Digital Commons Network^™

A Protocol Agnostic Electrically Transparent Distributed Switch Fabric For It/Ot Testbenches, Wesley Andrews

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This thesis presents the design and development of custom hardware, based upon RF (Radio Frequency) MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) switch technology and a grounded, conductor backed, edge coupled, coplanar waveguide transmission line design to facilitate protocol-agnostic, electrically transparent switching of different hard-wire protocols, such as Ethernet, USB (Universal Serial Bus), CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, RF and more within an IT/OT (Informational/Operational Technology) environment. This is achieved through a distributed, decentralised switch fabric composed of individual switch fabric nodes, which achieves fully reconfigurable IT/OT environments at the electrical level. Traditional IT/OT environments consist of diverse systems involving computers, network switches, …

Anomaly Detection Based Post Gripping Perception For Industrial Logistics Robotics, Firas Zoghlami

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The adoption of low volume high mix manufacturing lines in global production sites has lead to a great need for flexible automation solutions. Flexible intelligent robots as an example are increasingly deployed in new industrial environments, such as the intra-logistics, in order to increase the automation level of the mentioned manufacturing lines. The lack of structure and the high dynamic of such industrial environments lead to potential performance deterioration related to unexpected events that are not recognized by the robot. Detecting such changes in the robot environment is believed in this thesis to be possible with anomaly detection techniques which …

A Framework For Tailored Organisational Cyber Security Training, Zinnar Ghasem

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Zinnar Ahmed Ghasem A framework for tailored organisational cyber security training AbstractSociety is increasingly becoming dependent on cyberspace; in such it is becoming an integral part of every-day life of most people in both work and home context. This dependency spans across individuals, businesses, and organisations including governments who are relying on cyberspace for various services, ranging from email to social networking, and from cloud computing to ecommerce and financial automated process and transactions. These services are vulnerable and face sophisticated cyber threats, risks and attacks, and potentially can result in financial losses and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability …

Elevated Co2 Increases The Canopy Temperature Of Mature Quercus Robur (Pedunculate Oak), William Hagan Brown, Emanuel Gloor, Ralph Fyfe, A. Rob Mackenzie, Nicholas J. Harper, Peter Ganderton, Kris Hart, Giulio Curioni, Susan Quick, Scott J. Davidson, Emily Yetton, Jen L. Diehl, Sophie Fauset

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The canopy thermal response of natural forests to elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) is an understudied biophysical feedback in the global climate system. We investigated the effects of eCO₂ (150 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient) on canopy temperature (T_can) dynamics of mature (> 175 years) Quercus robur (oak) at the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (BIFoR-FACE) facility in Staffordshire, England, during the growing seasons of 2021, 2022 and 2023. We employed long-term, high-frequency thermal infrared (TIR) imaging to measure T_can. Our results show that daily maximum oak T_{can …}

Navigating The Transition: Modelling The Path For Net-Zero European Building Sector, Souran Chatterjee, Gergely Molnar, Benedek Kiss, Daniel Topal, Diana Ürge-Vorsatz

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Transition towards a net-zero building sector offers substantial potential to mitigate climate change impacts andthus plays a pivotal role in meeting the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement. Stakeholders often use mathematical models to understand the true potential for mitigating emissions by reducing the energy demand of thebuilding sector. However, the existing models rarely provide insights into net-zero pathways for both the residential and tertiary buildings as this is a complex sector to calculate the future pathways towards net-zero.Hence, uncertainties in the associated policy decisions persist. Therefore, this study uses the High-EfficiencyBuilding (HEB) energy model to calculate the energy …

Synthesis Study: Review Of Durability And Performance Of The Latest Epoxy-Coated Rebar, Julio A. Ramirez, Luis A. Quesada Jimenez

JTRP Technical Reports

The use of de-icing salts on roads during the winter months has caused corrosion damage to bridge reinforcements, which has increased maintenance costs. The corrosion protection system most widely used by various State Departments of Transportation is a combination of quality concrete, adequate cover, and fusion bonded epoxy-coated reinforcing bars. This report contains a summary of the latest developments in the fabrication and use of fusion epoxy-coated and Allium (stainless steel coated) reinforcing steel within concrete bridge decks and one-way solid slab and T-beam bridges. The study findings indicate that although original epoxy materials are still used, significant improvements in …

