Laboratory tests KW - Materials compatibility KW - Patching KW - Portland cement concrete KW - Properties of materials KW - Rapid setting patch materials KW - Repairing KW - Test procedures UR - http://www.clemson.edu/t3s/scdot/pdf/projects/SPR%20654A-%20Final%20Report%20-%201-23-2008.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55868/FHWA-SC-07-07.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860104 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01464684 TI - Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 256. Safety Impacts of the Emerging Digital Display Technology for Outdoor Advertising Signs AB - This topic will review on-going human factor studies and guidelines with regard to highway agency DMS's and CMS's now in use on highways. The panel noted that the panel for this topic should include a representative from the outdoor advertising industry.  KW - Digital communication systems KW - Guidelines KW - Highways KW - Research projects KW - Roadside advertising KW - Traffic safety KW - Variable message signs UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2334 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232916 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463872 TI - Evaluation of Bridge-Scour Research: Abutment and Contraction Scour Processes and Predictions AB - Since about 1990, significant resources have been devoted by state highway agencies, federal agencies, and others to conduct research on bridge scour. Research has been conducted in the following areas: (a) prediction of scour at bridge piers and abutments, (b) selection and design of bridge-scour countermeasures, (c) stream bank protection, (d) tidal scour, and (e) analysis of river systems and methodologies for predicting channel instability. In 1997, NCHRP Project 24-08, "Scour at Bridge Foundations: Research Needs," completed a comprehensive strategy to identify and guide bridge-scour-related research. In developing this strategy, it was necessary to assess the validity and applicability of research related to bridge scour and fluvial system instability; define the state of practice; identify gaps, deficiencies, and potential improvements in current scour technology; and make recommendations for future research. Using the comprehensive strategy developed under Project 24-08, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has, through NCHRP, initiated and completed a number of bridge-scour-related research studies. In addition, agencies and institutions other than NCHRP have conducted bridge-scour-related research studies related to the comprehensive strategy. The AASHTO Technical Committee on Hydrology and Hydraulics is currently developing two new manuals: "Policy for Design of Highway Drainage Facilities" and "Recommended Procedures for Design of Highway Drainage Facilities." To assist in development of the bridge-scour sections of these manuals, AASHTO needs a critical evaluation of bridge-scour research completed since 1990 with recommendations for the adoption of specific research results. These recommendations will be used by AASHTO in developing policies and procedures in the bridge-scour area for the two new highway hydraulic engineering guidance documents. The objectives of this project are to (1) critically evaluate research completed since 1990 in abutment and contraction scour processes and prediction in comparison with current practice and (2) develop recommendations for adoption of specific research results by AASHTO and use by the engineering community in general. This project includes scour in cohesive soils, cohesionless soils, and rock. KW - Bridge abutments KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge foundations KW - Cohesive soils KW - Countermeasures KW - Drainage KW - Scour KW - Tidal currents UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1598 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232099 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463068 TI - Evaluation of Bridge-Scour Research: Abutment and Contraction Scour Processes and Predicitions AB - Since about 1990, significant resources have been devoted by state highway agencies, federal agencies, and others to conduct research on bridge scour. Research has been conducted in the following areas: (a) prediction of scour at bridge piers and abutments, (b) selection and design of bridge-scour countermeasures, (c) stream bank protection, (d) tidal scour, and (e) analysis of river systems and methodologies for predicting channel instability. The objectives of this project are to (1) critically evaluate research completed since 1990 in abutment and contraction scour processes and prediction in comparison with current practice and (2) develop recommendations for adoption of specific research results by AASHTO and use by the engineering community in general. This project includes scour in cohesive soils, cohesionless soils, and rock. In conducting this project, the contractor will closely coordinate with the contractors for Projects 24-27(1) and 24-27(3) and the coordination contractor selected by NCHRP. KW - Bridges KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - National Cooperative Highway Research Program KW - Policy KW - Research projects KW - Scour UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1598 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231293 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462878 TI - Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 225. Best Practices in the Management of Design Errors and Omissions AB - This study will draft an AASHTO publication on best practices related to the formulation and implementation of professional errors and omission policies and practices. KW - Best practices KW - Design KW - Errors KW - Management KW - Manuals KW - National Cooperative Highway Research Program KW - Policy KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1240 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231102 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462080 TI - FHWA Long-Term Bridge Performance Program AB - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has launched a major new strategic initiative designated as a flagship research project, "The Long Term Bridge Performance Program (LTBP Program )". Authorization of the program was included in legislation for surface transportation programs enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2005: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The LTBP Program is intended to be a 20-year undertaking, with the global objective of collecting scientific quality data from the nation's highway bridges, as representing critical node-points of the highway transportation network. The LTBP program includes detailed inspection, periodic evaluation and testing, monitoring, and forensic investigation of representative samples of bridges nationwide. The program will deliver a high-quality quantitative database for highway bridges that will provide greater knowledge about bridge performance and degradation, support better design methods and performance predictive models, and support advanced management decision-making tools. KW - Bridge maintenance KW - Bridge management systems KW - Data collection KW - Decision making KW - Highway bridges KW - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program KW - Monitoring KW - Preservation KW - Quantitative analysis KW - Research projects UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230300 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01151300 AU - Frey, H Christopher AU - Rasdorf, William AU - Kim, Kangwook AU - Pang, Shih-Hao AU - Lewis, Phil AU - Abolhassani, Saeed AU - North Carolina State University, Raleigh AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Real-World Duty Cycles and Utilization for Construction Equipment in North Carolina PY - 2008/01/04/Final Report SP - 142p AB - Field data for in-use fuel consumption and emission rates were collected for 15 nonroad vehicles using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). Each vehicle, including 5 backhoes, 4 front end loaders, and 6 motor graders, were tested once on petroleum diesel and once on B20 biodiesel. The vehicles included different model years and thus represent a variety of engine certification tiers. A methodology was developed for study design, field data collection, data screening and quality assurance, data analysis, and benchmarking of the data. The average rate of loss of data due to data quality issues was 6.9%. On average, over 3 hours of valid data were collected in each test. Time-based emission factors were found to increase monotonically with respect to engine manifold absolute pressure. Fuel-based emission factors were mainly sensitive to differences between idle and non-idle engine operation. Typical duty cycles were quantified in terms of frequency distributions of manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and used to estimate cycle average emission factors. On average, the use of B20 instead of petroleum diesel lead to an insignificant 1.8% decrease in NO emission rate and significant decreases of 18, 26, and 25% for opacity, HC, and CO, respectively. Emission rates were also found to decrease significantly when comparing newer, higher tier vehicles to lower ones. Fuel use rate, and NO, HC, and CO emission factors, were found to be of similar magnitude as independent benchmark data. An emissions inventory was developed for these vehicles. The current fuel mix of B20 and petroleum diesel is estimated to produce 0.4 to 6.4 percent lower emissions, depending on the pollutant, than usage of 100 percent petroleum diesel. If NCDOT were to use 100% B20 in the same vehicles, then additional reductions in emissions of each pollutant would be approximately 2.0% to 36.9% lower than for the current fuel mix of B20 and petroleum diesel. Although higher tier engines have lower emissions factors for each pollutant than lower tier engines, their annual average emissions tend to be higher because of greater utilization. Specific recommendations are made for future work, including expansion of the use of B20 to further reduce tailpipe emissions in the NCDOT inventory, replacement of older vehicles with newer ones, field data for larger sample sizes of vehicles for each Tier in order to improve confidence in the emissions factors and inventories, assessment of Tier 4 vehicles as they become available using improved instrumentation, evaluation of fuel formulations, evaluations of other vehicle types, and others. KW - Construction equipment KW - Data quality KW - Exhaust gases KW - Fuel consumption KW - North Carolina KW - Special purpose vehicles UR - http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2006-08FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/913326 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088126 AU - Vakili, Ahmad AU - Yue, Zhongren AU - Fei, Youqing AU - University of Tennessee, Tullahoma AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Low Cost Carbon Fiber Technology Development for Carbon Fiber Composite Applications PY - 2008/01/04/Phase I Final Report SP - 65p AB - The main goals of this research program at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) were: 1) to produce low cost carbon fibers and 2) to develop specific carbon-based material technologies to meet current and future high performance fiber-reinforced composite needs of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other organizations. UTSI has been carrying out the relevant research programs since it received the carbon fiber spinning technologies and accessories as a donation from ConocoPhillips. Under this Department of Transportation sponsored program, significant progress has been made in continued development and refinement of the low-cost carbon fiber production and composite application technologies. The task at hand is a major multidisciplinary effort and will need to be continued to reach successful completion and for continuous improvements. The webpage of the UTSI carbon fiber program is on line. The content of this site is regularly updated, with the latest major progresses and accomplishments at (http://www.utsi.edu/research/carbonfiber/index.htm). KW - Carbon fibers KW - Composite materials KW - Costs KW - Fiber composites KW - Fiber reinforced plastics KW - Light rail vehicles KW - Paratransit vehicles KW - Production KW - Rapid transit cars KW - Transit buses UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849013 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099487 AU - Wiebelhaus, Mitch J AU - Polivka, Karla A AU - Faller, Ronald K AU - Rohde, John R AU - Sicking, Dean L AU - Holloway, James C AU - Reid, John D AU - Bielenberg, Robert Wayne AU - University of Nebraska, Lincoln AU - Nebraska Department of Roads AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Rigid Hazards Placed in the Zone of Intrusion PY - 2008/01/03/Final Report SP - 170p AB - The objectives of this research were to evaluate the current practices for the placement of luminaire poles both on top of and behind single-slope concrete barriers and to determine their effects on safety for both the driver and occupants of the impacting vehicle and nearby pedestrians. Three full-scale crash tests were performed on the barrier system and luminaire poles, with the first two full-scale crash tests evaluating the performance of a luminaire pole placed on top of a single-slope concrete barrier and the third test evaluating the performance of a luminaire pole placed behind the single-slope concrete barrier. The first full-scale crash test, test number ZOI-1, was performed according to the test designation 4-12 of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report Number 350. The test consisted of a 7,985-kg (17,605-lbs) single-unit truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 81.0 km/h (50.4 mph) and at an angle of 15.6 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Report Number 350 safety requirements as the single-unit truck was safely brought to a controlled stop. The second full-scale crash test, test number ZOI-2, was performed according to test designation 4-11 of NCHRP Report Number 350. The test consisted of a 2,009 (4,430-lbs) pickup truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 99.3 km/h (61.7 mph) and at an angle of 23.4 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Number 350 safety requirements as the pickup truck was safely brought to a controlled stop. The third full-scale crash test, test number ZOI-3, was performed according to test designation 4-12 of NCHRP Report Number 350. The test consisted of a 8,000-kg (17,637-lbs) single-unit truck impacting the barrier at a speed of 80.8 km/h (50.2 mph) and at an angle of 16.4 degrees. This test passed all of the NCHRP Number 350 safety requirements as the single-unit truck was safely brought to a controlled stop. KW - Columns KW - Concrete barriers KW - Highway safety KW - Impact tests KW - Lighting columns KW - Luminaires KW - Pickup trucks KW - Poles (Supports) KW - Traffic safety KW - Zones of intrusion UR - http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/R6000/B016.0125-2008.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855942 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01570485 TI - Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium AB - This pooled fund project allows for state representatives to continue the collaborative effort begun in TPF-5(066) Materials and Construction Optimization. The Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium (TTCC) is open to any state desiring to be a part of new developments in concrete paving leading to the implementation of new technologies, which will lead to longer life pavements through the use of innovative testing, construction optimization technologies and practices, and technology transfer. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Optimization KW - Paving KW - Service life KW - Technological innovations KW - Technology transfer UR - http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/390 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1362126 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462592 TI - Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 1-06. Who is the Owner or Operator for Purposes of the Right to Self-Fuel? AB - The Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (The Act), 49 U.S.C. § 47101 et. seq., and the Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Assurances required of all airport federal grant recipients, provide that the owner or operator of any airport that has been developed or improved with federal grant assistance operate the airport for the use and benefit of the public and to make it available for all types, kinds, and classes of aeronautical activity, including the self-fueling of aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues Advisory Circulars that not only identify standards and procedures for compliance with federal law, but also define and clarify the meaning of aviation terms, such as self-fueling. The FAA defines self-fueling as, "the fueling of an aircraft by the owner of the aircraft or the owner's employee. Self-fueling means using fuel obtained by the aircraft owner from the source of his/her preference." The definition and meaning of self-fueling must be distinguished from that of commercial self-service fueling, which the FAA defines as, "fueling of an aircraft by the pilot using commercial fuel pumps installed for that purpose." Generally, commercial self-service fueling is not considered self-fueling as granted under the sponsor assurances, but is an aeronautical service concept in which a fixed base operator (FBO)-one who engages in the activity of airport fueling- and/ or sponsor makes aircraft fuel available commercially to the aircraft by a fuel pump and credit card reader; however, this research should assist in clarifying these distinctions. Notwithstanding these FAA provisions, a review of rules and regulations of airport sponsors reveals variations in the definitions and provisions for self-fueling, commercial self-service fueling, self-service, an FBO, and other related terms. Furthermore, aviation attorneys have been faced with questions concerning the restrictions of the Act and other related laws and regulations. Is an airport restricted from excluding in full or in part the services of an independent FBO? What is the definition of the term "owner/operator" for the purposes of the right to self-fuel? Under what circumstances, if at all, can a sponsor restrict certain aircraft from fueling at the airport? What, if any, of these restrictions are associated with self-fueling? What are the limitations and prohibitions concerning the granting of exclusive rights leases and permits? There is no immediate source to which an attorney can turn to obtain the answers to these questions or at least a comprehensive interpretation of federal and state guidelines and how they have been applied under different circumstances. Aviation, government, environmental, and other interested attorneys; legislative and administrative personnel; airport developers; aviation managers; and researchers have need of a thorough understanding of the meaning of and constraints involved with self-fueling and to distinguish this concept from commercial self service fueling. A primer is needed that will contain basic coverage of the subject, including appropriate regulations, and offer model definitions and provisions obtained either from existing airport rules and regulations or developed anew. KW - Air pilots KW - Aircraft by ownership KW - Aircraft fuels KW - Airport facilities KW - Airport operations KW - Airports KW - Fixed base operations KW - Fuel pumps KW - Owner operators KW - Research projects UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2542 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230813 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462362 TI - Simulation, Modeling and Interpretation of Asphalt Rheology AB - Rheological methods from polymer science such as time-temperature superposition and linear viscoelasticity will be used to model the time, frequency, and temperature dependence of dynamical mechanical properties of asphalts. Experimental data will be taken from the literature and/or will be measured at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Master curves for storage and loss modulus and tan will be modeled using fundamental constitutive equations, such as multicomponent Maxwell models. Those same models will be used to interpret other mechanical experiments, such as creep and recovery. Research will involve ongoing participation by a graduate student and an undergraduate researcher. What defines a sustainable road? One aspect would certainly include physical durability across a variety of environmental and loading conditions. The same roadway materials would maintain their structure at high temperatures, without creeping under heavy loads, while they would exhibit flexibility at low temperatures, preventing brittle fracture, and would resist fatigue cracking over the vast number of days spent at more typical temperatures. A transportation system built on poor materials is arguably unsustainable, regardless of the sustainability of the material supply, due to delays resulting from potholes, repairs, reconstruction, etc. Asphalts are complicated mixtures whose properties vary depending on the supplier and the original source. It is difficult to determine specific and effective strategies for attaining targeted properties, such as at the extremes of pavement temperature used in classifications. Adding polymers creates modified asphalts with improved results: polymer-modified asphalts maintain specified creep compliance at yet higher temperatures and failure strain and stiffness at yet lower temperatures. Core asphalts from the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) are well-defined from a highway engineering perspective and have provided a context for research studies into asphalt modification strategies, the different contributions to physical properties from different asphalt components, etc. Despite the resulting knowledge and Superpave recommendations for improved asphalt binders, the question of which chemical process or procedure provides the best modification strategy remains an open question. In addition, a potential problem has been findings that Superpave measurements do not test all of the properties affected in polymer-modified asphalts. For example, polymer-modified control sections in a roadway test showed "significantly less cracking than (shale oil-modified) test sections," despite both modified asphalts having a lower temperature performance grading (PG) of -22ºC.  