Civil and Environmental 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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

1999 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 1999 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 1999 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 200 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 increased in 1999 after a few years where the rate had remained at a stable level below the highest value which occurred in 1994 immediately after …

Evaluation Of The Adaptir System For Work Zone Traffic Control, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The ADAPTIR system (Automated Data Acquisition and Processing of Traffic Information in Real Time) uses variable message signs (VMS) equipped with radar units, along with a software program to interpret the data, to display appropriate warning and advisory messages to motorists approaching a work zone when certain speed and delay thresholds are met. The overall conclusion of the evaluation is that the ADAPTIR type system is an effective method to provide real time information to motorists approaching a work zone. The information relates to speed reductions, delay, and possible diversions. Drivers who traveled through the work zone when the VMS …

An Analysis Of Wastewater Generated During Water Jetting Tests On The I-65 John F. Kennedy Bridge At Louisville, Bobby W. Meade, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

High pressure water jetting was evaluated as a surface preparation tool for bridge maintenance painting. The tests were conducted on the John F. Kennedy Bridge, which has lead containing existing paint system. The primary concerns were the surface preparation and the lead levels of the wastewater. Test areas were washed at 10,000 psi, 15,000 psi, and 20,000 psi and wastewater was collected for analysis. Lead tests were conducted on unfiltered wastewater and wastewater filtered through a variety of filter fabrics. High-pressure water jetting produces and excellent surface for painting but, on bridges with existing lead paint, the wastewater lead levels …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1994 - 1998), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report includes an analysis of traffic accident data in Kentucky for the years of 1994 through 1998. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of accidents were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky's procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of accidents.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data which can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety …

Correlation Of Rock Quality Designation And Rock Scour Around Bridge Piers And Abutments Founded On Rock, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Local scour around the base of a bridge pier or abutment occurs as the result of flow acceleration around the obstruction, formation of a vertical pressure gradient along the upstream end, and generation of vortices at the base of the structure. The flow patterns around piers and abutments are complex in detail, and the complexity increases as a scour hole forms in the bed around the structures. The potential for local scour at a bridge pier or abutment needs to be estimated so that foundations can be designed to resist failure during large floods. While procedures have been suggested for …

Economic Impact Of Heavy Loads On The Highway Infrastructure, Brad W. Rister, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the 1986 General Assembly the Extended-Weight Coal Haul Road System was created by the Kentucky State Legislature. This system was defined to include those highways where more than 50,000 tons of coal had been hauled during the previous year. Trucks hauling coal on the extended-weight system were authorized to exceed the normal weights limits through the payment of an annual decal fee.

In efforts to identify the benefactors of the extended coal haul system legislation, this study has been conducted to identify the overall economic impact of hauling heavier total gross weights by coal truck on the highway infrastructure …

Evaluation Of Superpave In Kentucky, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, Richard Reitenour

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Approximately 93 percent of all pavements in the United States are surfaced with hot-mix asphalt (HMA). For many decades, most asphalt pavements were designed using the Marshall mix design method. In 1987, the Strategic Highway Research Program was established with 50 million dollars being allocated for asphalt pavement research. From that research, a new asphalt mix design procedure, called Superpave, was developed. Many states have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, this procedure, including Kentucky. In 1995, Kentucky placed its first Superpave mixture on KY 676 in Franklin County. In 1998, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet requested that the …

Conversion Of New Circle Road To A Limited Access Highway, Steven M. Henderson, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to first evaluate the existing traffic conditions along the NE part of New Circle Road and investigate the use of unconventional left turn treatments, as well as other access restrictions to improve the operating conditions of New Circle Road. The alternatives examined include a do-nothing alternative, the addition of one through lane per direction, the use of median U-turns at various locations, and combinations of them. Restrictive left turn strategies proved to be a more successful tool for traffic management on New Circle Road than simply adding a lane in each direction. Using median …