Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

The New 11th Edition Of The Indiana Mutcd, Joseph Bruno, David Boruff

Purdue Road School

The updated 11th edition of the Indiana MUTCD released in January of 2026 has many significant changes from the 2011 edition. This presentation provides an overview of the changes from the previous edition and significant variations between the federal MUTCD and the Indiana MUTCD.

Building A Vitalizing Team Culture, Iris Bull, Andrew Cibor

Purdue Road School

Leaders in the public sector face unique challenges in the recruitment and retainage of productive employees. Administrative staff from the City of Bloomington Engineering Department present an analysis of the strategies they employ to shape a high performing team. They examine mutable and designed aspects of their processes for advertising, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and exit interviewing. Session participants will be provided tested strategies for stimulating professional growth, fostering intradepartmental collaboration, and building resilient culture.

History Of The Interstate System In Indiana, Steven Wuertz

Purdue Road School

A brief history of the Interstate System in Indiana and across the Nation— 1956–2026: 70 years of the Interstate System

Iconic Henry Street Bridge In Indianapolis, Marshall Lachecki, Keith Echternach, Mary Appel

Purdue Road School

The iconic new Henry Street bridge over the White River in Indianapolis is a connection to the west side of downtown Indy.  From the challenging hydraulics requirements to the bridge concepts, design, procurement and through construction and archaeology work, the City has worked with many stakeholders and the public to make this new crossing a success.  This presentation will focus on design elements of the bridge while touching upon other project elements.

Improvements In Waterborne Traffic Paint For Indiana, Joseph Bruno, Andrew Blackburn

Purdue Road School

INDOT has updated its specification for waterborne traffic paints that results in improved durability and the ability to apply traffic paint in colder weather. This presentation provides background on INDOT's waterborne traffic paint specification, a summary of the road trials that INDOT conducted to evaluate different paint specifications, future developments for waterborne traffic paint, and a maintenance perspective on INDOT painting operations.

Early In Career Panel: The Value Of Industry Involvement, Stephanie Ferzli, Calvin Rizzo, David Musoke

Purdue Road School

A panel of early-career professionals shares the importance and benefits of participating in industry organizations. Learn how involvement can shape careers and foster professional growth.

Let’S Walk And Talk: Building Trust (And Better Projects) Using Community Walk Audits, Ashlyn Devine, Taylor Firestine

Purdue Road School

This session introduces participants to the benefits gained from engaging in community-centered walking audits as practical tools for advancing quality active transportation projects and building trust with the public. Drawing from Health by Design’s Indiana Road to Zero Academy, participants will join a facilitated walking audit near the Purdue campus to discuss common concerns and questions that these exercises address while demonstrating how collaborative notetaking can translate into better planning, engineering, and policy decisions that reflect the unique needs of the community.

Draining Fountain Square With Alternate Delivery, Jason Koch, Mark St. John, Natalie Stephen

Purdue Road School

Indianapolis DPW has started construction on major drainage improvements in one of its oldest neighborhoods, Fountain Square. Building on lessons learned from similar projects in built-up, commercial areas, DPW decided to use an alternate delivery method to procure construction services. This session will provide a high level review of Indiana’s Public-Private Agreement statue (I.C. 5-23), how DPW applied it to the Fountain Square project, lessons learned, and how DPW plans to use this innovative delivery method for future projects.

Pel Stories, Tim Miller, Cameron Schuh, Sandra Flum, Blake Dollier

Purdue Road School

PEL Stories: Bridging Planning and Environmental Review: This presentation will highlight stories from planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) projects, demonstrating how early planning can streamline environmental review and improve project outcomes.

IndyPEL: Advancing Planning through Environmental Linkages: This session explores the IndyPEL project, highlighting how Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) studies are shaping transportation decisions in Indiana. Attendees will learn about stakeholder engagement, data-driven planning, and lessons learned.

Diverging Diamond Interchanges Lessons Learned: Design Refinements And Performance, Nathaniel Shellhamer, Daniel Mccoy, Jack Gallagher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will share an overview of INDOT’s experience with the design of diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs). Specific discussion will focus on design refinements being made in the most recent DDIs in Indiana, as well as lessons learned from existing DDIs in the areas of geometrics, operations and performance, and human factors/driver behavior. We will also review case studies and before-and-after analyses of existing DDIs.

