Engineering Commons^™

2000 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2000 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2000 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 200 randomly selected 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 increase found in 1999, after a few years where the rate had remained at a stable level, continued in 2000 to a smaller degree. …

Safety Improvements For Two-Lane Rural Roads, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Juan Villalba

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Two-lane rural roads in Kentucky have the highest fatal crash rate of any type of highway in Kentucky. This report is the first phase of a study with the objectives of: 1) identifying safety problems related to crashes on two-lane rural roads, 2) identifying high-crash locations, ad 3) recommending possible improvements. The procedure used in this phase of the study involved an analysis of crash data to identify characteristics of crashes on two-lane rural roads, use of the crash data to identify one-mile sections having critical crash rates, and a review of countermeasures to start development of recommendations to reduce …

A-A Highway Safety Study, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As directed by Legislative action, a traffic safety study for the A-A Highway was to be conducted in fiscal year 1999-2000. An excerpt from the 1998-2000 budget and the Budget Memorandum included the following language related to the scope and direction of the study:

“The Department of Highways shall conduct an intensive traffic accident study on the A-A highway in fiscal year 1999-2000. It shall include an analysis of visibility, signage,lighting, turn lanes, and road striping at each public and private access. The accidents shall be identified by location and by fatalities, major injury, non injury, and minor injury. Causes …

Gfrp Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks (Kyspr 96-169), David Deitz, Issam E. Harik, Hans Gesund

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the application of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars in concrete bridge decks as a potential replacement or supplement to conventional steel rebars. Tests were conducted to determine the material properties of the GFRP reinforcement, and experiments were performed to study aspects of GFRP rebar placement in actual bridge decks. These included observation of GFRP rebar handling characteristics and worker response during construction. Load tests of full-scale reinforced concrete specimens were conducted to evaluate the characteristics of three reinforcing schemes: (1) an epoxy coated steel (ECS) reinforcing scheme; (2) a GFRP reinforcing scheme, and (3) a Hybrid …

Ranking And Assessment Of Seismic Stability Of Highway Embankments In Kentucky (Kyspr 96-173), Kevin G. Sutterer, Issam E. Harik, David L. Allen, Ron Street

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents the findings of three independent studies under the same grant. These were (a) assess and rank highway embankments along priority routes in western Kentucky according to seismic stability, (b) assess the seismic stability of the approach embankment for the U.S. 51 Ohio River crossing near Wickliffe, Kentucky, and (c) evaluate the seismic stability of the U.S. 41 Ohio River twin spans north of Henderson, Kentucky. Seismic stability of bridge foundations was not a part of this study.

The highway ranking assessed over 400 embankments and delineated each as having high, moderate, or little risk of significant failure …

Nighttime Construction Issues, Donn E. Hancher, Timothy R. B. Taylor

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report addresses several issues to consider when considering performing highway construction work in Kentucky at night. Surveys of other state departments of transportation and Kentucky highway contractors were made to identify best practices and concerns. An advisory committee of experienced KyTC engineers plus contractor representatives met extensively to identify successful approaches for handling key issues which arise on night-time construction projects.

Seventeen specific recommendations have been proposed to enhance the Cabinet's use of night-time construction for its projects. These cover several issues related to night-time work, including contract requirements, traffic control, law enforcement, personnel issues, lighting and public awareness. …

Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Plan (Final Report), Jennifer R. Walton, Joseph D. Crabtree, Monica L. Osborne, Jerry G. Pigman, J. M. Weber, Ted H. Grossardt, Donald G. Hartman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents a Strategic Plan for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Kentucky. The purpose of this Strategic Plan is to offer a vision for ITS in Kentucky and to identify key goals for each functional area of ITS. Some of the fundamental elements of achieving the ITS vision are presented and discussed, including public relations and marketing, operations and maintenance, and organizational structure.

This plan serves as the foundation for development of a Statewide ITS Architecture and an ITS Business Plan, both of which are currently in progress.

Results Of Creep Tests On Concrete Cylinders For The Cable-Stayed Bridge At Owensboro, Kentucky, Dan L. Eaton, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center was requested by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to conduct creep tests on the concrete from the new cable-stayed bridge over the Ohio River at Owensboro. The tests have been completed and the data is included herein.

