Civil Engineering Commons^™

Aspirational Mirrors: A Conceptual Model Of Alumni-Led Near-Peer Outreach For Precollege Engagement In Ocean Engineering, Habibi Palippui, Juswan Sade

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Precollege students in Indonesia, especially in rural and coastal regions, often lack exposure to engineering disciplines due to social, geographic, and informational barriers. This essay proposes a conceptual model of alumni-led near-peer outreach as an affective and culturally grounded mechanism to engage high school students in ocean engineering. Drawing from theories of social similarity, possible selves, and engineering identity, the model conceptualizes alumni as “aspirational mirrors” who influence students not merely through information but also through identification. The model outlines four primary mechanisms—social connection, narrative engagement, aspirational mirroring, and early identity activation—and also accounts for contextual variables such as school …

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.

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.

Impact Of Urban Roadway Work Zones On Road Users And Other Stakeholders, Lyndsey Renee Harris

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

As urban populations continue to rise at an unprecedented rate, the need for highly maintained infrastructure in cities -- buildings, utilities, and transportation networks -- has become increasingly critical. An urban work zone refers to a designated area within a city where roadway construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation activities are taking place. These zones are typically characterized by high traffic volumes, complex roadway networks, and proximity to residential, institutional, and commercial land uses. Urban work zones often involve lane closures, detours, reduced speed limits, and temporary traffic control measures to ensure safety for road workers and road users. Due to the …

Flood Prediction With Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar From Hurricane Helene, Jingyu Xiao, Jessica Li

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Floods are the most common natural disaster globally, causing thousands of deaths every year. Timely and accurate flood forecasts are crucial for developing early warning systems, evacuation plans, and effective strategies to enhance community resilience. Soil moisture is an important parameter in flood forecasting. Unfortunately, existing soil moisture sensor networks and optical remote sensing–based techniques for soil moisture estimation lack the spatial resolution needed for accurate flood forecasting. This study presents an approach for flood prediction using Sentinel-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. SAR offers high spatial resolution and operates day and night under all weather conditions, making it …

Downdrag Defeated – The Neutral Plane Method, Kyle L. Zak, Min Sang Lee

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

The neutral plane method for evaluating downdrag on deep foundations has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It is a powerful tool that, in many situations, can all but eliminate downdrag concerns on deep foundations. INDOT has allowed its use recently and adapted its forms to accommodate this method. The presentation will cover the theory behind the method and how it can be applied in bridge design. We will then demonstrate how to incorporate the method into the INDOT workflow, and we’ll show a couple real-life examples where the neutral plane method saved the day.

Curbless By Design: Revitalizing Downtown Infrastructure For Pedestrians, Alex Duran, Steve Cherry

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

This presentation will discuss the design of a curbless, pedestrian-focused corridor as part of a small-town downtown reconstruction in Sylvania, Ohio. The project team will share how they balanced community goals, accessibility, and utility coordination, along with considerations for drainage, hardscape, lighting, and power. The session will also highlight early construction lessons learned from Phase 1.

Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance And Design, Anthony Harvey

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably‐minded designers. This presentation will provide a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue‐laminated timber (glulam), cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes will be discussed, and examples of their use in U.S. projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish will also be highlighted, as will …

Non-Destructive Strength Monitoring Of Air-Entrained Concrete Via Electromechanical Impedance Technology, Xiangrui Kong, Rui He

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Accurate monitoring of concrete strength during curing is crucial, particularly in regions subject to harsh weather conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles in Indiana. Air entrainment is crucial for durability, yet it can significantly reduce concrete strength, making timely and precise strength assessments vital. The primary objective of this study is to develop a non-destructive and real-time monitoring framework for evaluating mortar strength using electromechanical impedance (EMI) sensors and ultrasonic scanning technology.

This research holds significant value as it addresses the critical need for continuous, reliable concrete strength monitoring, potentially reducing reliance on destructive testing methods, which are costly and time-consuming. …

Biochar-Based Filtration And Barrier Systems For Urban Stormwater Treatment, Krishna R. Reddy

Stormwater Drainage Conference

Conference that deals a wide range of issues dealing with stormwater drainage. Professor Krishna Reddy of University of Illinois Chicago presented an invited talk titled "Biochar-Based Filtration and Barrier Systems for Urban Stormwater Treatment"

Pros And Cons Of Preservation Treatments, Buzz Powell

Local Transportation Asset Management Conference

No abstract provided.