Advancements In Pavement Marking Practice And Standards, Joseph Bruno

Purdue Road School

This Road School presentation details INDOT's initiative to improve road user safety through upgrades to pavement marking practices and standards. The presentation also discusses other recent changes to INDOT pavement marking standards and design guidance.

Mentoring To Retain Engineering Students And Graduates, Carly Schiene, Thomas Ford, Gail Lee

Purdue Road School

ITE has identified work force development as one of three key issues facing engineering firms today; yet, as many as 50% of all graduate engineers may leave the engineering profession within 10 years of graduation. Mentors and mentees will discuss the role that mentorship can play in engineering student and graduate engineer retention in the work force.

Low Cost And Systemic Safety Treatments For Local Governments, Taylor Ruble, Daniel Mccoy

Purdue Road School

The INDOT Traffic Engineering team WILL discuss lowcost safety options that can be used by local governments with or without dedicated safety funding. We’ll dive into the details and specifics of these treatments and discuss when they are appropriate for use. This interactive workshop is a great way for city and county engineers and local elected officials to gain a better understanding of systemic safety treatments.

The Evolution Of Traffic Signal Detection Technology, Carly Schiene, Haydn Malackowski

Purdue Road School

How has traffic signal actuation changed over time? Originally, a traffic signal’s main purpose was to assign the right-of-way to vehicles for collision avoidance, and now they are crucial tools to manage traffic flow, alleviate congestion and provide safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. This presentation will explore early detection methods, evaluate current technology, and explore the future of detection technology

Preserve Your Hma Pavements From The Start, Tim Zahrn, Andrew Eicher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will review sustainable preservation treatments and their application timeline to extend the life of asphalt pavement. We will discuss how pre-preservation treatments like a void reducing asphalt membrane, early-life preservation treatments such as rapid penetrating emulsion, and topical rejuvenators can reduce future maintenance and delay reconstruction. We will also look at mid-life treatments, such as micro-surfacing, fit into a preventative maintenance preservation plan. And finally cover end of life cold pavement recycling alternatives.

Louisville Viasmart Over-Height And Flood Driver Prevention And Protection Systems, William R. Lyon, Dana Spratt, Terri Combs, Chris Seidt

Purdue Road School

This exciting project is a federal grant project that deploys and uses the latest advancements on transportation technology to prevent over-height truck from striking tunnel/bridge overpasses and viaducts and to prevent all drivers from entering dangerous flooded roadways. These systems use the latest cyber-security and connected/automated vehicle (CAV V2X & X2V), Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Language solutions. The system also deploys new experimental technology assured to enhance all existing traveler notification systems currently in use. This project was specifically called out by then acting transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the 2024 ITS America Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. He called …

Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer, George Mccue, Dionysios Aliprantis, Patrick Patterson, Benjamin O'Brien, Chiara Cervini, Bruno Krause Moras

Purdue Road School

Purdue University, in partnership with INDOT, PC Krause and Associates, White Construction, William Charles Electric, and Cummins, Inc. transitioned the embedment of dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) technology from a controlled test setting to real roadway implementation. This presentation delves into the construction process of the quarter-mile DWPT project on northbound US 52/231 in West Lafayette and outlines the plans for testing the technology with a Cummins truck later this year.

Bell Ford Bridge Reconstruction Project, Daniel Kurdziel, Jim Barker, Matt Lee

Purdue Road School

The Bell Ford Bridge was originally constructed in 1869 until it collapsed in the 20th century. The remains were salvaged and stored for 20 years until it was to be rebuilt in Hamilton County, IN. This is the only remaining Combination Post Truss in existence and was rebuilt using 95% of the original iron and 10% of the original timber.

Winning Your Team With Intentional Connection, Jessica Miller, Kenny Franklin

Purdue Road School

152. Winning Your Team With Intentional Connection As the leader of a team, how do you inspire others even when you don’t have all the answers? This session will introduce ways to be intentional in our relationships and make deeper connections with our team members. We hope you leave this session with the courage to be vulnerable and drive your vision.

Completing The Crossing - Status Of I-69 Orx Section 2, Patty Dunaway, Danny Corbin, Amanda Spencer

Purdue Road School

The presentation as part of 2025 Purdue Road School is an overview of the status of I-69 ORX Section 2. The discussion includes the Ohio River Crossing project's history, overview, and the proposed next steps and procurement process. Challenges and solutions, risk and mitigation, request for information questions and summary, and target dates are discussed.

