TY - ABST AN - 01577730 TI - Economic Analysis of Ethanol Yield from Chopped and Densified versus Baled Switchgrass AB - No summary provided. KW - Biomass fuels KW - Economic analysis KW - Ethanol KW - Grasses KW - Production UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1370774 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01577417 TI - Evaluating the Impacts of Biomass Feedstock Transportation on Air Quality and Traffic Safety: A Case Study of TN AB - No summary provided. KW - Air quality KW - Biomass KW - Case studies KW - Environmental impacts KW - Freight transportation KW - Tennessee KW - Traffic safety UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1370571 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01566747 TI - Transportation Library Connectivity and Development AB - Traditionally, a small group of libraries have been responsible for providing information service within the transportation community. They have managed collections while supporting practitioners and decision-makers. Yet, today a vast amount of industry information is not collected or posted to the internet without a management plan. User research habits are also changing. Recognizing this, a national effort has been made over the past five years to advocate for the development of improved library and information centers. To support the coordinated development of transportation libraries, help implement Transportation Knowledge Networks (TKNs) and extend efforts beyond those of the TPF-5(105) Transportation Library Connectivity pooled fund, the following objectives have been adopted. These will be accomplished through member activities, partnerships with professional groups such as the Transportation Research Board's (TRB's) Library and Information Science for Transportation Committee, Special Libraries Association's (SLA's) Transportation Division and the services of a qualified consultant: (1) Provide technical guidance to eligible members, focused on smaller libraries served by only one librarian, while emphasizing an increased reliance on self-sustaining networks. (2) Promote the value of transportation library and information services through the following activities: (a) Create key information products to demonstrate the value of, and further contribution of, libraries to the field. (b) Deliver presentations to gatherings of Department of Transportation (DOT) administrators, such as meetings of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and TRB Committees (Highways, Planning, Environment, etc...). (c) Share training materials and provide training sessions, with an added marketing component, for library users at member institutions. (3) Conduct an annual meeting and workshop, in conjunction with other events, to help members demonstrate the value of library and information services to their customers. (4) Develop an interactive content management system (CMS) based project website, including tracking and reporting information, as well as provide limited access to server space. (5) Collaborate with the National Transportation Library, the AASHTO RAC Task Force on TKNs and other stakeholder groups to enhance communication between transportation librarians, specifically to support their projects as they help implement Transportation Knowledge Networks. (6) Pay OCLC and TLCat library subscriptions for eligible pooled fund members. (7) Implement focused research and technology projects, as proposed by members, on an annual basis. Potential projects which have already been identified include: (a) Financial, technical, and logistical support for the creation of an National Transportation Knowledge Network (NTKN) portal website as envisioned in NCHRP Report 643. (b) The completion of a return-on-investment case study highlighting the tangible contributions of libraries to research. (c) A collaborative cataloging project to expand access to transportation resources, possibly done in conjunction with the NTKN, alleviating member time constraints. (d) Pooled subscriptions for online databases to improve the accessibility of electronic information while reducing access costs to member libraries. (e) Digitization support for institutions wishing to convert printed copies of older materials to digital formats. KW - Connectivity KW - Content management KW - Expert systems KW - Information services KW - Information technology KW - Libraries KW - Transportation knowledge networks KW - Transportation libraries KW - Websites (Information retrieval) UR - http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/466 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1358403 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01468035 TI - Further Analysis of NOx and O3 data, and the Acquisition, Installation and Laboratory Testing of the PM Equipment AB - Objective: * To add a PM monitor to the mobile NOx and ozone analyzers, and the weather monitoring unit built during the project performed in the last two years. * To analyze the data obtained in the previous research to elucidate the adequacy of CALINE4 in predicting the local NO2 concentrations near roadways and perform a sensitivity analysis on the model input variables, to investigate the reasons for the lack of fit observed under some conditions. Project Summary: A TEOM 1405-DF dichotomous ambient particulate monitor with a filter dynamics measurement system (FDMS) (Thermo Scientific, Franklin, MA) was purchased, received, set up in the laboratory and tested. To be taken to the measurement locations, this equipment needed to be put on a cart and it needed to be placed in a custom-made outside shelter with an air conditioning and heating unit. Considering the power requirements of the shelter, the PM equipment, O3 and NOx analyzers, the computer, and the weather monitoring instruments, a new generator with a higher power rating was, also, needed. The outside shelter was received in April 2012 and the cart in June 2012. The PM equipment was installed in the outside shelter and placed on the cart. It is ready to be started up and used in the on-site measurements. We also continued to work on improving the analysis of the NOx and O3 data for model validation. The results obtained on NO2 concentrations could be predicted reasonably well with CALINE4 for upwind receptors, but the difference between predicted and measured concentrations at downwind locations were substantial. Several factors were identified as possible reasons for these discrepancies and these were further investigated. For this purpose, a new set of data was acquired to evaluate the effect of averaging time on the validity of the model predictions. It was observed that the averaging time did not affect the results significantly. Subsequently, the model variables that are expected to affect the predicted concentrations were investigated by sensitivity analysis. It was concluded that the only plausible explanations for the observed results seem to be the effect of vegetation between the roadway and the receptors, and the limitation of the CALINE4 reaction scheme. KW - Air pollution sources KW - Air quality management KW - Environmental impacts KW - Infrastructure KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Ozone KW - Pollutants KW - Real time information KW - Traffic safety UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1236271 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01467988 TI - Impact of Education and Awareness Programs on the Usage and Attitude towards Texting while Driving among Young Drivers AB - Texting-while-driving has become a new menace on the roads. The problem has become a major cause of highways accidents and injuries especially among young drivers. It well documented in research literature that this problem is more prevalent among younger drivers largely because they are the heaviest users of the information technology including texting. Furthermore, the usage of texting is growing rapidly among millennium generation drivers. As this population grows old, texting might become even more prevalent on the roads. This has potential of further increasing accident hazards due to texting-while-driving in the future. In a very short span of time, texting-while-driving problem became such a large issue that 32 US states and territories have made some laws against it. However, law is only one part of the equation. Driver education is the equally important to solve the issues. It is very important to educate driving public about danger of texting-while-driving. One can draw parallel with seat-belt laws. Each state has seatbelt law on their books for a longtime. At the same time, both state and federal governments made strong efforts in the area of public education about advantages of using seatbelts. Despite aggressive enforcement and creative awareness programs, it took decades to improve seatbelt usage among drivers. Therefore, it is imperative to start strongly education programs about danger of texting-while-driving now. The available literature suggests younger driver have different perceptions of risk that impacts their behavior related to cell phone use while driving. As mentioned, there are laws being written to combat the problem. It has also been reported that the decrease in cell phone use after enactment of law does not hold over the time and that use of cellular phones actually increases following the initial decrease. Moreover, the enforcement of the laws related to texting-while-driving is very difficult and challenging. This challenge is evident from reported increases in the use of cell phone and related electronic device activities while driving. Furthermore, law based solutions alone can't change driving behavior. These solutions have to be complimented with education and awareness programs. Several studies have been completed about reasons on why young drivers are attracted to texting-while-driving. However, there is a lack of studies in the area of impact of education and awareness programs about danger of texting-while-driving. This research proposes to study the effectiveness of a few education and awareness programs on a small targeted population of college students. A three step methodology will be utilized in this proposed work. In the first step, student behavior attributes related to texting-while-driving will be determined. The next step will involve selection and design of specific awareness programs based on the data from the first step. The last step will involve conducting a random pretest-posttest experiment on a sample from the target population. The results of these experiments will measure the effectiveness of the selected educational programs about danger of texting-while-driving. The major