Results Of Panel Bending Tests And Screw Pullout Tests For Storage Buildings For Stor Mor, Incorporated, David L. Allen, Daniel L. Eaton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) was requested by the Stor-Mor Corporation (SMC) to test a number of building panels that SMC uses to build small storage buildings and small recreational structures. SMC delivered to the KTC laboratories a number of the panels to be tested in bending and other modes as deemed appropriate by KTC. The panels are of sandwich construction consisting of two, thin sheet metal plates and a styrofoam interlayer. Each panel was approximately 64 inches in length and 22 inches in width. The thickness was approximately 1.63 inches.

This report details the testing of the panels and …

Long-Term Monitoring Of Experimental Features, Subtask 2: Alexandria-Ashland Highway (Ky 9) Pavement Performance Monitoring, L. John Fleckenstein, Monica L. Osborne, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Construction on the AA Highway began in late 1985 and was completed in late 1990. Prior to construction, 30 different test sections had been designed into the highway for evaluation. The test sections contain 23 different characteristic qualities and different segment lengths. The segment lengths range from 1.28 to 9.13 miles and took one and a half to four years to complete each segment.

The sections were constructed from various pavement and shoulder designs. The designs are varied by parameters such as the type of subgrade stabilization, drainage type, surface class, surface aggregate, and more. The purpose for monitoring the …

Intermodal Transit System Coordination With Dynamic Vehicle Dispatching, Md. Shoaib Chowdhury

Dissertations

In most urban areas where transit demand is spread widely, passengers may be served by an intermodal transit system, consisting of a rail transit line (or a bus rapid transit route) and a numbers of feeder routes connecting at different transfer stations. In such a system, passengers may need one or more transfers to complete their journey. Therefore, scheduling vehicles operating in the system with special attention to reduce transfer time can contribute significantly service quality improvements. In this study two models, one for coordination of a general intermodal. transit system and another for dynamic dispatching of vehicles on coordinated …

A Recommended Master Plan For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet To Build A Partnership With The Public, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Donald G. Hartman, Lenahan O'Connell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Public involvement with proposed projects is necessary to facilitate their timely implementation by state highway agencies. New procedures are necessary to involve the public in the project development process and adequately address their concerns. Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Study Advisory Committee members cooperated to identify a set of recommended actions to be considered for implementation by the Cabinet. That work consisted of a series of “internal” reviews of problems and proposed solutions. That was supplemented by external reviews and interviews conducted by KTC researchers to identify “best practices” of other transportation agencies related to promoting …

Pavement Design Evaluations I-275 Boone And Kenton Counties Mp 1.05-7.15, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Interstate 275 in Boone and Kenton Counties (MP 1.05 - 7.15) has been in service for more than 20 years. The eastbound lanes from MP 1.05 - 4.07 was rehabilitated by rubblization of the existing continuously reinforced concrete pavement, the addition of an open-graded drainage layer and a 9-inch PCC overlay in 1991.

Expansion Of Roadway Reference Log, Kenneth R. Agent, Joel Brumm, Joel Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There has been a need to expand the route log in order to have a more comprehensive and up-to-date log to accurately locate information on the highway system. The objectives of this study were to: 1) expand the current route log resulting in a more comprehensive route log file containing milepoints for all intersections on state maintained roads and any other needed reference points and 2) recommend a procedure for establishing milepoints and maintaining the file with up-to-date information.

Two types of output resulted from the study. One was an expanded route log computer file. The added milepoints were additional …

Richmond Public Transportation Study Report, Lenahan O'Connell, Bruce Siria

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study looked at the possible costs and benefits associated with the creation of a small deviated fixed route bus service in Richmond. It concluded that the circumstances in Richmond favor the creation of such a system. It also concluded that only one route–operating one bus, twelve hours per day, Monday through Saturday–is needed at this time.

Traffic Responsive Ramp Metering In A Coordinated System, Brian P. Scharles

Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus

Surface transportation in the United States faces a number of problems. Despite the fact that the United States has one of the best roadway systems in the world, the mobility is declining. Inefficient movement of vehicles reduces productivity, wastes energy, increases emissions, and threatens the quality of life we enjoy. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) provide tools that can assist in addressing current surface transportation problems. ITS provides emerging and advanced technologies in the area of communications, information processing, controls and electronics for transportation needs. Implementation of these technologies regains support of transportation agendas, in an attempt to solve today's traffic …

