Transportation Engineering Commons^™

A Report On County Road Program Finance (Fiscal Year 1995-96), Patsy Anderson, Kris Hockensmith

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report reflects the findings of a study of county road finance in Kentucky. Statistics contained in the report were derived from financial statements submitted by the counties to the Kentucky Department of Local Government.

Roadway Related Tort Liability And Risk Management: 4th Edition, Daniel S. Turner, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.

The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook.

Evaluation Of Speed Limits In Kentucky (Kyspr 96-172), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to examine current criteria and procedures used for setting speed limits on public roads and to recommend appropriate maximum speed limits for various types of roads. The study involved three major areas. These were: review of literature, collection and analysis of speed data, and collection and analysis of accident data. The speed data included collecting data on various highway types using the “moving” radar mode, use of data from speed monitoring stations, comparison of spot speed data before and after speed limit changes, and both moving and spot speed data at construction zones. Accident …

Performance And Cost Effectiveness Of Pavement Edge Drains, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

It is apparent from research conducted under this study that edge drains increase subgrade strength through the removal of water. It is also apparent in most cases that the edge drains increase pavement life by approximately seven years. Current cost benefit analysis indicates that edge drains can provide a cost savings of approximately $200,000 dollars a mile over the life of the pavement. Research also indicates that if edge drains are not properly installed and maintained they can doe more damage then good. It is evident that edge drains should be inspected with a pipeline camera prior to final acceptance …

Analysis And Design Of Bridges Susceptible To Barge Impact, Michael W. Whitney, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The current American Association of State Highway Traffic Organizations (AASHTO) Guide Specification for Collision Design of Highway Bridges provides three statistical methods(methods I, II, and III) for determining the design vessel for impact analysis. These methods focus mainly on ship impact and not on barge impact design for bridges susceptible to vessel (ship or barge) impact. This is due to the tremendous variation in flotilla sizes, barge types, and barge sizes. This study presents an analysis procedure by which the statistical design methods of the AASHTO Guide Specification can be applied to inland waterway bridge design.

Design of bridges susceptible …

Dynamic Site Periods For The Jackson Purchase Region Of Western Kentucky, Ron Street, Zhenming Wang, Edward W. Woolery, Issam E. Harik, David L. Allen, Kevin G. Sutterer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Bridges, overpasses, and other engineered structures in the Jackson Purchase region of Western Kentucky are, of necessity, built on a thick column of loose to semi-consolidated sediments. Because these sediments tend to amplify seismically induced ground motions at preferred periods, structures with natural periods close to the preferred periods of amplification of the ground motions are particularly vulnerable to damages during an earthquake because of in-phase resonance.

For this report, conventional seismic refraction and reflection techniques were used to determine the shearwave velocities of the more poorly consolidated, near-surface sediments for a matrix of sites in the region. Conventional seismic …

Traffic Flow And Safety Evaluation Of Fayette County Schools Part Ii, Samantha S. Jones, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In cooperation with Fayette County Schools, an evaluation of traffic flow and safety was conducted at school sites in Fayette County. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify potential safety risks currently existing at selected schools, recommend actions to reduce risks, and to decrease traffic congestion in and around school properties.

This report is a continuation of the traffic and safety project submitted to Fayette County Schools in September 1996. For this project, three schools were identified by Fayette County Schools as having traffic flow or safety problems that could benefit from detailed evaluation. The three schools were Clays …

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1997 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1997 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 date on traffic accidents” for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth.” Data contained in …

Evaluation Of A Regional Traffic Safety Improvement Program, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this report were to document the activities and evaluate the effectiveness of a regional traffic safety improvement program in the Green River Area Development District (GRADD). This is a seven county region in western Kentucky. The goals of the program were to reduce the numbers of motor vehicle fatalities and injuries, to increase safety belt usage, and to increase public awareness of the effects of alcohol-related and high speed driving in rural areas.

A full-time employee was hired by GRADD to manage the program. A Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) was established in each county. Each CAB formulated …

Applicability Of Angle Parking For A Major City Street, Jerry G. Pigman, Samantha S. Jones

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Red Light Running Campaign, Kenneth R. Agent, Deborah Wagner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this project was to use a public information and education campaign, along with increased enforcement, to reduce the problem of red light running (RLR) in Lexington, Kentucky. The objective of this portion of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign.