deliverables from the proposed research will include the following: * A set of implicit and explicit attitudes of young drivers towards texting-while-driving in the targeted population. * A set of awareness and education programs based on the delineated attitudes in the first deliverable. * Effectiveness of awareness and education programs on texting-while-driving behavior on the targeted population. KW - Accident prone drivers KW - Attitudes KW - Awareness KW - Crash causes KW - Driver training KW - Education and training KW - Human factors in crashes KW - Information technology KW - Laws and legislation KW - Safety campaigns KW - Text messaging KW - Younger drivers UR - http://biz.hamptonu.edu/esitac/ongoing_research.cfm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1236224 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01467987 TI - Acoustic Emission (AE) Sensor Technology: Utilization for Non-Destructive Bridge testing AB - Hampton University Eastern Seaboard Intermodal Transportation Applications Center's (ESITAC's) stated goals are to utilize resources of the University in partnership with state and city governments, local transit companies, private industries, and regional universities to conduct research on current transportation problems facing Hampton Roads, provide students with special emphasis on minorities and women, the opportunities to pursue transportation careers and to advance U.S. technology and expertise in transportation that will provide safe, secure, efficient, and interconnected transportation systems. These goals incorporate U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) stated priority for improving the safety of the nation's transportation system that includes safety of highway bridges. It is imperative to conduct research and utilize technologies that enhance highway bridge safety for achievement of such goals. Research on and utilization of non-destructive test and monitoring technologies is one of the focus areas in ESITAC's strategic planning. It is thus proposed to utilize non-destructive testing technology (NDT), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) District Structure and Bridge Engineering Department and its research arm the Virginia Council for Transportation Innovation and Research (VCTIR), for accurate, reliable and durable methods of structural health monitoring of highway bridges and to help prevent spread of structural failures. The bridge on I-164 at the Coast Guard Blvd. in the City of Portsmouth, built in 1991, was the subject of acoustic emissions (AE) research during 2010. Acoustic Emission investigations on the bridge on Route 164 at Coast Guard Boulevard were performed. The results of these investigations concluded beyond doubt the existence of strong AE activity in the bridge back wall. Further, the increase in AE activity was determined because of the freight train movement under the bridge. For the period of 2011, the bridge on I-64 at the Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News, Virginia, has been identified in consultations and discussions with VDOT's District Structure and Bridge Engineering Department and its research arm the Virginia Council for Transportation Innovation and Research (VCTIR). This bridge (Virginia Structure No. 2222, Federal Structure ID 20727), built in 1965 and reconstructed in 1977 crosses over I-64 and the CSX Railway. According to the latest available and 2009 AADT at Denbigh Boulevard is 29,000 vehicles per day; the truck percentage is 1%. The bridge is 864 feet long and 60 feet wide. The structural health monitoring is to involve metal and non-metal (e.g. concrete) bridge structural components using NDT of acoustic emission (AE). KW - Acoustic emission tests KW - Bridge engineering KW - Hampton Roads (Virginia) KW - Highway bridges KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Sensors KW - Structural analysis KW - Structural health monitoring UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1236223 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01577802 AU - Nugent, Brendan AU - Morris, Penelope AU - Ryan, Alex AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Austroads National Performance Indicators PY - 2011/05 SP - 24p AB - In August 2009, the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program conducted an international scanning study of how transportation agencies in Australia, England, New Zealand, and Sweden use performance management to demonstrate accountability and performance. The U.S. scan team found many examples of management strategies that used performance measures to achieve improved performance and hold agencies accountable for results. The scan members were particularly interested in learning more about how a common set of highway measures and targets evolved, were established, and are reported in Australia and New Zealand. The Australian states and New Zealand have more than 10 years of experience in producing highway performance measures. These measures allow member agencies to benchmark their performance against one another and provide transparency to the public and policy makers. In this paper, long-time Austroads members describe how the measures are established and provide lessons from their experience. KW - Australia KW - Austroads KW - FHWA International Scanning Program KW - Highways KW - New Zealand KW - Performance measurement UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl11024/pl11024.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1370739 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01570339 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Preparing for the Update of New Hampshire’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan: An RSPCB Peer Exchange PY - 2011/05 SP - 17p AB - This report provides a summary of a peer exchange sponsored by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) held in Concord, NH, May 18-19, 2011. The focus of the peer exchange was on updating New Hampshire’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and establishing a Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) initiative in the State. The objectives were to: (1) Build a sustainable SHSP by energizing existing and developing cooperative partnerships among highway safety stakeholders; (2) Strengthen the goals, strategies, and performance tracking for SHSP emphasis areas; (3) Learn from others’ experiences in linking datasets and coordinating the exchange of safety data between agencies; and (4) Identify marketing strategies the SHSP and associated efforts, particularly related to TZD and adaptive behavior-marketing initiatives. Selected peers included Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). KW - Best practices KW - Cooperation KW - Data sharing KW - Highway safety KW - Marketing KW - New Hampshire Department of Transportation KW - Peer exchange KW - Performance measurement KW - Stakeholders KW - Strategic Highway Safety Plan UR - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/p2p/nh/nh.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55200/55255/nh.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1360040 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01526435 AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Setting Safety Performance Measures in Australia and New Zealand: Lessons for the United States PY - 2011/05 SP - 36p AB - In August 2009, the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program conducted an international scanning study of how transportation agencies in Australia, England, New Zealand, and Sweden use performance management to demonstrate accountability and performance. The U.S. scan team found many examples of management strategies that used performance measures to achieve improved performance and hold agencies accountable for results. For example, because improving highway safety is a top priority for transportation agencies in the United States, the scan team members were particularly interested in learning more about how a common set of highway safety measures and targets evolved, were established, and are reported in Australia and New Zealand. The Australian states and New Zealand have more than 10 years of experience in producing common highway performance measures, including safety measures. Their experience holds important lessons for U.S. highway safety practitioners. This followup report was developed by those agencies in cooperation with Austroads, which is the association of highway agencies in Australia and New Zealand. It was written by Eric Howard and Associates in Melbourne, Australia, in cooperation with Austroads. KW - Australia KW - FHWA International Scanning Program KW - Highway safety KW - New Zealand KW - Performance measurement KW - Transportation departments KW - United States UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl11018/pl11018.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1307442 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01494501 AU - Tyagi, Avdhesh AU - Veenstra, John N AU - Brown, James AU - Ali, Abdelfatah AU - Johnson, Nicholas AU - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater AU - Oklahoma Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Laboratory Modeling of Energy Dissipation in Broken-back Culverts – Phase II PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 95p AB - This report represents Phase II of broken-back culverts with a drop of 6 feet. The first phase of this research was performed for a drop of 24 feet. This research investigates the reduction in scour downstream of a broken-back culvert by forming a hydraulic jump inside the culvert. A broken-back culvert is used in areas of high relief and steep topography as it has one or more breaks in profile slope. A broken-back culvert in the laboratory represents a 1 (vertical) to 2 (horizontal) slope after the upstream inlet and then continuing 138 feet at a 1 percent slope in the flat part of the culvert to the downstream outlet. The prototypes for these experiments were either a two barrel 10-foot by 10-foot, or a two barrel 10-foot by 20-foot reinforced concrete. The drop between inlet and outlet is selected as 6 feet. Three flow conditions were simulated, consisting of 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 times the culvert depth. The Froude number of the hydraulic jump created in the flat part of the culvert ranges between 1.8 and 2.3. This Froude number classifies the jump as a weak jump. The jump in experiments began nearly at the toe by placing sills in the flat part. The optimal location was determined at a distance of 42 feet from the outlet face of the culvert in pressure flow conditions. The sills contain two small orifices at the bottom to allow the culvert to completely drain. The impact of friction blocks was found to be minimal. No friction blocks were used to further dissipate the energy. The length of the culvert cannot be reduced as the pressure flow fills up the culvert barrels completely. For new culvert construction, the best option to maximize energy dissipation under open channel flow conditions is to use one sill located 69 feet from the outlet. Again, frictional blocks had minimum effect in further reduction of energy. The maximum length of the culvert can be reduced by 42 feet to 56 feet. Such a scenario is important where right-of-way problems exist for culvert construction. KW - Broken-back culverts KW - Channel flow KW - Culverts KW - Design KW - Dissipation KW - Froude number KW - Hydraulic jump KW - Laboratory tests KW - Scale models KW - Scour UR - http://www.oktc.org/otc/files/finalReports/OTCREOS10.1-47-F.