Engineering Commons^™

Traffic Safety Issues Opinion Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In recent years there have been several laws both proposed and enacted in the Kentucky legislature which have dealt with various traffic safety issues. There has been discussion of various types of legislation which may be proposed in the 2000 Kentucky legislature. As a means of determining public opinion on specific traffic safety issues, a public opinion survey was conducted.

The Dayton Its Demonstration Project: Simulating Existing Conditions, Jill A. Swaynos, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission is incorporating an Advanced Traveler Information System to alleviate real-time traffic problems associated with special events at the Ervin J. Nutter Center of the Wright State University. This study of the existing conditions is part of the evaluation plan and addresses two tasks: 1) documentation of the existing conditions; and 2) definition of measures of effectiveness. The existing conditions were depicted with the use of a computer simulation software package, Traffic Software Integrated System and separate scenarios were modeled for three existing conditions: ingress and egress for a special event and a major shopping …

Artimis Telephone Travel Information Service: Overall Public Awareness, Lisa Aultman-Hall

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of a random telephone survey of households in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Area. The objective was to determine awareness of the traffic management center and its telephone travel information service. A secondary objective was to determine the public's preference for dialing and recalling phone numbers for travel information. The survey found that 39% were aware of a traffic management center while 55% were aware of a telephone traffic information service. Awareness varied by work location, household characteristics and personal attributes. Some households that could potentially benefit from the service were unaware of its …

Seismic Evaluation Of The Us41 Northbound Bridge Over The Ohio River At Henderson, Ky, Issam E. Harik, Chelliah Madasamy, Denglin Chen, K. Vasudevan, Leonong Zhou, Kevin Sutterer, Ron Street, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents the seismic evaluation of the US41 Northbound bridge over the Ohio River connecting Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. The main bridge is a four-span cantilever through-truss type. The approach bridge has 8 spans on the Evansville, IN side and 35 spans on the Henderson, KY side. Although this bridge has not yet been subjected to a moderate or major earthquake, it is situated within the influence of the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones.

The seismic evaluation program consisted of field testing and seismic response analysis. The modal properties of the main bridge were determined through …

Evaluation Of The Adaptir System For Work Zone Traffic Control, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The ADAPTIR system (Automated Data Acquisition and Processing of Traffic Information in Real Time) uses variable message signs (VMS) equipped with radar units, along with a software program to interpret the data, to display appropriate warning and advisory messages to motorists approaching a work zone when certain speed and delay thresholds are met. The overall conclusion of the evaluation is that the ADAPTIR type system is an effective method to provide real time information to motorists approaching a work zone. The information relates to speed reductions, delay, and possible diversions. Drivers who traveled through the work zone when the VMS …

1999 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 1999 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 1999 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 200 sites spread across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering function classification, geographic region, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate increased in 1999 after a few years where the rate had remained at a stable level below the highest value which occurred in 1994 immediately after …

Seismic Evaluation Of The Us41 Southbound Bridge Over The Ohio River At Henderson, Ky, Issam E. Harik, K. Vasudevan, Chelliah Madasamy, Denglin Chen, Leonong Zhou, Kevin Sutterer, Ron Street, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents the seismic evaluation of the US41 Southbound bridge over the Ohio River connecting Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. The main bridge is a four-span cantilever through-truss type. The approach bridge has 9 spans on the Evansville, IN side and 20 spans on the Henderson, side. Although this bridge has not yet been subjected to a moderate or major earthquake, it is situated within the influence of the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones.

The seismic evaluation program consisted of field testing and seismic response analysis. The modal properties of the main bridge were determined through field …

Evaluation Of Superpave In Kentucky, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, Richard Reitenour

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Approximately 93 percent of all pavements in the United States are surfaced with hot-mix asphalt (HMA). For many decades, most asphalt pavements were designed using the Marshall mix design method. In 1987, the Strategic Highway Research Program was established with 50 million dollars being allocated for asphalt pavement research. From that research, a new asphalt mix design procedure, called Superpave, was developed. Many states have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, this procedure, including Kentucky. In 1995, Kentucky placed its first Superpave mixture on KY 676 in Franklin County. In 1998, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet requested that the …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1994 - 1998), 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 1994 through 1998. 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 …

Economic Impact Of Heavy Loads On The Highway Infrastructure, Brad W. Rister, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the 1986 General Assembly the Extended-Weight Coal Haul Road System was created by the Kentucky State Legislature. This system was defined to include those highways where more than 50,000 tons of coal had been hauled during the previous year. Trucks hauling coal on the extended-weight system were authorized to exceed the normal weights limits through the payment of an annual decal fee.