The proposed work addresses properties of the asphalt binder used in roadways and bikeways. The research will develop self-consistent mechanistic models of asphalt physical properties, such as viscosity and dynamic modulus. The expectation is that such "physics-based" models will function effectively in the extrapolation-derived scenarios that occur when testing the extremes of a pavement design. The ultimate project aim is to develop tests and promote new methods of interrelating asphalt properties that can complement standard methods used currently in the Superpave method. Under Superpave guidelines and the PG grading system, asphalts are selected for pavements based on their rheological performance under a few conditions of temperature, frequency, and time. The complex modulus under shear (|G*|), the phase angle, and the tensile modulus (via stiffness S, its reciprocal) are measured using dynamic shear rheometry and bending beam rheometry in order to predict if the asphalt will display sufficient strength at high temperature to prevent rutting, sufficient flexibility at low temperature to resist thermal cracking, and resistance at intermediate temperatures to fatigue cracking. Beyond these direct relationships, correlations have also been made between pavement cracking and properties such as viscosity and ductility. Theoretically, it is possible to inter-relate these different measurements using mathematical tools such as time-temperature superposition, Boltzmann superposition integrals, and Kramer-Kronig relationships, in conjunction with parameterized rheology models. While current practice does employ time-temperature superposition to some extent, there is additional asphalt property information available from trends in temperature and frequency, beyond the individual data points required to compare with a specification. Such information, when combined with an appropriate mechanical modeling tool, can potentially improve the ability to anticipate pavement failures due to unexpected asphalt mechanical responses that were not assumed when devising the specifications. The proposed work will naturally address asphalt rheology using a multidisciplinary approach, despite there being a single principal investigator. The methods described originate from polymer science. Their application to asphalts was emphasized during the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP, the research that led to Superpave) and was reinterpreted through a civil engineering perspective. In the proposed work, a combination of chemical engineering a polymer science perspectives, both held by the PI, will be used to investigate the potential to unify many mechanical tests using a single set of models. The experience will expose chemical engineering undergraduate and graduate students to questions posed by civil engineers. Advice from project End Use Advisors, who are civil engineers at Rhode Island Department o Transportation (RIDOT), will help to ensure that the results are in forms that can truly help to solve problems in the pavement design community. The expected results fall into two categories. The direct result will be parameterized rheological models for asphalts similar to those used by RIDOT in paving applications. Such models can be used in additional research projects about pavement mechanics (e.g. finite element calculations). The indirect result will be increased understanding (both within RIDOT and in the general asphalt community) about how different experiments can be inter-related. Spreadsheets and other programs for doing the modeling will be transferred to RIDOT as part of the modeling effort. The project will initially rely on experimental data available from the literature, through assistance of fellow asphalt researchers. An excellent example is work by Marateanu and co-workers; they measured frequency dependence of complex modulus over a range of temperatures for both RTFO and PAV-aged asphalts. Methods summarized here will be applied initially to their data. Many others have published asphalt rheology data as well. For example, Shenoy presented dynamic shear rheometry studies of polybutadiene/polystyrene and polyethylene modified asphalts, demonstrating superposition of the rheological results. Masson and co-workers have used tools such as infrared spectroscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry to study phase behavior and microstructure of polymer modified and unmodified asphalts. Many other data sets are published as well, such as for SBS and polyethylene modified asphalts. KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Cracking KW - Creep KW - Mechanical properties KW - Pavement design KW - Potholes (Pavements) KW - Research projects KW - Rheological properties KW - Rhode Island KW - Viscoelasticity UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230583 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462321 TI - Survey and Review of Wind Load Criteria for Cable-Supported Structures AB - This research will serve as a basis for later development of consistent procedures for establishing design wind loads. KW - Bridge design KW - Cable stayed bridges KW - Design criteria KW - Design standards KW - Research projects KW - Wind KW - Wind shear UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230542 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462320 TI - Measurement of Dynamic Properties of Cables on New Cable-Stayed Bridges AB - This research project will perform full-scale vibration tests on the cables of several new cable-stayed bridges to establish a database of representative dynamic cable properties for use in developing design criteria for the aerodynamic design of bridge stay cables. KW - Aerodynamic force KW - Bridge design KW - Cable stayed bridges KW - Databases KW - Dynamic tests KW - Prototype tests KW - Research projects KW - Vibration UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230541 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462314 TI - NDGPS Reference Station Modernization AB - This project involves research to define existing global positioning system capability area. KW - Differential Global Positioning System KW - Global Positioning System KW - Modernization KW - Research projects KW - Technological innovations UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230535 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462313 TI - DSRC/Wireless Access for Vehicular Environment AB - The objective of this research project is t develop telecommunications technology to include spectrum allocation from the Federal Communications Commission, licensing rules, standards, prototypes, and initial deployment. KW - Dedicated short range communications KW - Research projects KW - Technological innovations KW - Telecommunications KW - U.S. Federal Communications Commission KW - Wireless communication systems UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230534 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462312 TI - Telecommunications Interface Model for Predicting Ionospheric Changes AB - The objective of this research project is to develop and evaluate an ionospheric model to predict interference levels to telecommunications systems. KW - Interference KW - Ionosphere KW - Research projects KW - Technological innovations KW - Telecommunications UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230533 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462309 TI - Bridge Inspectors Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Showcase AB - This research project will complete a training course to provide bridge inspectors with nondestructive evaluation (NDE) tools to supplement standard visual inspection practices. KW - Bridge inspection KW - Bridges KW - Inspection KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Research projects KW - Training programs UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230530 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462308 TI - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program Bridge Sampling AB - As part of the Long-Term Bridge Performance Program, this research project will identify the relevant sample of bridges for the pilot study. An interim report will be available. KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge inspection KW - Bridge management systems KW - Bridges KW - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program KW - Pilot studies KW - Research projects UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230529 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462307 TI - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program Road Map AB - In collaboration with both internal and external partners, a research roadmap highlighting short-term goals of the Long-Term Bridge Performance Program will be developed. KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge inspection KW - Bridge management systems KW - Infrastructure KW - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program KW - Research projects UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230528 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462306 TI - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program Newsletter AB - This research project will update a web site and establish a Long-Term Bridge Performance Program newsletter to ensure efficient and effective communication with key stakeholders and the remainder of the bridge community. KW - Bridge design KW - Communication systems KW - Information dissemination KW - Information technology KW - Long-Term Bridge Performance Program KW - Newsletters KW - Research projects KW - Websites (Information retrieval) UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230527 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462299 TI - Wireless Magnet Work Zone System - SBIR Phase II AB - This project will develop a work zone collision warning system using low-cost magnetic sensors and wireless technology. In this phase, a functional integrated system will be developed based on the major components developed in Phase I. KW - Electromagnetic fields KW - Integrated systems KW - Research projects KW - Small business KW - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) KW - Technological innovations KW - Wireless communication systems KW - Wireless magnetic detectors KW - Work zones UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230520 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462297 TI - Real-Time Linux Operating System for Advanced Traffic Controllers AB - The purpose of this project is to connect the Linux real-time operating system to advanced transportation controllers. This will provide the support necessary for faster detector polling and information processing, which is required for CICAS and vehicle-infrastructure integration (VII) research. Phase I and II are complete. A draft final report for Phase II is under review. Phase III will develop a version of the software suitable for on street use by traffic signal vendors. The software is undergoing lab test in Los Angeles. After completion of lab testing, the field-testing phase will begin. An initiative for transfer of the technology to the signal vendors was planned but currently is unfunded. KW - Crash avoidance systems KW - Field tests KW - Highway operations KW - Linux (Software) KW - Los Angeles (California) KW - Real time information KW - Research projects KW - Software KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Traffic signals KW - Vehicle infrastructure integration UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230518 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462296 TI - Quick Highway Incident Detection and Warning System - Phase I AB - The objective of this research project is to develop a quick highway incident detection system using low-cost sensors and wireless communication. The system can detect an incident quickly and warn upstream traffic to avoid secondary collisions automatically. KW - Incident detection KW - Research projects KW - Secondary crashes KW - Sensors KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic flow KW - Warning systems KW - Wireless communication systems UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230517 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462295 TI - Transportation Management Center (TMC) National Pooled Fund Study Results AB - This is a study of the operational and human-centered issues common among agencies that manage and operate Transportation Management Centers (TMCs). States contribute to this project on a yearly basis and select projects on an ongoing basis depending on the availability of funds. Current projects include: Driver use of Real-Time En Route Travel Time Information.Integration of TMC and Law Enforcement: Needs Assessment.TMC Clearinghouse Support Services: Phase 2.Developing Travel Time Information.Requirements and Position Descriptions for TMC Support Staff.Techniques for Managing Service Patrol Operations.For more detailed information about current projects and joining the TMC pooled fund, please visit the Web site: http://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/index.cfm KW - Information technology KW - Integrated systems KW - Law enforcement KW - Needs assessment KW - Real time information KW - Research projects KW - Traffic control centers KW - Travel time KW - Traveler information and communication systems UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230516 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089795 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Counts of Frontal Air Bag Related Fatalities and Seriously Injured Persons PY - 2008/01/01/Special Crash Investigations SP - 10p AB - This Special Crash Investigations report presents statistics on frontal air bag related fatalities and seriously injured persons in the following tables and charts: (Table 1) counts for confirmed and unconfirmed air bag related fatalities by crash year, beginning with 1990; (Table 2) children fatally injured by passenger air bags (PAB); (Table 3) adult drivers fatally injured by driver air bags (DAB); (Table 4) adult passengers fatally injured by PAB; (Chart 1) children fatally injured by PAB normalized for a 12-month period; (Chart 2) children fatally injuried by PAB by vehicle model year; (Chart 3) adult DAB fatalities normalized for a 12-month period; (Chart 4) adult DAB fatalities by vehicle model year; (Chart 5) adult PAB fatalities normalized for a 12-month period; and (Chart 6) adult PAB fatalities by vehicle model year. KW - Air bags KW - Children KW - Drivers KW - Fatalities KW - Passengers KW - Statistics KW - Vehicle model year UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/SCIQtrly/Current/Biannual_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850294 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01584331 AU - Knodler, Michael A AU - Collura, John AU - University of Massachusetts, Amherst AU - Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Massachusetts Traffic Safety Toolbox Final Report PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 96p AB - Providing a safe driving environment and implementing safety improvements at the local level can pose significant challenges for municipal governments. Similar to challenges faced by federal and state agencies, financial and personnel limitation can make it difficult for local agencies to develop and implement safety initiatives. Information is available to help local governments identify options and develop action plans for implementing safety measures. The purpose of this Traffic Safety Toolbox is to provide a resource of information for municipal practitioners. Specifically, the series of fact sheets provide guidance and information regarding selected traffic safety and engineering topics. These fact sheets provide information about valuable resources, including links to web pages as applicable. The fact sheets are presented in this Final Report and are available online at www.mass.gov/mhd/safetytoolbox. The fact sheets in this Final Report include the following: General Traffic Safety Facts & Information; Crosswalks; Low Cost Intersection Safety Improvements; Low Cost Non-Intersection Safety Improvements; Pavement Markings: Centerlines and Edgelines; Pavement Markings: Other; Retroreflectivity; Road Safety Audits; Sight Distance; Speed Limits & Speed Limit Setting; Stop Sign Installation; Warning Signs; and Work Zone Safety. KW - Fact sheets KW - Local government KW - Massachusetts KW - Traffic safety KW - Traffic Safety Toolbox UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/56000/56100/56123/UMTC-08-01.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1377575 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01566455 AU - Boeker, Eric R AU - Dinges, Eric AU - He, Bill AU - Fleming, Gregg AU - Roof, Christopher J AU - Gerbi, Paul J AU - Rapoza, Amanda S AU - Hemann, Justin AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - ATAC Corporation AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Integrated Noise Model (INM) Version 7.0 Technical Manual PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 211p AB - The Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Environment and Energy (FAA, AEE-100) has developed Version 7.0 of the Integrated Noise Model (INM) with support from the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Acoustics Facility (Volpe Center) for development of the acoustic computation module, and from the ATAC Corporation for systems integration, development of the graphical interface, and methods for computing aircraft flight profiles and constructing flight paths, which are processed by the acoustics module. This Technical Manual describes the core technical components in INM Version 7.0, including the flight-path methodology (Chapter 2), along with the basic methodology employed by the INM to compute noise levels or time-based metrics at a single, user-specified observer, or at an evenly-spaced, regular grid of observers (Chapter 3). The noise/time computation methodology includes a description of: (1) computation of the flight-segment geometric and physical parameters; (2) flight-segment noise-level interpolation process; (3) atmospheric absorption adjustment; (4) acoustic impedance adjustment; (5) flight-segment noise-fraction adjustment for exposure-based metrics; (6) aircraft speed adjustment for exposure-based metrics; (7) updated lateral attenuation adjustment; (8) ground-based directivity adjustment for observers behind start-of-takeoff-roll, as well as for computing metrics associated with run-up operations; (9) new helicopter noise modeling capabilities and associated adjustments (including advancing tip mach number, lateral directivity, static directivity and static duration adjustments); (10) metric computation process; and (11) development of a recursively-subdivided irregular grid methodology, which is used for computing noise contours (Chapter 4). KW - Airport noise KW - Computer program documentation KW - Day Night Sound Level (DNL) KW - Helicopters KW - Heliports KW - INM (Integrated Noise Model) KW - Metrics (Quantitative assessment) KW - Noise contours KW - Sound level UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/54000/54900/54926/INM_7.0_Technical_Manual.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1355723 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01548585 AU - Athey Creek Consultants AU - Michigan Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Kansas Rural Transit ITS Deployment: Evaluation PY - 2008/01 SP - 18p AB - This document presents the results of an evaluation of the benefits of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployed to support the operations of two transit systems in rural Kansas. The technologies evaluated in this project include Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) on transit vehicles, Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in the transit vehicles and data communications between the dispatch center and vehicles, and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. This evaluation was conducted as a project under the ENTERPRISE Program. The ENTERPRISE Program focuses on pooling their resources to develop, evaluate and deploy ITS. As part of its mission, ENTERPRISE seeks to facilitate the sharing of technological and institutional experiences gained from ITS projects, and the projects of its individual members. Therefore this document is intended to provide the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the local transit agencies, and the ENTERPRISE members with an understanding of the benefits of an AVL/CAD/MDT system in rural areas in order that KDOT and the ENTERPRISE members may assess the potential for future expansion or deployments. KW - Automatic vehicle location KW - Data communications KW - Dispatching KW - Evaluation KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Kansas KW - Public transit KW - Rural transit UR - http://enterprise.prog.org/Projects/2002_2009/finalreports/KDOT%20Transit%20evaluation%20Report%20FINAL.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1333235 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01457184 AU - Vonderohe, Alan P AU - University of Wisconsin, Madison AU - National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Implementation of GPS Controlled Highway Construction Equipment – Phase II PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 103p AB - During 2006, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Construction Materials and Support Center at the University of Wisconsin- Madison (UW-Madison) worked together to develop a specification and quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) procedures for global position system (GPS) machine guidance on highway construction grading operations. These specifications and procedures are intended for incorporation in contracts on two to five pilot projects during the 2007 construction season. The 2006 work, and the 2007 pilot projects are the first two steps in a phased implementation plan that includes refinement of the specification and procedures after the 2007 pilots, additional pilots during 2008, and potential statewide implementation of optional GPS machine guidance for grading on 2009 contracts. To be effective, the goals, objectives, and methods for data collection and analysis for the 2007 pilot projects must be well-articulated; the project sites must be carefully selected; and a set of deliverables and management plan for coordination of the effort must be developed. KW - Construction equipment KW - Global Positioning System KW - Grading (Earthwork) KW - Implementation KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Road construction KW - Specifications UR - http://www.wistrans.org/cfire/documents/02-12_CFIRE_FR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1224260 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01454608 AU - Ramirez, Julio A AU - Henkhaus, Rachel Elizabeth AU - Purdue University AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Deck Replacement - Use of Extra Coating Thickness Epoxy-Coated Bars PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 133p AB - The results of this study were implemented in the form of design recommendations for bond of epoxy-coated bars with thicker coatings up to 18 mils. The scope of the work included evaluation of AASHTO LRFD (2004) and ACI 318 design recommendations for the development and splice length of extra epoxy-coating thickness reinforcing bars in normal-weight concrete bridge decks and a proposed monitoring plan for a generic concrete bridge deck in Indiana where epoxy-coated bars with thicker coatings might be employed. The use of the current provisions for development and splice length of epoxy-coated bars in tension in both the AASHTO LRFD (2004) and ACL 318-05 is supported by the test findings of the experimental program consisting of 20 beam splice tests of No. 5 and No. 9 bars with the coating thickness up to 21 mils in normal-weight concrete. However, since the ACI 318-05 specifications consider the critical parameters of cover and transverse reinforcement and the AASHTO LRFD (2004) do not, the authors encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation to use the ACI 318 provisions in the design of development and splice length of bars with coating thickness up to 18 mils. INDOT 700 Committee is implementing the results of this study through a change in the specifications for epoxy-coated bar thickness. A monitoring plan for a future concrete bridge deck to be built in Indiana using coated bars with thickness of coating up to 18 mils is also included as part of this report. KW - AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications KW - ACI 318-05 KW - Bond strength (Materials) KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Concrete bridges KW - Epoxy coatings KW - Indiana Department of Transportation KW - Recommendations KW - Reinforcing bars KW - Specifications KW - Thickness UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5703/1288284313484 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1218804 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01448661 AU - Ramseyer, Chris C AU - Nghiem, Andrew X AU - Swyden, David P AU - University of Oklahoma, Norman AU - Oklahoma Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Investigation of Cost Effective Truck Weight Enforcement PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 274p AB - This research investigates the best way to enforce the truck size and weight limits and by doing so decrease the damage that is being done to Oklahoma's roads and bridges. In the process a survey of all state DOT's was conducted to help determine the state of the art for cost effective and the most efficient mix of fixed weigh stations, mobile enforcement, weigh in motion (WIM), virtual enforcement, and possible other technology to provide optimum monitoring of Oversize/Overweight vehicles to reduce damage to Oklahoma's roads and bridges. Recommendations are offered concerning the construction of Point of Entry (POE) Facilities, mobile enforcement and virtual enforcement within the state of Oklahoma. A novel data collection system, the OU-BWIM is proposed to help determine the location of intrastate virtual and mobile enforcement locations. The proposed development of the OU-BWIM would help convert existing infrastructure assets, bridges, into weigh in motion, real time, data collection points. KW - Automatic vehicle monitoring KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Data collection KW - Law enforcement KW - Oklahoma KW - Oversize loads KW - Overweight loads KW - Weigh in motion KW - Weight limits UR - http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/spr-rip/library/reports/rad_spr2-i2203-fy2008-rpt-final-ramseyer.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/46000/46900/46951/Investigation_of_cost_effective_truck_weight_enforcement.