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1262835 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01482285 AU - Smadi, Omar AU - Hawkins, Neal AU - Hans, Zachary AU - Center for Transportation Research and Education AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Midwest Transportation Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of a GPS-Based Sign Inventory Tool for Iowa’s Statewide Management System PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 21p AB - This report is on state-of-the-art research efforts specific to infrastructure inventory/data collection with sign inventory as a case study. The development of an agency-wide sign inventory is based on feature inventory and location information. Specific to location, a quick and simple location acquisition tool is critical to tying assets to an accurate location-referencing system. This research effort provides a contrast between legacy referencing systems (route and milepost) and global positioning system- (GPS-) based techniques (latitude and longitude) integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) database. A summary comparison of field accuracies using a variety of consumer grade devices is also provided. This research, and the data collection tools developed, are critical in supporting the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Statewide Sign Management System development effort. For the last two years, a Task Force has embarked on a comprehensive effort to develop a sign management system to improve sign quality, as well as to manage all aspects of signage, from request, ordering, fabricating, installing, maintaining, and ultimately removing, and to provide the ability to budget for these key assets on a statewide basis. This effort supported the development of a sign inventory tool and is the beginning of the development of a sign management system to support the Iowa DOT efforts in the consistent, cost effective, and objective decision making process when it comes to signs and their maintenance. KW - Geographic information systems KW - Global Positioning System KW - Inventory control KW - Iowa KW - Maintenance management KW - Traffic signs UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/reports/sign_mgmt_gps_tool_w_cvr1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1250803 ER - TY - SER AN - 01475729 JO - Research Results PB - Federal Railroad Administration AU - Maal, Luis AU - Carr, Gary AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Heavy Axle Load Revenue Service Mud-Fouled Ballast Investigation PY - 2011/05 SP - 4p AB - Transportation Technology Center, Inc., investigated the track substructure at three Norfolk Southern mainline sites to determine the root causes of localized mud-fouled ballast deterioration and associated track roughness. Mud clogs the ballast that supports the roadbed, which prevents effective drainage of water. Track roughness occurs over time as a track’s geometry is degraded by the dynamic forces of train wheels on the rail. The similarity in underlying conditions indicated that mud spots can rapidly develop on tracks that visually appear to have a clean and well functioning ballast section. Maintenance activities such as cribbing to remove fouled ballast between ties, surfacing, and ballast undercutting/cleaning to depths of 12 inches (in) or less are commonly used to deal with muddy ballast conditions. However, these methods do not necessarily restore adequate permeability of the ballast layer. Installing cross drains or ballast renewals that are deeper than 12 in below the ties may be required to restore the lateral drainage path. KW - Ballast (Railroads) KW - Deterioration by environmental action KW - Drains KW - Inspection KW - Investigation of structure KW - Mud KW - Norfolk Southern Railway Company KW - Railroad tracks KW - Roughness UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/131 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1244645 ER - TY - SER AN - 01475721 JO - Research Results PB - Federal Railroad Administration AU - Raslear, Thomas G AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Work Schedules and Sleep Patterns of Train and Engine Employees in Passenger Operations PY - 2011/05 SP - 4p AB - The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Office of Research and Development sponsored a project to study the work schedules and sleep patterns of U.S. railroad train and engine (T&E) employees in passenger operations. A prior study of all T&E employees, both passenger and freight, had an inadequate number of T&E workers in passenger service to make meaningful conclusions about this subgroup of T&E workers, so the present study was undertaken. FRA used the results of this study to inform proposed regulations for revised Hours of Service regulations. Effectiveness measures, based on the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE) model, indicate that passenger T&E employees, regardless of the type of assignment, work at an acceptable effectiveness level more than 97 percent of their work time. Effectiveness at both the beginning and end of a work assignment decreases as the number of consecutive days on the job increases. KW - Conductors (Trains) KW - Employees KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Hours of labor KW - Locomotive engineers KW - Passenger trains KW - Railroad commuter service KW - Railroads KW - Sleep disorders KW - Train crews UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/129 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1244644 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01470198 AU - Massachusetts Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - 2011 Massachusetts Bicycle Facility Inventory Year-End Report PY - 2011/05 SP - 35p AB - Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Office of Transportation Planning (OTP) is pleased to present the 2011 Massachusetts Bicycle Facilities Inventory Report (Report). This Bicycle Facilities Inventory contains selected 2011 year-end statistics from the Massachusetts Bicycle Facilities Inventory (BFI) file. The BFI file is the name of a continuing data development effort carried out by the OTP to create a database of bicycle information usable in a geographic information system (GIS) for map production, reporting, and analysis. Although OTP has published a bicycle accommodations GIS data layer for many years, this Report is the first published data analysis assembling statewide data on bicycle facilities. The BFI began with the 2008 Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan (2008 Plan), and has been refined over many years through collaborative data collection efforts with MassDOT district offices, state agencies, regional planning offices, and local municipalities. This effort serves to document the ever growing network of bicycle facilities throughout the Commonwealth and seeks to maintain an active inventory of this critical transportation resource. KW - Bicycle facilities KW - Bicycling KW - Databases KW - Geographic information systems KW - Inventory KW - Massachusetts KW - Statistics UR - http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/17/docs/2011_bike_ye_rpt.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1237289 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01457186 AU - Witter, Ernie AU - Adams, Teresa AU - National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Best Practices Guidance for Workforce Transition and Succession Planning PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 42p AB - Public sector transportation agencies and the contractors who help them do their work will have a major challenge in meeting their workforce needs for the foreseeable future. By some estimates, the aging of the baby boom generation could allow up to fifty percent of the total workforce to retire within the next ten years. Overall demographic issues and stagnant enrollments in science and math professional programs, traditionally the major sources of new hires into the transportation industry, will make finding adequate qualified recruits difficult. This project deals with strategies for transition planning—in particular, strategies for transition planning in a specialist organization such as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Rail and Harbor Section. KW - Demographics KW - Education KW - Labor force KW - Management KW - Mathematics KW - Science KW - Transportation departments KW - Wisconsin Department of Transportation UR - http://www.wistrans.org/cfire/documents/CFIRE_04-03_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1224987 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01451534 AU - United States Federal Highway Administration TI - Jepson Parkway Project, Solano County : environmental impact statement PY - 2011/05//Volumes held: Draft, Final KW - California KW - Environmental impact statements UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1220078 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01448527 AU - Goodchild, Anne AU - Sandoval, Felipe AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Cost, Emissions, and Customer Service Trade-Off Analysis in Pickup and Delivery Systems PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 81p AB - This research offers a novel formulation for including emissions into fleet assignment and vehicle routing, and for the trade-offs faced by fleet operators between cost, emissions, and service quality. This approach enables evaluation of the impact of a variety of internal changes (e.g. time window schemes) and external policies (e.g. spatial restrictions), and enables comparisons of the relative impacts on fleet emissions. In an effort to apply the above approach to real fleets, three different case studies were developed. Each of these cases has significant differences in their fleet composition, customers’ requirements and operational features that provide this research with the opportunity to explore different scenarios. The research includes estimations of the impact on cost, CO2 and NOX emissions from fleet upgrades, the impact on cost, emissions, and customer wait time when demand density or location changes, and the impact on cost, emissions, and customer wait time from congestion and time window flexibility. Additionally it shows that any infrastructure use restriction increases cost, and emissions. A discussion of the implications for policy makers and fleet operators in a variety of physical and transportation environments is also presented. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Carbon dioxide KW - Case studies KW - Costs KW - Customer service KW - Exhaust gases KW - Fleet assignment KW - Fleet management KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Pickup and delivery service KW - Quality of service KW - Routing UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/45000/45800/45899/SR500_330_PickupDelivery.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1215680 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01444828 AU - Jahanmir, Sean AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Preliminary Observations of the Tsunami’s Impact on U.S. Trade and Transportation With Japan PY - 2011/05//Fact Sheet SP - 4p AB - The United States faces potential ramifications from the damage to Japan’s freight transportation system caused by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. During that time, the United States may face lower levels of both air and maritime imports in automobiles and parts, high-end electronics and devices such as semiconductors, and specialty chemicals. Damaged equipment, loss of power and disrupted intermodal infrastructure in Japan reduced shipping capacity and interfered with international trade links. The air and sea ports that were most affected are Sendai, Onahama, Hachinohe, and Kashima. The sea port of Sendai was the largest of the affected ports, handling 155,611 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) cargo containers in 2010. The disruption of Japan’s transportation and distribution networks impacted industrial supply chains in the United States. On March 21, General Motors announced that a shortage of electronic parts arriving from Japan forced the temporary closing of pickup truck manufacturing and assembly plants in New York and Louisiana. Other North America based automobile manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, also suffered supply disruptions and shortages of essential automotive parts, such as electronics and paint pigments, from Japan. KW - Airports KW - Disasters KW - Economic impacts KW - Freight transportation KW - International trade KW - Japan KW - Seaports KW - Supply chain management KW - Tsunamis KW - United States UR - http://www.bts.gov/publications/bts_fact_sheets/2011_003/pdf/entire.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1212438 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01383573 AU - Blower, Daniel AU - Matteson, Anne AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Evaluation of 2008 Alaska Crash Data Reported to the MCMIS Crash File PY - 2011/05//Special Report SP - 41p AB - This report is part of a series evaluating the data reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) Crash File undertaken by the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The earlier studies showed that reporting to the MCMIS Crash File was incomplete. This report examines the factors that are associated with reporting rates for the State of Alaska. MCMIS Crash File records were matched to the Alaska crash file to determine the nature and extent of underreporting. It is estimated that Alaska reported 62.4 percent of this subset of reportable crash involvements in 2008. Reporting rates were found primarily to be related to crash severity and the configuration of the vehicle. Eighty percent of fatal crash involvements were reported, 73.9% of injured/transported, and 58.7 percent of towed/disabled involvements. Trucks were reported at about the same rate as buses as a whole, 61.4% to 66.0%. Large trucks such as tractor-semitrailers were reported at a higher rate than smaller single unit trucks. Missing data rates are low for most variables. Corresponding data elements in the MCMIS and Alaska crash files were reasonably consistent, though specific problems were noted with hazmat variables and certain truck configurations. KW - Alaska KW - Bus crashes KW - Crash data KW - Crash records KW - Crash severity KW - Missing data KW - Motor Carrier Management Information System Crash File KW - Traffic crashes KW - Truck crashes KW - Underreporting UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89599/1/102791.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1147892 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01380425 AU - Wang, Kejin AU - Shah, Surendra P AU - Lomboy, Gilson AU - Tregger, Nathan AU - Taylor, Peter AU - Wiegand, Paul AU - Grove, Jim AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Self-Consolidating Concrete—Applications for Slip-Form Paving: Phase II PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 136p AB - The goal of the project was to develop a new type of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) for slip-form paving to simplify construction and make smoother pavements. Developing the new SCC involved two phases: a feasibility study (Phase I sponsored by TPF-5[098] and concrete admixtures industry) and an in-depth mix proportioning and performance study and field applications (Phase II). The phase I study demonstrated that the new type of SCC needs to possess not only excellent self-consolidating ability before a pavement slab is extruded, but also sufficient “green” strength (the strength of the concrete in a plastic state) after the extrusion. To meet these performance criteria, the new type of SCC mixtures should not be as fluid as conventional SCC but just flowable enough to be self-consolidating. That is, this new type of SCC should be semi-flowable self-consolidating concrete (SFSCC). In the phase II study, effects of different materials and admixtures on rheology, especially the thixotropy, and green strength of fresh SFSCC have been further investigated. The results indicate that SFSCC can be designed to (1) be workable enough for machine placement, (2) be self-consolidating without segregation, (3) hold its shape after extrusion from a paver, and (4) have performance properties (strength and durability) comparable with current pavement concrete. Due to the combined flowability (for self-consolidation) and shape-holding ability (for slip-forming) requirements, SFSCC demands higher cementitious content than conventional pavement concrete. Generally, high cementitious content is associated with high drying shrinkage potential of the concrete. However, well-proportioned and well-constructed SFSCC in a bike path constructed at Ames, Iowa, has not shown any shrinkage cracks after approximately 3 years of field service. On the other hand, another SFSCC pavement with different mix proportions and construction conditions showed random cracking. The results from the field SFSCC performance monitoring implied that not only the mix proportioning method but also the construction practice is important for producing durable SFSCC pavements. A carbon footprint, energy consumption, and cost analysis conducted in this study have suggested that SFSCC is economically comparable to conventional pavement concrete in fixed-form paving construction, with the benefit of faster, quieter, and easier construction. KW - Concrete flowability KW - Pavements KW - Rheology KW - Self compacting concrete KW - Semi-flowable self consolidating concrete KW - Slip form paving UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/research/documents/research-reports/SCC_Phase_2_final_report-edited_wcover.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1147321 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01373950 AU - Smith, Daniel J AU - University of Central Florida, Orlando AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Cost Effective Wildlife Crossing Structures which Minimize the Highway Barrier Effects on Wildlife and Improve Highway Safety along US 64, Tyrrell County, NC PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 131p AB - This report presents information on research conducted along US Highway 64 (US 64) from the City of Columbia east to the Alligator River in Tyrrell County, NC. The products of the study include a literature review, evaluation of habitat use and wildlife movement patterns, recommendations for need and locations of cost-effective wildlife crossing structures, and recommendations for additional cost effective design and construction measures to minimize adverse impacts to wildlife and increase highway safety. The need for wildlife crossing structures and other measures (to improve habitat connectivity and permeability of US 64 for wildlife) was evaluated by monitoring successful and unsuccessful (road-kills) animal movements across the highway. We performed road-kill surveys on the 13 mile segment of US 64. Track monitoring was conducted on 31 tracking strips placed at key locations in adjacent wildlife resource areas and at seven locations on the road right-of-way. Data was collected from April 2009 to July 2011. From all field surveys we documented 134 different species. This included 8 state and federally listed species and 16 other species of conservation interest. Data included a total of 27,886 road-kills and 7,557 tracks. Results of mark-recapture studies of small mammals and herpetofauna included 1,265 individuals along the roadside and 534 individuals at control locations. Several black bear road-kills have been recorded over the last decade and track and photographs documented black bear road crossings at several locations. Few white-tail deer were observed or found as roadkill during this study, however vehicle accident reports provided 10 years worth of data on deer-vehicle accident locations. Large numbers of road-killed frogs, snakes and turtles were recorded throughout the project area, but especially adjacent to forested wetland and marsh impoundment habitat areas. Most can be reduced by using appropriate fencing to reduce the amount of prey species killed on road-sides and altering flight trajectories into traffic. Detailed results including identification of road-kill hotspots and species presence/absence are presented; proposed corrective measures including types and locations for wildlife crossing structures are discussed. KW - Animal migrations KW - Black bears KW - Environmental impact analysis KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Road kill KW - Tyrrell County (North Carolina) KW - United States Highway 64 KW - White tailed deer KW - Wildlife KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://www.ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2009-26finalreport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1141537 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01367499 AU - Jackson, David W AU - Burger, Charlotte AU - Cotton, Benjamin AU - Linthicum, Alex AU - Mejias, Luis AU - Regan, Terrance AU - Filosa, Gina AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Traveler Information Systems and Wayfinding Technologies in Transit Systems: Summary of State-of-the-Practice and State-of-the-Art PY - 2011/05 SP - 152p AB - The purpose of the study is to provide federal guidance to transit agencies on current and future trends in the application of traveler information technologies as a means to expand transit agencies deployments of these tools, which may result in an increase in transit ridership. The study provides a technology evaluation that: (1) Offers an understanding of wayfinding technologies and describes products and services. (2) Provides an overview of the benefits of these technologies and services for transit agencies and users. (3) Identifies challenges experienced by transit agencies regarding the use and implementation of wayfinding technologies, and gaps that exist in current technologies. KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Ridership KW - State of the art KW - Technological innovations KW - Traveler information and communication systems KW - Wayfinding UR - http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/MMTPS_Final_Evaluation_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1135953 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01366667 AU - Pigman, Jerry G AU - Green, Eric R AU - Walton, Jennifer R AU - University of Kentucky, Lexington AU - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Identification of Secondary Crashes and Recommended Countermeasures PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 23p AB - The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the occurrence of secondary crashes on roadways in Kentucky and recommend countermeasures to reduce their frequency and severity. Results show a small percentage of crashes coded as a "Secondary Collision" were confirmed to be a secondary crash based on the definition and requirement of "a crash occurring as a result of a previous crash." It appeared that many of those miscoded as a "Secondary Collision" were the result of misinterpretation of what constituted a secondary crash versus a secondary event. Adoption of the definition used in this analysis, along with more training and data input quality control, was recommended. A review of 9.330 crashes coded as a "Secondary Collision" confirmed 362 or 3.88% as secondary crashes, and matching collision reports for the previous crash were located for only 236 crashes. An alternative analysis involved a query of the CRASH database to determine the time and distance relationships between the primary and subsequent-related crashes. The algorithm was able to identify 87% of the secondary crashes that were previously identified with the extensive manual search and review of crash reports. Based on analysis of the severity associated with secondary collisions (362) identified in the 18-month period of 2009-2010, the overall costs were estimated to be $11,228,100 when considering "Economic Cost" and $33,636,100 when considering "Comprehensive Cost." KW - Costs KW - Countermeasures KW - Crash severity KW - Data quality KW - Definitions KW - Kentucky KW - Secondary crashes UR - http://www.ktc.uky.edu/files/2012/06/KTC_11_06_SPR_402_10_1F.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1135204 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01366315 AU - Biernbaum, Lee AU - Rainville, Lydia AU - Spiro, Arlen AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Multimodal Trip Planner System Final Evaluation Report PY - 2011/05//Final Evaluation Report SP - 85p AB - This evaluation of the Multimodal Trip Planning System (MMTPS) is the culmination of a multi-year project evaluating the development and deployment of a multimodal trip planner in the Chicagoland area between 2004 and 2010. The report includes an overview of this project, the state of the current trip planning environment, and a discussion of technical and institutional issues. The primary purpose of this evaluation was gathering information to share with the transit community and other stakeholders on these technical and institutional issues including Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) standards, communication, marketing, and the technical feasibility of integrating single-mode trip planning. The report concludes with lessons learned and recommendations related to the development of a door-to-door, multimodal trip planner system. KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Public transit KW - Travel behavior KW - Trip planning UR - http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/MMTPS_Final_Evaluation_05-24-2011%281%29.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38600/38630/DOT-VNTSC-FTA-11-02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1134414 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01362620 AU - Baird, Tim AU - Bittner, Jason AU - Gollnik, Robert AU - Gardner, Spencer AU - National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Understanding the Consequences of the Panama Canal Expansion on Midwest Grain and Agricultural Exports PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 38p AB - The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is currently building a third lock scheduled to open in 2014, significantly changing the capacity of the canal for inter-ocean movements. Midwest specialty grain and agricultural product exporters will be directly affected as all-water routes are improved and landbridge requirements reduced. The study assesses the expectations of public and private sector stakeholders, analyzes possible changes in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and examines potential economic impacts the expansion may cause in these commodity sectors. Findings suggest that the canal expansion may decrease transit times, incentivize export to Asia via Gulf Cost ports and containerized modes, increase greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, and a diminished competitive position for the US West Coast - intermodal route. KW - Agricultural products KW - Economic impacts KW - Energy consumption KW - Environmental impacts KW - Exports KW - Grain KW - Greenhouse gases KW - Panama Canal KW - Shipping UR - http://www.wistrans.org/cfire/documents/CFIRE_03-18_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127571 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361634 AU - Rodriguez-Vera, Rita E AU - Lombardi, Nicolas J AU - Machado, Marcelo AS AU - Liu, Judy AU - Sotelino, Elisa D AU - Purdue University AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bridge Decks PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 114p AB - The overarching goal of this study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of various issues related to the strength and serviceability of the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) deck panels that are available in the industry. Specific objectives were to establish critical limit states to be considered in the design of FRP deck panel, to provide performance specifications to designers, and to develop evaluation techniques for the deck panels in service. Two different FRP panels were studied during the research project: a sandwich panel and a pultruded panel. The sandwich panel was initially selected for the rehabilitation case study bridge. However, for a variety of reasons outside of the scope of this study, both the sandwich panel and the initial case study bridge were dropped from consideration. A new case study bridge was selected, and new proposals from FRP deck manufacturers were solicited. At that time, the pultruded deck was selected. Analysis and experimental results related to both FRP deck panels are included in this report, as information from both decks is relevant to the overarching goal of this study. In November 2009, Sugar Creek Bridge became the first bridge in Indiana to be rehabilitated with an FRP bridge deck. An extensive study, including literature review, analysis, and load tests, suggest that the installed deck should perform well, with web buckling as the ultimate failure mode at a factor of safety of 5. Deflection limits, generally an issue with FRP decks, are satisfied with the installed deck. Meanwhile, some combination of acoustic emission methods, infrared thermography and a newly developed traveling truck deflection method show promise for non-destructive evaluation of the deck in-situ and identification of damage such as delamination of the wearing surface or web buckling. However, such methods have shown variability and could be prohibitively labor-intensive. Therefore, further evaluation is needed if such methods are to be pursued. KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge design KW - Fiber reinforced polymers KW - Load tests KW - Nondestructive tests KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Serviceability KW - Wearing course (Pavements) UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5703/1288284314242 UR - http://www.ntis.gov/ UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127044 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361060 AU - Damnjanovic, Ivan AU - Aslan, Zafer AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of a Special Topics Course on Civil Engineering Project Finance for the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering of Texas A&M University PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 214p AB - Experts predict that the highway trust fund will deteriorate rapidly over the course of the next several years. This situation has led many state agencies to seek alternative financing methods that can meet both social and economic needs. One possible solution to the problem is to partner with the private sector and together, utilizing project finance methods, deliver facilities. This innovative approach has only recently found new applications in delivering transportation infrastructure. This trend is likely to increase in the near future. Because it has been widely adopted in other infrastructure sectors, mainly for delivering power plants, major pipelines, etc., many valuable cases and lessons learned can be brought to the transportation arena. Nevertheless, very few, if any, of the educational programs in the country have a project finance course integrated into the core curriculum for graduate civil engineering students. Even fewer programs treat project finance as a truly interdisciplinary topic. In fact, the topic of project finance often constitutes only a small part of the structured finance curricula. The purpose of this project was to bridge this gap by developing educational and teaching materials for an interdisciplinary course in project finance. This course communicates the implications of financial decisions on engineering choices and vice versa. The course is directed toward graduate students at the Master of Science level to better prepare them to deal with real-world transportation financing. KW - Alternative financing KW - Civil engineering KW - Decision making KW - Education and training KW - Finance KW - Financial analysis KW - Infrastructure management KW - Public private partnerships UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Damnjanovic_10-22-49.