Experimental Maintenance Painting On The I-64 Riverside Expressway In Louisville, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Riverside Parkway comprises some 3.2 miles of elevated steel (plate-girder) in downtown Louisville having approximately 24,054 tons of steel. The structures had existing coatings that contained lead. The project posed significant operational and public safety and operational constraints due to close proximity of the structures with residences and businesses along the entire route. In 1996, the KYTC Paint Team developed experimental specifications to re-paint the Parkway by overcoating. Surface preparation procedures included 3,000-psi pressure washing and power-tool cleaning. Containment enclosures were employed throughout the project and hazardous wastes were collected and disposed of. The Parkway spans were painted with …

2000 Highway Cost Allocation Update, Monica L. Osborne, Jerry G. Pigman, Eric C. Thompson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This update of the highway cost allocation study is the ninth in a recent series that began in the early 1980′s by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinetand the Kentucky Transportation Center. The primary objectives are to determine the level of revenue contribution and cost responsibility for each class ofhighway user. The base year of this study is FY 1999; the most recent time period for which revenue and cost data are available. Highway user or travelactivity for calendar year1998 is the most recent available. A basic premise of the study is that only state maintained highways are of interest in recouping …

Development And Application Of Dynamic Models For Predicting Transit Arrival Times, Yuqing Ding

Dissertations

Stochastic variations in traffic conditions and ridership often have a negative impact in transit operations resulting in the deterioration of schedule/headway adherence and lengthening of passenger wait times. Providing accurate information on transit vehicle arrival times is critical to reduce the negative impacts on transit users. In this study, models for dynamically predicting transit arrival times in urban settings are developed, including a basic model, a Kalman filtering model, link-based and stop-based artificial neural networks (ANNs) and Neural/Dynamic (ND) models. The reliability of these models is assessed by enhancing the microscopic simulation program CORSIM which can calculate bus dwell and …

Crash Testing Of Michigan's Type B (W-Beam) Guardrail System - Phase Ii, Karla A. Polivka, Dean L. Sicking, John A. Rohde, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Michigan Department of Transportation's Type B (W-beam) longitudinal barrier system was constructed and crash tested. The barrier design was constructed with a 2.66-mm (12-gauge) thick W-beam rail totaling 53.34 m in length. The W-beam rail was supported by twenty-five W152.13.4 steel posts, each measuring 1,830-mm long, and four standard BCT posts, each measuring 1,080-mm long. Each of the steel posts had a 152.203 by 360-mm long standard wood offset blockout. Post spacings were 1,905-mm on center.

The research study included full-scale vehicle crash testing, using a 3/4-ton pickup truck. The test vehicle impacted at a speed of 99.8 km/hr and …

Price, Legislation And Demand For Gasoline In Malaysia, Yan Ne Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

The study sets out to examine the demand for gasoline in Malaysia using econometric model. The purpose is to establish the relationship between gasoline demand and price, income as well as vehicle stocks. Secondly, it is also to review the role and involvement of the government in this oligopolistic market. The hypothesis of this study is : "demand for gasoline in Malaysia is influenced by price, income level, vehicle stocks as well as legislation". In this paper, the relationship between gasoline demand, national income, price of gasoline and vehicle stocks is empirically examined using linear regression method. The time frame …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2000 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2000 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 …

Soapbox: The Academic Research Fleet: An Exciting Time For Renewal, Larry Atkinson

CCPO Publications

(First Paragraph) Academic research ships in the United States are the envy of many scientists around the world. A great strength of our system is the diversity of ships and operators: users have a choice, the system can change. A weakness of the system is that very diversity: sometimes it is hard for us to act together. Nevertheless, we now must act together. The vitality of the academic fleet in the coming decades is at stake. The reason is simply because many of our ships, especially in the intermediate size range, will soon reach the end of their useful life.

Mathematical Modelling Of Road Bumps, E. S. Massawe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In this paper, a general mathematical model that may be used for construction of a road bump on an inclined road is developed. It is shown that if the parameters for the inclination are set to zero, the resulting model reflects the special case of a flat road. Existing experiences are briefly highlighted and a case study was done on different locations along the University Road to demonstrate the developed model.

Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Vibration is one of the techniques employed in the determination of dynamic properties of fruits and vegetables. It entails generation of a mechanical or acoustic vibrational signal which is propagated through the flesh of the agricultural material. A transducer is either attached or held close to the specimen to monitor the propagation of the signal through the specimen. The manner in which the signal is transmitted through the material is analyzed, and the dynamic properties of the specimen which relate to its firmness or its internal being are derived. The technique has been around for the past 30 years or …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …