Digital Commons Network^™

Slides On Slides: Multidisciplinary Approach To Landslide Solutions, Joey Franzino, Malek Smadi, Rick Perry, Ryan Whelchel

Purdue Road School

Landslides pose unique technical and logistical challenges for asset managers, engineers, and project managers. Along SR 156 in Switzerland County, landslide corrections were implemented by a team of project managers, geotechnical experts, and structural engineers. This presentation will walk attendees through a multidisciplinary approach to the development of landslide corrections in this real-world example, including the design of a drilled pier retaining wall with tiebacks, working around existing landslide corrections, and risk management.

Test Drive Innovative Intersections—No Car Needed: Public Involvement That Works, Brad Vannoy, Nicole Minton, Trevor Wieseke, Michael Macneill

Purdue Road School

Step into innovative intersection design through immersive, hands-on experiences and real-world public involvement lessons. Get a first-person point-of-view as we show you what it’s like to walk through our 30x50 ft tarps demonstrating a Displaced Left Turn and a Diverging Diamond. Come explore tabletop models of a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI), as well as a roundabout, and learn how these experiential tools help drivers and professionals understand how to navigate complex designs. The session will share wins and lessons learned from a proposed rural RCI, highlighting how hyper-local involvement, early grassroots communication, and creative outreach reduced anxiety, built public confidence, …

Telling Your Infrastructure Story Through Lifecycle Planning, Keith Pugh, Craig Roach

Purdue Road School

Local governments face increasing pressure to maintain service levels amid aging infrastructure and limited funding. Lifecycle Planning and Modeling provide a data-driven framework to quantify asset condi tion, criticality, and performance while optimizing long-term reinvestment strategies. This presentation will demonstrate how integrating engineering and financial data enables prioritization of maintenance and capital projects, improves cost-efficiency, and supports transparent communication of service level tradeoffs to decision-makers through visual storytelling and scenario modeling.

Draining Fountain Square With Alternate Delivery, Jason Koch, Mark St. John, Natalie Stephen

Purdue Road School

Indianapolis DPW has started construction on major drainage improvements in one of its oldest neighborhoods, Fountain Square. Building on lessons learned from similar projects in built-up, commercial areas, DPW decided to use an alternate delivery method to procure construction services. This session will provide a high level review of Indiana’s Public-Private Agreement statue (I.C. 5-23), how DPW applied it to the Fountain Square project, lessons learned, and how DPW plans to use this innovative delivery method for future projects.

Let’S Walk And Talk: Building Trust (And Better Projects) Using Community Walk Audits, Ashlyn Devine, Taylor Firestine

Purdue Road School

This session introduces participants to the benefits gained from engaging in community-centered walking audits as practical tools for advancing quality active transportation projects and building trust with the public. Drawing from Health by Design’s Indiana Road to Zero Academy, participants will join a facilitated walking audit near the Purdue campus to discuss common concerns and questions that these exercises address while demonstrating how collaborative notetaking can translate into better planning, engineering, and policy decisions that reflect the unique needs of the community.

Aircraft Misfuelling Awareness After Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Saf) Integration, Jiahao Yu, Sooyon Jin, Mary Johnson

Purdue Road School

Misfuelling or delivering the wrong type of fuel to an aircraft can cause serious economic losses and catastrophic safety risks if not detected before fueling or aircraft departure. Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) alongside existing fuel infrastructure (Jet Fuel, Avgas, among others) can create potential issues and operational hazards. This presentation will cover different types of aviation fuel, risks linked to incorrect fuel or additives, preventive measures, and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF).

Railroad Coordination 101, Deborah Porter, Kip Bunch, David Farmer, Gregory Fitzsimons

Purdue Road School

This presentation will detail the railroad coordination process to include agreements, review process, schedule, RRA , Railroad Certification, special provisions, and close out. Attendees will hear perspectives from both INDOT and railroad owners.