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126746 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360957 AU - Persad, Khali AU - Weatherby, Cynthia A AU - Nash, Phil AU - Machemehl, Randy AU - Stockton, Bill AU - Cleveland, Theodore G AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Tech University, Lubbock AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Proposed TxDOT Strategic Research Program PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 156p AB - In late 2009, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) proposed the development of a Strategic Research Program (SRP) to prepare the department for the transportation challenges likely to be faced in the next 10–30 years. This report documents the results of the work conducted by the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), and The Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT) at Texas Tech University, to assist TxDOT in developing the elements of the SRP. The scope of the proposed SRP is to complement the current technical research program by addressing longer-term and broader transportation issues that the State Legislature and TxDOT Administration foresee affecting the efficiency and viability of the statewide transportation system. It is envisioned that products would differ from standard research reports in that they would be more concise and audience-friendly, and would be disseminated in forms more appropriate to newer technologies. Research recommendations could require legislative action and/or internal departmental adjustments. KW - Forecasting KW - Research KW - Strategic planning KW - Technological innovations KW - Texas KW - Transportation planning UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_6661_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127111 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360694 AU - Mahapatra, Rabi N AU - Lee, Jason AU - Gupta, Nikhi AU - Manners, Bob AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Texas A&M University, College Station AU - Lumark Technologies, Incorporated TI - Microprocessor Evaluations for Safety-Critical, Real-Time Applications: Authority for Expenditure No. 43 Phase 5 Report PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 58p AB - This report documents the results of Phase 5 of the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute Authority for Expenditure (AFE) 43 Microprocessor Evaluations Project that provides research information intended to help aerospace system developers, integrators, and regulatory agency personnel in the selection and evaluation of commercial off-the-shelf microprocessors for use in aircraft systems. This report describes the cooperative research accomplished by contributing members of the aerospace industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project objectives included (1) identifying common risks of using a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and mitigation techniques to provide evidence that they satisfy regulatory requirements and (2) evaluating existing regulatory policy and guidelines against the emerging characteristics of complex, nondeterministic microprocessors and SoCs to support the certification of aircraft and qualification of systems using these devices. Complex aircraft system development requires more robust consideration of system failure and anomaly detection, correction, and recovery. The safety net approach identified in this report provides a means to address the lack of design assurance for highly integrated, complex, nondeterministic airborne electronic hardware within aircraft systems. Airworthiness assurance of these SoCs by safety net techniques may help to contain the labor burden and costs of compliance to FAA regulations while maintaining safety requirements as SoCs continue to become more complex and more widely used in aircraft systems. The safety net approach is consistent with, and does not replace, current FAA policy and guidelines. KW - Aircraft operations KW - Airworthiness KW - Aviation safety KW - Avionics KW - Compliance KW - Computer chips KW - Evaluation KW - Microprocessors KW - Real time information KW - Safety engineering UR - http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/air_software/media/11-5.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126679 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360668 AU - Sarkos, Constantine AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Improvements in Aircraft Fire Safety Derived from FAA Research Over the Last Decade PY - 2011/05 SP - 36p AB - This technical note is an overview of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fire safety research over the past 10 or more years, with a focus on in-flight fire safety. The technical note emphasizes research accomplishments that have been, or are being, implemented into commercial aviation, as well as other important fire safety research. The research was driven by fatal accidents and safety concerns associated with new technology, such as: (1) hidden fire protection research led to the development of an improved fire test method for thermal acoustic insulation, which became a new FAA requirement, and the issuance of airworthiness directives to remove certain flammable insulation; (2) practical and cost-effective fuel tank inerting system was developed, enabling FAA to issue a regulation requiring flammability reduction in heated center wing fuel tanks. Related studies addressed the limiting oxygen concentration required to prevent a fuel tank explosion and fuel tank flammability; (3) a new test method was developed and mandated by the FAA that measures the burnthrough resistance of thermal acoustic insulation during a postcrash fuel fire; (4) hazardous materials research led to the adoption of new regulations and advisory material to provide safeguards for the shipment of oxygen generators/cylinders, lithium batteries, and aerosol cans; (5) research findings on structural composites were employed during the certification of the Boeing 787 to provide safety against a hidden in-flight fire, postcrash fire fuselage burnthrough resistance, and fuel tank flammability; (6) minimum performance standards were developed for halon replacement agents in lavatories, hand-held extinguishers, engines and cargo compartments, and the effectiveness and safety of replacement agents was evaluated; and (7) long-range fire safety research identified promising new ultra-fire-resistant polymers and improved the science for experimental and theoretical evaluation of material fire performance. In summary, FAA fire safety research over the past decade (2000-2010) developed technology that resulted in the adoption/issuance of five final regulations, two Airworthiness Directives, two Advisory Circulars, and two Safety Alerts for Operators, which are expected to significantly improve aircraft fire safety. In addition, this research also supported the certification of the all-composite fuselage, new Boeing 787 to ensure a high level of fire safety and the replacement of halon extinguishing agents and made important gains in characterizing and predicting the burning behavior of polymers and in developing ultra-fire-resistant interior materials. KW - Aircraft KW - Aircraft materials KW - Aircraft structural components KW - Airworthiness KW - Aviation safety KW - Damping (Engineering) KW - Fire KW - Fire resistance KW - Fire resistant materials KW - Fireproof materials KW - Flammability KW - Flammability tests KW - Fuel tanks KW - Hazardous materials KW - Research KW - Safety engineering KW - Standards KW - Test procedures KW - U.S. Federal Aviation Administration KW - Vehicle fires UR - http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/TN11-8.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126677 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360617 AU - Ioannou, Petros AU - Chassiakos, Anastasios AU - Abadi, Afshin AU - Chang, Hwan AU - Jula, Hossein AU - Lestas, Marios AU - Saggam, Lokesh AU - Thomas, David AU - Wang, Yun AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - California State University, Long Beach AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Reconfiguration Strategies for Mitigating the Impacts of Port Disruptions PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 87p AB - Marine terminals and ports are designed to meet expected demands during normal operations in order to facilitate the smooth and efficient movement of goods. Disruptive events may affect these normal operations, and terminals, ports and regions must be prepared to mitigate such disruptions in an effort to maintain the movement of goods. In this project, the authors investigate methods of modeling and evaluating the port disruptions and develop mitigation strategies for reducing the impacts of disruptions. The types of disruptions studied in this work are assumed to occur at the local and regional levels. The authors show that disruptions at the local level can be modeled as terminal allocation problems (TAP). The multi berth allocation problem is viewed as a set partitioning problem, in which each partitioned problem consists of a single berth allocation problem (BAP). Berth allocation is an essential logistics operation, since, the deployment of other resources at a terminal have to be coordinated with the berth allocation plan. The BAP is an NP-hard problem, and