Transportation Engineering Commons^™

Preliminary Seismic Evaluation And Ranking Of Bridges On And Over The Parkways In Western Kentucky, Jian Xie, Issam E. Harik, Tong Zhao, Jindong Hu

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Five parkways in Western Kentucky are located in the region that is greatly influenced by the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones. This report executes a preliminary screening process, known also as the Seismic Rating System, for bridges on and over parkways in Western Kentucky to identify the seismic vulnerable bridges.

The ranking of bridges derived from this rating system is based on: structural vulnerability, seismic and geotechnical hazards, and bridge importance. There are 349 bridges were ranked with the Seismic Inventory of Bridges (SIB), a user-oriented database program developed according to the Seismic Retrofitting Manual. The bridge ranks …

Technology Scan For Electronic Toll Collection, Joseph D. Crabtree, Candice Y. Wallace, Natasha J. Mamaril

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this project was to identify and assess available technologies and methodologies for electronic toll collection (ETC) and to develop recommendations for the best way(s) to implement toll collection in the Louisville metropolitan area. The intent was to determine which tolling mechanisms maximize efficiency and effectiveness of toll collection while minimizing traffic impacts. This report describes the advantages and disadvantages of tolling, current tolling technologies, the purpose of ETC, and the benefits and costs of ETC. Implementation issues for ETC are discussed, including the location of toll collection facilities, ETC methodologies, interoperability of ETC systems, how to handle …

Equivalent Barge And Flotilla Impact Forces On Bridge Piers, Peng Yuan, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Bridge piers located in navigable inland waterways are designed to resist impact forces from barges and flotillas in addition to other design considerations (e.g., scour, dead and live loads, etc.). The primary design tool for estimating these forces is the AASHTO Guide Specification which provides a simple hand calculation method for determining an “equivalent impact force”. The simplicity comes at a cost of excluding the effect of the pier shape, impact duration, and interaction between barges in a flotilla. The objective of this report is to present a hand calculation method for determining barge or flotilla equivalent static impact forces …

Evaluation Of Median Barrier Safety Issues, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Brifen TL-4 and Trinity CASS median cable barrier systems in preventing cross-median collisions on sections of I-64, I-71, and I-265 (Brifen system) and I-265 (Trinity system) in Jefferson County and on KY 4 (Brifen system) in Fayette County. An effort was made to identify crashes which involved a vehicle crossing a median. Using specific logic to identify this type of crash, 392 crashes were identified for the five-year period of 2001 through 2005. Using crash and mileage data resulted in an average of 0.28 crossover crashes per mile …

Future Management Strategies For State Maintained Wetlands And Stream Mitigation Sites, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study was to identify existing wetland/stream mitigation sites owned by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and assess performance of those sites including problems encountered and maintenance costs. Initial work determined that KYTC Districts performed actions to address wetlands/stream mitigation maintenance under the direction and funding support of KYTC Division of Environmental Analysis. KYTC also sought to identify best practices employed by other transportation agencies. A survey of transportation agencies in neighboring states indicated that most significant “best practice” was to obtain wetland management oversight by their state Fish and Wildlife agencies 5 years after the permitting process (Section 404 …

Multi-Barge Flotilla Impact Forces On Bridges, Peng Yuan, Issam E. Harik, Michael T. Davidson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The current AASHTO equations for barge impact loads are based on scale models of barges, and may not accurately predict impact loads on bridge piers. The results of this study produce more realistic flotilla impact design loads, potentially leading to a reduction in construction costs of bridges over navigable waterways. The objectives of this study are: (1) To conduct theoretical finite element analysis on various types of flotillas impacting bridge piers. The flotillas and the respective barges will be of the type commonly traversing Kentucky’s waterways; and (2) To generate design equations for barge/flotilla impact loads. The study concludes the …

Pavement Quality Indicators Study, Cody Kluver, Wayne Jensen

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Asphalt Pavement Analyzer Testing Program In Nebraska, Minki Hong

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Experimental Concrete Coating Application On The Median Barrier Of I-65 In Louisville, Rick Younce, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the experimental protective coating that was applied to approximately 1,200 linear feet of concrete median barrier along the paving project on a section of I 65 between mile points 131.289 and 136.421 in downtown Louisville.

