Engineering Commons^™

1991 Safety Belt Usage Survey And Evaluation Of Effectiveness In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the survey was to establish 1991 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. Data were collected at 100 sites and combined based on vehicle miles traveled for a given type of highway, rural or urban location, and county population category. Also included in this report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

Statewide usage rates were 39 percent for drivers and front-seat passengers (over 19 years of age) and 57 percent for children under four years of age (front and rear seats). Driver usage rates had increased significantly in …

Evaluation Of Headwalls And Outlets For Geocomposite Edge Drains On I-75 And I-71, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, Jack A. Harison

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Longitudinal, round, perforated pipe edge drains have been used along Kentucky roadways for approximately two decades. Panel (fin) edge drains were first used in Kentucky in 1984. Most of these edge drains were installed on the Interstate and Parkway systems.

Several problems related to the drains have been noted in the last seven years. A number of these problems have been observed to be related to flexible outlet pipes and headwalls.

A recent study was initiated to evaluate headwalls and outlets on I-75 from Lexington, Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio (approximately 70 miles) and on I-71 from Louisville, Kentucky to I-75 …

Engineering Estimates And Fhwa Accuracy Criterion, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration requires the construction cost estimate of the highway engineer to be a projection of the low bid, and be within +/- 10 percent of the low bid for at least 50 percent of the projects awarded. Construction cost estimates developed by the Estimating Staff of the Kentucky Department of Highways have not always met this criterion in years past.

The Estimating Staff of the Kentucky Department of Highways use an actual cost approach to generate construction cost estimates. It was concluded that the Department's estimating staff possess the ability to do very thorough and accurate work. …

Protective Coating Program Final Report, James E. Funk, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Donald G. Hartman, Christopher M. Oberst, Rick D. Saylor, Anantha R. Sethuraman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This program consists of two primary segments: 1) installing an environmental monitoring station at the Toyota marshalling yard at Georgetown, Kentucky, and 2) conducting laboratory and field tests of paint and wax-coated painted specimens to assess the protection against acid rain damage afforded by a protective transient coating.

Summary Of Results Of 1990 Field And Laboratory Evaluations Of Pavement Marking Materials (Sashto Regional Test Facility), Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of data collected as part of the 1990 field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the SASHTO Regional Test Facility. The purpose of the Regional Test Facility (RTF) is to minimize the amount of field and laboratory research testing of specific types of materials. This is accomplished by combining efforts in an organized manner to reduce the monetary and man-hour requirements of both the states and industry. A RTF for the twelve SASHTO states was approved at the 1988 SASHTO convention. The twelve SASHTO states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, …

Bearing Capacity Analysis Of Pavements, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A multilayered, mathematical model for analyzing the ultimate bearing capacity of soil subgrades and asphalt pavements is presented. Theoretical considerations and mathematical derivations of limit equilibrium equations, based on plasticity principles, for analyzing the ultimate bearing capacity of soil subgrades and partially completed asphalt pavements, and the extension of these equations to the analyses of asphalt pavements composed of multiple layers, are presented. The model is unique since shear strength parameters, Φ and c, (the angle of internal friction and cohesion, respectively) are used to describe each layer of material of the pavement structure and a factor of safety against …

Evaluation Of Modified Asphalt Mixtures, Kamyar C. Mahboub, Amy Simpson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis on various modified asphalt mixture systems in order to determine their suitability for conditions that are commonly encountered in Kentucky.

Several modified asphalt mixture systems were selected for laboratory and field testing (one-mile long field test section on KY 80, Pulaski County). These systems included the following asphalt mixtures: Control, Vestoplast, Polypropylene Fiber, Gilsonite, PMAC #1, Polyester Fiber, and PMAC #2. Laboratory testing included: Marshall stability and flow, mixture air voids and density, indirect tensile strength, moisture damage susceptibility, freeze-thaw damage susceptibility, resilient modulus, and repeated load permanent …

Calculating Farm Machinery Field Capacities, J. N. Hancock, Larry D. Swetnam, F. J. Benson

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Calculating field capacities is just part of the overall concept of farm machinery management. Successful farm machinery management does not guarantee a profit, but machinery costs are a major expense and they must be monitored and managed. Therefore, the efficient use of farm machinery starts with determining working capacity in conjunction with the amount of work to be accomplished in a timely manner.

