Transportation Engineering Commons^™

Test Matrices For Evaluating Cable Median Barriers Placed In V-Ditches, Ronald K. Faller, Scott K. Rosenbaugh, Mario Mongiardini, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Clearing Paths For Emergency Vehicles Using Shock Wave Theory And Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication, Craig Austin Jordan

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A new strategy to enable an EV to navigate through congestion at signalized intersections more efficiently has been developed and is presented in this thesis. The proposed strategy involves communicating control messages to vehicles to change their driving behavior and to traffic signals to change their timing plans so that EV s can proceed through congested intersections as quickly as possible. To achieve this, specific vehicles are instructed to hold their positions to create a split in the vehicle queue at a critical location in one lane. The split allows the EV to change lanes and proceed unimpeded at its …

2012 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 2012 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2012 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.

Kentucky Safety Belt Methodology, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued new Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use. The final rule was published in Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63. Following is a summary of the methodology Kentucky will use to comply with the criteria described in the final rule. The methodology considers the experience of the past 30 years of safety belt data collection in Kentucky along with the guidelines contained in the final rule. The new methodology will be implemented beginning with the 2013 statewide survey.

Demand Responsive Signal Control Strategy (Drsc) Incorporating Queue Length Information In Real-Time Signal Control, Rahul Rajbhara

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Most of the existing vehicle detection systems, namely inductive loops, video cameras etc. are incapable of measuring the queue lengths at signalized intersections. However, with the advent of modern technology, newer detection methods such as probe vehicles equipped with wireless communications (Connected Vehicles), particularly under the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration [52), and radar detection currently provide this capability [53). This thesis presents a Demand Responsive Signal Control Strategy (termed as DRSC) for an isolated signalized intersection. The control strategy incorporates real-time queue length information (obtained from probe vehicles) into the signal control logic. Demand based maximum green time for each upcoming/new …

Research On Roadway Performance And Distress At Low Temperature, Yong-Rak Kim, Soohyok Im, Hoki Ban

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

This research project investigated the performance and damage characteristics of Nebraska roadways at low-temperature conditions. To meet the research objective, laboratory tests were incorporated with mechanistic numerical modeling. The three most common pavement structures in Nebraska were selected and modeled considering local environmental conditions and pavement materials with and without truck loading. Cracking of asphalt overlay was predicted and analyzed by conducting finite element simulations incorporated with cohesive zone fracture. Parametric analyses were also conducted by varying pavement geometries and material properties, which could lead to helping pavement designers understand the mechanical sensitivity of design variables on the overall responses …

Safety Improvements At Highway-Railroad Crossing For Pedestrians And Bicyclists And The Assessment Of Long-Term Effects Of Centerline Curbing, Aemal Khattak, Zheng Luo

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Seismic Hazard Assessment Of Oregon Highway Truck Routes, Peter Dusicka, Selamawit Tesfayesus Mehary

TREC Final Reports

This research project developed a seismic risk assessment model along the major truck routes in Oregon. The study had adopted federally developed software tools called Risk for Earthquake Damage to Roadway Systems (REDARS2) and HAZUS-MH. The model was the first time REDARS2 has been adopted and used in research outside of the original development team, presenting a number of unique challenges. The development of the model was a complex, intensive process that required a significant research effort, manipulation and adjustment of data. Furthermore, limitations of the software tools themselves had been identified that prevented the inclusion of important aspects such …

Temporary Flood Barriers, Sarah M. Mccormack, Chris Vandyke, Ashley Suazo, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the use and effectiveness of temporary flood barriers (TFBs) to mitigate the impacts of flood waters on Kentucky’s roadways. TFBs are structures, usually filled with sand, which are constructed along the edges of roadways and thus serve as a buffer against rising waters. In doing so, they can protect the structural soundness of roads, and ensure that roads remain open to traffic during flood events. The report is divided into four main sections. The first chapter introduces the concept of TFBs and notes situations in which they have been effectively deployed. The second chapter surveys the different …

Kentucky Department Of Vehicle Regulation Internet Applications Study, Andrew Martin, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The study identified 107 unique interactive services, and 13 unique information services on state vehicle regulation agency web sites. The average state has roughly 15 percent of all existing services. States with larger populations, number of registered vehicles and drivers tend to have more total services and transaction services. The general flow of the data indicates a fast level of growth, as companies and individuals embrace the efficiency and flexibility of online transactions. The W3C Unicorn Validator, Link Sleuth, Web Accessibility Checker and Hubspot Marketing Grader scores were combined to generate a web design score for each state. Washington received …

