Engineering Commons^™

Behavior And Design Of Buried Concrete Pipes, Ece Erdogmus, Maher K. Tadros

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Targeted Traffic Enforcement Efforts In Portland, Oregon, Max Coffman, Christopher Monsere

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Enforcement is a key component of any comprehensive traffic safety program, and through a unique effort the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) partners with schools, the court system, community groups and the Police Bureau to develop a coordinated citywide program to improve traffic safety. However, like many government agencies, the Police Bureau faces constraints that limit the resources it can devote to traffic safety. In response, PDOT and the Police Bureau’s Traffic Division have instituted a program of Strategic and Focused Enforcement (SAFE) to better allocate limited traffic safety personnel and resources. Using historical crash data, PDOT identified 30 high …

Privatizing Transportation Through Public-Private Partnerships: Definitions, Models, And Issues, Juita-Elena Wie Yusuf, Candice Y. Wallace, Merl Hackbart

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There has been greater emphasis in recent times on using public-private partnerships (PPPs or P3s) to provide and deliver transportation infrastructure and services. These public-private partnerships differ from contracting out, being applicable to a broader range of projects and requiring different contract management and accountability. In the transportation arena the focus on public-private partnerships has resulted from both the need for greater reliance on private capital to fund critical infrastructure and services and the need to tap private sector expertise to ensure delivery of high quality infrastructure and services on time and on budget. This report serves as a primer …

Evaluation Of The Eastern Kentucky Rural Highway Information Project 511 Tourism Service, Juita-Elena Wie Yusuf, Candice Y. Wallace, Steven D. Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this study is to provide an evaluation of the Eastern Kentucky Rural Highway Information Project, involving the establishment of a 511 Premium Tourism Service Package. Kentucky is only the second state to offer tourism related services through its 511 Travel System, placing the state in a position to offer insights gained from the project to other states considering the implementation of a similar program. Lessons learned from Kentucky’s experience with launching and managing a multi-county tourism information system will be invaluable. To that end, this study (1) reviewed the activities undertaken during launch and early operations of …

Identification Of Pavement Distress In Kentucky, Tim C. Scully Jr., R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In Kentucky, the roads are comprised primarily of two types of pavement. The first being Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) a rigid pavement, and the other is Asphaltic Concrete (AC), a flexible pavement. There is a noticeable difference in their appearance, ride, cost and performance. Since Kentucky utilizes both pavements, as many states do, it is necessary to have a system in place to consistently identify pavement distress and categorize their overall performance.

Evaluation Of Work Zone Safety Operations And Issues, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Work zone activities are one of the areas with a high potential for compromised safety for workers and road users. Various measures have been taken to increase the level of safety in work zones; including the use of double fines for speeding and the application of speed displays based on radar detection. There has been an effort to improve the effectiveness and safety of flaggers by requiring the use of a stop/slow paddle for most work zone conditions, using lights on the paddle, and increasing visibility by using more reflective clothing. It has been suggested that safety in work zones …

Baseline Modeling Of The Owensboro Cable-Stayed Bridge Over The Ohio River, Jindong Hu, Issam E. Harik, Suzanne Weaver Smith, Jeff Gagel, Jennie E. Campbell, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents the baseline modeling of the Owensboro cable-stayed bridge which connects Owensboro, Kentucky and Rockport, Indiana over the Ohio River. The objective of this study is to establish the bridge baseline model via the dynamics-based technique and finite element method. The scope of research includes finite element modeling and modal analysis, field free vibration testing, finite element model calibration using field test results, and cable dynamic testing and modeling. It is demonstrated that a cable-stayed bridge is a highly pre-stressed structure. The stress stiffening of cable elements plays an important role in both static and dynamic analysis. The …

Performance Evaluation Of Bridges With Structural Bridge Deck Overlays (Sbdo), James J. Griffin, Issam E. Harik, Ching Chiaw Choo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Structural Bridge Deck Overlay (SBDO) involves applying 6 to 10 inches (150 to 200 mm) of normal weight, class AA, reinforced concrete directly to a bridge’s original slab. The overlay is designed to increase the deck elevation to an extent that standard highway resurfacing procedures can continue uninterrupted up the edges of the bridge. Otherwise, excavation along the bridge approaches or jacking of the superstructure is required to insure proper elevation.