The project was completed generally in accordance with the specifications and special notes. This experimental project is the first trial of concrete coatings identified under KYSPR 05-271 Coatings, Sealants and Fillers to Address Bridge Concrete Deterioration and Aesthetics-Phase 1. The coatings systems identified under that study were intended to provide improved protection and aesthetics for reinforced concrete. …

Optimal Allocation Of Blood Products, Godson A. Tetteh

Dissertations

The high cost of collection and the short shelf life of apheresis platelets demand efficient inventory management to reduce outdates and shortages. Apheresis platelets are licensed for seven days, and blood centers are keen on knowing the consequences of various product collection and distribution strategies. To reduce outdates, inventory managers typically distribute the older units first, thereby following first-in first-out (FIFO) policy; however, hospital blood banks would prefer that the blood center issues out the freshest units first, equivalent to a last-in first-out (LIFO) policy. This study addresses the optimal distribution policy to achieve a desired outdate, shortage and average …

Traffic Forecasting Report – 2007, David Hamilton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This is the sixth edition of the Traffic Forecasting Report (TFR). This edition of the TFR contains the latest (predominantly 2007) forecasting/modeling data as follows:

• Functional class average traffic volume growth rates and trends
• Vehicle miles traveled statewide total by functional class
• ATR locations, K-factors, and ADTs
• Functional class average K-factors and D-factors
• Functional class average truck volumes, truck percentages, ESAL calculation factors, and vehicle types
• Kentucky Statewide Model Summary
• List of MPO (urbanized) and county-level models
• Socioeconomic data sources for models and summary of MUG (model users group) meetings
• ADT and DHV Count Factors
• Hourly Volume Percentage by Functional …

Operational And Safety Efficiency Of Traffic Signal Installations, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Chris Jones, Nithin Agarwal

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The basic principle of signalization is the provision of a safe and effective means for time and space allocation at an intersection for both vehicular and pedestrian needs. The safety community concurs on the fact that there is the potential for safety improvements after signalization of an intersection, but there is a great disagreement on their magnitude as well as their potential negative operational impacts. This research reviewed the safety and operational efficiency after the installation of traffic signals at several locations throughout Kentucky. The report presented here mainly addresses the operational impacts from signal installation, since the safety aspects …

Access Management Implementation In Kentucky – Technical Support Document And Status Report, Barry House

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the efforts of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Access Management Implementation Task Force. The task force was established in May 2004 and was charged with the responsibility of reviewing and refining the recommendations in the Access Management for Kentucky research study for the purpose of implementing a comprehensive access management program for the state of Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Center provided technical and administrative support to the task force. This report provides documentation of the information considered by the task force, the deliberations over that information, and the decisions and recommendations made by the task force. Although a …

Evaluation Of 70 Mph Speed Limit In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to document the change in operating speeds of cars and trucks on rural interstates and parkways as a result of the change in speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph. The 85th percentile speed increased 1.3 mph for cars (74.6 to 75.9 mph) and 0.6 mph for trucks (69.8 to 70.4 mph) on rural interstates and 2.0 mph for cars (73.5 to 75.5 mph) and 1.2 mph for trucks (69.5 to 70.7 mph) on four-lane parkways. The increase in speed limits on a limited number of roads did not result in an increase …

Low-Cost Safety Measures At Signalized Intersections, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to: a) identify intersections with a high number of crashes involving a driver disregarding the traffic signal, b) identify types of low-cost safety measures which may be used as a countermeasure for red light running, and c) evaluate the effectiveness of the installation of some of these countermeasures at a sample of high-crash intersections. Low-cost countermeasures such as double-red signal heads and retro-reflective backplates were installed at locations either identified as a high-crash location or by district traffic engineers. Crashes decreased at these locations with a positive public response. The investigation warrants additional use …

Evaluation Of Pavement Marking Performance, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the useful life of pavement markings. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides general guidelines for the application and installation of pavement markings. However, performance requirements for various types of pavement markings are not included. Retroreflectivity data were collected throughout Kentucky on various longitudinal pavement markings using mobile and manual techniques. Data were collected on two-year old and one-year old lines. The retroreflectivity levels were analyzed and the several recommendations were made. Minimum levels of retroreflectivity should be set for determining what roads to restripe annually. These values should be …

Proctor Compaction Testing, Joshua Connelly, Wayne Jensen, Paul Harmon

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Stand-Alone Concrete Bridge Pier Protection System, Scott Rosenbaugh, Ronald K. Faller, Jason A. Hascall, Robert W. Bielenberg, Karla A. Polivka, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking, Erin M. Allison

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Factor Analysis Of Interface Problems Among Construction Parties - A Case Study Of Mrt, Rong-Yau Huang, Chin-Tien Huang, Hung Lin, Wen-Hsiang Ku

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

With the rapid development of technology and the increasingly bigger size of constructions, the involved parties are required to pay more attention to all types of difficult interface problems than ever before. By considering the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) as an example, several problems resulting from complicated mechanical, electrical, civil, and track interfaces led to enormously extra losses in the construction process. Accordingly, this paper intends to use quantitative methods to categorize a variety of interface problems in the MRTS construction projects as well as identify their individual impacts in order to clarify these interface problems. The analysis results …

Investigation Of Voids/Cracking On The I-275 Twin Bridges Over The Ohio River In Kenton County - Phase I, Brad Rister, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An evaluation of the northbound bridge approach and the abutment wall of (Combs-Hehl) bridge on I-275 in Kenton County was conducted in September 2007. The inspection consisted of using ground penetrating radar to look for potential voids beneath the concrete approach slab and a video camera inspection to inspect the void space beneath the pier cap/concrete beam in front of the abutment wall.