The mail and telephone surveys, taken before and after the campaign, revealed that the RLR program had been successful in improving public awareness of the problems associated with disregarding traffic signals. About 60 percent of the respondents recalled seeing or hearing ads or information dealing with red light running. Approximately one-half of the respondents …

Evaluation Of Incident Management Techniques (Lexington, Kentucky), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Eugene Culton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this project was to evaluate and document the various incident management techniques used by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) to alleviate the impact of incidents on highways in Fayette County. Components included in the evaluation included: 1) establishment and use of traffic diversion routes, 2) use of variable message signs, 3) use of detour signing, 4) use of arrow board signs, 5) improvement of existing incident detection and verification through enhanced computerized mapping, 6) use of linked motion detection equipment, and 7) development of a public information program. The methods used to incorporate each of …

Evaluation Of Shrp Work Zone Safety Devices, Kenneth R. Agent, John O. Hibbs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to use and evaluate various SHRP work zone devices. Experience with the use of these devices was obtained through trial use by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and various city, county, and private agencies. The devices included in the study included:

• Flashing Stop/Slow Paddle
• All-Terrain Sign and Stand
• Portable Rumble Strip
• Opposing Traffic Lane Divider
• Intrusion Alarm

The experience with the flashing stop/slow paddles was very positive indicating the potential for expanded use in the future. Six different models of flashing paddles were evaluated with some having better results than others. While the all-terrain stand …

Survey Of High School Driver Safety Programs, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The over representation of teenage drivers in traffic collisions has been a cause of concern and the basis for the recent graduated license legislation. A subcommittee of the Safety Management System has the objective of improving teenage driver safety through development and implementation of education and training programs. The objective of this study was to obtain information on current and desired traffic safety related programs for high schools. A survey was sent to all high schools. Information was obtained from 189 of 432 schools. Current activity in the area of traffic safety was summarized. The activity with the most participation …

Use Of Audible Pedestrian Signals, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Audible pedestrian signals are a device used to provide additional traffic control at signalized intersections to aid visually impaired pedestrians. An objective of this study was to determine the status of the use of this device and investigate possible guidelines for possible future installations of audible pedestrian signals in Kentucky. Another specific objective was to investigate the need for such signals at a number of intersections at the University of Kentucky.

The study showed that audible pedestrian signals can be used to supplement the standard pedestrian signals. However, their use must be limited to intersections with a demonstrated need and …

Visual Inspection Of New Ramp Pavement At Bluegrass Airport Lexington, Kentucky, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Personnel from the Kentucky Transportation Center performed a visual inspection of newly constructed ramp pavement at the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. The inspection was conducted in May, 1996 at the request of airport engineers. The inspection revealed a number of concrete apron slabs that had cracked. Attempts had been made (apparently by the contractor) to seal the cracks by epoxy injection. The visual inspection indicated that the epoxy may not have been performing as hoped, and that some of the cracks did not appear to be sealed. As a result, it was decided to obtain cores of the cracked …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1991-1995), 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 1991 through 1995. 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 …

Rubberized Asphalt Membrane, Kamyar C. Mahboub

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This document reports findings of a study involving the use of scrap tire chips in an asphaltic membrane. The research project was designed with two objectives in mind. First, to investigate the effectiveness of an asphaltic membrane on top of a subgrade for maintaining moisture equilibrium in subgrade, and second, to study the potential use of scrap tire chips in asphaltic membranes. The effectiveness of the membrane as a moisture barrier needs to be evaluated over a long period of time (i.e. several years). However, the method proved to be a feasible alternative for recycling waste tires in pavements. It …

Traffic Flow And Safety Evaluation Of Fayette County Schools, Samantha S. Jones, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In cooperation with Fayette County Schools, an evaluation of traffic flow and safety was conducted at school sites in Fayette County. The purpose of this evaluation was to eliminate potential safety risks currently existing at a number of schools and to reduce traffic congestion in and around school properties.

The evaluation was completed in two main phases. First, each school in the district was asked to respond to a survey questionnaire. Second, six schools were identified by Fayette County Schools as having traffic flow or safety problems that could benefit from detailed evaluation. The responses to the survey questionnaire were …

Evaluation Of Portable Retroreflectometers, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Portable retroreflectometers have been used to compare the reflectivity of the various pavement marking materials. The Mirolux 12 has been used to collect reflectivity data for the products tested for the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP). The Mirolux 12 docs not have a 30 meter geometry, and there has been a desire to explore the possibility of using a retroreflectometer which has a 30 meter geometry which may better simulate the view of a driver. The objective of this report is to compare data taken with the Mirolux 12 and two other portable retroflectometers having the 30 meter geometry.

1996 Safety Belt Usage Survey And Evaluation Of Effectiveness In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 1996 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 1996 survey documents the continuing results from enacting a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 100 sites and combined based on vehicle miles travelled for a given type of highway, rural or urban location, and county population category. Also included in the report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

The data show that the decrease in the usage rate which occurred in 1995 after the dramatic increase in 1994, …

Summary Of Results Of 1995 Field And Laboratory Evaluations Of Pavement Marking Materials, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of data collected as part of the 1995 field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP). The purpose of the NTPEP is to pool the professional and physical resources of the individual participating AASHTO member departments and to focus those resources to test materials of common interest in order to improve cost-effectiveness.