Tirami-Sue: A Recipe For Using Subsurface Utility Engineering (Sue) Data Successfully, Natalie Parks, Ken Slaninka, Rhett Sloan

Purdue Road School

Leveraging Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) data as a design tool for conflict management helps to mitigate risk to a project during design. However, SUE data should be utilized from design through construction. Leveraging SUE data during construction can serve as a valuable damage prevention tool. This session will discuss how to share SUE data from design team to contractor, and how SUE data are leveraged by the utility coordinator, designer, contractor, inspector, and project owner.

Pel Stories, Tim Miller, Cameron Schuh, Sandra Flum, Blake Dollier

Purdue Road School

PEL Stories: Bridging Planning and Environmental Review: This presentation will highlight stories from planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) projects, demonstrating how early planning can streamline environmental review and improve project outcomes.

IndyPEL: Advancing Planning through Environmental Linkages: This session explores the IndyPEL project, highlighting how Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) studies are shaping transportation decisions in Indiana. Attendees will learn about stakeholder engagement, data-driven planning, and lessons learned.

Future 3: Regional Safety Collaboration To Vision Zero, Cheryl Franks, Kate Múspell

Purdue Road School

This presentation will explore how the City of Rushville spearheaded a multicounty collaboration to develop a corridor-wide safety plan for State Route 3. Attendees will learn how SS4A grant funding, Vision Zero principles, and bypass alternatives shaped a data-driven strategy—despite the absence of an MPO or shared regional planning framework. This session will highlight how local leadership, safety and operational analysis, and stakeholder coordination converged to address high-injury corridors and deliver actionable safety priorities across disconnected communities.

The Mid-States Corridor: A Project Update, Kyanna Wheeler, Jason Dupont, Jason Rhoades

Purdue Road School

Join us for a progress update on the NEPA, Technical Procurement, and ROW Acquisition phases of the Mid-States Corridor Project. The Mid-States Corridor is an improved highway connection in southern Indiana generally following US 231 from I-64, east of Huntingburg and Jasper, extending north and connecting to I-69. We will provide insights into ongoing project activities within each phase.

Enhancing Safe Streets And Roads For All (Ss4a) Safety Plans Through Stakeholder Input, Neal Styka, Aaron Bubb

Purdue Road School

Developing a successful Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) safety action plan requires meaningful collaboration across diverse groups. While technical advisory committees are valuable, participation and feedback are not always guaranteed making outreach to organizations and attendance at community events all the more important to ensure input can truly shape stronger, more responsive safety plans. This presentation will highlight how one-on-one outreach and direct engagement build trust, expand community input, and reveal safety concerns not reflected in crash data.

Enhancing Bicycle And Pedestrian Safety: Leveraging Near-Miss With Indygo, Christian Cambron, Steven Hollenkamp, Patrick Weitlauf

Purdue Road School

Safety remains a core priority for transportation professionals, yet traditional crash data often do not capture the full picture, particularly for vulnerable road users like bicyclists and pedestrians. To address this gap, the transit agency for Indianapolis, IndyGo, integrated near miss conflict data into a transit-oriented safety project at 33 bus stops and intersection across Indianapolis. In this presentation, learn how IndyGo is using these data to inform operational and infrastructure improvements in coordination with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.

Diverging Diamond Interchanges Lessons Learned: Design Refinements And Performance, Nathaniel Shellhamer, Daniel Mccoy, Jack Gallagher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will share an overview of INDOT’s experience with the design of diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs). Specific discussion will focus on design refinements being made in the most recent DDIs in Indiana, as well as lessons learned from existing DDIs in the areas of geometrics, operations and performance, and human factors/driver behavior. We will also review case studies and before-and-after analyses of existing DDIs.

From Feedback To Innovation: Next-Gen Asphalt Preservation, Andrew Eicher, Tim Zahrn, Curt Higginbotham

Purdue Road School

Spray-applied rejuvenators are increasingly used as a proactive pavement preservation tool. This presentation will explore their benefits, recent research findings, and key product attributes valued by road owners. We will discuss limitations and challenges facing current rejuvenator technologies and explore how recent innovations improve user value. An agency representative will provide firsthand insights into the practical use and performance of rejuvenators in network-level pavement management, offering a real-world perspective on their role in extending pavement life and improving asset condition.