consequently heuristic methods based on sub gradient and simulated annealing algorithms are developed to find a near-optimal solution within a reasonable amount of time. Numerous experimental scenarios are developed to evaluate the proposed BAP methodologies in the presence disruptions. The problem at the regional level is to develop mitigation strategies so that the regional throughput in moving goods is affected by the disruption at a minimal level. The authors look into the U.S. west coast region, consisting of multiple ports and the associated traffic network used for moving the goods within and out of the region. The regional service network is defined at a high level of aggregation, which includes the major ports and aggregated zones representing broad geographical destinations and intermediate zones. The network under disruption is modeled as the minimum cost flow problem with binary constraints. The authors demonstrated via examples that their methodology that relies on the use of optimization can minimize the effect of disruption at all levels. KW - Berth utilization KW - Cargo handling KW - Freight traffic KW - Local transportation KW - Logistics KW - Marine terminals KW - Nonlinear programming KW - Optimization KW - Port congestion KW - Port operations KW - Port traffic KW - Ports KW - Regional transportation UR - http://www.metrans.org/sites/default/files/research-project/07-14_Ioannou_Final_0_0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126484 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01359281 AU - Creaser, Janet AU - Gorjestani, Alec AU - Manser, Michael AU - Donath, Max AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Minnesota Department of Transportation AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Usability Evaluation of a Smart Phone-Based Novice Teen Driver Support System (TDSS ) PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 65p AB - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities. A Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) was developed by the ITS Institute that can allow parents to accurately monitor their teen's driving behavior in relation to known risk factors and Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) provisions. The TDSS, based on a teen's smart phone, provides real-time, contextual in-vehicle feedback to the teen about his or her driving behavior and helps parents monitor certain known risk factors. The system does not allow incoming or outgoing phone calls (except 911) or texting while driving. Feedback to the teen driver includes visual and auditory warnings about speeding, excessive maneuvers (e.g., hard braking, cornering), and stop sign violations. The TDSS prototype also monitors seat belt use and detects the presence of passengers (e.g., based on GDL provisions), two known factors that increase the risk of fatalities among teen drivers. The TDSS can also be programmed to monitor driving during the GDL curfew or a curfew set by parents. A usability review of the prototype TDSS using 30 parent-teen dyads from Washington Country, MN, found that teens and parents held favorable opinions about most of the TDSS functions. Teens and parents both felt that use of the system early in licensure may result in the adoption of safer driving habits even after the system is removed from the vehicle. Several recommendations to improve the system’s usability are made based on the results. KW - Behavior KW - Driver feedback KW - Driver support systems KW - Driving KW - Graduated licensing KW - Highway safety KW - Monitoring KW - Smartphones KW - Teenage drivers KW - Traffic crashes KW - Usability UR - http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/TS/2011/2011-13.pdf UR - http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1528 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1125125 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01358976 AU - Harman, W H AU - Wood, L L AU - Massachusetts Institute of Technology AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Triangle TCAS Antenna PY - 2011/05 SP - 40p AB - The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) provides a pilot the range and bearing of nearby aircraft. TCAS obtains the bearing information by using an angle-of-arrival antenna. In the development of TCAS at Lincoln Laboratory, the first airborne tests were conducted using an Adcock antenna, which is a small square array of four monopole elements. This report describes an alternative antennas for TCAS, using three elements in the shape of a triangle. It is shown that the triangle antenna is less sensitive to receiver noise, and that improvement factor is about 10 dB. KW - Air pilots KW - Aircraft KW - Antennas KW - Design KW - Radio transmitters KW - Technological innovations KW - Traffic alert and collision avoidance system UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1124055 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01358021 AU - Nodine, Emily AU - Lam, Andy AU - Najm, Wassim AU - Wilson, Bruce AU - Brewer, John AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems Heavy-Truck Field Operational Test Independent Evaluation PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 140p AB - This report presents results from the independent evaluation of a field operational test using a fleet of heavy trucks outfitted with a prototype integrated crash warning system. This effort was conducted as part of the U.S. DOT’s Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) program. The system tested included rear-end, lane-change/merge, and lane departure crash warning functions. The goals of the evaluation were to assess safety impact and driver acceptance, and to characterize the prototype system’s warning capabilities. Eighteen volunteer drivers from a commercial fleet operated the 10 equipped heavy trucks, accumulating 600,000 miles over a 10- month period. The test period consisted of 2 months of baseline driving, when the system was disabled, and an 8-month treatment period, when the system was enabled and warnings were presented to the drivers. Comparisons were made between baseline driving and the treatment period to determine the effect of system use on driver behavior and performance. Results from driver debriefings and surveys indicated that they had a favorable impression of the prototype system they used during the field trial, reporting that it was easy to learn and use. A majority of the drivers also said they would prefer driving a truck with the integrated system over a conventional, unequipped truck. Aside from improvements in lane-keeping behavior and turn signal use, results from the field test indicate that between 3,000 and 13,000 target crashes could be prevented annually by full deployment of integrated safety systems in the U.S. heavy-truck fleet. KW - Acceptance KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Crash avoidance systems KW - Demonstration projects KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Intelligent vehicles KW - Lane changing KW - Lane departures KW - Rear end crashes KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck drivers KW - Trucking safety KW - Warning systems UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NVS/Crash%20Avoidance/Technical%20Publications/2011/811464.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1122652 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01357969 AU - Groenier, James Scott AU - Eriksson, Merv AU - Kosmalski, Sharon AU - Department of Agriculture AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - A Guide to Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Trail Bridges PY - 2011/05 SP - 108p AB - Trail bridges not only provide convenient access to the national forests for hikers or packstock, but also can protect fragile riparian ecosystems. But. trail bridges can be difficult—in some cases, dangerous—to build. This report includes the results of controlled tests and case studies of field installations of fiber-reinforced polymer bridges. Fiber-reinforced polymer trail bridges are lighter and easier to assemble than traditional bridges built from wood or steel. At some remote sites, the advantages of light weight and ease of assembly may make fiber-reinforced polymer trail bridges a better alternative than wood or steel bridges. Wood for bridges made from native materials may be in short supply at some remote sites. Care must be taken in transporting fiber-reinforced polymer materials, though. Fiber-reinforced polymer materials are easy to damage when they are being transported to the bridge site and when they are being assembled. KW - Bridge construction KW - Fabrication KW - Fiber reinforced polymers KW - Footbridges KW - Trails KW - Weight UR - http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf06232824/pdf06232824dpi72.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1121579 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354566 AU - Hursh, Steven R AU - Fanzone, Joseph F AU - Raslear, Thomas G AU - Institutes for Behavior Resources AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Analysis of the Relationship between Operator Effectiveness Measures and Economic Impacts of Rail Accidents PY - 2011/05 SP - 36p AB - Data from 350 human factors (HFs)-related accident and 958 non-HFs-related U.S. rail accidents from January 1, 2003, through May 31, 2003, were analyzed for relationship between accident cost and crew performance effectiveness scores as estimated by the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE) biomathematical fatigue model. Property damage data was augmented by casualty cost using a combination of fatality costs and injury costs based on relationship between lost workdays and the Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale. Preliminary analysis prompted grouping of accidents into groups based on crew effectiveness scores. Relative accident risk and relative economic risk were computed for each bin. Estimated relative economic risk (damage and casualty cost) of an HF was more than quadrupled for crew effectiveness scores at or below 70, increased by a factor of 5 when scores were at or below 77 and reduced by a factor of 4 when scores were above 90. Estimated relative accident risk of an HF increased by 62 percent when effectiveness was at or below 70 and reduced by approximately 30 percent when effectiveness was above 90. Average total cost of accidents decreased exponentially as effectiveness increased from below 70 to above 90; average total cost when effectiveness was at or below 70 was more than triple the overall average cost and quadruple the average cost when effectiveness was greater than 90. Results further validate the SAFTE