Experimental static field tests were conducted on three different bridges: (1) Simply supported prestressed concrete I-girder bridge; (2) cast-in-place reinforced concrete continuous haunched girder bridge; and (3) cast-in-place reinforced …

Inspection And Evaluation Of A Bridge Deck Reinforced With Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Cfrp) Bars, Choo Ching Chiaw, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Cracking in reinforced concrete decks is inevitable. It leads to the corrosion and eventual deterioration of the deck system. The use of non-corrosive reinforcement is one alternative to steel in reinforced concrete construction. This report deals with the field evaluation and performance of a concrete bridge deck reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars. The bridge is identified as the Elkin Station Road Bridge on route CR1210 over the Two Mile Creek in Clark County, KY. The CFRP bars were placed in the top and bottom mats of the bridge deck in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. The …

Intersection Safety, Aemal Khattak

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objectives of this project included a study to determine the safety effects of intersection type (unsignalized, signalized, and interchange) on Nebraska expressway intersections, quantification of the safety effects of a Collision Countermeasure System (CCS), and update of the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) expressway intersection guidelines. The CCS is an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) traffic control device to warn drivers of conflicting cross-traffic at rural, non-signalized intersections. The goal was that if found effective, the CCS will become part of the intersection designer’s options for expressway intersection design (other options being an interchange, traffic signals, and traffic control signs). …

Restricted-Zone Requirements For Superpave Mixes Made With Local Aggregate Sources, Yong-Rak Kim

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Value Of Research From 2000-2005: The Kentucky Spr Program For Highway Research, Donald L. Hartman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The abstracts of the 79 SPR reports completed by KTC researches for 2000-2005 were compiled. Seven projects were selected for value review to demonstrate the various types of benefits that accrue from SPR project research. This review compared objectives with results and described the nature of the benefits (some quantifiable). All of the projects were analyzed to determine: 1) the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (and FHWA) goals supported and 2) the types of benefits that would reasonably be expected to accrue from implemented results of the research. Most of the 79 projects; results address both improving the performance of the Cabinet …

Transient Heat Partition Factor For A Sliding Railcar Wheel, T C. Kennedy, C Plengsaard, Robert F. Harder

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

During a wheel slide the frictional heat generated at the contact interface causes intense heating of the adjacent wheel material. If this material exceeds the austenitising temperature and then cools quickly enough, it can transform into martensite, which may ultimately crack and cause wheel failure. A knowledge of the distribution of the heat partitioned into the wheel and the rail and the resulting temperature fields is critical to developing designs to minimize these deleterious effects. A number of theoretical solutions have appeared in the literature to model the thermal aspects of this phenomenon. The objective of this investigation was to …

Performance Evaluation Of The Midwest Guardrail System – Update To Nchrp 350 Test No. 3-11 With 28" C.G. Height (2214mg-2), Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, Robert W. Bielenberg, John D. Reid

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Based on the proposed changes to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350 guidelines, NCHRP Project 22-14(2) researchers deemed it appropriate to evaluate a strong-post W-beam guardrail systems prior to finalizing the new crash testing procedures and guidelines. For this effort, the Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) was selected for evaluation. One full-scale vehicle crash test was performed on the longitudinal barrier system in accordance with the Test Level 3 (TL-3) requirements presented in the Update to NCHRP Report No. 350. For this test, a 2270P pickup truck vehicle, which was a 1⁄2-ton, four-door vehicle with a 711 …

