Engineering Commons^™

Local Evaluation For The Cumberland Gap Tunnel Regional Its Deployment, John Crossfield, Len O'Connell, Candice Wallace, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is the local evaluation of an Intelligent Transportation System deployment for the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and U.S. 25E corridor in Tennessee and Kentucky. This report examines the planning for the deployment and the systems and components used to achieve the goals of the deployment. The goals and expectations of the ITS deployment were to provide updated travel information to drivers in the vicinity of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and along the U.S. 25E corridor; to improve the integration of the tunnel systems; to improve incident detection, verification, and response times along the U.S. 25E corridor; and to develop, …

Sustainable Practices And Related Performance Measures At State Highway Agencies, Lenahan O’Connell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report identifies seven ways in which an SHA can harm the environment: (1) excessive consumption of virgin materials; (2) unnecessary levels or amounts of storm water runoff; (3) release of environmental contaminants by SHA employees and contractors; (4) inadequate environmental training of employees and contractors; (5) wasteful use of energy by SHA employees and contractors; (6) the promotion of excessive driving by the public and concomitant release of green house gases; and (7) inadequate oversight mechanisms and procedures to prevent unsustainable practices. The report then identifies the sustainable practices and related performance measures SHAs can use to prevent or …

Kennedy Interchange Crash Study, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project is a construction and reconstruction project being undertaken to address long-term transportation needs in the Louisville metropolitan area. Partial justification for construction of the new downtown bridge and reconstruction of the Kennedy interchange is the existing safety issues and the potential for improved safety. Crash rates for the interchange area have not been fully documented to establish the existing level of safety and degree of the problem relative to state and national statistics. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate crash data for the Kennedy Interchange area of Louisville and …

Evaluation Of The Locations Of Kentucky’S Traffic Crash Data, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This research study evaluated the current accuracy of the location information provided in Kentucky‟s crash data. Since the year 2000, the Kentucky Open Portal System‟s (KYOPS) eCrash form has included latitude and longitude data as well as the more traditional County, Route and Milepoint data (CRMP). The Kentucky Transportation Center conducted a research report in 2004 that evaluated the effectiveness of using latitude and longitude, or GPS, as a means to locate traffic crash data.1 This previous study found that both the CRMP and GPS location data had substantial problems resulting in the location data only being accurate about 50 …

Final Warranty Evaluation I-275 Kenton/Boone Counties Mp 1.06-7.15, Tim C. Scully Jr., R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The center performed a visual survey on the eastbound and westbound side of the pavement on the warranted section of I-275. The center’s evaluation team looked for any distresses that exceeded the threshold levels outlined in the warranty specification.

Implementation Of Lessons Learned From Change Orders: A Supplement To Kyspr 09-384, Paul M. Goodrum, Timothy R. B. Taylor, William Lester, Alex Mccoy, Mohammed M. Uddin, Yongwei Shan

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Which change orders tend to have the greatest impact on Kentucky transportation projects? How can I avoid them on future projects? If I do have a change order, what process can I follow to estimate a fair price for both the Cabinet and the Contractor? These are some of the questions that were addressed by research project Change Orders and Lessons Learned (KYSPR 09‐384) at the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Transportation Center.

Why the Need for this Supplement?

Traditional research reports through the Kentucky Transportation Center contain a significant amount of scientific and technical discussion regarding the research activities and …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (2005 - 2009), Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents an analysis of traffic crash data in Kentucky for the years of 2005 through 2009. A primary objective of this study was to determine average crash statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of crashes were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky’s procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of crashes.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data that can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky’s Annual Highway Safety …

2010 Driver Attitudes And Awareness Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald E. Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A basic set of questions were developed that could be used in periodic surveys that track drivers attitudes and awareness concerning impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding issues. The objective of the survey was to learn the knowledge, views, and behaviors of drivers in these areas. The objective of this report is to document the results of the 2010 baseline survey.