Assessing The Asset Management Programs Of Locals: Bridges And Pavement Conditions, Richard Ajagu, Dongyoon Song, David Holguin Mejia, Deepak Benny, Mohammadhosein Pourgholamali, Isaiah C. Mwamba, Kumares Sinha, Samuel Labi

JTRP Technical Reports

Indiana’s 2016 House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001 provided a funding mechanism for transportation infrastructure that required Local Public Agencies (LPAs) to have an Asset Management Plan (AMP) to be eligible for funding. In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly desired to know the extent to which LPAs had adopted AMPs in response to this legislation. This study’s literature review found that LPAs nationwide are increasingly adopting asset management practices. Analysis of aggregate data on local road expenditures and revenues in Indiana showed significant reductions in maintenance expenditures in post-HEA 1001-2016 years, suggesting the efficacy of the 2016 legislation. The data trend …

Stone Matrix Asphalt (Sma) Overlay Performance Evaluation, Jusang Lee, Jongmyung Jeon, Abdullah Al Mamun, Maya Khajehvand, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) is a specialized asphalt mixture designed to improve pavement performance by combining a coarse aggregate skeleton with a high-binder content mortar. This innovative design, adopted by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) in the late 1990s, offers distinct advantages over conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA). Currently, INDOT SMA-surfaced pavements are undergoing a second round of rehabilitation, which presents a valuable opportunity to assess their performance and return on investment (ROI). In Indiana, steel slag is used as the primary SMA coarse aggregate because of its toughness and durability. However, it may be possible to use other, …

Autonomous Mower Pilot Project, John T. Evans, Greg M. Shaver, Michael A. Mardikes, Nathan C. Sprauge, Timothy J. Wiegman, Shreyas Supe, Ethan M. Brown

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) spends approximately $19 million annually on roadside mowing, which is a process that is time-consuming, costly, and poses safety risks. Automated mowing solutions have the potential to reduce costs and increase safety, but they will need to be extremely well tested before being deployed. In this work, data from current mowing practices was collected using machine mounted cameras, which was used to inform the creation of a digital twin environment that allows for rigorous initial testing of potential autonomous solution with no risk. The digital twin was created using digital elevation models of Indiana …

Safety Performance Of Non-Signalized Traffic Control Strategies, Andrew P. Tarko, Mario A. Romero, Vamsi Krishna Bandaru, Qiming Guo, Lucas Florez

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana safety management program targets the reduction of crashes at high-speed, two-way stop-controlled (TWSC) intersections, which are responsible for 8.2% of serious crashes statewide that cause approximately 1,000 serious injuries and over 90 fatalities annually. Key risk factors include human error, high traffic volumes, and high speeds. Despite the implementation of measures, such as alternative intersection designs and enhanced visibility, additional countermeasures are needed to further mitigate these risks at rural TWSC intersections with lower traffic volumes. Intersection Conflict Warning Systems (ICWS) presents a promising solution by alerting drivers to potential vehicle conflicts.

The main objective of this study …

Feasibility Of Utilizing Native Grasses And Forbs In Lieu Of Exotic Cool Season Grasses On Roadside Rights-Of-Way, Wesley Bollinger, Rabin Bhattarai, Jeffrey W. Matthews

JTRP Technical Reports

We assessed the status of 34 native species plantings along roadsides in Indiana and Illinois and evaluated soil conditions, distance from road, and surrounding landscape cover to determine which factors led to successful long-term establishment of plantings. Cover by seeded native species and native species overall increased with distance from road and decreased with increasing soil nitrate and phosphorous. Number of native species and seeded native species increased with distance from road and greater seed mix diversity. In contrast, richness of non-native, non-seeded species was greater at shorter distances from road. Across all sites, 84 of the 150 native species …

Development Of Web Portal For The Management, Visualization, And Analysis Of Collected Mobile Lidar Data Along Indiana’S Transportation Corridors, Sang-Yeop Shin, Hanjin Kim, Arnav Goel, Jinha Jung, Ayman Habib

JTRP Technical Reports

Efficient road management requires collecting and analyzing various geospatial data related to transportation corridors. Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), integrated with GNSS/INS units, RGB cameras, and LiDAR technology, enable the collection of geo-tagged imagery and 3D point cloud data across roadway networks. Acquired data helps in the inventory and management of transportation networks. However, users face challenges in accessing high data volumes, especially when considering hardware and software requirements. To address these challenges, the Purdue research team developed a web portal to efficiently store and provide easy access to geospatial data collected along Indiana’s transportation corridors. The web portal provides an …