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1216157 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01421295 AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Compilation of Pedestrian Safety Devices In Use at Grade Crossings PY - 2008/01 SP - 32p AB - Pedestrian fatalities have comprised about 10 to 20 percent of all fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings, public and private, for the last five years. The trends for pedestrian incidents, fatalities, and percent of total fatalities have not followed the general downward trend of all grade crossing fatalities during the past five years. The problem of pedestrian safety at grade crossings is made more difficult to address by the lack of knowledge about the type of devices in use that are directed at pedestrians at grade crossings. This compilation of currently in-place warning devices will enhance the general understanding of how various safety devices are being employed to enhance pedestrian safety at grade crossings. KW - Fatalities KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian-vehicle crashes KW - Railroad crashes KW - Railroad grade crossings KW - Safety equipment KW - Trend (Statistics) UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L02732 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1148312 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01330443 AU - Department of Transportation TI - Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9‑1‑1) System Initiative: Human Machine Interface Display Design Document PY - 2008/01//Version 1.0 SP - 96p AB - The purpose of this document is to describe the design for the human machine interface (HMI) display for the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) System (or “system of systems”) based on the initial Tier 1 requirements identified for the NG9-1-1 System. The ubiquitous access to 9-1-1 emergency services needed in today’s world of evolving technology is driving the need to introduce a broader array of interconnected networks that would comprehensively support emergency services. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is leading the effort to introduce the NG9-1-1 System, which is designed to improve management of emergency services throughout all aspects of operations, including public access to the emergency services; facilitation of services; and delivery of emergency information to public safety answering points (PSAP), emergency call centers (ECC), and first responders. USDOT views the NG9-1-1 System as a necessary transition to enable the general public to make a 9-1-1 “call”1 from any wired, wireless, or Internet Protocol (IP)-based device, and allow the emergency services community to take advantage of enhanced call delivery and advanced functional and operational capabilities through new internetworking2 technologies based on open standards. By enabling access to 9-1-1 services through virtually any communications device, the NG9-1-1 System provides a more direct ability to request help or share critical data from any location with emergency services providers. In addition, call takers at the PSAPs will be able to transfer emergency calls to another PSAP and forward the location and other critical data, such as text messages, images, and video, with the call. The HMI within the NG9-1-1 PSAPs will assist in consolidating and presenting emergency information received via IP, cellular, telematics, sensor, and public switched telephone network (PSTN) devices to the call taker in an efficient end-user format. It will provide call takers with an interface to manage access to 9-1-1 requests for services received through virtually any communications device, provide a more direct ability to share critical data with emergency services providers from any location, transfer emergency calls to another PSAP, and forward the location and other critical data with the call. The HMI is envisioned to improve call takers’ efficiency and reduce time in responding to emergency calls. This NG9-1-1 HMI Display Design Document presents a detailed description of the evolved HMI display that the call takers will use. The display is being designed to support next generation technologies, access methods, and functional capabilities. As a starting point, this document describes the NG9-1-1 call taker activities and call flows, followed by a detailed description of the HMI display, addressing the call taker operations within the next generation environment. Key design considerations and supporting requirements are discussed to draw attention to the characteristics that are most important to the successful operation of the HMI display in the NG9-1-1 System. KW - 911 Emergency Telephone System KW - Design KW - Emergency communication systems KW - Emergency management KW - Emergency medical services KW - Emergency response time KW - Human machine interface KW - Information display systems KW - Information technology KW - Next generation design KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/35000/35600/35679/NG911_HMI_Display_Design_FINAL_v1.0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1093640 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01152593 AU - Williams, Billy M AU - Hu, Hyejung AU - Khattak, Asad J AU - Rouphail, Nagui M AU - Pan, Xiaohong AU - North Carolina State University, Raleigh AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Effectiveness of Traveler Information Tools PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 338p AB - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) sponsored research aimed at enhancing the department’s ability to assess the effectiveness of traveler information tools. The NCDOT has and will continue to make investments in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that fall under the heading of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). It is critically important for the NCDOT to be able to assess the impacts, especially the network performance benefits, of candidate ATIS investments in order to make well-informed project decisions and set funding priorities. This final report documents the project’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The recommendations include the implementation of an ATIS evaluation framework with DYNASMART-P as the primary integration tool and the development of a robust ongoing data collection program to support ATIS research and evaluation. KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - North Carolina KW - Traffic models UR - http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2006-13FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/913364 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01144490 AU - Yung, Jessie AU - Le Frois, Gregory A AU - Lee, Ming-Shiun AU - Chang, Mark AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - HNTB Corporation AU - Booz Allen Hamilton TI - Converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes: A Guidebook PY - 2008/01//Project Fact Sheet SP - 2p AB - Growing traffic congestion has become an increasingly troublesome issue in urban areas throughout the nation, and state and local agencies are exploring new ways to manage new and existing highway facilities more effectively. Of special interest to transportation practitioners is the high occupancy toll (HOT) lane concept, an increasingly popular and common type of managed lane facility that adds electronic tolling to an existing HOV facility. How best to balance the desire to preserve existing HOV privilege with having enough excess capacity to sell to single occupant vehicles (SOVs) is a major challenge in planning and design of an HOT lane conversion. KW - High occupancy toll lanes KW - High occupancy vehicle lanes KW - Highway capacity KW - Highway design KW - Highway operations KW - Highway planning KW - Urban areas UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30800/30823/HOT_factsheet.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/904393 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01138306 AU - Hanowski, Richard J AU - Olsen, R L AU - Bocanegra, Joseph L AU - Hickman, Jeffrey S AU - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Analysis of Risk as a Function of Driving-Hour: Assessment of Driving-Hours 1 Through 11 PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 98p AB - Crashes involving large trucks constitute a significant risk to the driving public and an occupational risk to truck drivers. In 2005, some 442,000 large trucks (weighing over 10,000 lbs each) were involved in vehicle crashes; 4,951 of these large-truck crashes resulted in fatalities. Driver impairment due to drowsiness is a known contributing factor in many crashes involving commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers (Maycock, 1997). The Large Truck Crash Causation Studies found that 13 percent of truck drivers were coded as having been fatigued at the time of the crash (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 2006). On April 28, 2003, FMCSA published a revised set of regulations concerning the Hours-of- Service (HOS) of CMV drivers. These published regulations were amended on September 30, 2003 and implemented on January 4, 2004. One central component of the revisions was a two hour extension of off-duty time from eight to 10 hours. One rationale given in an FMCSA posting in the Federal Register (2005) was that the additional two hours of off-duty time would provide drivers with substantially more opportunity to obtain restorative sleep (p. 3342). The results from Hanowski, Dingus, Sudweeks, Olson, and Fumero (2005) indicated that this indeed may be the case; their research found that drivers may be getting more sleep under the revised 2003 HOS regulation (6.28 h per day) as compared to the old regulations (5.18 h per day; Mitler et al., 1997). KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations KW - Hours of labor KW - Motor carriers KW - Regulations KW - Risk assessment KW - Traffic safety KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck drivers UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51315/HOS-Assessment-of-Driving-Hours-FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/898434 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01135363 AU - Maritime Administration TI - Compilation of Maritime Laws, January 2008 PY - 2008/01 SP - 770p AB - Each year since 1995, the Maritime Administration has published the Compilation of Maritime Laws as an essential reference for its Agency leadership and staff. The Compilation is also widely used by the Members of Congress, their staffs and committees, attorneys practicing in the area of Federal Maritime Law and interested members of the general public. The Maritime Administration believes that it is essential that this publication be made available to ensure access to the current state of significant Maritime Laws including current statutory amendments. This publication has been changed considerably from earlier editions to reflect the codification of Title 46 Appendix, United States Code, in Public Law 109-304. An Index giving the old and new citations for various provisions of law has been included at the very end to help the reader find new section numbers. This convenient volume is current through the first session of the 110th Congress. It also contains Public Law 110-181, approved January 28, 2008 (122 STAT. 3). While this Compilation is a helpful research tool, citation to the law should be made by reference to the United States Code or other official reporters. KW - Marine transit KW - Merchant fleet operation KW - Merchant vessels KW - National security KW - Passenger ships KW - Policy, legislation and regulation KW - Shipping KW - Water transportation UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/894427 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01129922 AU - Bai, Yong AU - Kim, Seonghoon AU - University of Kansas, Lawrence AU - University of Kansas, Lawrence AU - Kansas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of a Wireless Real-Time Productivity Measurement System for Rapid Bridge Replacement PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 180p AB - Increased attention has been paid to rapid bridge replacement, one of the critical components of the nation’s transportation network, since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. To enhance the capability of rapid replacement of damaged bridges after extreme events, a prototype wireless real-time productivity measurement system has been developed. The developed system has a potential not only to improve the accuracy of construction schedule but also to strengthen the communication and coordination among parties involved in the replacement process after extreme events by providing accurate productivity information in real time. To validate the developed system, field experiments were conducted at three construction sites. Results of data analyses indicate that it is feasible to use the developed system to measure on-site productivity in real time; and productivity measurements were accurate and could be shared among all parties involved in the replacement process. KW - Bridge construction KW - Bridges KW - Construction management KW - Coordination KW - Disaster preparedness KW - Field tests KW - Productivity KW - Real time information KW - Replacement (Bridges) KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://tris.trb.org/common/TRIS%20Suite/includes/getfile.aspx?subdir=docs&nodl=1&f=Bai,Yong-Development%20of%20a%20Wireless%20Real-Time%20Productivity%20Measurement%20System%20for%20Rapid%20Bridge%20Replacement.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/890254 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01127436 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Fatality Analysis Reporting System, General Estimates System, 2006 Data Summary PY - 2008/01 SP - 36p AB - This pocket-size booklet contains selected data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the General Estimates System (GES) for the year 2006. The 2006 FARS data file used for the statistics in this report was created in June 2007. The updated final counts for 2005 are reflected in this report. The updated final counts for 2006 will be reflected in the 2007 report. The 2006 GES file used for the statistics in this report was completed in June 2007. KW - Crash data KW - Crash injuries KW - Data files KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - General Estimates System KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes UR - http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/2006%20DATA%20SUMMARY.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/887968 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01127122 AU - Schaefer, Melvin G AU - Barker, Bruce L AU - Taylor, George H AU - Wallis, James R AU - MGS Engineering Consultants AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Regional Precipitation-Frequency Analysis and Spatial Mapping of 24-Hour Precipitation for Oregon PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 114p AB - For this study regional frequency analyses were conducted for precipitation annual maxima in the state of Oregon for the 24-hour duration. A total of 693 precipitation gages in Oregon, southern Washington, western Idaho, northern California and northern Nevada were included in the study, representing 34,062 station-years of record. A regional analysis methodology was utilized that pooled data from climatologically similar areas to increase the dataset and improve the reliability of precipitation-frequency estimates. The regional analysis methodology included L-moment statistics, and an index-flood type approach for scaling the annual maxima data. L-moment statistics were used to: characterize the variability, skewness and kurtosis of the data; measure heterogeneity in proposed homogeneous sub-regions; and assist in identification of an appropriate regional probability distribution. Spatial mapping techniques were employed for mapping of the precipitation-frequency information. This included spatial mapping of at-site means, L-moment ratio values of L-Cv and L-Skewness, and mapping of precipitation for selected recurrence intervals. Procedures were employed to minimize differences between mapped values and observed station values in a manner that was consistent with the regional behavior of the data and also recognized uncertainties due to natural sampling variability. Color-shaded isopluvial maps were developed for the 6-month, 2-year, 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, 100-year, 500-year, and 1000-year precipitation recurrence intervals. Electronic gridded datasets are available for use in creation of geographic information system (GIS) applications that utilize precipitation-frequency information. A catalog of extreme storms was assembled that lists precipitation events that exceeded a 20-year return period for the various climatic regions. The information from the storm catalog was also used to conduct seasonality analyses that identified the occurrence frequency of extreme storms by month. In particular, the seasonality analyses identified those months that were the most likely and least likely for an extreme event to occur. This information is useful in rainfall-runoff modeling and can be used in conducting hydrologic analyses throughout the Oregon study area. KW - Distributions (Statistics) KW - Geographic information systems KW - Hydrologic analyses KW - Isopluvial maps KW - Mapping KW - Oregon KW - Precipitation (Meteorology) KW - Precipitation frequency KW - Regional analysis KW - Runoff KW - Spatial analysis KW - Storm frequency KW - Storms UR - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/ResearchReports/SPR656_Rainfall_Analysis_Final_Report_web.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/40000/40500/40508/SPR656_Rainfall_Analysis_Final_Report_web.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/887764 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01127118 AU - Dixon, Karen K AU - Rohani, Joshan AU - Oregon State University, Corvallis AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Methodologies for Estimating Advisory Curve Speeds on Oregon Highways PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 130p AB - This report reviews an Oregon research effort to evaluate the identification and marking of advisory speeds on Oregon highways. In particular, this research effort focused on the implications of modified advisory speed thresholds and identification procedures following the most recent and the upcoming Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Traffic Control Devices (TCD) Handbook recommendations. The primary objectives of this research effort were to help identify the basis for the current and proposed advisory speed posting procedures (with specific attention to the horizontal curve location on rural roads and passenger vehicle condition), to evaluate Oregon placement strategies at a variety of locations, and to identify potential criteria for establishing advisory speeds for these curved sections on Oregon highways. Included with this evaluation is an assessment of associated costs for implementation of a modified advisory speed policy in Oregon. Through the use of both manual and digital ball-bank devices, the report identifies compliance of current and future advisory speed thresholds for both State- and county-maintained roads, expected costs for upgrading State-maintained facilities, evaluation of alternative computational methods, and an assessment of the differences observed between the two different ball-bank devices. KW - Advisory speeds KW - Ball bank indicators KW - Compliance KW - Costs KW - Highway curves KW - Horizontal curvature KW - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices KW - Oregon KW - Policy KW - Rural highways KW - Speed limits UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/40000/40500/40505/SPR_641.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/887770 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01124747 AU - Loftus-Otway, Lisa AU - Walton, C Michael AU - Blais, Lynn AU - Hutson, Nathan M AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Protecting and Preserving Rail Corridors Against Encroachment of Incompatible Uses PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 194p AB - Rail corridor preservation and planning for the purpose of reducing or restricting incompatible development is an area of growing importance. This report provides an overview regarding encroachment and the elements that contribute to potentially incompatible development along rail corridors. The report reviews the legal tools that currently exist within Texas for corridor preservation and provides recommendations for new legislation, including draft legislation. The report then reviews the state of practice of corridor planning and preservation with mitigation against encroachment both in Texas and in selected other states around the country. The report pays special attention to incidents in which rail corridors are envisioned to host both freight and passenger services and the implications on land use. Finally, the report provides a review of costs associated to deal with encroachment, whether by planning, preservation, collaboration, or mitigation. KW - Corridor preservation KW - Costs KW - Encroachment KW - Land use planning KW - Legal factors KW - Legislation KW - Mitigation strategies KW - Railroad corridors KW - Right of way (Land) KW - State laws KW - State of the practice KW - Texas KW - Transit oriented development KW - Transportation corridors UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5546_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/886034 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01123015 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Transportation System Preservation Research, Development, and Implementation Roadmap PY - 2008/01 SP - 330p AB - There are significant gaps in the understanding of pavement and bridge preservation and it will require a comprehensive and broadly supported program of research, development and technology transfer to fill those gaps. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has partnered with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the preservation industry to sponsor a study to determine what the most critical knowledge gaps in pavement and bridge preservation are and what research is necessary to fill those gaps. This Transportation System Preservation (TSP) Research, Development, and Implementation Roadmap is the output of that partnership effort. Working together with preservation practitioners from State, Provincial, and local transportation agencies, industry, academia, and FHWA, the effort has resulted in developing a broad array of pavement and bridge preservation research needs statements. The number of needs statements and the estimated cost to complete all of them are: Pavement Preservation - 40 Needs Statements - $28.275M; and Bridge Preservation - 25 Needs Statements - $12.770M. The statement titles are summarized on pages 9-13 of this report, and the pavement and bridge preservation statements are enclosed in their entirety in Appendix A. All of the statements were evaluated and ranked to present a sense of timing and priority for their funding and pursuit. The total estimated cost of all these projects is substantial, but so is the ultimate value of providing agencies with the knowledge and tools they will provide. Although it does not represent a commitment of FHWA funds for the research projects, the Roadmap will serve as a valuable guide. It presents relationships between technical and program needs and offers recommendations to help decision makers within FHWA, AASHTO, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to allocate resources to conduct the research addressing these short-term and long-term needs. KW - Bridge preservation KW - Bridges KW - Costs KW - Decision making KW - Pavement preservation KW - Pavements KW - Research KW - Research problem statements KW - Research projects KW - Strategic planning UR - http://www.tsp2.org/roadmap/ UR - http://www.tsp2.org/roadmap/RR_complete.pdf UR - http://www.tsp2.org/roadmap/RR_report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30600/30640/RR_complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/884768 ER - TY - SER AN - 01120528 JO - NHTS Brief PB - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - National Household Travel Survey: Travel to School: The Distance Factor PY - 2008/01 SP - 2p AB - Like all trip-making, travel to school has changed dramatically over the last 40 years. The change that is most apparent is the increase in children being driven to school. One factor underlying this change is the increased distance children travel to school. In 1969, just over half (54.8 percent) of students lived a mile or more from their schools. By 2001, three-quarters of children traveled a mile or more to school. Some of the change in distance may be due to suburbanization and larger school districts. Policies and programs that encourage walking and biking to school, especially for grade school children, need to account for the number of eligible walkers and bikers (living within a mile of school) along with the barriers to walking and biking such as security concerns of parents. KW - Automobile travel KW - Bicycling KW - Distance KW - Mode choice KW - Residential location KW - School children KW - School trips KW - Travel surveys KW - Trip length KW - Walking UR - http://nhts.ornl.gov/briefs/Travel%20To%20School.