Improved Models Of Cable-To-Post Attachments For High-Tension Cable Barriers, Robert W. Bielenberg, Cody S. Stolle, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Improved Models Of Cable-To-Post Attachments For High-Tension Cable Barriers, Robert W. Bielenberg, Cody S. Stolle, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Computer simulation models were developed to analyze and evaluate a new cable-to-post attachment for high-tension cable barriers. The models replicated the performance of a keyway bolt currently used in the design of a high-tension cable median barrier being developed at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility. Component tests of the keyway bolts were simulated and compared to the component test results. Accurate friction, fracture strain, and stress-strain material properties were determined for a solid element model of the keyway bolt by applying actual load curve measured from the test to a simulated pull cable. By simulating the material properties of the …

Wim Data Collection And Analysis, Jerry G. Pigman, Clark Graves, David Q. Hunsucker, David Cain

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to review and analyze current procedures in order to implement a process for collecting and analyzing weigh-in-motion (WIM) data to insure an adequate and accurate representation of weights of vehicles using Kentucky’s roadways. A literature review of WIM data collection equipment, practices and procedures indicated that a range of options are available and used by other agencies. Piezoelectric cable detection systems were most frequently used and provided adequate accuracy, if attention is given to monitoring and calibration.

An overall assessment of Kentucky’s WIM data collection program resulted in recommendations for: 1) increased use of …

Speed Limit Recommendation In Vicinity Of Signalized High-Speed Intersection, Anuj Sharma, Laurence Rilett, Zifeng Wu, Shefang Wang

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Integrating Probe Vehicles And Stationary Detector Data To Construct Accurate Cumulative Curves To Study Bottlenecks, Khairul Azfi Anuar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Advancements in sensors technologies have given researchers and practitioners access to an immense amount of traffic data from multiple types of sensors. However, because of the diversity of the data types, developing a relationship between the different data sources can be challenging. To further complicate the issue, the presence of error or noise makes it difficult to infer any reliable conclusions from the data. To develop a relationship between different data sources, a new methodology is proposed in this thesis for fusing stationary detector data and probe vehicle data to construct an accurate cumulative curve. To remove or to reduce …

Utc Public Transportation Survey, Andra Blanariu

Honors Theses

Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the public transit system in Chattanooga, covers most of downtown Chattanooga and its surrounding areas. In the fall of 2011, the enrollment rate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga reached over 11000. During the same semester, UTC housed around 2900 students on their campus, which is located in downtown Chattanooga. Based on an on-board survey offered by CARTA in August of 2011, only nineteen percent of their riders are students. While the Chattanooga State Community College is not located downtown, CARTA's survey showed that their students compose the majority of student bus riders. The …

The Application Of Sensors On Guardrails For The Purpose Of Real Time Impact Detection, Matthew D. Sturtevant

Theses and Dissertations

The United States roadway system has deteriorated over time due to its age, increasing delays in completing preventative maintenance, and the lack of timely repairs following damage to the infrastructure. Proper asset management drives the need for generalized methods to integrate new sensing capabilities into existing Intelligent Transportation Systems in a time efficient and cost effective manner. In this thesis, we present a methodology for the deployment of new sensors into an existing ITS system. The proposed methodology employs a three phase approach that incorporates data modeling, spatial analysis in Geographic Information Systems, and cost optimization to provide enhanced decision …

Phase Ii Development Of A Non-Proprietary, Four-Cable, High Tension Median Barrier, Jennifer D. Schmidt, Dean L. Sicking, Ronald K. Faller, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Robert W. Bielenberg, Scott K. Rosenbaugh, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Determination Of The Maximum Mgs Mounting Height -- Phase I Crash Testing, Cale J. Stolle, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Robert W. Bielenberg, Scott Rosenbaugh, Dean L. Sicking, John D. Reid, Erin A. Johnson

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Developing And Implementing Strategies To Address “Freddie Freeroader”, David Q. Hunsucker, Mark S. Spellman, Mark Bell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Although the majority Kentucky’s citizens pay their fair share of motor vehicle registration taxes, there are indications that a number of citizens evade motor vehicle property and usage tax through a variety of means. Some individuals license their cars in states that have no, or very low, property taxes on motor vehicles; others abuse the use of temporary tags, or simply fail to renew the registration on their vehicles. As a result, Kentucky is losing income that would be used to repair the state’s roadways and fund local services such as schools, libraries, health departments, and police and fire services. …