Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Et2000 Guardrail End Treatment, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Darrell Mcalister, Tim Gatewood

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to monitor and report the performance of the ET2000 guardrail end treatment design in traffic accidents. Data for a total of 34 collisions involving the ET2000 were identified. In most cases, an accident report was obtained and the damaged guardrail was inspected. The involved vehicle was inspected when available. Proper or improper performance of end treatments in the collisions were judged based on whether it performed as designed.

Field performance of the ET2000, as documented in traffic accidents, shows that, considering all the impacts, this end treatment has performed properly. In several instances the …

Evaluation Of Road Weather Information System: Interim Report, Joel M. Weber, R. Clark Graves, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study are to monitor and evaluate the Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS). Six RWIS sites have been installed at locations selected by the Kentucky Department of Highways. Each site includes sensors which measure temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed, pavement temperature, surface condition, and chemical concentration. The data can be accessed remotely using a Windows-based software program. The data are also stored in a central database for future use.

A preliminary reliability study has been completed for five of the sites, and data are being collected for a more extensive reliability assessment. The accuracy of the …

Annual Assessment Of Customer Needs And Satisfaction, Patsy Anderson, Kris Hockensmith

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, both through its own quality initiative and a statewide "Empower Kentucky" campaign, has a commitment to achieve new levels of quality in the development, construction and maintenance of highways. In order to gage progress, there is a need to establish a baseline of customer satisfaction with the current highway system, and determine needs as perceived by the users of the highway system. As a result, the University of Kentucky Transportation Center, Technology Exchange Unit, was contracted to conduct a customer needs and satisfaction survey. The objectives of this study are to:

A. Ascertain Kentucky highway users' …

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Annual Assessment Of Customer Needs And Satisfaction: Mail Survey, Patsy Anderson, Kris Hockensmith

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, both through its own quality initiative and a statewide "Empower Kentucky" campaign, has a commitment to achieve new levels of quality in the development, construction and maintenance of highways. In order to gage progress, there is a need to establish a baseline of customer satisfaction with the current highway system, and determine needs as, perceived by the users of the highway system. As a result, the University of Kentucky Transportation Center, Technology Exchange Unit, was contracted to conduct a customer needs and satisfaction survey. The objectives of this study are to:

A. Ascertain Kentucky highway users' …

Roadway Incident Emergency Response: Workshop Summary And Detour Maps, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, David H. Cain

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Delays associated with incidents and accidents on heavily traveled highways have been recognized as a major inconvenience and a burden on the driving public. Heavy traffic volumes on interstates in Kentucky result in significantly increased probability for delay occurrences. When there is an occurrence which disrupts traffic, the adverse effects are widespread. High volumes of trucks use the north-south corridors in the state and delays can produce significant costs to both shippers and users of products being shipped.

Many efforts are underway to address the problems associated with congestion; including improved traffic management techniques and applications of advanced technology. A …

Stabilization Of An Airport Subgrade Using Hydrated Lime And Fly Ash, Tony L. Beckham, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A 457-m (1,500-ft) runway pavement extension is planned for the Georgetown-Scott County Airport (Marshall Field). The clay subgrade of the existing paved runway was stabilized with six percent (dry weight) hydrated lime. A request was made by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Aeronautics, to determine the feasibility of replacing a percentage of the hydrated lime stabilizer with fly ash for the extended runway subgrade. Kentucky Highway Investigative Task No. 27 was issued by the Transportation Cabinet to fund a laboratory study to determine the effects of partially replacing lime with Type F fly ash (FA). Using fly ash to …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1992 - 1996), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report includes an analysis of traffic accident data in Kentucky for the years of 1992 through 1996. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of accidents 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 accidents.

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

Stabilization Of Subgrade Soil Using Hydrated Lime Product, Tony L. Beckham, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Carbide/Graphite Group Inc. requested the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center to do a feasibility study to determine if a hydrated lime product produced at their Calvet City, Kentucky facility can be used as a soil subgrade stabilizing agent.