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/879137 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01118461 AU - Khattak, Asad J AU - Teague, Corey AU - Pan, Xiaohong AU - Fan, Yingling AU - Rodriguez, Daniel A AU - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill AU - Old Dominion University AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Economic Impact of Traffic Incidents on North Carolina's Interstate Facilities PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 99p AB - Unexpected delays due to traffic incidents represent a significant proportion of overall delay, especially in urban areas. The resulting uncertainty can represent major costs to businesses and travelers, as well as restrict employment opportunities. This study focuses on North Carolina’s Interstate facilities and businesses across the State that rely on these facilities for their daily operations and are influenced by traffic congestion due to their shipping needs. The first portion of the study examines the occurrences and costs of unexpected delay for North Carolina businesses, using telephone and face-to-face interviews. Results show that delays due to incident-induced congestion impose significant costs, which may increase over time as expected congestion and the number of incidents on the North Carolina interstates continue to grow. These costs are most severe in the Manufacturing industrial sector and in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Additionally, numerous firms commented on the need for better communication between the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the business community. The second portion of the study is devoted to developing case studies to simulate the impact of strategies to reduce incident congestion costs in North Carolina. Results show that incident management assistance patrols and advanced traveler information systems can significantly reduce unexpected delays and associated costs. The implications of the findings for economic growth are discussed. KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Businesses KW - Case studies KW - Charlotte (North Carolina) KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Communication KW - Costs KW - Economic growth KW - Economic impacts KW - Incident management KW - Industries KW - Interstate highways KW - Metropolitan areas KW - North Carolina KW - North Carolina Department of Transportation KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic incidents UR - http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2006-12FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/878466 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01112655 AU - Redington, Mike AU - Rutyna, Eve AU - Grace, Nathan AU - Shanahan, Felicity AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Drug and Alcohol Testing Results 2005 Annual Report PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 94p AB - This is the 11th annual report of the results of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA's) Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. This report summarizes the reporting requirements for calendar year 2005, the requirements of the overall drug and alcohol testing program (49 CFR Part 40 and 49 CFR Part 655), the results from the data reported for 2005, and the random drug and alcohol violation rates (the percentage of persons selected for a random test who produced a positive specimen or refused to take the test) for calendar years 1995 through 2005. This report provides a brief overview of the drug and alcohol testing requirements for both safety-sensitive employers and employees. The official random rates for 2005 are provided, as well as the official random rate trends over the last 11 years. The results of alcohol and drug tests are provided by test type, employee category, and region. The positive testing rates for drugs and alcohol are also provided for each test type, employee category, and region. KW - Alcohol tests KW - Drug tests KW - Random testing KW - Statistics KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - U.S. Federal Transit Administration KW - Violation rate UR - http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/substance/damis05/pdf/damis2005.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/34000/34600/34678/DOT-VNTSC-FTA-08-01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/872445 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01111348 AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Hershberger, Daniel AU - Green, Paul E AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents Codebook 2005 PY - 2008/01//Special Report Task A SP - 126p AB - This report provides documentation for UMTRI’s file of Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA), 2005, including distributions of the code values for each variable in the file. The 2005 BIFA file is a census of all buses involved in a fatal accident in the United States. The BIFA database provides coverage of buses recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. BIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the bus from the BIFA survey. KW - Bus crashes KW - Buses KW - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents KW - Crash data KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Transportation safety UR - http://www.umtri.umich.edu/content/bifa2005Codebook.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/871042 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01108677 AU - Agent, Kenneth R AU - Green, Eric R AU - University of Kentucky, Lexington AU - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Crash History after Installation of Traffic Signals (Warranted vs. Unwarranted) PY - 2008/01//Research Report SP - 24p AB - The objective of this study was to determine the change in crash history at intersections after installation of a traffic signal. Signals installed based on the warrants from an engineering study resulted in a decrease in angle collisions with an increase in the less severe rear end collisions. At Intersections where signal warrants were not met, there was a smaller decrease in angle collisions and a larger increase in rear end collisions. The removal of unwarranted traffic signals did not result in a crash problem. The analysis shows that the warrants given in the MUTCD should be followed when determining the need for a traffic signal installation with the installation based on an engineering study. KW - Angle of incidence KW - Crashes KW - High risk locations KW - Interchanges and intersections KW - Rear end crashes KW - Right angle crashes KW - Signalized intersections KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic signals KW - Warrants (Traffic control devices) UR - http://www.ktc.uky.edu/files/2012/06/KTC_08_01_SPR_328_01_1I.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865805 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01106154 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AU - National Association of EMS Physicians AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - EMS Technology Assessment Template PY - 2008/01 SP - 25p AB - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) have jointly established the Technology and EMS Project’s Technical Consultation Committee (TCC). This group, comprised of experienced Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, administrators and medical directors as well as industry representatives, developed the EMS Technology Assessment Template contained in this document. It can be used by EMS technology developers, manufacturers, and consumers in the evaluation of new technology. The template may also help guide manufacturers and EMS technology consumers when considering the development of trials to evaluate the performance of new technology. This technology assessment template is designed to evaluate information technology and EMS devices that provide data about patients, evaluation-oriented clinical patient information, or decision support tools. The template may also be used by consumers to determine assessment criteria for other types of EMS equipment and treatments. This technology assessment template consists of two major sections followed by a scoring worksheet and a literature review. Section A is a descriptive section and presents information about the technology that may not have peer-reviewed literature support. The information presented in this section may be theoretical, presumptive, or in many cases, an educated guess. Section B asks for the objective literature and evidentiary evaluation of the technology, and describes levels and potential types of evaluation to be performed. Most technologies will have a very limited number of objective evaluations reported. Section C, the evaluation worksheet, is for use by the TCC, medical director, or EMS system to summarize and score the information provided through the use of the template. Section D, a literature review, presents journal, book and Internet references used during the development of this template as well as examples of various other technology assessment tools. Comments, summaries, and excerpts of these resources are included. Section E contains the TCC member roster. KW - Emergency medical services KW - Equipment KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Information technology KW - Literature reviews KW - Performance measurement KW - Procedures KW - Technological innovations KW - Technology assessment UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30143/810873.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865826 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105648 AU - Yura, Joseph A AU - Methvin, E R AU - Engelhardt, Michael D AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Design of Composite Steel Beams for Bridges PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 36p AB - Current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bridge specifications require that composite beams have sufficient shear studs to fully yield the steel beam cross section in tension. The large number of studs required is independent of the loading on the bridge. It is recommended that partial composite design as used in building specifications be permitted. It is shown that 85% of the full composite strength can be achieved with 40% fewer studs. The minimum stud spacing requirements in AASHTO were compared with the requirements in other design specifications. Additional research was recommended to evaluate the possibility of relaxing the current minimum requirement. It was shown that the current AASHTO fatigue requirements for stud design are conservative compared to the most recent research but no change is recommended. KW - AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications KW - Beams KW - Composite beams KW - Fatigue (Mechanics) KW - Spacing KW - Specifications KW - Studs UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4811_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865193 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105645 AU - Matthews, Ron AU - Hall, Matt AU - Kibler, Clark AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - The Final Series of Oils Tested as a Potential Solution to the Galveston Ferry Operations (GFO) Engine Failures PY - 2008/01 SP - 8p AB - The research team had previously found that the Galveston Ferry Operations (GFO) engine failures were the result of three factors: 1) the poor ring pack design of these engines, which results in a high oil consumption rate, 2) the high ash content of the re-refined oil that was used in the ferries, and 3) the decreased flame temperature for TxLED relative to 2D on-road diesel. The research team evaluated candidate oils as potential replacements for the re-refined oil that GFO was using. This report presents the results from the final series of oils tested. The research team evaluated five candidate oils during the final round of tests. These oils were evaluated based upon their effects on the oil consumption rate, engine wear, and in-cylinder calcium deposits. Four new oils were evaluated during the final round of tests and one of the best oils from the first round was examined again during the second round as a control oil. As a result of these tests, the research team recommends that Galveston Ferry Operations begin using Exxon Elite 20W50 in all of its ferries. KW - Engine oils KW - Engine performance KW - Ferries KW - Galveston Ferry Operations KW - Marine diesel engines KW - Testing UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5532_P3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865205 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01105639 AU - Rosales-Herrera, Vanessa Ivette AU - Prozzi, Jorge A AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Mixture Design Manual and Performance-Based Specifications for Cold Patching Mixtures PY - 2008/01 SP - 36p AB - The purpose of these cold mixture design guidelines is to provide recommendations to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a homemade design procedure for cold patching mixtures under cold weather conditions. This manual identifies and discusses the special considerations that must be given to critical mixture properties. Ensuring specific mixture characteristics translates into an increase in patch performance and cost effectiveness with the corresponding associated savings to the Department. In addition, these guidelines suggest preliminary performance-based specifications based on testing results from TxDOT Project 0-4872, “Material Design and Testing Methods for Home Made and Containerized Cold Mix.” These specifications help to identify those homemade and containerized cold patching mixtures that are expected to perform satisfactorily in the field. Furthermore, these guidelines can evolve into standard specifications for approving or rejecting the use of a specific mixture in the field. To this effect more testing of a wider range of mixtures is necessary. It is important to note that these recommendations were developed primarily for cold and wet weather conditions. Most of the field experiments and validation were carried out in the TxDOT Lubbock District. However, this procedure may serve as a framework for use in other districts. In all cases, modifications to the proposed procedure must be made based on local experience, available material and testing, and specific environmental and project demands. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Bituminous mixtures KW - Cold mix paving mixtures KW - Cold weather KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Guidelines KW - Manuals KW - Mix design KW - Patching KW - Performance based specifications UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4872_P2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/865195 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104925 AU - Jiang, Yi AU - Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Durability and Retro-Reflectivity of Pavement Markings (Synthesis Study) PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 99p AB - Waterborne paints are used to paint pavement markings (edgelines and centerlines) to provide guidance for motorists. The painted markings need to be repainted periodically as their retro-reflectivity deteriorates. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) repaints pavement markings at least annually. INDOT engineers would like to determine the feasibility of extending the time intervals of repainting pavement markings on at least some types of roadways. The purpose of this synthesis study is to accomplish the following: (1) to locate and assemble documented information on pavement marking durability; (2) to learn what criteria have been used in other states in measuring retro-reflectivity and scheduling pavement marking painting; (3) to determine the necessity of conducting full scale study on INDOT pavement markings; (4) to identify the type and cost of equipment required for retro-reflectivity measurements and conditions of operation of the equipment; (5) to organize, evaluate, and document the useful information that is acquired; and (6) to provide recommendations based on the evaluated information. This report presents the findings of the synthesis study on various pavement marking materials. It was found in this study that many state highway agencies have evaluated several types of pavement marking materials. The evaluation results include performance, cost, service life, and retro-reflectivity measuring equipment of marking materials. However, the results could vary from different sates. The information gathered through this study will provide INDOT engineers the state-of practice of pavement marking materials in this country. KW - Center lines KW - Edge lines KW - Epoxy coatings KW - Indiana KW - Marking materials KW - Reflectorized road markings KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road markings KW - Thermoplastic materials KW - Waterborne latex paint UR - http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1704&context=jtrp UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864639 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104907 AU - Shah, Sharvil AU - Hastak, Makarand AU - Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Acquisition and Analysis of Earthwork Pay Quantity Verification Data PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 208p AB - This research identifies technologies and methods that can be used by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) in earthwork data collection and earthwork quantity calculation process on large construction projects that could result in timely completion of the projects with less labor and resultant cost. In order to achieve the above stated objective, several tasks were performed, i.e., literature review, data collection, data analysis, and recommendations. INDOT engineers were interviewed to determine their current state of practice. Also, all the state DOTs, professional companies in Indiana and vendors of earthwork data collection equipment and software products were contacted through questionnaire surveys and personal interviews. Two case studies were also performed with an owner and a contractor to understand the use, benefits and drawbacks of these equipment and software products. The analysis of data indicated that a combination of technologies was a better option to suit different scenario rather than one specific technology. For INDOT, use of robotic total station (RTS), RTK GPS and aerial photogrammetry are recommended, while a comparative analysis of the companies for earthwork data collection equipment and earthwork quantity calculations software products is provided. Recommendations on training costs and options are also made to INDOT. Also some other relevant issues that came up during interviews and case studies are also discussed in this report. All the recommendations were on the basis of the collected data and literature review performed by researchers during the course of this project. KW - Case studies KW - Construction projects KW - Data collection KW - Earthwork KW - Indiana KW - Pay adjustments KW - Payment KW - Software packages KW - State of the practice KW - Training UR - http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1789&context=jtrp UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864652 ER - TY - SER AN - 01104056 JO - Civil Engineering Studies, Illinois Center for Transportation Series PB - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - El-Rayes, Khaled AU - Liu, Liang Y AU - Elseifi, Mostafa A AU - Pena-Mora, Feniosky AU - Hassan, Marwa M AU - Boukamp, Frank AU - Odeh, Ibrahim AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Nighttime Construction: Evaluation of Lighting Glare for Highway Construction in Illinois PY - 2008/01//Research Report IS - 08-014 SP - 206p AB - This report presents the findings of a research project that studied the veiling luminance ratio (glare) experienced by driveby motorists in lanes adjacent to nighttime work zones. The objectives of the project are to (1) provide an in-depth comprehensive review of the latest literature on the causes of glare and the existing practices that can be used to quantify and control glare during nighttime highway construction; (2) identify practical factors that affect the measurement of glare in and around nighttime work zones; (3) analyze and compare the levels of glare and lighting performance generated by typical lighting arrangements in nighttime highway construction; (4) evaluate the impact of lighting parameters on glare and provide practical recommendations to reduce and control lighting glare in and around nighttime work zones; (5) develop a practical model to measure and quantify levels of glare experienced by drive-by motorists; and (6) investigate and analyze existing studies and recommendations on the maximum allowable levels of glare that can be tolerated by nighttime drivers. The research work was performed in four main tasks: literature review, site visits, field studies, and model development. In the first task, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to study the latest research on quantifying and controlling lighting glare. In the second task, several nighttime highway construction sites were visited to identify practical factors that affect the measurement of glare. In the third task, field experiments were conducted to measure the levels of glare generated by commonly used construction lighting equipment and to evaluate the impact of lighting parameters on glare levels. In the fourth task, practical models were developed to enable resident engineers and contractors to measure and control the levels of glare experienced by drive-by motorists in lanes adjacent to nighttime work zones. KW - Field studies KW - Glare KW - Illinois KW - Lighting KW - Literature reviews KW - Mathematical models KW - Measurement KW - Night KW - Nighttime construction KW - Road construction KW - Site visits KW - Work zone safety UR - http://www.ict.uiuc.edu/Publications/report%20files/FHWA-ICT-08-014.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55700/55770/FHWA-ICT-08-014.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864193 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01104050 AU - Ghorbanpoor, Al AU - Dudek, John A AU - Wells, Christian AU - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Bridge Integrated Analysis and Decision Support: Case Histories – Phase I PY - 2008/01//Phase I Report SP - 164p AB - This report presents a database of case histories of incidents due to impact, fire and scour for sixteen bridges in Wisconsin. It is intended to expand and use such case history and other relevant data in a future study to develop a decision support system. Such decision support system can aid bridge engineers take appropriate actions when rapid response is required in emergency cases such as major bridge damage or failure. The case history information presented here was assembled using available archived data from various department of transportation (DOT) offices and through interviews with various active and retired staff of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Districts and the City of Milwaukee. Each case history document includes information regarding any associated event, remediation, and past repair and maintenance. Essential structural and geometric data are also included with each case history document. As a part of this study, incident response procedures for WisDOT and the City of Milwaukee were developed through consultation with appropriate staff of those offices. The database is searchable with keywords and can be accessed through the web. User manuals for both users and system administrators are included in the report. KW - Bridges KW - Case studies KW - Computer program documentation KW - Crashes KW - Databases KW - Decision support systems KW - Disaster preparedness KW - Emergency management KW - Fire KW - Scour KW - Wisconsin UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/04-15-bridgedecisionsupport-f.pdf UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/WisDOT-WHRP-project-0092-04-15-final-report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/864117 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01103353 AU - Qiao, Pizhong AU - Yang, Mijia AU - McLean, David I AU - Washington State Transportation Center AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Effect of Intermediate Diaphragms to Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders in Over-Height Truck Impacts PY - 2008/01//Research Report SP - 141p AB - The objectives of this study are three-fold: (1) develop/validate dynamic numerical finite element models to simulate the prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms, (2) perform numerical parametric study to evaluate the effect of the critical factors on design of intermediate diaphragms, and (3) provide recommendations and guidelines to better design of intermediate diaphragms to impact of over-height trucks. The conducted study aims to shed light on improved impact protection of prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms and aid the WSDOT in design, analysis, and construction of prestressed concrete bridges. The findings of this study assist in developing the specific standard of practice (such as, amendments to AASHTO standard specifications, WSDOT standard specifications, policy directives, implementation manuals, or operating procedures) for design of prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms. More importantly, the proposed recommendations and guideline help the bridge engineers to make better design decisions for prestressed concrete bridges. KW - Bridge design KW - Bridges KW - Diaphragms (Engineering) KW - Finite element method KW - Girders KW - Height KW - Impact KW - Materials and structures protection KW - Numerical analysis KW - Overheight vehicles KW - Prestressed concrete KW - Trucks UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/696.