Cost Effective Maintenance Contracting -- A Literature Review, Bobby W. Meade, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Faced with ever increasing maintenance needs and constrained resources for meeting those needs, government agencies are searching for the most cost effective means of conducting highway maintenance. One alternative being used is contracting highway maintenance to private agencies. This report includes the findings of a literature search of articles pertaining to contract maintenance.

Review of the articles acquired in the literature search indicates that contract maintenance is increasing in usage and is a cost effective alternative.

Evaluation Of Highway Geometrics Related To Large Trucks, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

One objective of this study was to determine the extent of highway safety and geometric problems associated with larger trucks using Kentucky's highways. The accident analysis involved both a general analysis of all truck accidents statewide as well as the identification of specific high-accident locations. A second objective was to identify criteria which can be used in identifying roadway sections that cannot safely accommodate large trucks.

The accident analysis given can be used to investigate locations which have a high number of truck accidents. The general accident statistics related to trucks can be used in the investigation of the high-accident …

Development Of Turning Templates For Various Design Vehicles, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to develop the data necessary to produce the turning templates that would represent the minimum turning paths for critical design vehicles. This would include information concerning truck turning radii and offtracking for larger trucks with varying wheelbases operating in Kentucky. In order for the turning templates used for the various design vehicles to be based on the same procedure, data were produced tor design vehicles ranging from a passenger car to a combination truck with a 53 foot trailer. The simulation model used was the Truck Offtracking Model (TOM) and was developed by the …

Curling Burley Tobacco From An Automated Harvesting System, Linus R. Walton, Larry G. Wells, James H. Casada

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

If burley tobacco can be successfully cured at high density under waterproof covers in the field, a producer can expand production without the necessity of building new curing barns and can thereby more easily justify investment in the automated burley tobacco harvesting system (Wells et al., 1990a, b). Curing under waterproof covers in the field and curing on frames in the barn were evaluated over three curing seasons using two varieties (KY 14 and TN 86), two plant densities (32 and 43 plants/m², 3 and 4 plants/ft²), position of tobacco on the frame (four levels ranging …

Performance Of Guardrail End Treatments In Traffic Accidents, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to report the results of the continued monitoring of the performance of guardrail end treatments in traffic accidents. This report includes an analysis of accidents involving the breakaway-cable-terminal (BCT), Kentucky's version of the median BCT (MBCT), Kentucky's weakened turned down (Type 7), the Crash Cushion Attenuating Terminal (CAT), and the Breakmaster System. The report includes data for 349 accidents. This includes 232 accidents involving a BCT, 66 accidents involving a MBCT, 37 accidents involving the Type 7 turned-down end treatment, 12 accidents involving the CAT, and 2 accidents involving the Breakmaster.

Considering all accidents, …

Full-Wall Ventilation For Dairy Free Stall Barns, Larry M. Turner, John P. Chastain

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Heat stress should be a greater concern than winter cold for dairymen in Kentucky. Heat stress can cause drops in milk production and breeding efficiency, which result in lower profits for the dairyman. The use of an open sidewall free stall barn can help relieve heat stress by allowing improved ventilation of the barn in summer. The benefits of full-wall ventilation include both improved air movement and some potential increase in evaporative cooling. The increased airflow through the barn increases convective cooling of the cows and carries off a greater amount of excess heat and moisture than conventional barns with …

Electronic Controls For Swine Buildings, Douglas G. Overhults, R. S. Gates

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

This fact sheet discusses the use of electronic controllers to maintain the environment within swine barns. There are some special considerations when using electronic controllers to replace traditional control systems. Three main items are addressed in this fact sheet: 1) the selection of a controller, 2) installation considerations, and 3) protection against controller failure.