Performance Evaluation Of Concrete Bridge Decks Reinforced With Mmfx And Ssc Rebars, Ching Chiaw Choo, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the performance of bridge decks reinforced with stainless steel clad (SSC) and micro-composite multistructural formable steel (MMFX) rebars. The two-span Galloway Road Bridge on route CR5218 over North Elkhorn Creek in Scott County, KY, was reinforced with SSC rebars in one span and MMFX rebars in the second span. The reinforcements are intended to prolong the service life of the newly constructed bridge decks due to the expected corrosion-resistance capability. Moment-curvature analyses indicated that MMFX RC decks had 57% and 85% higher strengths than SSC RC decks in positive and negative moment regions, respectively. The areas under …

Shear Repair Of P/C Box Beams Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Cfrp) Fabric, Jim W. Simpson Ii, Issam E. Harik, Choo Ching Chiaw

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The report documents the retrofit work carried out on the KY3297 Bridge over Little Sandy River in Carter County, Kentucky. Field investigation and evaluation revealed that the bridge superstructure was deficient in shear. The repair work was carried out using externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabric system. The repair, using externally bonded fiber system, offers the following benefits: (1) the use of light construction equipment, hand kits and tools, (2) minimal traffic disruption as all lanes were open to traffic while work was being performed underneath the bridge, and (3) cost saving; the cost for the repair and …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2006 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2006 is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. 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 data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth. Data contained in this report are based solely on the observations …

Performance Evaluation Of The Permanent New Jersey Safety Shape Barrier – Update To Nchrp 350 Test No. 4-12 (2214nj-2), Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, Robert W. Bielenberg, John D. Reid, Brian A. Coon

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Based on the proposed changes to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350 guidelines, NCHRP Project 22-14(2) researchers deemed it appropriate to evaluate permanent safety shape barrier systems prior to finalizing the new crash testing procedures and guidelines. For this effort, the permanent New Jersey Safety Shape barrier was selected for evaluation. One full-scale vehicle crash test was performed on the longitudinal barrier system in accordance with the Test Level 4 (TL-4) requirements presented in the Update to NCHRP Report No. 350. For the permanent barrier testing program, a 10000S single unit truck was used.

The permanent …

Modeling Bus Priority Using Intermodal Dynamic Network Assignment-Simulation Methodology, Khaled F. Abdelghany, Ahmed F. Abdelghany, Hani S. Mahmassani, Akmal S. Abdelfatah

Publications

This article presents a modeling framework that represents bus priority at signalized intersections in the context of its potential network-level and intermodal effects. The model incorporates bus priority within an intermodal dynamic traffic assignment simulation model. It dynamically assigns travelers to different modes and routes in the network according to prevailing traffic conditions, which result from applying a certain network control/bus priority scheme. The model considers changes in traffic conditions as a result of (1) drivers’ route choice adjustments due to changes in traffic signals settings and (2) modal shifts by travelers to take advantage of improved transit service. Three …

Disposal Of Bridge Paint Residue, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Paint residue generated by bridge maintenance painting commonly contains lead requiring the residue to be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Several alternatives are being investigated in this study, chemical stabilization and recycling as options for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to consider in addressing the waste stream generated by bridge maintenance painting operations.

In the initial portion of this study, four chemical stabilization materials were identified as candidates for xperimental/demonstration projects entailing maintenance painting. A recycling option was also provided. An experimental bridge painting project was let by KYTC to investigate the use of two chemical stabilizers and the …

Fiscal Year 2005 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state transportation agencies to submit a biennial report on local highway finances. The purpose of these reports is to provide FHWA with the data it needs to capture the financing of highway activities at the local level. Based on this information, it can identify trends in revenue, expenditures, investments, and program development, and in turn make decisions about future investments. The report, FHWA-536, asks agencies to report on four areas of local highway finance: 1) disposition of highway-user revenues; 2) revenues used for roads and streets identified by source and funding type; 3) road …

Socio-Economic Analysis Of Fatal Crash Trends (Final Report), Adam Kirk, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the analysis of fatal crash patterns and explores the impact of socioeconomic factors and safety regulations on statewide crash rates. This analysis separated statewide crash rates between 2002 and 2004 into two samples, 1) those with crash rates 25 percent greater than the average national rate and 2) those with crash rates lower than this threshold. Safety regulations and socioeconomic factors were identified as having a significant effect on crash rates, with socioeconomic factors showing a higher potential to explain differences in crash rates between the two samples.