A Study Of Suburban Arterial Safety Performance Based On Median Type, Andrew Tarko, Qiming Guo, Priya Darshini Narayanan, Mario A. Romero, Vamsi K. Bandaru

JTRP Technical Reports

Suburban arterial roadways must serve two conflicting road functions: regional mobility and access to the abutting land. The potential for conflicts between traffic passing through and traffic accessing road from the neighboring areas could raise safety concerns. Selecting an adequate cross-section is among important decisions that road designers and traffic engineers consider when mitigating the mentioned conflict. The following three alternative treatments offer different access control levels: undivided cross-section with no median, two-way left-turn lane instead of a typical median, and non-traversable median. The frequency of access points and the selected median treatment option should be commensurate.

Although it is …

The Effectiveness Of Longitudinal Rumble Strips On Indiana Roads, Mario A. Barahona, Qiming Guo, Vamsi Krishna Bandaru, Mario A. Romero, Andrew P. Tarko

JTRP Technical Reports

Rumble strips are designed and deployed to reduce run-off-road and head-on crashes by alerting drivers about near-lane departures. Although they have been widely used, their operational safety effectiveness still needs to be investigated under various operational conditions. Rumble strips may have different widths and be installed on edge, shoulder, center, or in any combination of these locations. To perform a comprehensive analysis of rumble strips’ safety effectiveness on rural two-lanes roads across Indiana, both statistical analysis and field test were performed. To statistically analyze this problem, a dataset for road segments with installed rumble strips including crash data, strips’ locations, …

Remaining Service Life Prediction Of Indiana Pavements Using Mechanistic Methods, Seonghwan Cho, Bongsuk Park, Cheng Zhang, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

Accurate remaining service life (RSL) prediction facilitates effective pavement maintenance strategies, extends service quality, and reduces costs. This study developed RSL prediction models for major distresses­ in INDOT pavement—including full-depth asphalt flexible, rigid, and composite pavement­—using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) and International Roughness Index (IRI) data. The structural and functional prediction models were developed based on the analysis of field data and finite element simulation results. All indicators of the structural prediction models could easily be obtained by processing raw FWD data. The IRI prediction models were developed for INDOT pavements using an enhanced approach for analyzing historical IRI databases. …

Reducing The Dependency On Chlorides And Impacts, Ajuna P. John, Hoon C. Shin, Isaiah C. Mwamba, David J. Yu, Amisha Shah, Samuel Labi

JTRP Technical Reports

This study examined the performance and environmental impacts of various deicing materials, assessed their short- and long-term effects on infrastructure, soil, and water quality, and identified opportunities for operational improvement within INDOT’s winter maintenance practices. The study used a comprehensive methodology that included an extensive literature review, a detailed survey of INDOT personnel (both field crews and supervisory staff), in-depth interviews, and rigorous statistical analysis. Additionally, a multi-criteria decision analysis framework was developed and used to evaluate alternative deicing materials based on performance, cost, environmental impact, and ease of application. The results and findings suggest that sodium chloride remains the …

Automated Record Keeping For Maintenance Operations Via Tracking Of Maintenance Vehicles Using Telematics Tracks, Anugunj Naman, Yaguang Zhang, Aaron Ault, James V. Krogmeier

JTRP Technical Reports

Efficient and accurate record-keeping for maintenance vehicle operations is essential for optimizing resources, improving accountability, and enhancing decision-making for transportation agencies. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) sought an automated system to verify and improve work order records using telematics-based vehicle tracking. This study developed and evaluated a system that leverages GPS data from INDOT’s Data Warehouse to automate work order verification, track vehicle movements, and enhance data accuracy for winter highway maintenance operations.

The system integrates GPS tracking, automated data processing, and visualization tools to address key challenges such as data standardization, GPS accuracy, and time resolution. Results indicate …

Monitoring Of A Steel-Reinforced Mse Abutment Wall And Evaluation Of Its Bearing Capacity Based On The Cpt And Dcpt, Venkata Abhishek Sakleshpur, Monica Prezzi, Rodrigo Salgado, Peter Becker, Yaser Zafari

JTRP Technical Reports

A two-span bridge, supported by steel H-piles and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) bridge abutments, was constructed as part of a new interchange on I-65 in Whitestown, Indiana. The east and west MSE abutment walls consisted of precast concrete facing panels, ribbed steel strips, and coarse-grained backfill soil. A section near the middle of the east MSE abutment wall was selected for instrumentation and performance monitoring. A variety of sensors, including earth pressure cells, strain gauges, inclinometers, and crackmeters were used to measure the magnitude and evolution of several quantities, such as the vertical stresses at the base of the leveling …