Enhancing Road Performance With Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane, Tim Zahrn, Todd Thomas, Randy Miller

Purdue Road School

This presentation will discuss how using the technology of a Void Reducing Asphalt membrane can improve performance of our Asphalt Pavements by creating a more durable asphalt surface that resists cracking and reduces permeability. Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) Specifications: VRAM reduces voids in longitudinal joints, which improves the longevity of a quality road surface. INDOT has already required VRAM on certain road designs. We will review the current specifications for VRAM and outline specifications that may update with the technology. We will also discuss the Impact of Rumble Strips on Longitudinal Joint Performance. The session will also highlight how …

Charging Indiana’S Crossroads, Kerri Garvin, George Mccue, Jack Sinton

Purdue Road School

Join us for an insightful update on INDOT’s Charging the Crossroads Program. Speakers will highlight the latest program activities, key milestones and challenges with Round 1 and Round 2 projects, and offer a glimpse into activities beyond the stations themselves. Learn how Indiana is paving the way for a sustainable, accessible, and equitable deployment of DC fast charging infrastructure.

Presentation Speakers/Participants

• George McCue, INDOT, [email protected]
• Jack Sinton, HNTB Corporation, [email protected]
• Kerri Garvin, HNTB Corporation, [email protected]

Innovative Intersection Public Involvement: Strategies That Work, Nathaniel Shellhamer, David Reamer

Purdue Road School

This presentation will share best practices for effectively engaging the public and local stakeholders during the development of innovative treatments. We will cover why innovative treatments work; their selection process; case studies from finished projects; and tips and tricks for effective, positive engagement and collaboration. This presentation will benefit project managers, public involvement professionals, and engineers involved in developing innovative treatments.

Assessment Of Bridge Rehabilitation To Improve Asset Management, Brittany Bullard

Purdue Road School

The widespread availability of structural monitoring technologies has led to a rise in adaptable use across various structural systems. With the U.S. infrastructure aging, the integration of technologies during new construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure provides opportunities for assessing innovative designs and material uses to extend the life of assets. This presentation focuses on the assessment of the Indiana Toll Road bridge rehabilitations and the effectiveness of overlay materials and integration of link slabs.

Best Practices In Design For Preserving Limestone Curbs: A Project Managers Perspective, Larry Lawlor

Purdue Road School

Indiana limestone has been used in roadway construction projects for over 100 years. This session will discuss the best design practices when confronted with lime- stone curbing along historic streetscapes and neighbor- hoods. Additional practices will be discussed that make use of limestone curbs that cannot be preserved in place. Several examples will be shared to demonstrate how creative design and collaboration with consultants has resulted in limestone curb preservation.

Civil Rights Nondiscrimination Information For Local Public Agencies, Taffanee Keys

Purdue Road School

This session will discuss new ADA/Title VI.

Utility Rope-A-Dope: Muhammad Ali Approach To Conflict Analysis, Deborah Porter, Bill Read, Nathan Frey

Purdue Road School

Learn how to avoid getting hit with utility conflicts when they are coming at you quickly. Discussion will focus on designing around utilities; evaluating conflicts; right-of-way consideration for utility relocations; changes late in design and during construction; and lessons learned.

Airport Energy Resiliency Roadmap And Implementation Steps, Susan Zellers

Purdue Road School

An airport needs to meet current and future energy demands, while also being sustainable. However, service from the grid may be vulnerable to natural and human-caused events. ACRP Project 02-98 Airport Energy Resiliency Primer and Roadmap provides a guide to executing an airport energy resiliency program. The critical elements of an energy resiliency roadmap will be presented along with case study examples from airports moving toward energy resiliency.

Use Of Gpr To Evaluate Pavement Subgrade Problems, Sung Min Yoon, Cherif Amer-Yahia

Purdue Road School

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive field test that can provide a continuous profile of existing road conditions. It has the potential to be used for a variety of pavement applications, including measuring the thickness of asphalt pavement structure and assisting in the analysis of pavement distress mechanisms. We will share the experiences gained from GPR testing to evaluate pavement subgrade problems.

Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment (Bead) Program, Monica Hartke-Tarr

Purdue Road School

The federal government will allocate $42 billion to expand broadband across the U.S., thus providing Indiana with $100 million or more for unserved areas. This is a transformative opportunity for Indiana municipalities, but those without a clear plan risk missing out. Join us as we cover essential steps for securing broadband funds, applications, permits, and safe installations. Don’t miss the chance to benefit from this infrastructure investment!