Today’S Dot And The Quest For More Accountable Organizational Structures, Lenahan O'Connell, Juita-Elena (Wie) Yusuf, Merl Hackbart, Donald L. Hartman, Candice Wallace, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study investigates the impact of DOT organizational structures on effective transportation planning and performance. A review of the 50 state DOT authorizing statutes and DOT organizational charts found minimal differences in organizational structures among the states. However, 37 states have quasi-independent commissions (sometimes called boards, or councils.) A statistical analysis showed that the commission states have higher Government Performance Project (GPP) scores than the non-commission states. The analysis suggested that effective commissions avoid having members represent geographical regions and political parties and avoid giving the commission the power to select the director of the DOT. In addition the states …

Development, Testing And Evaluation Of Ndor' Tl-5 Aesthetic Open Concrete Bridge Rail, Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Lexington Incident Detection System Evaluation Report, Adam J. Kirk, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the evaluation of an experimental incident detection system implemented within the Lexington / Fayette County area by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Department of Traffic Engineering. The incident detection system includes 5 different types of traffic monitors on 10 different locations throughout the county including interstate and limited access facilities and signalized urban arterials. The evaluation of the system was performed over a period of three months between June and August 2005. This report summarizes the implementation strategy and provides recommendations for future implementation and expansion of the system.

An Analysis Of Fatal Traffic Crashes In Kentucky And Recommended Countermeasures, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the University of Kentucky. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Development, Deployment, And Evaluation Of A Remote Monitoring System And A Virtual Weigh Station, Joseph D. Crabtree, David Q. Hunsucker, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In order to extend commercial vehicle enforcement coverage to routes that are not monitored by fixed weigh stations, Kentucky has developed and implemented a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and a Virtual Weigh Station (VWS). The RMS captures images of passing trucks (from the side) and transmits those images to a nearby weigh station. Station personnel can view the images, read the USDOT number, and check the number against Kentucky’s Clearinghouse of motor carrier data. When a problem is detected with the carrier’s registration, taxes, or safety record, an officer can be dispatched to intercept the truck, perform the necessary checks, …

Use Of Ultra-Lightweight Geofoam To Reduce Stresses In Highway Culvert Extensions, Liecheng Sun, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Culvert extension under highway embankment construction is a regular and important practice when roadway widening occurs. At some existing sites, concrete thickness and reinforcing steel of culvert tops and walls were stepped-down in sections of the culvert under the embankment slopes. The part of the culvert positioned under the embankment slopes was constructed weaker because the stresses under the portions of the slopes are much less than the stresses acting on the culvert section located under the main portion of the embankment. When additional fill is placed over the culvert due to roadway widening, much greater stresses are imposed on …

Economic Costs Of Low Safety Belt Usage In Motor Vehicle Crashes In Kentucky, Michael Singleton, Qing Xiao, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

By passing legislation in 2006 to mandate primary enforcement of the Kentucky state law requiring safety belt use for motor vehicle occupants, the state could expect to realize an overall savings of at least $118 million in direct medical costs over the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015. Charges to Medicaid over that period would be about $34 million less than under the current secondary enforcement model. In addition, there would be at least $67 million saved in medical costs to commercial insurers, $2.3 million to Medicare, $3.3 million to Worker’s Compensation, and $11.2 million to other sources.

These savings …

Cumberland Gap Tunnel Pavement Problem, Brad Rister

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Ground Penetrating Radar was used to verify voids beneath the concrete roadway located at the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, in Middelsboro, KY. Preliminary results indicate that several void areas reside beneath the north and southbound tunnel.