1997 Safety Belt Usage Survey And Evaluation Of Effectiveness In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 1997 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 1997 survey documents the continuing results from enacting a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 100 sites and combined based on vehicle miles traveled for a given type of highway, rural or urban location, and county population category. Also included in the report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

The data show that the usage rate has stabilized at a level slightly below the high value which occurred in …

Evaluation Of Pavement Edge Drains And Headwalls On I-264 (Watterson Expressway) Jefferson County, L. John Fleckenstein, Brad W. Rister, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the findings from the investigation of pavement edge drains and headwall conditions on six Watterson Expressway Projects in Jefferson County. These projects include the Newburg Road Interchange, Bardstown Road Interchange, Taylorsville Road Interchange, Breckinridge Road Interchange, l-64 1nterchange, and Shelbyville Road Interchange. The study was initiated due to an on-site inspection by Federal Highway Administration, Kentucky Transportation Center, and District 5 personnel who indicated several of the outlet pipes were clogged or collapsed. It was suggested by Federal Highway Administration personnel that a mini pipeline inspection camera be used to verify the conditions of the outlet pipes …

Development Of A Critical Path Method Specification And A Training Program For Use Of Cpm For Kytc, Donn E. Hancher, Raymond F. Werkmeister, Sion L. Tesone

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Critical Path Method scheduling technique is outlined as it applies to KYTC projects. Special Provision 82 (94) and its requirements are outlined.

Summary Of Results Of 1995 Field Evaluations Of Long Life Pavement Marking Materials, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report completes the summary of the results of data collected as part of the 1995 field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP). A previous report summarized the data for the first year after placement of these materials (AASHTO's National Transportation Product Evaluation Program, Report 96, NTPEP 121, October 1996). Data for the second year for the long life pavement marking materials are given in this report.

Visual Inspection Of Keystone Block Wall And Embankment Slide At Mist Lake Plaza In Lexington, Kentucky, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center was requested by Bhate Engineering Corporation and A.B. Shopping Center Properties, Inc. to evaluate and monitor apparent movement in the Keystone Block retaining structure and the earth embankment located next to the Walmart Department Store at Mist Lake Plaza in Lexington, Kentucky. This report summarizes work that has been conducted to date. This work includes inspection of surface drainage, inspection of subsurface storm water drainage, inspection of the embankment, and inspection and photologging of current wall distress. At present, control monitoring points are being established (to be completed by the first of June).

Legislation Review And Recommendations To Reduce Evasion Of Kentucky Road Fund Revenues, Dwight V. Denison, Merl M. Hackbart, Robert J. Eger Iii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky, like other states, is facing fiscal challenges in providing expanding public services demanded by citizens. One danger of constrained fiscal resources and shortsighted political horizons is the tendency to neglect the investment and maintenance of long-term infrastructures like highways. The Kentucky road fund protects against these dangers by providing earmarked resources for the state's roadways, insuring that basic infrastructure needs are met. However, evasion of road fund revenues decreases the funds available to meet the needs of Kentucky's transportation infrastructure. For these reasons, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is interested in developing policy recommendations intended to mitigate evasion of road …

Cost Estimating And Forecasting For Highway Work In Kentucky [1997], William F. Maloney, Jennifer R. Walton, Adam Ross

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There is a need for better cost estimating and forecasting for highway work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KRS45.245 grants the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation oversight of the biennial highway plan, including a review of all authorized highway project phases that exceed their estimates by 15%. Estimates developed using current methods are not sufficiently accurate to preclude cost overruns in excess of 15%. Estimates are prepared before design is begun so that a project may be included in the six year plan. The estimates are not revised after a more detailed scope of the project is developed during design …