In efforts to identify the benefactors of the extended coal haul system legislation, this study has been conducted to identify the overall economic impact of hauling heavier total gross weights by coal truck on the highway infrastructure …

An Analysis Of Wastewater Generated During Water Jetting Tests On The I-65 John F. Kennedy Bridge At Louisville, Bobby W. Meade, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

High pressure water jetting was evaluated as a surface preparation tool for bridge maintenance painting. The tests were conducted on the John F. Kennedy Bridge, which has lead containing existing paint system. The primary concerns were the surface preparation and the lead levels of the wastewater. Test areas were washed at 10,000 psi, 15,000 psi, and 20,000 psi and wastewater was collected for analysis. Lead tests were conducted on unfiltered wastewater and wastewater filtered through a variety of filter fabrics. High-pressure water jetting produces and excellent surface for painting but, on bridges with existing lead paint, the wastewater lead levels …

Correlation Of Rock Quality Designation And Rock Scour Around Bridge Piers And Abutments Founded On Rock, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Local scour around the base of a bridge pier or abutment occurs as the result of flow acceleration around the obstruction, formation of a vertical pressure gradient along the upstream end, and generation of vortices at the base of the structure. The flow patterns around piers and abutments are complex in detail, and the complexity increases as a scour hole forms in the bed around the structures. The potential for local scour at a bridge pier or abutment needs to be estimated so that foundations can be designed to resist failure during large floods. While procedures have been suggested for …

Conversion Of New Circle Road To A Limited Access Highway, Steven M. Henderson, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to first evaluate the existing traffic conditions along the NE part of New Circle Road and investigate the use of unconventional left turn treatments, as well as other access restrictions to improve the operating conditions of New Circle Road. The alternatives examined include a do-nothing alternative, the addition of one through lane per direction, the use of median U-turns at various locations, and combinations of them. Restrictive left turn strategies proved to be a more successful tool for traffic management on New Circle Road than simply adding a lane in each direction. Using median …

Experimental Maintenance Painting By Overcoating On The I-64, I-71 And Ky-22 Bridges, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In 1995, KYTC let three experimental maintenance-painting projects. Two of those projects involved the painting of multiple bridges along interstate routes. Those projects encompassed four mainline steel bridges on 1-64 in Franklin County, 16 mainline and overpass steel bridges along 1-71 in six counties, and 660 steel rockers on 36 concrete bridges on 1-71. The steel projects included mainline deck girder structures on the 1-64 project and a mix of mainline and overpass deck girder structures and steel bearings on concrete bridges in the 1-71 project. The third project entailed the painting of a single steel truss bridge, KY -22 …

Assessment And Modeling Of Stream Mitigation Procedures, Bobby W. Meade, Bernadette Dupont, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study evaluates the construction and performance of KyDOH stream disturbance mitigation projects. The initial study tasks were to conduct a literature search, review of stream performance models, a review of Kentucky's and other agency's regulations pertaining to stream mitigation, identification of representative stream mitigation projects, and evaluation of those sites. Th results of this study will produce a tool for evaluating stream mitigation projects after they are constructed.

Procedures For Determining A Working Capacity For Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Dbe) For Highway Construction And Consulting Projects In Kentucky, Brad W. Rister, Donn E. Hancher, Paul E. Toussaint

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the working capacity of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) community performing on federal aid highway projects over the last four federal fiscal years 1995- 98. This includes the work performed by Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Minority Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) , and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) construction firms serving both as a prime contractors and subcontractors. The work of DBE design consultants was not included as part of this study. The impact of five DBE firms who should be graduating from the program is also discussed. In addition several different scenarios are discussed relating to the adjustment …

Kentucky's Road Fund Tax Structure, Ron Zimmer, Merl Hackbart, Steve Calabrese, Susana Luzuriaga

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In recent years, there has been a great deal of discussion of whether the incoming Road Fund revenue is sufficient to meet the needs of Kentucky's Highways System. Many have suggested a policy of raising the current tax rates on motor fuels as a way of enhancing the financial health of the Road Fund. This current study examines the sources of the Road Fund and evaluates the sources of revenue in terms of stability, equity, competitiveness, and adequacy. Finally, the study examines the impact various changes in motor fuel taxes would have on revenue.

Freight Commodity Flow In Kentucky, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Brad Johnson, Brian Aldridge

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objectives of this project were to further the understanding of freight flows throughout Kentucky and to make recommendations on the potential value of freight commodity flow data as an input for statewide transportation planning models. Freight flow data are difficult to accumulate and to convert to common units for use. However, the data available from Reebie Associates that were developed with the Federal Highway Administration have proved useful. The database itself was found to be consistent with other sources of aggregate freight data for Kentucky except for airports. The data assigned to the highway network was in general …

Revision Of The Rainfall Intensity Duration Curves For The Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Bernadette S. Dupont, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this study was to revise and update the existing Rainfall Intensity- Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curves for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The nine curves that currently govern Kentucky are based on data from First-Order Weather Stations in and around Kentucky. However, the new curves only utilize data from within the State. The data was gathered from both First Order and Co-operative Weather Stations. In accordance with Bulletin 71, the new curves reflect the climatological zones located within the state, thus producing only four IDF curves.

A Report On County Road Program Finance (Fiscal Year 1997-98), Patsy Anderson, Kris Koehler

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.