Results of field testing and recommendations:

A possible void approximately 1-2 inches in depth resides under the approach slab approximately 105 feet before the bridge abutment in the fast lane. It is recommended that this section be …

Evaluation Of Noise Impact Mitigation Protocols To Support Css, Ted Grossardt, Lou Cohn, Al Harris, Keiron Bailey, John Ripy

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This research project developed and evaluated practical ways of involving the public in context sensitive sound mitigation strategies. The integrated use of photo montage, PowerPoint presentation, linked traffic sound files, and audience response systems demonstrated that significant visual and aural differences could be clearly portrayed and clear preferences could be expressed by citizens and professionals alike, even where the choice menu was quite complex.

Improved Method Of Using Traffic Estimates To Evaluate Intersection Improvements, Karen Schurr, Krishna C. Movva, Linna Zhang

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Modified Three Cable Guardrail Adjacent To Steep Slope, Ryan J. Terpsma, Dean L. Sicking, Karla A. Polivka, John R. Rohde, Ronald K. Faller, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

A Strategy For Reducing The Impact Of Driving Under Influence Of Intoxicants In Portland, Oregon, Christopher Monsere, Delia Chi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) applies to operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance that can impair driving performance. Nationally and locally there is a strong desire to reduce the societal impacts of this significant social problem. The trend in U.S. alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes was generally decreasing in the mid to late 1980’s but has remained fairly flat since the early 1990s. In 1982, approximately 60% of all US traffic fatalities were alcohol-related. By 1994, this had decreased to 43% but in the decade that followed it has changed little. In 2005, nearly 39% of …

Phase Iv Development Of A Short-Radius Guardrail For Intersecting Roadways, Karla A. Polivka, Cody S. Stolle, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Research On Fatigue Of Asphalt Mixtures And Pavements In Nebraska, Francisco Thiago S. Aragao, Yong-Rak Kim, Junghun Lee

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Optimized Scheduling Of Highway Work Zones, Yimin Tang

Dissertations

Highway maintenance activities usually require lane closures and disrupt traffic operations. Because of budget constraints, project deadlines, and the resulting traffic impact, the objective of this dissertation is to improve the efficiencies of traffic operation and maintenance work, and minimize the total project cost (i.e., agency cost and road user cost) by optimizing work zone schedules.

This dissertation focuses on the maintenance projects on multiple-lane highways. The objective total cost function is formulated while considering a discrete maintenance time-cost function and time-dependent traffic diversions. However, the work zone scheduling problem is a combinatorial optimization problem and difficult to solve analytically. …

Dynamic Impact Testing Of Crt Wood Posts In A Rigid Sleeve, Steven W. Arens, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Karla A. Polivka

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Dynamic impact testing was performed on 152-mm x 203-mm (6-in. x 8-in.) CRT wood posts placed in a rigid sleeve at various angles. A total of nine bogie tests were performed with three tests each at 0, 90, and 45 degree rotation angles relative to the strong axis of bending. For each bogie test, the raw acceleration data was obtained from accelerometers and was filtered. Then, force-displacement and energy-displacement graphs were plotted. Based on the results, the properties and strengths of the CRT wood posts at the different impact angles were determined. The results of this study will be the …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Pavement Rumble Strips, Adam Kirk

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report analyzes the effectiveness of continuous shoulder rumble strips (CSRS) and center line rumble strips (CLRS) on rural two lane roads in Kentucky. This study evaluates the safety benefits, and design details associated with the application of the CSRS and CLRS. The recommended practices proposed as a result of the crash analysis have the potential to reduce both run off the road and opposite direction crashes on rural two lane roads in Kentucky. These recommendations provide benefits for narrow roadways with little to no shoulder as well as larger roadways with wider paved shoulders.

Use Of Edge Line Markings On Rural Two-Lane Highways, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to review roadway characteristics and crash data in Kentucky and determine if revisions should be made to current guidelines for the use of edge lines. Recommendations were made concerning the use of edge lines, centerlines, and paved shoulders on rural, two-lane roadways with varying pavement widths.