The type of testing performed under the NTPEP provides information that will be used to evaluate the acceptability of materials and to compare the performance of similar materials. The NTPEP also provides industry with a …

Evaluation Of Edge Drains On Interstate 64 Fayette, Scott, And Woodford Counties, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, Brad W. Rister

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents findings of the investigation of edge drains and their associated outlets on Interstate 64 from Milepost 65 to Milepost 75.6 in Fayette, Scott, and Woodford Counties. The study was initiated due to significant amounts of water and fines coming up through the AC surface. State and Federal Officials were concerned that possible failures in the edge drains were causing pumping and staining which will ultimately lead to premature pavement failure. Several factors appear to be contributing to the staining and pumping at the surface. These factors are discussed in the report.

The Motor Fuel Tax Evasion Issue In Kentucky, Dwight V. Denison, Merl M. Hackbart

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Tax evasion is an elusive and burgeoning problem. Methods of tax evasion are continually changing and adapting to new methods of tax enforcement. However, there are strategies that can reduce the potential loss due to fuel tax evasion. This study of fuel tax evasion in Kentucky and the southeastern states provides additional information regarding the causes and nature of the road fund tax evasion problem, and identifies state and federal/state efforts to mitigate the tax evasion challenge. The concepts, issues, and recommendations in this report can aid in reducing evasion of the Kentucky motor fuels tax., thereby, enhancing the efficiency …

Development Of Accident Reduction Factors, Kenneth R. Agent, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Samantha S. Jones

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this project is to develop accident reduction factors associated with various types of highway safety improvements. These factors will be used in the cost-optimization procedure to rank safety improvements.

The basis of the accident reduction factors developed in this study is a survey of states and a review of literature. The recommended reduction factors are presented in a table which lists the percent reduction in all accidents or specific types of accidents for given types of improvements.

Development Of A Critical Path Method Specification And A Training Program For Use Of Cpm And Ktc, James D. Stevens, Donn E. Hancher, Ihab M. Hamdi

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Critical Path Method is a proven management technique used for determining the critical activities that would need additional care in any type of construction projects. The KTC requires that CPM schedules be used on selected highway projects. This research project offers a detailed idea on CPM scheduling application in highway construction projects, as well as current practices in other departments of transportation nationwide, together with specifications for proper application of CPM scheduling.

Cost Estimating And Forecasting For Highway Work In Kentucky [1996], James D. Stevens, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There is a need for better cost estimating and forecasting for highway work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KRS45.245 grants the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation oversight of the biennial highway plan, including a review of all authorized highway project phases that exceed their estimates by 15%. In recent years, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has suffered the loss of many resources necessary to produce good cost estimates.

Estimates developed using current methods are not sufficiently accurate to preclude cost overruns in excess of 15%. Over the 1992 and 1994 bienniums, 362 overruns totaling $162,487,511 have been submitted to the Committee. …

Evaluation Of Edge Drains On I-81, In Roanoke, Virginia, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents findings of the investigation of five different brands of panel edge drains installed in a test section along Interstate 81 in Roanoke, Virginia, from Milepost 154.148 to Milepost 156.11. Findings from this study indicated that closed core edge drains (Multi-Flow, Advanedge) are less likely to become damaged or distressed than the more open core drains (Contech, Akwadrain, Hydraway). Typical distress found in the more open cores was rolling over of the top row of support columns, fabric intrusion between support columns, and rolling up of the bottom row of support columns.

Evaluation Of Superior Performing Portland Cement Concrete Pavements In Kentucky, Jerry G. Rose, Bobby W. Meade, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This research report describes a program of study directed at determining common factors which have contributed to the superior performances of selected sections of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements in Kentucky. The program involved an extensive survey of Kentucky's interstate, partway and other primary routes to determine locations of PCC pavement sections greater than 15 years old that had performed satisfactorily with minimal maintenance. Twelve of the best performing PCC pavements with long service life and heavy traffic were selected for detailed evaluations. Initial designs were documented and a series of in-situ pavement tests were conducted including core dnlling and …

Evaluation Of Edge Drains On Pennyrile Parkway Webster County, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents findings of the investigation of pipe edge drains and outlets on the Pennyrile Parkway from Milepost 60.476 to Milepost 65.305 in Webster County. The study was initiated due to concerns from District 2 personnel that possible failures in the edge drains were causing pavement distress along the right wheel path. Findings from this study indicated that approximately 40 percent of the 123 edge drain outlets were less than 50 to 60 percent open. The round perforated pipe edge drain appeared to be in excellent condition, including the integrity of the pipe and the filter material. The sand …