Artimis Telephone Travel Information Service: Current Use Patterns And User Satisfaction, Jill Clemons, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Sarah T. Bowling

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of a phone survey which evaluated the user satisfaction of the telephone traveler information service, ARTIMIS, in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. Information was also gathered on the users preference for a 3 versus 7 digit access number, use patterns, and user characteristics. The sample was obtained by intercepting calls to the service during Winter 1999. Users rated the service high. Common suggestions for improvements included longer hours of operation and coverage of more roads suggesting the service is valuable to its users. The travelers perceived that they benefited most by avoiding traffic problems, saving time, and reducing …

Evaluation Of Retesting In Kentucky's Driver License Process, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Michael Ridgeway

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this research were to first evaluate the existing practices regarding driver license renewal, driver retesting, and medical review board procedures and then identify and recommend methods that would improve these processes. The analysis of the Medical Review Board process indicated that, while it operates at an acceptable level in major urban areas, it is almost non-existent in most areas of the state. A brochure describing the process was developed for distribution to physicians. There is a universal agreement among researchers that vision has a significant role in driving performance and that visual abilities deteriorate with age. It …

Evaluation Of Trimarc Procurement Procedures (Interim Report), Monica L. Osborne, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Innovative practices in construction contracting techniques have become more frequent and necessary in recent years. These practices benefit the transportation industry by experimenting with methods different from the traditional methods. This allows for growth and the adoption of procedures that provide higher quality and a better benefit to cost ratio.

An Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), referred to as TRIMARC (Traffic Response and Incident Management Assisting the River Cities), was installed in the Louisville, Kentucky and southern Indiana area. A system integrator approach was used for the installation, operation, and maintenance of this system. Special Experimental Project No. 14 (SEP-14) …

A Needs Assessment And Technology Evaluation For Roadside Identification Of Commercial Vehicles, Jennifer R. Walton, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Throughout North America, selected public agencies have been assigned the responsibility for monitoring commercial vehicle traffic to make sure the commercial vehicles operating on public roadways are in safe operating condition, have proper registration and operating authority, are within legal size and weight limits, and have paid all appropriate fees and taxes. To accomplish this goal, all 50 States have established roadside monitoring and enforcement programs.

With limited resources and increasingly heavy truck volumes, roadside enforcement officers must continually make decisions about which trucks to check and which to allow to proceed. This process of selecting some trucks for closer …

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Dollar General Corporation, Scottsville - Allen County, Site #2655, David Cain, Kenneth R. Agent, Brian Aldridge, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98- 189) is being conducted by the Kentucky Transportation Center on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. There are two main objectives of the study: 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for a facility located in Allen county in the Barren River Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #3. The location of the site is shown in …

Final Summary Report On Truck Route Access Evaluation, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Ken R. Agent, Brian Aldridge, Joel Weber, Dave Cain, Bradford Johnson, Nick Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the evaluation of truck route access between the National Highway System and 46 truck generating sites, including intermodal sites, throughout Kentucky (includes 81 routes and 800 miles of highway). Routes were evaluated quantitatively for nine highway features, assigned an overall route rating and recommendations for routine maintenance and re-construction were made. The level and quality of truck access to the NHS varies dramatically throughout the state. Some facilities are between 25 and 50 miles from the NHS. No significant difference in route ratings or other measures was found by geographic location. The different typography throughout the state …

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Campbell-Hausfeld, Leitchfield-Grayson County, Site #2637, David Cain, Kenneth R. Agent, Brian Aldridge, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189) is being conducted by the Kentucky Transportation Center on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. There are two main objectives of the study: 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for the Campbell-Hausfeld Company facility located in Grayson County in the Lincoln Trail Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #4. The location of the site is …

Laboratory Testing And Analysis Of Joints For Rigid Pavements, Chelliah Madasamy, Issam E. Harik, David L. Allen, L. John Fleckenstein

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the concrete pavement system under nonlinear temperature distribution and vehicle wheel loading. The jointed concrete pavement system consists of concrete slabs with transverse and longitudinal joints, dowel bars (across transverse joints), tie bars (across longitudinal joints), subbase and subgrade soil. Under the loading conditions the pavement structural system may fail by cracking of the concrete slab, loss-of-support of slab due to temperature induced curling, closing and opening of joints, and failure of load transfer devices such as dowel bars, etc. In order to understand the cause of these failures or to …

Bicycle Cordon Count Pilot Study, Lisa Aultman-Hall

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky State Bicycle Coordinator is tasked with a difficult problem: planning for and supporting the needs of Kentucky cyclists. Unfortunately, very little quantitative information on the number of cyclists or their travel patterns has been collected in Kentucky. There is a pressing need to develop an efficient and low cost means to collect broad and useful data to support the bicycle program in Kentucky. Although some other jurisdictions include bicycles as vehicles in their traffic counting programs, Kentucky does not. Several complications make counting bicycles difficult: they cannot easily be detected by automatic counting devices, they travel in different …

Truck Route Access Evaluation: United Parcel Service, Standiford Field Louisville Airport, And Ford Motor Company, Louisville, Site #6, Lisa Aultman-Hall, Kenneth R. Agent, Brian Aldridge, David Cain, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This is a study undertaken on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). There are two main objectives of the Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189): 1) evaluation of the access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS); and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for the areas around the Standiford Field Louisville Airport. This includes two large generators off of Fern Valley Road: Ford Motor Company and the United Parcel Service. These sites are located in …