The method used to conduct the survey was a telephone survey. In addition to questions for the three major highway safety areas of impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding, an additional question was added which dealt with …

2010 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2010 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2010 survey continues to document the results after enactment of the original “secondary enforcement” statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994 and the subsequent change to “primary enforcement” which was enacted in 2006. Data were collected at 160 randomly selected sites in 18 counties across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering roadway functional classification, county, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate in 2010 (80.3 percent) was almost identical …

Effects Of Chloride Contamination On Coatings Performance, Bobby W. Meade, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Rick Younce

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Research indicates that chloride concentration as determined by currently available field test methods does not reliably predict protective coating performance on KYTC bridges. Laboratory testing of chloride charged panels also failed to relate chloride concentration to coating performance. The coatings industry provides recommendations for acceptable chloride levels for various exposure conditions but bridges are different than other structural steel and the exposure conditions for bridges are not adequately addressed. Effective chloride remediation strategies and protective coatings that perform best in the presence of chlorides need to be identified.

Review Of State Laws And Practices For Disposition Of Re-Aligned Or Bypassed Segments And Associated Row, Lenahan O'Connell, Ted Grossardt

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study identified the laws and practices of 11 state DOTs in regard to the transfer of responsibility for re-aligned or bypassed state highway system roads to local jurisdictions - usually cities or counties. Each state's approach to such transfers was identified by obtaining and analyzing the relevant state statutes and then conducting telephone interviews with strategically placed individuals at the associated DOT. Four states require local approval before the state can abandon a road. These four have a policy of obtaining written consent for the transfer of responsibility for maintenance and do so most often prior to construction of …

Travel Time Based Congestion Measures For Freeway Corridors, Mei Chen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Travel time based mobility measures have been increasingly used in highway performance analyses. Among them, Travel Time Index (TTI), Planning Time Index (PTI), percentage of travel under congestion (PTC), and buffer index (BI)have been identified as measures of particular interests in Kentucky. The objectives of this study are: (1) Calculate TTI, PTI, PTC, and BI for freeways within the TRIMARC coverage; and (2) Explore potential correlation between the reliability measures and incident characteristics (e.g., number of incidents, duration, severity, etc.). These analyses were performed for the years 2006-8 for each monitored segment and freeway corridor as well as for the …

Roadway Related Tort Liability And Risk Management, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This workbook provides government employees background information related to tort liability and risk management. Past experience with lawsuits against government entities are summarized. The reasons for the lawsuits and results are analyzed. The objective is to provide an understanding of the basis for past claims so the number of future claims and awards can be reduced. This will result in the ultimate objective of reducing highway crashes.

Based on the results of the data analysis and the review of the background material, recommendations are made for consideration. Many of the recommendations deal with various types of documentation.

Improving Intersection Design Practices Final Report - Phase I, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Adam Kirk

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this report is to document the development of the Intersection Design Alternative Tool (IDAT) developed for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. IDAT provides an automated objective design and evaluation approach of 14 alternative intersection designs to assist in the conceptual design of at grade intersections. The tool evaluates intersection operations, safety performance, bicycle/pedestrian accommodation and has the ability to assist access management implementation.

Assessment Of Kentucky's Historic Truss Bridges, Lenahan O’Connell, Ted H. Grossardt, John Ripy

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study created an information base to improve decisions about the replacement or rehabilitation of historic truss bridges. During the first phase of the research, information on the history and design of the 109 bridges in the study was assembled. With the assistance of historic preservation professionals, 75 of those bridges were selected for further study for their potential for rehabilitation. During the second phase, the KTC research team, engineers from the KYTC bridge division, and 12 highway district engineers, who are responsible for the day-to-day care and maintenance of the bridges, evaluated the condition and functional context of the …

Distracted Driving – Preliminary Analysis And Survey, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report primarily focuses on an attempt to document the level of driver distraction existing in Kentucky through an analysis of crash data and by conducting an observational survey of drivers. Additional research is cited as a means of comparing other studies with results from Kentucky, as well as establishing a definition of distracted driving. The status of laws related to use of cell phones in other states was summarized, and the recently passed legislation in Kentucky was noted by incorporation of the full text as an appendix.