User Manual For Digital Inspection Training System, Yeji Hong, Yuxi Zhang, Zirui Hong, Ruisong Zheng, Hubo Cai, Dulcy M. Abraham

JTRP Technical Reports

Construction inspection plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and long-term performance of infrastructure products. INDOT is currently facing the challenge to effectively train novice inspectors and update experienced inspectors with the latest versions of quality requirements to perform construction inspection effectively and more efficiently. This project developed a digital inspection training system to train INDOT inspectors to inspect asphalt pavement construction. Inspectors can access the inspection instructions through a construction process-based approach or a pay item-based approach. The inspection guidance is developed using data and information from INDOT’s Standard Specification (2024), Manual for Frequency of Sampling and Testing …

Roadside Right-Of-Way Maintenance Strategies, Cheryl Daniels, Angela Burdell, Patrick Ewbank, Keith Shane

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) roadside management program is tasked with multiple items across the state’s 39,000 lane miles. Roadside maintenance is an essential task that keeps INDOT’s rights-of-way (ROWs) safe and functional for drivers. Most roadside vegetation maintenance work for INDOT is outsourced, and INDOT’s in-house staff perform any follow-up vegetation maintenance as needed. INDOT needs to focus on cost-efficient solutions due to budgetary constraints from increased labor, equipment, and contractor costs and no budgetary increases.

INDOT contracted Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) to provide recommendations for updates to INDOT’s roadside ROW vegetation maintenance strategies. DRG completed a …

Exploration Of Color Patterns For Improving Work Zone Safety And Perception, Hongyue Wu, Ze Wang, Yunfeng Chen, Jiansong Zhang, James L. Jenkins

JTRP Technical Reports

Work zone safety remains a persistent concern in the United States. Color patterns are an effective way to provide visual information for drivers. Existing studies explored the colors of work zone elements, while how the color patterns impact the drivers’ perception and overall safety in work zones is missing. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate color patterns based on human information processing theory to improve the overall safety and perception of Indiana work zones. Methodology of this study includes: (1) A literature review to summarize the current efforts; (2) Crash data analysis to identify the representative work zones; (3) …

Performance Acceptance And Performance Monitoring Of Pavement Using Falling Weight Deflectometer (Fwd) And International Roughness Index (Iri), Maya Khajehvand, Abdullah Al Mamun, Tommy Nantung, Seong-Hwan Cho, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) utilizes the International Roughness Index (IRI) and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data to prioritize pavement maintenance across interstates, state roads, and U.S. highways. While IRI measures ride quality and FWD assesses structural integrity, their threshold values vary by road type, reflecting differing service expectations. Effective pavement maintenance requires a holistic approach, combining surface condition data from IRI with structural insights from FWD through predictive modeling. Additionally, these metrics should not only estimate service life but also provide indications of potential distress types, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of pavement performance and maintenance needs. The study …

Practical Implementation Of Superabsorbent Polymers (Sap) For Internally Cured Concrete, Chibueze Sylvester Ajuonuma, Raikhan Tokpatayeva, Akul N. Seshadri, Jan Olek, Kendra Erk, Alberto Castillo

JTRP Technical Reports

Laboratory investigations and results from a year-long field trial demonstrated that plain Type IL cement and slag cement concrete that was internally cured by superabsorbent polymer (SAP) has increased strength and durability compared to SAP-free mixtures, mixtures containing colloidal nanosilica, and mixtures that were externally cured with a surface-applied curing compound. SAP was successfully delivered to fresh concrete mixtures at the ready-mixed concrete plant by using dissolvable bags containing premeasured amounts of dry SAP particles. No batching adjustments were necessary to successfully utilize SAP in the concrete mixtures.