Habitat Or Hazard? Rain Gardens In The Right Of Way, Kendall Knoke, Elizabeth Carter, Patrick Dierkes

Purdue Road School

Rain gardens in the public right of way provide numerous benefits through storm water filtration, increased green space/habitat, and educational activation. Often, these gardens can be implemented as part of larger infrastructure projects. However, the upfront and ongoing maintenance costs can be significant. The City of Bloomington has successfully implemented numerous rain gardens through various projects. In this presentation, we will discuss when are rain gardens worth it and how they can be implemented into your community successfully.

Next Level Leadership, No Matter Your Job Title, Tim Jensen, Pete Olson

Purdue Road School

This presentation will describe how to take your leadership to the next level no matter where you sit in the organization. Attendees will learn simple, effective steps to help them advance their influence and their career.

Transportation Implications Of School District Development, Neal Styka, Aaron Bubb

Purdue Road School

School districts face growing challenges from aging infrastructure, limited funding, and shifting enrollment trends. As communities respond by building new schools, consolidating facilities, or closing outdated buildings, these decisions directly affect the local transportation network. This presentation will highlight how Traffic Impact Analyses provide reassurance to school districts and communities by evaluating roadway operations, anticipating future needs, and identifying improvements that ensure safe and efficient access to educational facilities amid changing conditions.

Traffic Counting For Buggies, Jay Grossman, Charles Mckenzie, Jennifer Sharkey

Purdue Road School

Counties with larger Amish populations have significant volumes of buggies on some roads. Traditional traffic counting systems do not always capture these vehicles, limiting local public agencies’ abilities to prioritize maintenance and safety improvements appropriate for these users. This presentation will cover results from multiple counting systems and evaluate their performance for non-motorized vehicles.

How Transportation Impacts Have Been Mitigated By The Indiana Stream And Wetland Mitigation Program, Summer Elmore, Brad Baldwin, Jeff Spicer

Purdue Road School

The Indiana Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (IN SWMP) has been selling mitigation credits since 2018. In this presentation, we will discuss the success and challenges of the program. We will also review the total funds collected by the program, the resulting impacts from transportation projects, and project partners and opportunities.

Improving Chip Seal Durability, John Yzenas Jr., Aaron Fugate

Purdue Road School

In Northeastern Indiana, secondary roads can be severely abused due to heavy traffic from farm implements, trucks, and horse-drawn buggies. This presentation details how LaGrange County improved the performance of these roads and developed a successful chip seal program by implementing suggestions from a recent synthesis out of the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering.

Hancock County’S Journey From Planning To Execution, Gary Pool, Ann Sheidler

Purdue Road School

Over the past decade, Hancock County has seen both successes and challenges in funding public projects, including roads, bridges, utilities, a technical school, healthcare, and retail development. Using a variety of capital sources, the county turned plans into real construction efforts that served the public good. This presentation will explore real projects with real financing—highlighting lessons learned, unexpected outcomes, and strategies that can inform and benefit similar efforts in other counties.

Classroom To Corridor: Partnerships Driving Civil Engineering Education, Charlie Kacmar, Victoria Farkas, Benjamin Moster, Reis Walker

Purdue Road School

This presentation will include a discussion panel with Marian University senior civil engineering students, Avenew, and Indianapolis DPW. The discussion will highlight a Marian University senior capstone project partnership that conceptualizes and studies a new gateway corridor for the City of Indianapolis and Marian University. Attendees will learn how this collaborative approach helped students gain hands-on experience and mentorship while delivering momentum towards an impactful community infrastructure project.

100 Years Since “The Great Renumbering”, Crystal Weaver

Purdue Road School

On October 1, 1926, all Indiana State Routes were renumbered to today’s naming convention. To note the centennial of our modern highway numbering system, this presentation will cover the Good Roads movement; the how, what, and why of the standards set by AASHO and the Feds; the logistics of renumbering all of the roads in the state (including cardboard temporary signs); and details about the State Highway budget at the time.