Subsurface Drainage Of Highway Pavements, David Q. Hunsucker, Bobby W. Meade

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Properly designed and constructed drainage layers can be used for effective control of surface water infiltration. Former pavement design methods often have resulted in base courses that have not drained well, thereby resulting in some premature failures of the pavement structure. The Kentucky Department of Highways is currently reviewing proposed guidelines for design of highway pavements. The guidelines propose the use of open graded, free draining, aggregate bases for controlling infiltrated surface water. However, interim design guidelines do not specifically address the design of aggregate drainage blankets. The purpose of this study was to develop recommendations relating to the specification, …

A Report On County Road Program Finance (Fiscal Year 1995-96), Patsy Anderson, Kris Hockensmith

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report reflects the findings of a study of county road finance in Kentucky. Statistics contained in the report were derived from financial statements submitted by the counties to the Kentucky Department of Local Government.

Roadway Related Tort Liability And Risk Management: 4th Edition, Daniel S. Turner, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.

The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook.

Evaluation Of Speed Limits In Kentucky (Kyspr 96-172), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to examine current criteria and procedures used for setting speed limits on public roads and to recommend appropriate maximum speed limits for various types of roads. The study involved three major areas. These were: review of literature, collection and analysis of speed data, and collection and analysis of accident data. The speed data included collecting data on various highway types using the “moving” radar mode, use of data from speed monitoring stations, comparison of spot speed data before and after speed limit changes, and both moving and spot speed data at construction zones. Accident …

Performance And Cost Effectiveness Of Pavement Edge Drains, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

It is apparent from research conducted under this study that edge drains increase subgrade strength through the removal of water. It is also apparent in most cases that the edge drains increase pavement life by approximately seven years. Current cost benefit analysis indicates that edge drains can provide a cost savings of approximately $200,000 dollars a mile over the life of the pavement. Research also indicates that if edge drains are not properly installed and maintained they can doe more damage then good. It is evident that edge drains should be inspected with a pipeline camera prior to final acceptance …

Analysis And Design Of Bridges Susceptible To Barge Impact, Michael W. Whitney, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The current American Association of State Highway Traffic Organizations (AASHTO) Guide Specification for Collision Design of Highway Bridges provides three statistical methods(methods I, II, and III) for determining the design vessel for impact analysis. These methods focus mainly on ship impact and not on barge impact design for bridges susceptible to vessel (ship or barge) impact. This is due to the tremendous variation in flotilla sizes, barge types, and barge sizes. This study presents an analysis procedure by which the statistical design methods of the AASHTO Guide Specification can be applied to inland waterway bridge design.

Design of bridges susceptible …

Dynamic Site Periods For The Jackson Purchase Region Of Western Kentucky, Ron Street, Zhenming Wang, Edward W. Woolery, Issam E. Harik, David L. Allen, Kevin G. Sutterer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Bridges, overpasses, and other engineered structures in the Jackson Purchase region of Western Kentucky are, of necessity, built on a thick column of loose to semi-consolidated sediments. Because these sediments tend to amplify seismically induced ground motions at preferred periods, structures with natural periods close to the preferred periods of amplification of the ground motions are particularly vulnerable to damages during an earthquake because of in-phase resonance.

For this report, conventional seismic refraction and reflection techniques were used to determine the shearwave velocities of the more poorly consolidated, near-surface sediments for a matrix of sites in the region. Conventional seismic …

Traffic Flow And Safety Evaluation Of Fayette County Schools Part Ii, Samantha S. Jones, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In cooperation with Fayette County Schools, an evaluation of traffic flow and safety was conducted at school sites in Fayette County. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify potential safety risks currently existing at selected schools, recommend actions to reduce risks, and to decrease traffic congestion in and around school properties.

This report is a continuation of the traffic and safety project submitted to Fayette County Schools in September 1996. For this project, three schools were identified by Fayette County Schools as having traffic flow or safety problems that could benefit from detailed evaluation. The three schools were Clays …

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1997 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1997 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. 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 date on traffic accidents” for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth.” Data contained in …