Communication Of Fixed And Mobile Warnings To Commercial Trucks Using In-Cab Notification, Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jijo K. Mathew, Nathaniel Sturdevant, Edward Cox, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Improving commercial vehicle safety continues to be an important priority for all stakeholders. There has been considerable focus in Indiana on reducing work zone related crashes, particularly those involving commercial motor vehicles encountering unexpected slowdowns or stopped traffic on the Interstate. Connected vehicle data have the potential to warn motorists of impending slowdowns and congestion in real-time. Multiple data providers have recently begun providing in-cab alerts to commercial vehicle drivers in areas of congestion, dangerous slowdowns, and work zone construction to increase driver awareness of potential hazards. This research utilized 1-second frequency data from trucks receiving in-cab alerts for Congestion …

Investigation Of Low Friction On Asphalt Pavements, Jieyi Bao, Cheng Peng, Xiaoqiang Hu, Yi Jiang, Jusang Lee, Shuo Li, Ayesha Shah

JTRP Technical Reports

This study explores low-friction issues in specific asphalt pavements utilizing dolomite aggregates within an Indiana Department of Transportation district. It examines the frictional characteristics of these aggregates, concentrating on initial friction (PSV0) and long-term friction retention (PSV10). Employing a mix of laboratory tests, field data analysis, and statistical modeling, the research assesses how mechanical, physical, and chemical properties influence the overall friction behavior of dolomite aggregates.

The evaluation of Design Mix Formulas (DMFs) revealed no statistically significant effect on pavement friction, with variations more closely tied to aggregate quality and construction practices rather than the mix design itself. Inconsistent friction …

Systematic Study Of Type 1l Cement For Mixture Optimization And Carbon Reduction, Jookyeung Sung, Rui He, Na (Luna) Lu, Yining Feng

JTRP Technical Reports

The use of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC, Type 1L), a sustainable alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), has gained traction in the United States as a means to reduce the carbon footprint associated with concrete production. Despite its environmental benefits, the inconsistent field performance, particularly with respect to strength development, durability, and admixture compatibility, has raised concerns about its application. This study aims to systematically evaluate the performance of PLCs in terms of material properties, mechanical behavior, durability, and microstructural characteristics, with the goal of informing optimized mixture designs and supporting broader implementation of PLC in infrastructure applications.

Three cement …

Backcalculated Dynamic Modulus Master Curve From The Time Histories Of Falling Weight Deflectometer Surface Deflections, Mohammad Ali Notani, Seonghwan Cho, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

Accurate structural evaluation of flexible pavements is important for cost-efficient maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) strategies. Traditional back-calculation methods based on Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data assume elastic behavior, overlooking the viscoelastic nature of asphalt materials and subsequently leading to inaccuracies. This study introduces a mechanistic-based back-calculation technique to estimate the dynamic modulus (E*) master curve directly from FWD time-history data. By integrating layered elastic theory with viscoelastic principles, the proposed method first determines the relaxation modulus, E(t), using Differential-Time Fourier Transform (DTFT) analysis. This time-domain response is then converted into the frequency domain to construct the E* master …

Demonstration Of Zero Speed Inertial Profilers, Dwayne Harris, Steve Karamihas

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation currently, uses inertial profilers for pavement smoothness quality control and quality assurance. However, this profilers face limitations in urban environments characterized by slow speeds and stop and go traffic. Currently, equipment vendors are developing new profiler platforms that include improved spatial and temporal filters, additional sensors, and novel computational methods to enhance performance in urban environments. This research is to evaluate the performance of these updated systems in urban slow speed environments.

Continued Deployment Of Indiana Work Zone Analytics, Myles W. Overall, Justin Mukai, Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Mischa Kachler, John Mcgregor, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Work zones along interstates often have increased congestion and crash rates when locations are close to or over capacity. Having agile monitoring methods to identifying emerging issues and challenges can provide data to transportation agency decision makers to refine maintenance of traffic plans and inform future designs.

This study developed techniques to fuse a multitude of data sources including connected vehicle speeds, connected vehicle hard-braking events, crash reports, digital alerts, commercial vehicle dash camera images, into a weekly interstate work zone report that gives stakeholders a holistic overview of their work zone operations and allowed for easy identification of opportunities …

Connected Vehicle Trajectory Data To Screen Network For Hard-Braking And Hard-Acceleration Events, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jairaj Desai, Christopher Gartner, Justin Mukai, Nathan Sturdevant, Nathan Shellhamer, Taylor Ruble, Dan Mccoy, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Hard braking and hard acceleration data has been demonstrated as an important emerging data source that provides quicker feedback than crash data. In fact, a strong correlation between hard braking on the interstate and crash rates has been reported in previous studies. A previous study has shown that there are approximately 147 hard braking events in a work zone for every crash. However, there have been subtle changes in acceleration thresholds as well as techniques automotive companies and third-party vendors use to compute hard braking. The motivation of this study is to define scalable and sustainable procedures for obtaining consistent …