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1991 Report, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY'S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1991 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. 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 accidents" for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in …

Method Of Processing Superconducting Materials And Its Products, Kenji Okazaki, Robert J. De Angelis, Charles E. Hamrin Jr.

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A method for fabricating relatively dense monoliths of superconducting material and relatively dense composite monoliths of superconducting material and binder material. The method includes the steps of placing the material to be processed in a die. A relatively high pressure is then applied to the material. Substantially simultaneously, an electrical discharge is applied to the material. The discharge is of a relatively high voltage and current density to provide sharp bonding while maintaining the superconducting properties of the material in the monolith product. A product fabricated by the present method is also described.

Evaluation Of Flexible Delineator Posts, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to install a small number of lightweight metal u-channel posts with a round delineator and a small number of commonly used flexible posts and evaluate their performance. Three types of flexible posts were installed. They included two posts manufactured by Carsonite and one manufactured by Safe-Hit.

The results of the limited field tests does not support widespread use of flexible posts. Substantial durability problems were encountered with the flexible posts. Future use of flexible posts should be limited to potential high-hit areas such as gores at urban interchanges. While the durability of the metal …

Performance Evaluations Of Crushed Sandstone Aggregates In Bituminous Bases, David Q. Hunsucker, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The principal objective of the research effort was to develop historical performance data for bituminous sandstone pavements and bituminous limestone pavements relative to visual distress, pavement rutting characteristics, and structural condition using deflection measurements. Data relative to Road Rater deflections, pavement rutting, condition ratings based on subjective visual surveys and objective data such as skid resistance and rideability, were collected and analyzed during the course of the study and reported herein for the routes investigated.

It was concluded, based upon information gained during the evaluation period and presented in this report, that pavements constructed with bituminous sandstone bases do not …

Evaluation Of Geocomposite Pavement Panel Drains Installed In A Sand Backfill Under Revised Installation Specification, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Prior to 1989, highway edge drains were backfilled with the existing trench material and dynamically compacted with a tamping shoe. The net result was damage to the inner core of the edge drain.

In response to these problems the installation specification was revised in 1989 to insure the integrity of the drainage system. The revised method of installation consisted of moving the panel to the shoulder side of the trench and then flushing a sand slurry into the trench for backfill. Flushing the sand eliminates the need for mechanical compaction.

Since 1989, two projects have been completed using the revised …

Performance Evaluations Of Crushed Sandstone Aggregates In Bituminous Bases (Data Appendix To Report Ktc-90-26), David Q. Hunsucker, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The principal objective of the research effort was to develop historical performance data for bituminous sandstone pavements and bituminous limestone pavements relative to visual distress, pavement rutting characteristics, and structural condition using deflection measurements. Data relative to Road Rater deflections, pavement rutting, condition ratings based on subjective visual surveys and objective data such as skid resistance and rideability, were collected and analyzed during the course of the study and reported herein for the routes investigated.

It was concluded, based upon information gained during the evaluation period and presented in this report, that pavements constructed with bituminous sandstone bases do not …

Appendix: List Of Participants [1990], Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Wrap-Up Luncheon [1990], Milo D. Bryant

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Recruitment And Retention Of Transportation Professionals And Civil Engineers, O. Gilbert Newman

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Kentucky Aviation And Economic Development, Michael Flack

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Passenger Transit, Brenda Rice

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Waterways Transportation, Dick Cirre

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Kentucky's Transportation Needs For Economic Development, David E. Smith

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

General Session [1990], Eugene R. Mccormick

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.

Automated Pavement Distress Surveys, John Hunt

Kentucky's Annual Forum on Transportation

No abstract provided.