Travel Behavior Study On Shared Micromobility Service, Yixiang Teng

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

This study investigates the travel behavior on the shared micromobility service around Purdue University West Lafayette campus area. It aims to understand the shared micromobility user patterns and identify the barriers of adoption. The study was enlightened by the influence of pandemic on transportation choices and the shift on transportation habits, and the gap identified was the understanding of the college related population. The research method was a constructed survey distributed among Purdue University’s students, faculties and staffs. A total of 143 valid responses were collected, comprising 73 current users and 70 non-users. Results indicate that shared micromobility is primarily …

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.

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.

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 …

Unmanned Aircraft Systems In Road Assessment: A Novel Approach To The Pavement Condition Index And Vizir Methodologies, Diana Marcela Ortega Rengifo, Jose Capa Salinas, Javier Alexander Perez Caicedo, Manuel Alejandro Rojas Manzano

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

This paper presents an innovative approach to road assessment, focusing on enhancing the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and Visión Inspection de Zones et Itinéraires Á Risque (VIZIR) methodologies by integrating Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology. The research was conducted in an urban setting, utilizing a UAS to capture high-resolution imagery, which was subsequently processed to generate detailed orthomosaics of road surfaces. This study critically analyzed the discrepancies between traditional field measurements and UAS-derived data in pavement condition assessment. The study findings demonstrate that photogrammetry-derived data from UAS offer at least similar or, in some cases, improved information on the collection …

104. I-69 Orx Section 3: Completing The Connection, Steven Nicaise

Purdue Road School

The I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) will be a key, final connection of I-69 between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. The transformational project includes three contracts, two states and one much-anticipated new river crossing. In this session, you will hear an update on the ORX project as a whole and learn about I-69 ORX Section 3.

Signs, Gateways, And Landscaping … Oh My!, George Mccue, Dimas Prasetya

Purdue Road School

Cities and towns want to welcome highway travelers with gateway signs or aesthetics. Whether that’s part of a road project or a standalone proposal, a key to proper planning is understanding safety-based limitations on what can be placed on state ROW and where. Even off- ROW, there are laws governing nearby visible signage. We’ll cover INDOT’s Public Art and Landscaping Policy, FHWA’s role, and the federal Highway Beautification Act.

Confessions Of A Former Vision Zero Coordinator, Maria Cantrell

Purdue Road School

Maria Cantrell, P.E. served as the City of Columbus Vision Zero Coordinator from 2019 to 2023. She lead the development of the City’s multiagency plan and program intended to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes. Learn about what efforts and strategies worked, what didn’t, and a few pointers picked up along the way.

Maximize Drainage Design With Bentley Openroads Technology, Nathan A. Goins, Jennifer Basham

Purdue Road School

Whether you’re creating brand new drainage networks or tying into existing networks, learn how to maximize your efficiency with Bentley’s OpenRoads Drainage and Utilities (SUDA) Technology. We’ll explore tips, tricks, and lessons learned using this improved tool for drain-age design on INDOT projects.

Work Zone Safety Fundamentals And Best Practices, Mischa Kachler

Purdue Road School

Join us for a discussion of fundamental principles and best practices of temporary traffic control (TTC) that promote work zone safety. This session will cover topics that designers should know and consider when developing TTC plans. Attendees who will most benefit from this session are designers new to TTC and experienced designers looking for a refresher.

Developing The Next Indiana Mutcd, David Boruff

Purdue Road School

The session will provide a brief overview of the updates to the new 11th edition of the MUTCD that would be of interest to local agencies.

Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit Project Overview, Michael Schneider, Rachel Wilson

Purdue Road School

The Purple Line will be Indianapolis’ second Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line, opening for revenue service in the fall of 2024. It will provide rapid transit service along 15.2 miles of E. 38th Street and Post Road, between Indianapolis and Lawrence, for a total cost of $188 million. This presentation will provide an overview of IndyGo’s overall capital program with a focus on the Purple Line project—its unique design features and successful project delivery—from design through construction.

Introduction Into Land Aquisition, James Hellmann, Jonathan Hughes

Purdue Road School

This discussion will give an overview of the laws on land acquisition, what the typical process looks like, and one community’s perspective on communication related to the process.