It was determined from analysis of Kentucky data that if the three …

Factors Affecting Asphalt Pavement Density And The Effect On Long Term Pavement Performance, Jonathan Fisher, Clark Graves, Phillip Blankenship, Salman Hakimzadeh-Khoee, R. Michael Anderson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center, the Asphalt Institute, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet worked together in order to identify factors that affect asphalt pavement density, and to then evaluate their effect on long term pavement performance.

By determining which variables are most influential to pavement performance (i.e. roller pattern, temperature when rolled, etc.), and then monitoring the attention given to those variables, Kentucky would be able to increase the service life of asphalt roadways by at least 25%, therefore saving as much as $30 million annually on a resurfacing budget of $129.2 million (2007), while still maintaining the current roadway level …

Nondestructive Testing Of Defective Astm A 514 Steel On The I ‐ 275 Combs‐Hehl Twin Bridges Over The Ohio River In Campbell County, Kentucky, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Three defective ASTM A 514 steel splice plates were discovered on the I-275 Combs-Hehl twin bridges over the Ohio River. A follow-on in-depth field inspection of 1,356 A 514 steel plates on the bridges revealed 14 additional defective gusset and splice plates. The A 514 steel was improperly heat-treated resulting in a brittle crack-prone microstructure. Ultrasonic and impact hardness tests were used to identify the defective steel. Subsequently, the defective steel plates were either removed or lapped with additional steel plates.

Pavement Settlement Issues And Hydro-Geochemical Water Testing Results For The Cumberland Gap Tunnel, Brad Rister, Clark Graves, Jim Dinger

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Both Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys and Hydro-Geochemical Water Testing (HGWT) have been performed at the Cumberland Gap Tunnel to determine why the reinforced concrete pavement has settled in various areas throughout both tunnels. To date, approximately 7,300 total square feet of pavement surface has voids beneath it that range from 0.05 to 40 inches in depth. Both GPR and HGWT results indicate that approximately 0.75 to 1.5 cubic yards of limestone sub-base material leaves the tunnel in solution form on a monthly basis. Furthermore, HGWT results indicate that the ground water beneath the tunnels is calcium deficient. Thus allowing …

Evaluation Plan For The Ticketing Aggressive Cars And Trucks (Tact) Program In Kentucky, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in cooperation with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has started a concentrated education and enforcement campaign in an effort to increase the safety and awareness of drivers around commercial vehicles. The University of Kentucky Transportation Center has evaluated this campaign and reported the effectiveness of this effort. This study is a follow‐up to a 2007 study that focused on two high volume, high crash interstate areas: one in northern Kentucky on I‐75, and one in the Louisville area on I‐65. This study’s focus was moved to I‐75 around Fayette County (Lexington) …

Evaluation Of Rumble Stripes, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Lane departure has been shown to be a major cause of serious traffic crashes. Installing a rumble strip on the shoulders of two lane roads provide drivers with an audible warning that they are leaving their lane of travel. Painting the edge line on the rumble strip has the possible benefit of providing more wet, nighttime delineation through the portion of the edge line painted on the sloped portion of the groove. The objectives of this study were to: a) monitor the initial installations of rumble stripes and b) evaluate the results of rumble stripe installations.

Ten rural, two-lane road …

Change Orders And Lessons Learned, Paul Goodrum, Timothy R. B. Taylor, William Lester, Alex Mccoy, Mohammed M. Uddin, Yongwei Shan

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Many times, change is necessary for the success of a project. “Change, defined as any event that results in a modification of the original scope, execution time, or cost of work, happens on most projects due to the uniqueness of each project and the limited resources of time and money available for planning” (Hanna, Camlic, Peterson,& Nordheim, 2002). While change orders are necessary to address unforeseen conditions and other unavoidable or unanticipated occurrences, they tend to negatively affect construction. In most public works, change orders are the main reason for construction delays and cost overruns (Wu, Hsieh, & Cheng, 2005). …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2010 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2010 is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. As required by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth. Data contained in this report are based solely on the observations …