Engineering Commons^™

Development, Testing And Implementation Of Traffic Signal Performance Measures At A Local Governmental Agency, Jay Alan Grossman

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

The testing and implementation of traffic signal performance measures at a local government agency revolves around three main performance measures: signal detector anomaly identification, signal split failures reports and red light running identification. Signal detector anomaly identification used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to compare current and past detector operation and was shown to be effective in identification of anomalies. Three different types of split failure reports were utilized to determine operational issues on signal systems. Long-term longitudinal, corridor scale, and single intersection split failure reports were implemented on active signal systems and found to be effective in determining and correcting problems. …

Development Of Load Rating Procedures For Railroad Flatcars For Use As Highway Bridges Based On Experimental And Numerical Studies - Phase Iii Final Report, Kadir Can Sener, Teresa L. Washeleski, Robert Connor

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

This report presents the result of finite element analysis of laboratory testing of a railroad flatcar bridge in which several parameters were varied including the spacing between flatcars, load position, and member relative stiffness. The results were used to improve previously proposed load rating guidelines developed for railroad flatcar bridges constructed with composite concrete decks.

Laboratory Testing Of Railroad Flatcars For Use As Highway Bridges On Low-Volume Roads To Determine Ultimate Strength And Redundancy, Teresa L. Washeleski, Robert Connor, Jason B. Lloyd

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

Railroad flatcars (RRFCs) are a convenient option to replace existing deteriorating bridge structures on low-volume roads. They are typically used as the bridge superstructure by placing two or more flatcars side-by-side to achieve the desired bridge width. Utilizing RRFCs as a bridge allows for rapid construction and greater cost savings compared to traditional practices. These benefits make them an attractive solution for rural communities in Indiana, as well as other states.

Uncertainty remains about the response under higher loads than could be easily achieved in the field and the level of redundancy of railroad flatcar bridges. Using RRFCs as bridges …

Performance Measures For Local Agency Traffic Signals, Jay Grossman, Darcy M. Bullock

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

The project focused on accelerating implementation of research recommendations emerging from traffic signal research projects conducted by the National Cooperative Research Program and Indiana Department of Transportation. This project developed specification language that was subsequently used in procurements in Elkhart County, IN; Lafayette, IN; and Morgantown, WV. The performance measures specified in Appendix A and subsequently deployed in Elkhart County, IN, and Lafayette, IN, were the first commercial deployment of real-time traffic signal performance measures recommended by NCHRP 3-79a. The deployment in Lafayette, IN, received an ACEC award in March 2012. In addition to accelerating implementation, this research project examined …

Documenting The Construction Of A Plain Concrete Bridge Deck And An Internally Cured Bridge Deck, Carmelo Di Bella, John Schlitter, Neal Carboneau, Jason Weiss

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

Durable and long lasting concrete is important, especially for bridge decks, which are susceptible to premature cracking and corrosion of the reinforcing steel. To increase the durability of the concrete and its service life, many transportation agencies use high-strength concretes. However, high-strength concretes often have problems with early age cracking due to shrinkage. These cracks can then open a path for chloride ions (found in road salts) to reach the reinforcing steel. The results of this research, which compared bridge installations on two structures in Monroe County, Indiana, confirm that internally cured concrete presents a better alternative to traditional plain …

Development Of Guidelines For The Rating, Inspection, And Acquisition Of Railroad Flatcars For Use As Highway Bridges On Low-Volume Roads, Jason T. Provines, Robert Connor

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

Due to budget constraints, many state and county highway agencies are often forced to develop innovative and economical rehabilitation strategies for deteriorated bridges. One such option is to use a retired railroad flatcar for a bridge superstructure. Railroad flatcars can be found in many lengths, making them versatile options for replacing bridges of a range of span lengths up to about 90 feet. Railroad flatcars are also completely modular and lightweight, allowing for quick construction. Within Indiana, as well as other states, several of these bridge structures have been in service for many years.

Although their performance has been satisfactory, …

An Asset Management Framework For Addressing The New Mutcd Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Standards, Eric Hulme, Sarah Ml Hubbard, Grant D. Farnsworth, Alexander M. Hainen, Steve M. Remias, Darcy M. Bullock

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requires that all agencies implement traffic sign management programs by January 8th, 2012. Most agencies are expected to adopt some type of systematic replacement policy based on life expectancy, augmented by visual inspection to identify signs with obvious damage. Several previous efforts have developed models based on average degradation of the retroreflective sheeting as the signs age. This paper develops a series of survival curves characterizing the percent of signs that pass the retroreflectivity standards for signs ranging from 0 to 20 years. The curves representing expected conformance with the retroreflectivity …

Using Performance Measures To Improve Signal System Performance, Ross Haseman, Christopher Day, Darcy Bullock

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

Recent emphasis on improving signal system performance has prompted research on the collection of enhanced quantitative data for making operational decisions, the development of a systematic method for monitoring and recording system performance and the definition of quantitative performance measures to identify opportunities to improve corridor traffic operations. This document summarizes the highlights from several publications which document the motivation, theory and application of traffic signal performance measures. Topics discussed include the advantages of monitoring signal system performance without labor intensive field observations. The benefits of real time monitoring and evaluation of signal system performance as well as system troubleshooting. …

The Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement Manual For Local Government Agencies, Kyung Joon Shin, Neal Carboneau

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

Interest in the use of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) pavement (RCCP) for local roads and streets has increased. The Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), which is a part of the Purdue University School of Civil Engineering, has developed this document to assist local agencies with the implementation of roller compacted concrete as a paving material. This manual is intended for those interested in planning, designing and constructing RCCP for local roads and streets. It provides design guidelines, construction guidelines, local case studies, guide specifications and paving plan guidelines.

Flowable Fill, Herpicc

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

This publication supplies information on Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) and performance related to material characteristics and mixture properties.

Street Cuts In County And City Streets, James Mabry Iddins

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Technical Reports

This report presents a detailed study of the methods and procedures used by county and city engineers to control street cuts.