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860496 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102292 AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Jacksonville bus rapid transit system : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/01//Volumes held: Draft, Draft Appendix, Final, Final Appendix KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Florida UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862253 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01102232 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Widen Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) from Interstate 10 to US-101 in Los Angeles County : environmental impact statement PY - 2008/01//Volumes held: Draft, Final(4v) KW - California KW - Environmental impact statements UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/862193 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100788 AU - Zollinger, Dan G AU - Lee, Sang Ick AU - Puccinelli, Jason AU - Jackson, Newton C AU - Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chartered AU - Texas A&M University, College Station AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - LTPP Computed Parameter: Moisture Content PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 104p AB - A study was conducted to compute in situ soil parameters based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) traces obtained from Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) test sections instrumented for the seasonal monitoring program (SMP). Ten TDR sensors were installed in the base and subgrade layers at each of the 70 SMP test sites monitored as part of the LTPP program. A comprehensive description of a new method developed as part of the study to estimate moisture content, dry density, reflectivity, and conductivity of the soil from TDR traces is provided in the report. This new method utilizes transmission line equations and micromechanics models calibrated to site-specific conditions for each site/layer combination. Background information on existing empirical methodologies used to estimate subsurface moisture content from TDR traces is also documented. The results were compared to previous methods as well as ground truth data to evaluate the ability of the new model to predict soil parameters. The transmission line equation and micromechanics method was found to provide accurate results and was used to interpret over 270,000 TDR records stored in the LTPP database. A computer program (MicroMoist) was developed to aid in the computation of soil parameters based on TDR trace data and calibration information. Details on the program are provided along with descriptions of the tables developed to store the computed values in the LTPP Information Management System database. KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Equations KW - Long-Term Pavement Performance Program KW - LTPP Information Management System KW - Micromechanics KW - MicroMoist (Computer program) KW - Moisture content KW - Seasonal Monitoring Program (LTPP) KW - Subgrade (Pavements) KW - Test sections KW - Time domain reflectometers UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/08035/08035.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860556 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100249 AU - Romanoschi, Stefan A AU - Lewis, Paul A AU - Dumitru, Octavian AU - Banda, Sathish AU - Kansas State University, Manhattan AU - Kansas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Accelerated Testing for Studying Pavement Design and Performance (FY 2003): Evaluation of the Chemical Stabilized Subgrade Soil (CISL Experiment No. 12) PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 183p AB - The Midwest States Accelerated Pavement Testing Pooled Fund Program, financed by the highway departments of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, has supported an accelerated pavement testing (APT) project to compare the performance of stabilized clayey embankment soil when portland cement, fly ash, lime and a commercial product were used as stabilizing agents. The project aimed to improve the practices related to the design of flexible pavements when the top of the subgrade is improved by chemical stabilization. The experiments were conducted at the Civil Infrastructure Systems Laboratory (CISL) of Kansas State University. The test program consisted of constructing four flexible pavement structures and subjecting them to full-scale accelerated loading test. The study indicated that cement and lime are the most effective stabilizers for the studied soil. These stabilizers resulted in lower vertical compressive stresses at the top of the subgrade and lower rut depth at the pavement surface than the fly ash-treated soil. After more than two million axle load repetitions, the pavement with cement stabilized embankment soil exhibited much less surface cracking than the pavement with fly-ash stabilized embankment. The commercial product proved not to be effective in stabilizing the non-sulfate clayey soil used in this experiment, when the embankment is constructed at the same moisture content and compaction level as for the other three chemicals. The unconfined compression strength measured on laboratory prepared samples of soil stabilized with the commercial chemical compound was very similar to that of the untreated soil. KW - Accelerated tests KW - Calcium oxide KW - Cement KW - Chemicals KW - Clay soils KW - Compressive strength KW - Flexible pavements KW - Fly ash KW - Pavement cracking KW - Pavement design KW - Portland cement KW - Rutting KW - Soil stabilization KW - Subgrade (Pavements) UR - http://www.ksdot.org/PublicLib/publicDoc.asp?ID=003764928 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860188 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100248 AU - Hobson, Cliff AU - Kansas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Rejuvenating Agent Rate for One-Inch Surface Recycle on K-9 Near Wetmore PY - 2008/01//Interim Report SP - 20p AB - The one-inch surface recycle process for asphalt pavement preservation has been used for many years in Kansas. The recycling process typically uses four propane heating units, a tined scarifying unit attached to the last heating unit and a paving machine to achieve a three-quarter to one-inch total depth of recycled material. This recycled layer is then covered with a 1.0- to 1.5-inch thick overlay wearing surface. The intent of the investigation was twofold: first, to determine the property changes of the recycled material in comparison with the original pavement material, and second, to determine how the properties of the recycled material change when the emulsion rate is changed. This specific project was in Nemaha County on K-9 near Wetmore. Two test sections (#1 and #2) and a control section (#3), all 990 feet in length, were installed. The east end of test section #1 is at Milepost 280 and the other two sections are consecutive to the west of test section #1, all in the eastbound lane. The before and after gradation, asphalt content and thermal cracking properties were determined, as well as the potential rutting stability of the recycled mixture. Cores taken after the project was completed were used to determine the lift thicknesses and the compaction effort on the recycle and surface lifts. KW - Aggregate gradation KW - Asphalt content KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Before and after studies KW - Bituminous overlays KW - Kansas KW - Pavement cracking KW - Pavement preservation KW - Recycled asphalt pavements KW - Recycling KW - Rejuvenating agents KW - Rutting KW - Surface course (Pavements) KW - Test sections UR - http://www.ksdot.org/PublicLib/publicDoc.asp?ID=003768615 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860190 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100247 AU - Hobson, Cliff AU - Kansas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Investigation of Two-Inch Surface Recycle Process in Kansas on US-59 South of Nortonville PY - 2008/01//Interim Report SP - 16p AB - The two-inch hot surface recycle process for asphalt pavement preservation is relatively new to Kansas. The hot recycling process uses six propane heating units, three milling machines and a paving machine to achieve a two-inch total depth of recycled material. This recycled layer is then covered with a 1.0- to 1.5-inch thick overlay wearing surface. This investigation was to determine the changes in the pavement properties as the old pavement surface material is processed by the recycling operation during construction. This specific project was in Jefferson County on US-59 south of Nortonville. The before and after asphalt content and thermal cracking properties were looked at, as well as the gradation and potential rutting stability of the recycled mixture. This was not a full in-depth study, but rather, an initial preliminary review of the process. KW - Aggregate gradation KW - Asphalt content KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Before and after studies KW - Bituminous overlays KW - Hot in-place recycling KW - Kansas KW - Pavement cracking KW - Pavement preservation KW - Recycled asphalt pavements KW - Recycling KW - Rutting KW - Surface course (Pavements) UR - http://www.ksdot.org/PublicLib/publicDoc.asp?ID=003769442 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860192 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100237 AU - Sillick, Susan C AU - Abernathy, Craig AU - Autio, Lisa AU - Montana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - FFY 2007 Annual Report for the Montana Department of Transportation Research Programs PY - 2008/01//Annual Report SP - 113p AB - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducts research to discover, develop, or extend knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and improve the statewide multimodal transportation system. Specific goals include: evaluation and advancement of new technologies, materials, and methods; development of design and analysis techniques; and study of current transportation challenges. The purpose of this report is to give an overall description of research, development, and technology transfer activities for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2007 within the Research Programs of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). Through these activities, the Research Programs enhances MDT's ability to deliver efficient and effective transportation services. MDT's mission is to serve the public by providing a transportation system and services that emphasize quality, safety, cost effectiveness, economic vitality, and sensitivity to the environment. MDT's Research Programs impacts each and every part of MDT's mission. Research projects completed in FFY 2007 yielded results that when fully implemented will improve: Efficiency and effectiveness of MDT operations and technology transfer, including improving training of and encouraging young individuals to enter the transportation construction work force; Economic vitality; Sensitivity to the environment, including decreasing vehicle-wildlife collisions, improving habitat connectivity, improving design for safety and fish passage, and improving revegetation of roadsides; Safety, by decreasing roadside hazards, decreasing young driver accidents, through training and technology transfer; and Quality of what we do and how we do it, including bridge design and inspection, pavement design and preservation, use of the most efficient materials and technology, and materials testing and acceptance. KW - Annual reports KW - Economic development KW - Environmental policy KW - Montana Department of Transportation KW - Quality assurance KW - Research projects KW - Technology transfer KW - Transportation safety UR - http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/annual_report.shtml UR - http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/docs/annual_report/2007.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/27000/27000/27030/2007.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860135 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100233 AU - Stewart, Richard D AU - Ogard, Libby AU - Pagano, Anthony M AU - Williams, R Christopher AU - Bausano, Jason Paul AU - University of Wisconsin, Superior AU - Midwest Regional University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Rail to Truck Modal Shift: Impact of Increased Freight Traffic on Pavement Maintenance Costs PY - 2008/01//Research Final Report SP - 83p AB - The loss of rail network infrastructure and rail service throughout the U.S. has in most instances resulted in the modal shift of rail freight to truck. Rail freight converted to truck may have significant impact on pavement maintenance costs and activities due to the increased highway traffic volumes. This study investigated three short-line rail routes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and determined the potential impact of diverting rail freight flows to truck. A freight flow analysis was undertaken to illustrate the new truck flows by highway classification and usage. The highway route current conditions and asset management techniques were documented. A pavement maintenance model was created to determine the incremental maintenance costs per ton-mile if additional freight moved over various classes of highway and the resulting impact on highway funding. KW - Asset management KW - Commodity flow KW - Costs KW - Economic impacts KW - Freight traffic KW - Highways KW - Impact studies KW - Maintenance costs KW - Minnesota KW - Modal diversion KW - Modal shift KW - Pavement maintenance KW - Short line railroads KW - Traffic volume KW - Trucking KW - Upper Peninsula (Michigan) KW - Wisconsin UR - http://www.mrutc.org/research/0603/06-03_MRUTC_FR_3-08.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860134 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01100230 AU - Liang, Robert Y AU - University of Akron AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Refine AASHTO T283 Resistance of Compacted Bituminous Mixture to Moisture Induced Damage for Superpave PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 210p AB - Moisture induced damage in asphalt concrete pavements, better known as stripping, is one of the primary causes of distresses in the asphalt pavement layers. AASHTO T283 has historically been used to detect moisture damage potential of asphalt mixes. This method is established for the Marshall mix design process. However, the current hot mix asphalt (HMA) design calls for the use of Superpave mix design procedure using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC). The differences in the mix design methods will most likely introduce significant differences in stripping test results. Therefore, to improve the AASHTO T283 test procedure and to develop the new criterion for the Superpave HMA specimens, this project was conducted to evaluate the applicability of AASHTO T283 to the Superpave mixes. A structured laboratory test program was conducted in this research to study the effects of the various factors on the HMA specimen's susceptibility to moisture damage. A complete factorial experimental program for two aggregate sources with virgin asphalt binder was conducted together with a partial factorial experimental program for the other two aggregate sources with polymer modified asphalt binders. In the data analysis, the effects of different factors on dry tensile strength, freeze-thaw conditioned tensile strength, and tensile strength ratio (TSR) were investigated in this report. The effects of all the factors investigated in this research are summarized in this report. The recommendations for the proposed stripping test procedure for Superpave HMA are given at the end of the report. KW - AASHTO T 283 KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Gyratory compaction KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Laboratory tests KW - Mix design KW - Moisture susceptibility KW - Stripping (Pavements) KW - Superpave KW - Tensile strength UR - http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/request?id%3Doclcnum%3A212852493 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55840/FHWA-OH-2008-1.PDF UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55800/55841/FHWA-OH-2008-1_EXEC_SUMMARY.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/860088 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099877 AU - Maurer, Gayle AU - Polish, Patricia AU - Nevada Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Exploring Alternative Strategies for the Rehabilitation of Low-Volume Roads in Nevada PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 104p AB - Nevada has been among the fastest-growing states in the nation for over two decades. Due to this growth, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is faced with the challenge of how to balance its available funding between pavement preservation and capacity improvement projects. This challenge is even greater for the low-volume roads network. Low-volume roads upkeep has been delegated to NDOT maintenance personnel and allocated funds have not been sufficient to address the distress modes on these roads. Thus, more cost-effective methods for pavement rehabilitation and maintenance must be determined and evaluated for inclusion in NDOT’s pavement preservation program. A total of 29 combinations of pavement surface and structural rehabilitation strategies were constructed on 111 centerline miles of low-volume roads throughout Nevada. The strategies included full depth reclamation, cold mix asphalt concrete pavement, cold in-place recycling, and various surface treatments. The test sections were monitored with roughness surveys, condition surveys, falling weight deflectometer testing, and core evaluations for resilient modulus, strength, and rutting susceptibility. A life-cycle cost analysis was conducted for the constructed rehabilitation strategies and compared to NDOT’s conventional practice of placing hot mix asphalt concrete pavement and chip seal wearing course on low-volume roads. The analysis indicated that a $104,000 per centerline mile saving might be realized if a 3 in. cold in-place recycling and double chip seal wearing course were used instead of hot mix asphalt concrete pavement to rehabilitate pavement with functional deficiency. An additional benefit of cold in-place recycling is that reflective cracking is interrupted. Furthermore, savings of $38,000 to $93,000 per centerline mile may be achieved if full depth reclamation, cold mix asphalt concrete pavement, and cold in-place recycling with stockpiled millings were used in lieu of hot mix asphalt concrete pavement to rehabilitate pavement with structural deficiency. There is a potential network level saving of $8,400,000 per year if rehabilitation strategies other than hot mix asphalt concrete pavement were used to manage and maintain NDOT’s low-volume roads network at an acceptable level of service. The primary deliverable was proposed low-volume roads rehabilitation guidelines. The guidelines were based on whether the pavement exhibits structural or functional deficiencies. The guidelines provide systematic and cost-effective alternatives for pavement managers when tasked with choosing among rehabilitation options. Project results included the modification of NDOT’s conventional pavement preservation practices for low-volume roads, specification improvements, and construction experience with new to NDOT rehabilitation strategies and products. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Cold in-place recycling KW - Cold mix paving mixtures KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Full-depth reclamation KW - Guidelines KW - Life cycle costing KW - Low volume roads KW - Nevada KW - Pavement maintenance KW - Pavement preservation KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Surface treating KW - Test sections UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859646 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01099867 AU - Agent, Kenneth R AU - Green, Eric R AU - University of Kentucky, Lexington AU - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Use of Edge Line Markings on Rural Two-Lane Roadways PY - 2008/01//Interim Research Report SP - 16p AB - The objective of this study was to review roadway characteristics and crash data in Kentucky and determine if revisions should be made to current guidelines for the use of edge lines. Recommendations were made concerning the use of edge lines, centerlines, and paved shoulders on rural, two-lane roadways with varying pavement widths. KW - Center lines KW - Crash data KW - Edge lines KW - Guidelines KW - Kentucky KW - Paved shoulders KW - Rural highways KW - Two lane highways UR - http://www.ktc.uky.edu/files/2012/06/KTC_08_02_SPR_330_07_1I.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/859601 ER - TY - SER AN - 01095869 JO - Traffic Safety Facts - Traffic Tech PB - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - The Robustness of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test in Standard Field Sobriety Tests PY - 2008/01 IS - 339 SP - 2p AB - The Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) consist of three tests: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk-and-Turn (WAT), and One-Leg Stand (OLS). Courts generally accept testimony about WAT and OLS, but may not admit testimony about HGN. Sometimes, minor procedural differences occur in the administration of an HGN test due to environment, weather, and the suspect's level of cooperation. Courts have accepted arguments that variations from standard procedures in HGN administration may affect its validity and as a result render HGN testimony inadmissible. The effect of deviations from standard procedure on HGN scores has never been systematically studied. In addition, questions have been raised about the validity of the test when a suspect has functional vision in only one eye. To ascertain whether minor variations in procedure affect the validity of the HGN tests, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined variations in HGN administration through laboratory experiments and field data collection. Under contract, the Southern California Research Institute conducted three experiments to examine the effects of procedural variations in the administration of an HGN test on the accuracy of the test. This fact sheet describes the methodology of these tests and presents their findings. KW - Accuracy KW - Alcohol tests KW - Courts KW - Drunk drivers KW - Horizontal gaze nystagmus KW - Law enforcement KW - Standardized Field Sobriety Tests KW - Test procedures UR - https://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Communication%20&%20Consumer%20Information/Traffic%20Tech%20Publications/Associated%20Files/tt339.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855754 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01095866 AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Large Truck Crash Facts 2006 PY - 2008/01 SP - 76p AB - This annual edition of Large Truck Crash Facts contains descriptive statistics about fatal, injury, and property damage only crashes involving large trucks in 2006. Selected crash statistics on passenger vehicles are also presented for comparison purposes. In addition, for the first time, the report includes 10 tables that show bus crash statistics. The major sources for the data are the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the General Estimates System (GES), the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), and "Highway Statistics" (an annual publication of the Federal Highway Administration). This year’s report is organized into four chapters: Trends, Crashes, Vehicles, and People. The Trends chapter shows data for 2006 in the context of available historical data for past years. In the other chapters, the 2006 data are shown in different ways, according to what is being counted. The Crashes chapter counts numbers of crashes; the Vehicles chapter counts vehicles in crashes; and the People chapter counts persons of all types involved in crashes. Four different types of counts are shown: (1) Crashes: Numbers of crashes involving various vehicle types. (2) Vehicles in Crashes: Numbers of vehicles involved in crashes. These counts may be larger than the number of crashes (fatal, injury, or property damage only), because more than one vehicle may be involved in a single crash. (3) People in Crashes: Numbers of people killed or injured in crashes. These counts generally are larger than the number of crashes (fatal or injury), because more than one person may be killed or injured in a single crash. People killed or injured may be occupants of a truck, occupants of another vehicle, or nonmotorists (pedestrians or pedalcyclists). (4) Drivers in Crashes: Numbers of vehicle drivers involved in crashes. These counts generally are equal to the numbers of vehicles involved in crashes. KW - Annual reports KW - Crash data KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Property damage KW - Statistics KW - Tables (Data) KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - Truck crashes UR - http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CarrierResearchResults/PDFS/LargeTruckCrashFacts2006.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855749 ER - TY - SER AN - 01095548 JO - Traffic Safety Facts - Crash Stats PB - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Fatally Injured Motorcycle Operators by License Status PY - 2008/01 IS - HS-810 892 SP - 2p AB - The proportion of fatally injured motorcycle operators with invalid licenses involved in fatal crashes as a trend for the years 2002-2006 has remained about the same, varying between 24% and 26%. This fact sheet presents statistics which show 5-year (2002-2006) trend data of fatally injured motorcycle operators by license status. Additional statistics are presented which show a State breakdown of fatally injured motorcycle operators in fatal crashes by license status for 2002-2006. KW - Driver licenses KW - Driving without a license KW - Fatalities KW - Motorcycle crashes KW - Motorcyclists KW - Revocation KW - Suspensions KW - Trend (Statistics) UR - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/RNotes/2008/810892.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/855707 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091769 AU - Keel, Theodore W AU - Federal Transit Administration AU - Nurture Nature Foundation TI - Free Trade for All PY - 2008/01 SP - 55p AB - A group called the Nurture Nature Foundation, founded by New York labor lawyer Ted Kheel, will soon release a study showing how New York's subways and buses could be free. The tradeoff would make auto trips into central Manhattan much more expensive. Under his proposal, the city would levy a $16 tax to enter the city's Central Business District, higher parking fees in the central city, and a taxi surcharge. Kheel believes that increasing the cost of driving in the central city would decrease traffic by a third or more and produce $2 billion in benefits from pollution reductions and other savings. New York City Mayor’s congestion pricing plan, in contrast, would charge lower fees--between four and eight dollars; an alternative proposal currently under discussion would charge commuters $8 round-trip tolls on some city bridges. Kheel says congestion pricing is a good start; but without mass transit, he believes, it won't work. His preliminary study suggests that subway and commuter rail trips would increase by 20 percent under his proposal. KW - Central business districts KW - Congestion pricing KW - Costs KW - Driving KW - Fares KW - Fees KW - New York (New York) KW - Parking KW - Public transit KW - Taxes KW - Taxi services KW - Traffic mitigation UR - http://www.nnyn.org/kheelplan/index.html UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851327 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091728 AU - Goodwin, Arthur H AU - Hall, William L AU - Raborn, J Craig AU - Thomas, Libby J AU - Masten, Scott V AU - Tucker, Mary Ellen AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide For State Highway Safety Offices PY - 2008/01//2008 Edition (Third Edition) SP - v.p. AB - This guide is a basic reference to assist State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) in selecting effective, science-based traffic safety countermeasures for major highway safety problem areas. The guide: describes major strategies and countermeasures that are relevant to SHSOs; summarizes their use, effectiveness, costs, and implementation time; and provides references to the most important research summaries and individual studies. The guide contains a chapter for each problem area. Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the problem area’s size and characteristics, the main countermeasure strategies, a glossary of key terms, and a few general references. Next, a table lists specific countermeasures and summarizes their use, effectiveness, costs, and implementation time. Each countermeasure is then discussed in approximately one page. Some countermeasure areas are covered in more depth than others due to the availability of published research. For example, impaired driving has a long and rich research history while other topics, such as driver distraction and fatigue, have received less attention. Highway safety problem areas covered include the following: alcohol-impaired driving, seat belts, speeding and aggressive driving, fatigued and distracted driving, motorcycle safety, young drivers, older drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. KW - Aged drivers KW - Aggression KW - Alcohol use KW - Costs KW - Countermeasures KW - Cyclists KW - Distraction KW - Drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Effectiveness KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Highway safety KW - Impaired drivers KW - Implementation KW - Motorcycle safety KW - Pedestrians KW - Seat belts KW - Speeding KW - State highway departments KW - States KW - Strategic planning KW - Teenage drivers KW - Traffic safety KW - Utilization KW - Young adults UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/30000/30100/30159/810891.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851364 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091495 AU - Koylu, Umit O AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Hydrogen Flammability Limits and Implications on Fire Safety of Transportation Vehicles PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 10p AB - The recent establishment of the National University Transportation Center at MST under the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users," expands the research and education activities to include alternative transportation fuels and other issues that are at the forefront of society and the national agenda. MST in partnership with MTI will establish a rural hydrogen transportation test bed for developing, demonstrating, evaluating, and promoting hydrogen-based technologies in a real-world environment. The State of Missouri is ideally suited to develop and demonstrate the proper operation of hydrogen highways in a rural setting, which represents over 25 percent of the nation's transportation needs and which is not well-represented in the current major national projects. A holistic approach will be taken to address not just the technology but also public perception, permitting, safety standards, and education and training. A key partner already engaged is the NASFM, who regards this project as an "excellent candidate for the model approach to introducing hydrogen to communities." The tasks identified in five areas, viz., Infrastructure Development and Deployment, High-Pressure Composite Cylinders, Inspection and Monitoring, Statistically Validated Codes and Standards, and Safety, constitute a comprehensive research, development and demonstration program to address some of the challenges described in the U.S. Department of Transportation Hydrogen Roadmap 2005. KW - Education and training KW - Fire fighting KW - Fires KW - Flammability KW - Highways KW - Hydrogen KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users KW - Vehicles UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Koylu_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26928/R170_Koylu_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851846 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091459 AU - Lee, S AU - Raper, J AU - Ludlow, D AU - Henthorn, K AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - On-Site Generation of Hydrogen from Ethanol PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 17p AB - Supercritical water is a synergistic, non-catalytic media for the reformation of crude ethanol feedstocks into hydrogen. The kinetics of the supercritical water reformation of ethanol was experimentally studied in a tubular reactor made of Inconel 625 alloy. The high enthalpy level of supercritical water and the extraordinary solubility of reaction components in supercritical water allow the reformation reaction to proceed without the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. The principal reactions are pyrolytic decomposition and reformation of ethanol, which are competing in nature. The products of both reactions are quite similar yielding both hydrogen and carbon oxides, except that the former reaction also generates methane which undergoes further reformation in the supercritical water medium. The competitive nature of the reformation and pyrolytic decomposition reactions along with the water gas shift reaction in the supercritical reformation process was elucidated from a mechanistic standpoint. Kinetic rate information as well as the optimal process operating conditions were obtained for the supercritical water reformation process. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Composite materials KW - Education and training KW - Ethanol KW - Feedstocks KW - Hydrogen KW - Kinetics KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Safety education KW - Storage tanks UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Lee_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26929/R170_Lee_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851844 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091443 AU - Isaac, K M AU - Shivaram, P AU - Schonberg, W P AU - Renfro, C AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Detonation Wave Propagation and Interaction with Transportation Infrastructure PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 10p AB - The recent establishment of the National University Transportation Center at MST under the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users," expands the research and education activities to include alternative transportation fuels and other issues that are at the forefront of society and the national agenda. MST in partnership with MTI will establish a rural hydrogen transportation test bed for developing, demonstrating, evaluating, and promoting hydrogen-based technologies in a real-world environment. The State of Missouri is ideally suited to develop and demonstrate the proper operation of hydrogen highways in a rural setting, which represents over 25 percent of the nation's transportation needs and which is not well-represented in the current major national projects. A holistic approach will be taken to address not just the technology but also public perception, permitting, safety standards, and education and training. A key partner already engaged is the NASFM, who regards this project as an "excellent candidate for the model approach to introducing hydrogen to communities." The tasks identified in five areas, viz., Infrastructure Development and Deployment, High-Pressure Composite Cylinders, Inspection and Monitoring, Statistically Validated Codes and Standards, and Safety, constitute a comprehensive research, development and demonstration program to address some of the challenges described in the U.S. Department of Transportation Hydrogen Roadmap 2005. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Detonation KW - Education and training KW - Hydrogen fuels KW - Infrastructure KW - Missouri KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users KW - Wave motion UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R170_Isaac_CR.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26900/26926/R170_Isaac_Final_Report_Complete.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/851848 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01091068 AU - Ordonez, Fernando AU - Dessouky, Maged AU - Sungur, Ilgaz AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - California Department of Transportation AU - University Transportation Centers Program TI - Better Delivery/Pick Up Routes in the Presence of Uncertainty PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - v.p. AB - This report examines the Courier Delivery Problem, a variant of the Vehicle Routing Problem with time windows in which customers appear probabilistically and their service times are uncertain. The authors use scenario-based stochastic optimization with recourse for uncertainty in customers and robust optimization for uncertainty in service times. A model is proposed which generates a master plan and daily schedules. The model maximizes the coverage of customers and the similarity of routes in each scenario and minimizes the total time spent by the couriers and the total earliness and lateness penalty. For the large scale problem instance, the authors develop a two-phase insertion based approximate solution procedure known as Master And Daily Scheduler (MADS) to balance these different objectives. The authors then provide simulation results and show that their heuristic improves the similarity of routes and the lateness penalty at the expense of increased total time spent when compared to a solution by independently scheduling each day. Results from experiments also demonstrate improvements over a real-life solution. KW - Pickup and delivery service KW - Routes and routing KW - Scheduling KW - Trucking KW - Trucks KW - Uncertainty UR - http://www.dot.ca.gov/newtech/researchreports/reports/2008/met_res_rpt_betterdelivery.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849947 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090479 AU - Peterman, Connie L AU - Rogers, Paul B AU - Veronneau, Stephen JH AU - Whinnery, James E AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Development of an Aeromedical Scientific Information System for Aviation Safety PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 21p AB - The Bioinformatics Research Team at the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) uses data analysis techniques to study issues associated with medical certification decisions and their effects on the U.S. pilot population to ensure safety of flight. The authors developed a Scientific Information System to assist in research efforts associated with statistical and epidemiological studies of the U.S. civil pilot population. Significant data challenges exist relative to the integration and analysis of very large datasets associated with civil aviation. The CAMI aviation safety/medical certification data warehouse was created with data from varying time periods. Data includes NTSB mishap data from 1983 to 2005, FAA Accident Incident data from 1971 to 2005, airmen registry data (combined with medical certification data) from 1962 to 2005, toxicology data from 1990 to 2005, and autopsy data from 1980 to 2005. The research methodology, developed using records from the CAMI warehouse, was used to create the Aerospace Medical Research Scientific Information System that contains new metrics for comparing groups of aviators. This was done by developing a methodology that combined the various data sources into a single integrated database while transforming the data into a format conducive to epidemiological studies. The authors will discuss the methodologies developed to create new metrics—Active Airmen, Months Contributed, and Effective Class—which show promise in comparing groups of aviators with various pathologic conditions. The distributions and evolution of pathologic conditions can be observed in the resulting Scientific Information System pilot population for the time period of interest. The Scientific Information System overcomes the data incongruities between the source databases and makes analysis possible with statistical programs. CAMI was successful in creating a Scientific Information System, which is a permanent database for use in epidemiological aviation research, by integrating multiple datasets and allowing the investigation of potential safety-related issues. The Scientific Information System was created to improve data handling issues and bring cutting edge analytical tools to allow explorations of rare outcomes and to develop risk management models. The Scientific Information System permits aviation safety-related epidemiological research on the entire U.S. civil pilot population. KW - Air pilots KW - Aviation medicine KW - Aviation safety KW - Data warehouses KW - Databases KW - Epidemiology KW - Information systems UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2000s/media/200801.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850036 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090435 AU - Gale, William F AU - Gale, Hyacinth S AU - Watson, Jean AU - Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Airliner Cabin Environment Research AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Field Evaluation of Whole Airliner Decontamination Technologies for Narrow-Body Aircraft PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 12p AB - The outcome of a field evaluation of AeroClave’s thermal decontamination system is discussed. This exercise evaluated the system both as a stand-alone technology and as a means of delivering STERIS vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP®). The report is submitted in the context of a decontamination technology selection exercise and work conducted on the efficacy of thermal decontamination. The field evaluation, performed on a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft, determined that the stand-alone thermal decontamination system exhibited reasonable temperature and relative humidity control capabilities. Indeed, the system reproduced the environmental conditions needed to be efficacious as an antiviral process, based on an earlier study. The thermal decontamination system also provided an effective means of providing environmental preconditioning for the use of VHP and for aeration after VHP exposure. The field evaluation did leave a number of unanswered issues which are discussed in the report. Overall, the field evaluation of both the stand-alone thermal decontamination system and the VHP add-in can be described as successful. KW - Contaminants KW - Decontamination KW - Field studies KW - Hydrogen peroxide KW - Narrow body aircraft KW - Thermal treatment KW - Volatilization UR - http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/LPS105941/LPS105941/www.faa.gov/library/reports/medical/oamtechreports/2000s/media/200802.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850033 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090246 AU - Elder, Erick AU - Funk, Mark AU - Hamilton, Gregory AU - Horakova, Lenka AU - Vibhaker, Ashvin AU - Yao, Vincent W AU - Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Evaluations of Economic Impacts of NAFTA on the Transportation System/Sector of Selected Southern States PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 124p AB - This paper examines industry-level growth since the implementation of NAFTA. Using a rich dataset on traffic between NAFTA members, we estimate several gravity models to assess trade between NAFTA members at the industry level. The results show significant disparities across states and industries. For exports within the NAFTA region, the results show large differences in growth rates both between states and between industries. For imports within the NAFTA region, the growth rates vary more between industries than between states. Among the five MidSouth states, we examine, the data reveals substantial variation both within states at the industry level, and within industries across states. Once the fundamental determinants of trade are considered, the growth of industry-level trade between Texas and the NAFTA partners has been weaker than in other states. Given Texas’ dominant position in the NAFTA region, this finding may partially explain the weak aggregate effects of NAFTA found in the existing literature. Our results also confirm the importance of vertical intra-industry trade in the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship and suggest a considerable relocation of production linked to trade between the NAFTA members. KW - Economic analysis KW - Economic development KW - Free trade KW - Gravity models KW - International trade KW - Southern States KW - Texas KW - Texas-Mexico Border region KW - Trade KW - Trip distribution UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850766 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090231 AU - Lydzinski, John C AU - Baber, Thomas T AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Finite Element Analysis of the Wolf Creek Multispan Curved Girder Bridge PY - 2008/01//Final Contract Report SP - 67p AB - The use of curved girder bridges in highway construction has grown steadily newly constructed bridges have a curved alignment. Curved girder bridges have numerous complicating geometric features that distinguish them from bridges on a straight alignment. Most notable of these features is that longitudinal bending and torsion do not decouple. Although considerable research has been conducted into curved girder bridges, and many of the fundamental aspects of girder and plate behavior have been explored, further research into the behavior and modeling of these bridges as a whole is warranted. This study developed two finite element models for the Wolf Creek Bridge, a four-plate girder bridge located in Bland County, Virginia. Both models were constructed using plate elements in ANSYS, which permits both beam and plate behavior of the girders to be reproduced. A series of convergence studies were conducted to validate the level of discretization employed in the final model. The first model employs a rigid pier assumption that is common to many design studies. A large finite element model of the bridge piers was constructed to estimate the actual pier stiffness and dynamic characteristics. The pier natural frequencies were found to be in the same range as the lower frequencies, indicating that coupling of pier and superstructure motion is important. A simplified “frame-type” pier model was constructed to approximate the pier stiffness and mass distribution with many fewer degrees of freedom than the original pier model, and this simplified model was introduced into the superstructure model. The resulting bridge model has significantly different natural frequencies and mode shapes than the original rigid pier model. Differences are particularly noticeable in the combined vertical bending/torsion modes, suggesting that accurate models of curved girder bridges should include pier flexibility. The model has been retained for use as a numerical test bed to compare with field vibration data and for subsequent studies on live load distribution in curved girder bridges. The study recommends consideration of the use of the finite element method as an analysis tool in the design of curved girder bridge structures and the incorporation of pier flexibility in the analysis. KW - Box girder bridges KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge piers KW - Bridge superstructures KW - Curved bridges KW - Finite element method KW - Girder bridges KW - Highway bridges KW - Load transfer KW - Structural analysis UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-cr6.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37400/37429/08-cr6.