Impact Of Urban Roadway Work Zones On Road Users And Other Stakeholders, Lyndsey Renee Harris

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

As urban populations continue to rise at an unprecedented rate, the need for highly maintained infrastructure in cities -- buildings, utilities, and transportation networks -- has become increasingly critical. An urban work zone refers to a designated area within a city where roadway construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation activities are taking place. These zones are typically characterized by high traffic volumes, complex roadway networks, and proximity to residential, institutional, and commercial land uses. Urban work zones often involve lane closures, detours, reduced speed limits, and temporary traffic control measures to ensure safety for road workers and road users. Due to the …

Ozone Pollution Reduction Partially Offsets The Negative Impact Of Climate Change Mitigation Efforts On Global Hunger, Shujuan Xia, Tomoko Hasegawa, Thanapat Jansakoo, Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Shinichiro Fujimori, Maksym Chepeliev, Marta Kozicka, Abhijeet Mishra, Willem-Jan Van Zeist, Xin Zhao, Thijs De Lange, Thais Diniz Oliveira, Jonathan C. Doelman, Matthew Gibson, Petr Havlík, Mario Herrero, Ipsita Kumar, Yuki Ochi, Timothy B. Sulser, Marina Sundiang, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Jun’Ya Takakura, Keith Wiebe

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Studies warning of the potential negative effects of climate mitigation on food security through the competing use of land for bioenergy and afforestation have overlooked the impact of reduced ozone and its potential enhancement of crop yields. Here we use six global agro-economic models to compare the impacts of climate change with climate mitigation policy and ozone reduction on agriculture. We find that ozone reduction could reduce the negative impact of a 1.5 °C-consistent climate change mitigation policy on global hunger by 15% in 2050. Sub-Saharan Africa and India, where hunger is most severe, account for 56% of this global …

Engineering 50 Years From Today: A Purdue Engineering Community Perspective, Arvind Raman

Purdue University Press Books

Since opening its doors in 1874, Purdue University’s College of Engineering and its graduates have been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs and are now poised to lead the next generation of engineers in the United States and around the globe. Featuring more than twenty-five essays from former Boilermakers, Engineering 50 Years From Today both celebrates the program’s 150th anniversary and looks ahead, exploring what the field of engineering might look like half a century from now. Leading luminaries from Purdue’s engineering community, including prominent university professors as well as innovators working in the private sector, reveal how technologies related …

Multiliteracies In The 21st-Century Classroom: Lessons From The Global South, Juan Carlos Montoya

Purdue Writing Lab/Purdue OWL Graduate Student Presentations

This presentation explores what lessons faculty engagement with critical multiliteracies, digital media, and AI leave writing centers. It highlights opportunities for writing tutors education and professional development based on faculty experience and suggestions fostering multiliteracies among students.

From Niche To Norm: Plant-Based Labelling Strategies To Shift Social Norms To Support Plant-Based Food Choices, Houkje Adema, Marleen C. Onwezen, Ellen J. Van Loo, Liam Dwyer, Ellen Van Kleef

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Plant-based labels aim to promote plant-based choices by highlighting which products are plant-based. However, these labels are often applied selectively, leaving many more plant-based products unlabelled. We argue that this may unintentionally communicate that plant-based options are more ‘niche’ rather than the ‘norm’, and thereby hinder normalisation of plant-based consumption. Across two incentive-compatible experiments with representative Dutch samples in a simulated online supermarket, we examined how labelling interventions influence perceived availability of plant-based options, descriptive and injunctive social norms for choosing plant-based, and plant-based choices. In Study 1 (N = 1474), we manipulated the number of plant-based products labelled as …

Multilingual Writers’ Rhetorical Agency Within The Constraints Of Artificial Intelligence, Juan Carlos Montoya

Purdue Writing Lab/Purdue OWL Graduate Student Presentations

Drawing on the rhetorical traditions of Socrates, Aristotle, Isocrates, and Quintilian, this presentation examines the possible roles writing centers can play in fostering multilingual writers’ rhetorical agency in the age of GenAI.