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850809 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090224 AU - Natarajan, Shankar AU - Demetsky, Michael J AU - Lantz, Kenneth E AU - Virginia Transportation Research Council AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Framework for Selection and Evaluation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Projects in Virginia PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 50p AB - The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety (BPS) Program provides funds for implementing short-term, low-cost bicycle and pedestrian safety projects in Virginia. This initiative is administered by evaluating each project application on a case-by-case basis. The current evaluation process does not include a direct linkage between the selection criteria and conditions at the site that might be hazardous to non-motorized travel. This significant limitation has resulted in the desire for a new methodology for project selection and evaluation. This study developed a four-component framework for administering the BPS Program. In this framework, analysis procedures were identified for each component that can be used for identifying hazardous locations, determining causal factors, establishing performance measures, and determining potential countermeasures. The framework was then applied for selecting an appropriate safety treatment and for prioritizing a set of safety projects requested for funding. To demonstrate the applicability of the framework, five case studies were conducted at locations in and around Charlottesville, Virginia. The prioritization process was demonstrated using the results of the case studies. The study findings showed that the framework synthesizes existing practice into a systematic approach for identifying bicycle and pedestrian hazardous locations and selecting appropriate countermeasures for implementation. The study also established the need for evaluation studies on safety treatments after implementation, as the effectiveness of many bicycle and pedestrian safety countermeasures are not well established. KW - Bicycle travel KW - Bicycling KW - Case studies KW - Charlottesville (Virginia) KW - Countermeasures KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Nonmotorized transportation KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian traffic KW - Performance measurement KW - Safety KW - Walking UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/08-r8.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37400/37443/08-r8.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850798 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090223 AU - Ullman, Brooke R AU - Brewer, Marcus A AU - Fitzpatrick, Kay AU - Ullman, Gerald L AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Investigating Pedestrian Components in Temporary Traffic Control PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 182p AB - The report documents the research activities completed during the two years of this research project. The objectives of this research were to: (1) examine how pedestrians with disabilities are being handled in temporary traffic control situations and identify if there are changes needed in this accommodation; (2) determine the information requirements of pedestrians (especially those with special needs) at temporary traffic control locations and gain input on how best to meet those requirements; and (3) develop recommended guidance documents to provide the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with improved traffic control methods for pedestrians in temporary traffic control locations. Researchers approached this project from two different angles to accomplish these objectives. First was establishing the current state-of-the-practice with regard to handling pedestrians in temporary traffic control areas and the second was the administration of several human factors studies that addressed public perception as pedestrians in or near work areas. This report contains specific findings and recommendations regarding each of these activities. KW - Highway traffic control KW - Pedestrians KW - Persons with disabilities KW - State of the practice KW - Temporary structures KW - Texas KW - Visually impaired persons KW - Work zone traffic control KW - Work zones UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5237-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850710 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090217 AU - Sebesta, Stephen AU - Scullion, Tom AU - Liu, Wenting AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pilot Implementation of Instrumented Rollers for Monitoring Flexible Pavement Construction PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 38p AB - In this project a system for monitoring construction of flexible pavement layers by using an accelerometer mounted on a smooth-drum vibratory compactor was tested on numerousTexas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) projects. Projects tested included untreated subgrade, lime-treated subgrade, cement-treated subgrade, and flexible base. Results showed the roller measurements relate to the stiffness of the pavement foundation layer. The relationship between the roller drum displacement and pavement layer stiffness properties must be calibrated at the jobsite. This report presents a brief summary of the test system, example results, and draft construction specifications and a draft test procedure. KW - Compaction KW - Flexible pavements KW - Pavement layers KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Rigid pavements KW - Road rollers KW - Roller compacted concrete pavements KW - Surface course (Pavements) KW - Texas UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850711 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090214 AU - Quiroga, Cesar AU - Hamad, Khaled AU - Kraus, Edgar AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Inventory of Utilities—Summary Report PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 20p AB - Each year, thousands of utilities are installed within the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) right of way (ROW). This proliferation of utilities makes it increasingly difficult for TxDOT to manage its own transportation system effectively and allow for more utilities. Research Project 0-2110 developed a prototype geographic information system (GIS)–based platform for the inventory of utilities located within the TxDOT ROW. Implementation Projects 5-2110-01 and 5-2110-03 are the result of TxDOT’s decision to implement the findings of Project 0-2110. Project 5-2110-01 focused on the implementation of the GIS-based utility inventory model, whereas Project 5-2110-03 focused on the implementation of the Internet-based utility installation notice review process (also known as the utility permitting process). This report summarizes the work completed in Project 5-2110-01. KW - Geographic information systems KW - Inventory KW - Management KW - Public utilities KW - Relocation (Facilities) KW - Right of way (Land) KW - Survey methods KW - Texas KW - Utility adjustment (Road construction) UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850187 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090186 AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Matteson, Anne AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents Factbook 2003 PY - 2008/01//Special Report SP - 71p AB - This document presents aggregate statistics on buses involved in traffic accidents in 2003. The statistics are derived from the Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA) file, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The BIFA database is a census of all buses involved in a fatal accident in the United States, and provides coverage of buses recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. BIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the bus from the BIFA survey. KW - Bus crashes KW - Bus transportation KW - Casualties KW - Crash data KW - Crash reports KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/57994 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850245 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090160 AU - Babcock, R E AU - Clausen, E C AU - Popp, Michael AU - Schulte, W Brent AU - Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center AU - Research and Special Programs Administration TI - Yield Characteristics of Biodiesel Produced from Chicken Fat-Tall Oil Blended Feedstocks PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 47p AB - The primary objective of this study was to investigate the conversion of chicken fat and tall oil, both individually and in a blend, into biodiesel. The conventional base-catalyzed method of biodiesel production has shown to be inappropriate for the conversion of high free fatty acid-containing feedstocks such as tall oil, due to the undesired saponification reaction that takes place. Likewise, the acid-catalyzed method of biodiesel production has been shown to be inappropriate for the conversion of triglyceride-containing feedstocks, such as chicken fat, due to the long reaction times and large excess of methanol required. Therefore, an alternate reaction pathway was investigated for these two very different feedstocks. Supercritical methanol treatment, which requires no separate catalyst, was the method chosen. Following the development of proper protocol, both chicken fat and tall oil fatty acids were reacted in supercritical methanol to produce biodiesel under a matrix of temperatures and methanol to feedstock ratios. Results indicate that the chicken fat and tall oil fatty acids can be converted successfully in a single step with yields in excess of 89% (out of 91% max) and 94% respectively. The optimum temperature and excess methanol was determined, and the results suggest the use of a two step process involving the initial hydrolysis of triglyceride-containing feeds followed by the supercritical esterification of the resulting/existing free fatty acids. The results of one such test proved to be satisfactory, and are reported herein. Furthermore, crude tall oil was also tested in the system to investigate its viability as a biodiesel feedstock with limited success. Cold flow properties, such as viscosity and cloud point, are reported for the resultant fuels. The viscosities of all of the fuels exceeded the ASTM D6751 acceptable specifications for biodiesel; therefore blending with other biodiesel fuels such as methyl soyate would be required for widespread use of the fuels produced under the conditions reported herein as commercial biodiesel. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Biodiesel fuels KW - Clean fuels KW - Feedstocks KW - Methanol KW - Oils KW - Poultry KW - Yield strength UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850767 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090152 AU - Walubita, Lubinda F AU - Scullion, Tom AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Thin HMA Overlays in Texas: Mix Design and Laboratory Material Property Characterization PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 134p AB - In this interim report, various cold-laid and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixes were designed and/or evaluated based on the balanced mix-design concept and the Texas Department Transportation (TxDOT) crack attenuated mix (CAM) special specification (SS) 3109 specification for their potential application as very thin overlay mixes. The research methodology incorporated extensive laboratory testing and field experiments including the Hamburg, overlay, and the ground penetration radar. While exhibiting fairly satisfactory field performance, laboratory results indicated that the cold-laid maintenance mixes are potentially susceptible to moisture damage (stripping). In general, their laboratory performance under the wet Hamburg test and the overlay test was very poor. Their excellent laboratory performance under dry Hamburg testing at ambient temperature suggest that these cold-laid mixes are good for application in dry areas, but they may not perform well under wet conditions or if water infiltrates into the mix. More research is recommended with these mixes. With the HMA mixes, promising laboratory results have been obtained with fine-graded (⅜-inch nominal maximum aggregate size) mixes; predominantly composed of Type F rock and screenings and an asphalt-binder content of over 7 percent. Based on the TxDOT CAM SS 3109 specification, high quality clean Class A aggregates, such as granite, exhibited superior laboratory performance and are recommended. However, acceptable laboratory designs were also obtained with good quality sandstone and limestone materials. As described in this report, the initial field performance of these mixes has been very good and this will be further validated in Year 2 of this study. Draft specifications and guidelines for very thin HMA overlays will be submitted at a later stage after onducting field performance monitoring and evaluations of selected demonstration/implementation projects. KW - Cracking KW - Ground penetrating radar KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Overlays (Pavements) KW - Pavement cracking KW - Rolling contact KW - Rutting KW - Skid resistance KW - Surface course (Pavements) UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5598-1.pdf UR - http://youtu.be/p3ZcFDs7JHc UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850702 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090123 AU - Henk, Russell H AU - Pezoldt, Valmon J AU - Womack, Katie N AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Effectiveness of the “Teens in the Driver Seat Program” in Texas PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 44p AB - The goal of this research project was to assess the effectiveness of the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Program in Texas. The first peer-to-peer driver education and awareness program for teens in the United States, the TDS Program, was deployed at approximately 60 schools in Texas during the course of the 2006-2007 school year. Targeted at fighting the number one killer of teens in America, the program uses peer influence in a positive way by helping teens increase awareness of the most common risks teens face while driving – namely: 1) driving at night; 2) distractions (primarily in the form of other teen passengers and cell phones/texting); 3) speeding; 4) not wearing a seat belt; and 5) alcohol use. Attitudinal surveys, field studies, focus groups, and the TDS Program website statistics were some of the means used to assess the impact of the program. Analyses indicate awareness of the common risks (other than “drinking and driving,” which is already very high) has improved 40 to 200+ percent, while field studies indicate seat belt use is an average of 11 percent higher and cell phone use/texting is 30 percent lower at “program schools” as compared to a control group of schools at which the program has never been deployed. Website traffic for www.t-driver.com has increased over 1,500 percent in the past 18 months, with a current average of 20,000+ hits per month and an average duration of time spent at the site having doubled this year to a current level of eight minutes. Personal interviews indicate the program is popular with teens, and they feel the peer-to-peer approach is productive and serves a number of beneficial purposes for them. KW - Cellular telephones KW - Distraction KW - Driver education KW - Driver experience KW - Drunk drivers KW - Night vision KW - Seat belts KW - Speeding KW - Teenage drivers KW - Texas KW - Text messaging KW - Traffic safety UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850189 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090121 AU - Overman, John H AU - Cherrington, Linda K AU - Arndt, Jeffrey C AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Regional Public Transportation Coordination in Texas PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 68p AB - Chapter 461 of the Texas State Transportation Code focuses on maximizing the benefits of the state's investment in public transportation through the coordination of services. In 2005, the Texas Transportation Commission, under the leadership of Commissioner Hope Andrade, established the Regional Planning and Public Transportation Study Group. The mission of the Study Group was to review current public transportation planning and programming practices within metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas and to enhance service delivery, customer satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) sponsored project 0-5542 to support the Study Group and twenty four regional efforts to develop regional coordinated human service public transportation plans. This report and compact disc (CD) presents the major elements of the on-going planning and implementation process being conducted by twenty-four planning regions and TxDOT. The three primary project objectives included: (1) a website and information clearinghouse for coordinated public transit-human services transportation plans http://www.regionalserviceplanning.org/; (2) facilitating regional coordination plan development efforts; (3) providing technical and information resource services to the planning regions. The accompanying CD contains the project website and all of its contents as of August 2007. The combined report and CD serve to archive this two year effort. KW - Coordination KW - Implementation KW - Information technology KW - Public transit KW - Regional planning KW - Technical assistance KW - Texas KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Transportation planning UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850705 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01090086 AU - Lewis, Carol A AU - Higgins, Laura AU - Perkins, Judy AU - Zhan, F Benjamin AU - Chen, ZuWei AU - Texas Southern University, Houston AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Public Transportation Solutions for Regional Travel: Technical Report PY - 2008/01//Technical Report SP - 20p AB - Constant growth in rural areas and extensive suburban development have contributed to increasingly more people needing seamless and adequate public transportation to and from nearby cities. Coordinating existing services or determining the need for expanded services tends to require new paradigm thinking for those interested in servicing growing potential markets in interregional travel markets. Added to the travel pressures in these growing regions is the call from funding agencies and planners to better integrate medical and other human service transportation with more traditional public transportation service. Increasingly, Texans are commuting from outlying communities to jobs, universities, and for other trip purposes to nearby urban and suburban areas. The current separation of urban and rural public transportation services means that Texans who travel between jurisdictions – from rural or suburban communities to cities or the reverse – often find public transportation a difficult or unviable mode of transportation. The need for regional public transportation is likely to grow, not diminish. This report documents the research performed regarding public transportation coordination practices and transit travel demand estimation, and summarizes the tools and guidelines developed as products of the research project. KW - Commuter service KW - Regional transit KW - Rural areas KW - Suburbs KW - Travel demand UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5345-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850685 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089674 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - LTPP: Year in Review 2007 PY - 2008/01 SP - 9p AB - Improving mobility on our Nation’s highways is the mission of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). During 2007, FHWA’s Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program worked toward this mission through its efforts to provide answers to “how” and “why” pavements perform as they do. To better understand pavement performance, the LTPP program gathers and processes data describing the structure, service conditions, and performance of 2,513 pavement test sections in North America. Highway engineers use these data and data analysis findings to help make decisions that lead to more cost effective and better performing pavements. The LTPP program was designed as a partnership when it was initiated as a 20-year Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) project in 1987. The State and Canadian Provincial highway agencies, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program, and FHWA all continued to play key roles in helping the program achieve its goals in 2007. These partners stay informed about research results and other program activities through the LTPP Web site, e-mail newsletter, publications, meetings and workshops, industry trade associations, and professional societies. This annual review is presented in the following sections: Introduction; 2007 Accomplishments; Pooled Fund Studies; LTPP Products; and The Future. KW - Data collection KW - Databases KW - Future KW - Information processing KW - Long-Term Pavement Performance Program KW - Pavement performance KW - Pooled funds KW - Products KW - Strategic Highway Research Program KW - Test sections UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/08039/ UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/ltpp/08039/08039.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850270 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089672 AU - Ross, June H AU - Brooks, Eric W AU - Andersen, Carl K AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Solar-Powered Raised Pavement Markers PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 84p AB - An evaluation of a limited number of solar-powered raised pavement markers (SRPMs) was conducted to determine if this type of marker would be more visible than retroreflective markers in some situations on Oregon highways. SRPMs typically use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are powered by solar cells. Some markers have retroreflective surfaces as well. The Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Unit, performed preliminary tests which included environmental tests (extreme temperatures, immersion), optical performance tests, and observation tests. Selected markers were sent to the Federal Highway Administration’s Photometric and Visibility Laboratory (PVL) at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia for additional evaluation. A series of tests was performed to measure both the LED signal and the retroreflected light. It was found that each type of marker had significant shortcomings, so the project was terminated prior to field trials being performed. KW - Laboratory tests KW - Light emitting diodes KW - Raised retroreflective road markers KW - Raised road markings KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Solar cells KW - Solar-powered raised road markers UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/40000/40500/40506/FHWA-OR-RD-08-07.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850230 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01089670 AU - Outcalt, William AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Truck Arrester Beds in Colorado PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 46p AB - In 2006, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiated development of a specification for aggregates used in truck arrester beds. First, it was necessary to know what was currently in the arrester beds throughout the state. Each bed needed to be evaluated for safety, performance, and maintenance needs. This study evaluated the condition of 13 arrester beds throughout Colorado. Based on the performance of those arrester beds and the evaluation of materials recommended by other agencies, a specification for truck ramp aggregate was written and approved. Section 703.11, Truck Escape Ramp Aggregate, was added to the CDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. KW - Aggregates KW - Arrester beds KW - Colorado KW - Escape lanes KW - Specifications UR - http://www.dot.state.co.us/publications/PDFFiles/arresterbeds.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/850232 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088315 AU - Moudon, Anne Vernez AU - Lin, Lin AU - Hurvitz, Philip AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Department of Transportation TI - Managing Pedestrian Safety II: A Case-Control Study of Collision Locations on State Routes in King County and Seattle, Washington PY - 2008/01//Final Research Report SP - 35p AB - The safety of non-motorized transportation systems is essential to the public acceptance and overall success of Washington State's and local jurisdictions' efforts to reduce congestion. The State's and the jurisdictions' goals to increase non-SOV (single occupant vehicle) travel options and the use of transit, need to be combined with those to insure the safety of these alternatives. This project is the continuation of current work developing and using a database of 13,914 individual pedestrian and bike collisions. This database is the first in the nation to have geocoded individual collisions in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the entire State (1999-2004). Having the precise location of a large number of collisions over a period of several years promises that significant progress can be made in explaining factors associated with collisions and in identifying underlying causes. The new Washington State collision database is particularly momentous in that the State also has some of the most advanced data on road characteristics and land uses associated with trip origins and destinations. These latter data are accessible in GIS for all populated areas of the State and available at the finest resolution. In the proposed project, current research on road design and land use correlates of collision frequency and severity will be augmented by : 1. Analyses of pedestrian motor vehicle collisions on city streets; 2. Analyses of bicycle motor vehicle collisions on SR and on city streets; 3. Longitudinal analyses of the collision data to identify potential causes of collisions; 4. Scenario planning examinations of safety-dependent locations, such as (a) freight routes, (b) transit hubs, (c) areas that are experiencing major development and growth, (d) areas subject to substantial infrastructure investments, and (e) areas with different levels of transportation efficiency (measured as travel options available beyond SOV travel, and derived from the Transportation Efficient Land Use Mapping Index TELUMI). KW - Bicycle crashes KW - Crash analysis KW - Crash causes KW - Crash locations KW - Geographic information systems KW - King County (Washington) KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian-vehicle crashes KW - Seattle (Washington) KW - State routes KW - Washington (State) UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/26000/26800/26830/TNW2008-01.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849594 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088311 AU - Elkins, Lori AU - Higgins, Christopher AU - Oregon State University, Corvallis AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of Truck Axle Spectra from Oregon Weigh-in-Motion Data for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 133p AB - Four weigh-in-motion (WIM) sites in Oregon, representing high, moderate, and low average daily truck traffic (ADTT) volumes, were selected to characterize axle weight and spacing spectra on Oregon state highways. Seasonal variations were considered by investigating data occurring over the four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. WIM data were cleaned and filtered, and analyzed. Axle data, including group and individual axle weights as well as axle spacings, were evaluated. Hourly truck volumes were also examined. Results were summarized and statistics were developed for the characteristic data. The characterized Oregon WIM axle data were incorporated into the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) software program to permit State and ADTT volume-specific axle weight spectra, average axle group spacing, and hourly volume data to be used in the pavement analysis/design. In order to implement the Oregon WIM data, a “virtual” truck classification was created in the MEPDG program. The Oregon-specific data that were required for input into the MEPDG were hourly truck volume distribution, site-specific axle weight data, average number of axles per truck, and average axle spacing. Implementation of the Oregon WIM data will improve the pavement design process in the State by designing to more realistic local loading conditions. KW - Axle spacing KW - Axle weight KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Oregon KW - Pavement design KW - Seasonal variations KW - State highways KW - Statistics KW - Truck traffic KW - Truck volumes KW - Weigh in motion UR - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/ResearchReports/Truck_Load_Model_Load_Spectra_final_report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/40000/40500/40517/Truck_Load_Model_Load_Spectra_final_report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849621 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088292 AU - Cain, Alasdair AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Designing Printed Transit Information Materials: A Guidebook for Transit Service Providers PY - 2008/01 SP - 40p AB - Designing effective transit information materials is clearly a challenging task. However, resources are available to help: design guideline publications developed in the U.S. and in other countries; research studies that have identified design options that maximize user comprehension; high quality materials developed by transit agencies and design consultants that are based on best practice recommendations. This guidebook is based on a synthesis of the above resources. It is designed to help transit agencies develop user-friendly transit information materials for their fixed route bus services. This guide attempts to illustrate the wide variety of design styles that meet best practice requirements, though some of the strongly recommended design options are repeated often in different examples throughout the guide. There will always be trade-offs in material design due to financial and spatial constraints. This guidebook provides suggestions on how to address such trade-offs, while also showing how the information needs of different customers may be accommodated within one set of materials. This guidebook begins with a General Publication Guidelines section. This is followed by a section on System Map Design, and then a section on Route Map/Schedule Design. Route map design and schedule design have been addressed within the same section because their design elements are very closely related and because they are typically presented together. The guidebook ends with a section on Instruction Design. This section offers suggestions for the design and presentation of instructions that can help customers use the printed information materials effectively. Within each section, the guidebook provides a series of design recommendations accompanied by examples of successful designs. In this way, the fundamental elements of good design are defined while also illustrating the wide variety of stylistic options that are available. Each section concludes with a summary checklist of important design elements to be considered. KW - Bus transit KW - Design KW - Handbooks KW - Instructions KW - Maps KW - Schedules KW - Trip planning UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/77710guidebook.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849481 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088275 AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Transportation Vision for 2030 PY - 2008/01 SP - 36p AB - This report contains a message from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and from the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration concerning the Transportation Vision for 2030 which will help guide investment decisions and research. They foresee that the transportation system in 2030 will be safe and less congested, economically competitive, energy independent, environmentally sustainable, secure, and resilient. The report includes a vision statement followed by a review of trends, a look at the pathway to the future, and a spotlight on progress in each of the following four areas: passenger transportation, freight transportation, financing and partnerships, and technology and innovation. KW - Congestion mitigation KW - Decision making KW - Disaster preparedness KW - Economic growth KW - Energy policy KW - Energy security KW - Financing KW - Freight transportation KW - Future KW - Investments KW - National security KW - Partnerships KW - Passenger transportation KW - Research KW - Security KW - Sustainable development KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Technological innovations KW - Technology KW - Transportation planning KW - Transportation safety UR - http://www.rita.dot.gov/publications/transportation_vision_2030/pdf/entire.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849439 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01088250 AU - Liao, Chen-Fu AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis AU - American Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Freight Performance Measure Systems (FPMS): System Evaluation and Data Analysis PY - 2008/01//Final Report SP - 24p AB - One of the key measures of freight performance along interstate corridors in the United States is the average speed of travel. This report documents the findings and analysis of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Freight Performance Measure (FPM) database systems and investigates a potential FPM system design that can efficiently and effectively process more and larger Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) datasets collected from various trucking companies. The current FPM system at ATRI was evolved from its previous system based on geographic information system (GIS) software. The average speed calculations resulting from the data processing of each FPM system are somewhat different. Analysis of the average speed calculation and investigation of speed differences are discussed in chapter one. FPM database system analysis and comparison are included in chapter two. The final chapter presents an ideal FPM system and requirements needed for migration. KW - Automatic vehicle location KW - Freight transportation KW - Information processing KW - Interstate highways KW - Performance measurement KW - Sets KW - Speed UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=862 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/849289 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01622515 AU - Hidalgo and DeVries, Incorporated AU - Frances Kernodle Associates, Incorporated AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Evaluation of the Market for Small-to-Medium-Sized Cutaway Buses PY - 2008///Final Report SP - 191p AB - The U.S. cutaway vehicle manufacturing industry provides the most widely available form of public transportation today. Generally associated with demand response, these small-to-medium-sized cutaway vehicles are used by thousands of U.S. transit agencies in addition to numerous private sector applications. By comparison, manufacturers of heavy-duty transit buses face greater challenges. As reported by Hidalgo and DeVries/Frances Kernodle Associates (HD/FKA) in the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2005 Non-Rail Vehicle Market Viability Study, no fewer than ten bus manufacturers have either reorganized or gone out-of-business. Outside of the cutaway bus market, the financial condition of most bus manufacturers is tenuous at best. The FTA sponsored this research, following the 2005 bus study, to provide an exploratory evaluation of the U.S. bus manufacturing industry as it relates to small-to-medium-sized cutaway transit buses. The study includes a market overview and results/analysis of surveys, questionnaires, and interviews with representative U.S. transit agencies and U.S. cutaway bus manufacturers. The first chapter represents the market overview component of the report and provides the background and overview of the current U.S. cutaway bus industry as well as trends that affect the cutaway bus market. The second chapter presents key findings and perspectives provided by transit agency participants. The third and fourth chapters report on information gleaned from cutaway manufacturers based on interviews and surveys. The final section presents conclusions as well as observations regarding the competitive landscape faced by cutaway bus manufacturers in the United States. KW - Competition KW - Evaluation KW - Industries KW - Market assessment KW - Paratransit vehicles KW - Small buses KW - Surveys KW - Transit buses KW - Transit operating agencies KW - United States UR - https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/MI-26-7280.07.1_FINAL_REPORT.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1427125 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01596825 AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - National Transportation Atlas Databases 2008 PY - 2008 AB - The National Transportation Atlas Databases 2008 (NTAD2008) is a set of nationwide geographic databases of transportation facilities, transportation networks, and associated infrastructure. These datasets include spatial information for transportation modal networks and intermodal terminals, as well as the related attribute information for these features. Metadata documentation, as prescribed by the International Organization of Standards, is also provided for each database. The data support research, analysis, and decision-making across all modes of transportation. They are most useful at the national level, but have major applications at regional, state, and local scales throughout the transportation community. This product is distributed in shapefile format. KW - Databases KW - Geographic information systems KW - Infrastructure KW - Intermodal facilities KW - Metadata KW - Spatial analysis KW - Transportation modes KW - Transportation, hydraulic and utility facilities KW - United States UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/56000/56600/56694/NTAD_2008.zip UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1400859 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01539567 AU - Border Policy Research Institute AU - Whatcom Council of Governments AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - International Mobility & Trade Corridor Project (IMTC): 2008 Passenger Intercept Survey PY - 2008///Final Report SP - 31p AB - The 2008 International Mobility & Trade Corridor Project (IMTC) Passenger Intercept Survey was conducted to assess characteristics of cross-border travel in the Cascade Gateway and provide that information to regional and federal public and private agencies. Information includes who crosses the border, for what purposes, origins and destinations, trip frequency, and other details of cross-border travel. These data can be compared to matching information collected by IMTC in the year 2000 to see how cross-border travel demand has changed over the last seven years. KW - British Columbia KW - International travel KW - Origin and destination KW - Statistics KW - Travel demand KW - Travel surveys KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - Trip purpose KW - United States-Canada Border KW - Washington (State) UR - http://thetbwg.org/downloads/pis_2008finalreport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1323879 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01487058 AU - Martinelli, David AU - Diosdado, Paulina AU - West Virginia University, Morgantown AU - Mid-Atlantic Universities Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Economic Externalities of Relative Accident Rates PY - 2008///Final Report SP - 52p AB - In 2005, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported 2,448,017 deaths in the U.S., of these 43,510 happened in motor vehicle crashes (Fatality Analysis Reporting System, FARS). Every year, around 42,700 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes (Table 1.1), which occur in roughly 38,400 fatal crashes (Table 1.2).Several factors lead to the occurrence of fatal automobile crashes. These factors fall into three general classifications: the driver, the road, or the vehicle, and in some extreme cases, a combination of them. Mostly, the driver is the source in the form of behavior, driving error, or physical condition. Often it is assumed that driver behavior is shaped by age, sex, and marital status, among other characteristics. In recent years, there has been a broad variety of vehicle types, makes, and models to suit a diversity of needs. One prominent vehicle feature is vehicle body type, providing not only a trend in terms of sales but also some behavioral characteristics could be inferred from the buyer. In particular, one body vehicle type has emerged as highly popular among U.S. motorists, namely; the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). According with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), SUV sales have grown from only 183,000 in 1980 to 4,515,000 in 2008 (Table 1.3)This dramatic SUV ownership has raised several safety issues over the years, including: regarding the, fleet incompatibility, SUVs safety, and rollover propensity, hazards associated with interaction with smaller vehicles, offsetting driver behavior, and gasoline mileage. KW - Behavior KW - Crash characteristics KW - Crash data KW - Drivers KW - Fatalities KW - Passenger vehicles KW - Sport utility vehicles UR - http://www.mautc.psu.edu/docs/WVU-2008-02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1254563 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462480 TI - Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) Research For Objectives 1 And 2 AB - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has initiated Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) Development and Deployment Program consistent with the requirements of SAFETEA-LU legislation. The objective of this research is to eliminate/reduce the deteriorating effects of ASR in highway concrete structures even when exposed to adverse natural environment and/or additionally altered by the use of cost effective deicers/chemicals. The results from this research will directly support ongoing efforts to improve the durability of highway infrastructure including pavements, bridges, and other concrete highway structures. The proposed ASR research activities have four objectives. Objectives 1 and 2 contract was awarded to PSI. Objective 1: Advancing the fundamental understanding of ASR mechanism and develop a concrete mixture design process resistant to ASR phenomenon. Objective 2: Developing reliable, improved, rapid, laboratory test method to evaluate concrete mixture design to predict field performance. KW - Alkali silica reactions KW - Corrosion KW - Corrosion resistance KW - Corrosion resistant materials KW - Corrosion resistant steel KW - Highway bridges KW - Research projects UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230701 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462478 TI - Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) Objectives 3 And 4 AB - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has initiated Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) Development and Deployment Program consistent with the requirements of SAFETEA-LU legislation. The objective of this research is to eliminate/reduce the deteriorating effects of ASR in highway concrete structures even when exposed to adverse natural environment and/or additionally altered by the use of cost effective deicers/chemicals. The results from this research will directly support ongoing efforts to improve the durability of highway infrastructure including pavements, brides, and other concrete highway structures. The proposed ASR research activities have four objectives. Objectives 3 and 4 contract was awarded to Transtec Group. Objective 3: Non-destructive field test methods for evaluation of concrete structures for: presence of ASR; concrete deterioration rate and predict future expansion. Objective 4: Develop cost effective methods to control ASR and extend service life of existing highway structures. KW - Alkali silica reactions KW - Corrosion KW - Corrosion resistant materials KW - Corrosion resistant steel KW - Highway bridges KW - Research projects UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230699 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462339 TI - Improvement of Digital Highway Measurement System Functional Performance AB - The objective of this research project is to develop and implement additional functions, and improve data quality and accuracy, synchronization algorithms, and image processing technologies for the system. KW - Algorithms KW - Data quality KW - Image processing KW - Research projects KW - Synchronization KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Traffic system performance UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230560 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462336 TI - Improved Fracture Toughness Specifications for High Performance Steel (HPS) AB - This study will develop standards that take advantage of the inherent high toughness of HPS. Potential benefits include reducing the need for fracture critical inspections on many structures. KW - Bridge substructures KW - Fracture properties KW - High performance steel KW - Research projects KW - Specifications KW - Steel structures UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230557 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462335 TI - Foundation Health Monitoring Systems AB - A series of field investigations are underway to demonstrate foundation monitoring systems and utilize data for enhanced engineering assessment of structural performance. The new I-35W bridge in Minneapolis and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Virginia are current test sites. KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge foundations KW - Bridge substructures KW - Field tests KW - Research projects KW - Structural health monitoring UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230556 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462325 TI - Optimum Bridge Deck Shapes to Minimize Pressure Flow Scour AB - This research project will characterize streamlines and shear stresses on channel bed for a variety of bridge deck shapes and positions. The result will be a more rational procedure for estimating pressure flow scour with the potential for taking advantage of streamlined shapes. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Channel flow KW - Pressure KW - Research projects KW - Scour KW - Shear stress UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230546 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462324 TI - Lift, Drag Forces, and Moments on Bridge Decks AB - The bridge of the future is likely to be constructed of lighter and more durable high- performance materials, which will lead to more concern about storm surges sweeping the deck off the foundations as occurred on I-10 during the 2004/2005 hurricane season. The proposed study utilizes high tech force measurement techniques to derive drag, lift, and moment coefficients for inundated bridge decks for a variety of approach flow conditions. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Drag forces KW - Durability KW - Foundations KW - Hurricanes KW - Lift drag ratio KW - Lightweight materials KW - Research projects KW - Technological innovations UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230545 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462323 TI - Pressure Flow Scour Study AB - The bridge of the future is likely to be one that is inundated from time to time where the flow through the bridge opening is under pressure and causes concerns about amplified scour. The proposed study utilizes particle image velocimetry (PIV) capabilities and a shear force sensor to characterize streamlines and shear stresses on the channel bed for a variety of bridge deck shapes and positions above the bed. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Channel flow KW - Particle image velocimetry KW - Research projects KW - Scour UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230544 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462322 TI - Pushover Analysis Software and Users Guide AB - Pushover analysis is a methodology for seismic design of bridges by force-based design philosophy. It is a useful tool to estimate the capacities of existing bridge bents. This study will result is a software and users guide for use by State departments of transportation in analyzing their structures for seismic events using 'pushover' methodology. KW - Bridge design KW - Earthquake resistant design KW - Pushover analysis KW - Research projects KW - Seismicity KW - Software KW - State departments of transportation KW - User guides (Software) UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230543 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462290 TI - Interchange Safety Analysis Tool AB - This project will produce estimates of crash frequencies for typical freeway interchanges in both rural and urban areas. KW - Crash rates KW - Freeway operations KW - High risk locations KW - Interchange Safety Analysis Tool KW - Interchanges and intersections KW - Research projects KW - Rural areas KW - Urban areas UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230511 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462288 TI - Innovative Speed Reduction Treatment AB - This research project will evaluate the effectiveness of speed-reduction treatments applied on approaches to high-speed rural two-way stop-controlled intersections. KW - High speed roads KW - Intersections KW - Research projects KW - Rural highways KW - Speed reduction (Motor vehicles) KW - Traffic safety KW - Traffic speed KW - Two way stop controlled intersections UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230509 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01462287 TI - Human Factors Evaluation of Continuous-Flow Intersection AB - This research project will conduct human factors evaluation of, and develop improved guidance for, signage and markings for the continuous-flow intersection. KW - Continuous flow intersections KW - Human factors KW - Human factors in crashes KW - Intersection elements KW - Intersections KW - Research projects KW - Road markings KW - Signs KW - Traffic control devices KW - Traffic flow UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1230508 ER -