for estimating work related fatigue risk. KW - Costs KW - Economic impacts KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Fatigue models KW - Human factors KW - Mathematical models KW - Railroad crashes KW - Risk analysis KW - Train crews UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/99 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118154 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354128 AU - Schoch, Lisa AU - Fraser, Clayton AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Fraserdesign AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Colorado Statewide Historic Bridge Inventory PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 13p AB - The purpose of the Colorado statewide historic bridge inventory was to document and evaluate the National Register of Historic Places eligibility all on-system highway bridges and grade separation structures built in Colorado between 1959 and 1968. The results of this study were to be documented in a searchable database, in individual historic bridge site forms, and in Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF), a report that includes a historic context and provides guidance for evaluating historic properties. The project scope also included an update to information about the listed, eligible, or possibly eligible bridges identified in CDOT’s previous bridge inventories from 1983, 1987, and 2000. The project was not completed during the contract period, so all of the data is in draft form and there are no results to report. The results of the inventory will be used by the history staff at CDOT Headquarters and Regions 4 and 6 in coordinating compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for projects involving bridge replacement and repair. It will be distributed to each of the CDOT transportation regions for use in project planning. The survey will also be used by the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) and local historical societies, preservation groups, certified local governments, and other organizations interested in historic bridges. The results of the study will be distributed to agencies and groups and once the study has been completed, a copy of the inventory will be housed at the Colorado OAHP for use by historians, consultants, preservation groups, and members of the public. KW - Colorado KW - Historic bridges KW - Historic preservation KW - Inventory UR - http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/research/pdfs/2011/historicbridges.pdf/view UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1114754 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353617 AU - Smadi, Omar AU - El-Nasan, Adnan AU - Hawkins, Neal AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Midwest Transportation Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of a Presence Assessment Tool for Iowa’s Pavement Marking Management System PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 18p AB - Pavement marking quality is normally assessed using presence, or how much of the pavement marking material remains on the pavement, which provides daytime guidance, and retroreflectivity, or how visible the pavement marking material is at night. Both of these two measures determine pavement marking durability. This report discusses the use of image processing techniques to assess pavement marking quality. Images of pavement markings are processed using a number of operations. Image segmentation is the process of assigning the set of image pixels to regions having common characteristics. The proposed system tries to segment images of white or yellow pavement markings into foreground (marking) and background (pavement) parts. The images are then processed to determine pavement marking presence in an objective and consistent manner. The resulting assessment is critical to the implementation and development of a pavement marking management system and quality control/assurance processes. KW - Durability KW - Image processing KW - Maintenance management KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road marking materials KW - Road markings UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/reports/pvmt_markings_presence_tool_w_cvr.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118432 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01352638 AU - Taha, M M Reda AU - Grahn, R AU - Hays, J AU - Reinhart, A K AU - University of New Mexico, Albuquerque AU - New Mexico Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Examining Short & Long Term Properties of Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) PY - 2011/05//Final Project Report SP - 377p AB - This report provides the results of a research study requested by New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and conducted by University of New Mexico. The research team examined developing and characterizing self-consolidating concrete (SCC) produced using local New Mexico materials. It also includes a brief review on the state of the art of SCC. Five SCC mixes were produced using local New Mexico aggregate from two sources in New Mexico. SCC mixes are compared to normal vibrated concrete (NVC) mixes typically used in NMDOT highway projects and they were produced using the same local aggregate. Mix designs of the SCC and NVC mixes are described in detail. The plastic properties of fresh concrete are reported and discussed. Complete details on all strength and durability characteristics of SCC examined up to one year of age are discussed. The strength characteristics include compressive and flexural strength and static and dynamic modulus of elasticity. Creep and shrinkage of SCC are also studied as well as durability properties including chloride ion resistance, freeze-thaw durability, and the potential for alkali-silica reaction (ASR). The report concludes with a suggested implementation plan for using SCC in highway projects in New Mexico. KW - Admixtures KW - Alkali silica reactions KW - Compressive strength KW - Creep KW - Durability KW - Flexural strength KW - Freeze thaw durability KW - Fresh concrete KW - Mechanical properties KW - Mix design KW - Modulus of elasticity KW - New Mexico KW - Plan implementation KW - Resistance (Mechanics) KW - Self compacting concrete KW - Shrinkage UR - http://archives.elpalacio.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p267801coll5/id/4315/rec/2 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1117072 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01352444 AU - Paul, Binny M AU - Kockelman, Kara M AU - Musti, Sashank AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Light-Duty-Vehicle Fleet’s Evolution: Anticipating PHEV Adoption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Across the U.S. Fleet PY - 2011/05 SP - 195p AB - The first part of this report relies on stated and revealed preference survey results across a sample of U.S. households to first ascertain vehicle acquisition, disposal, and use patterns, and then simulate these for a synthetic population over time. Results include predictions of future U.S. household-fleet composition, use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under nine different scenarios, including variations in fuel and plug-in-electric-vehicle (PHEV) prices, new-vehicle feebate policies, and land-use-density settings. This work highlights the impacts of various directions consumers may head with such vehicles. For example, twenty-five-year simulations at gas prices at $7 per gallon resulted in the second highest market share predictions (16.30%) for PHEVs, HEVs, and Smart Cars (combined) — and the greatest GHG-emissions reductions. The stricter feebate policy (pivot point at 30 mpg and fee or rebate rate of $400 per mpg) – coupled with gasoline at $5 per gallon – resulted in the highest market share (16.37%) for PHEVs, HEVs, and Smart Cars, but not as much GHG emissions reduction as the $7 gas price scenario. Excepting the low PHEV price and two feebate policy simulations, all other scenarios predicted a lower fleet VMT. While plug-in vehicles are now hitting the market, their adoption and widespread use will depend on thoughtful marketing, competitive pricing, government incentives, reliable driving-range reports, and adequate charging infrastructure. The second part of this report relies on data from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) to estimate the welfare impacts of carbon taxes and household-level capping of emissions (with carbon-credit trading allowed). A translog utility framework was calibrated and then used to anticipate household expenditures across nine consumer goods categories, including vehicle usage and vehicle expenses. An input-output model was used to estimate the impact of carbon pricing on goods prices, and a vehicle choice model determined vehicle type preferences, along with each household’s effective travel costs. Behaviors were predicted under two carbon tax scenarios ($50 per ton and $100 per ton of CO2-equivalents) and four cap-and-trade scenarios (10-ton and 15-ton cap per person per year with trading allowed at $50 per ton and $100 per ton carbon price). Carbon taxes were found to relatively regressive than a cap-and-trade setting (in terms of taxes paid per dollar of expenditure), but a tax-revenue redistribution can be used to offset this regressivity. In the absence of substitution opportunities (within each of the nine expenditure categories), these results represent highly conservative (worst-case) results, but they illuminate the behavioral response trends while providing a rigorous framework for future work. KW - Automobile ownership KW - Carbon taxes KW - Climate change KW - Electric vehicles KW - Greenhouse gases KW - Microsimulation KW - Plug-in hybrid vehicles KW - Pollutants KW - Public opinion KW - Stated preferences KW - Surveys KW - Vehicle fleets UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161023-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42277/161023-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1116935 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01352440 AU - Aguiar-Moya, Jose Pablo AU - Prozzi, Jorge AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of Reliable Pavement Models PY - 2011/05 SP - 150p AB - The current report proposes a framework for estimating the reliability of a given pavement structure as analyzed by the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). The methodology proposes using a previously fit response surface, in place of the time-demanding implicit limit state functions used within the MEPDG, in combination with an analytical approach to estimating reliability using First-Order and Second-Order Reliability Methods (FORM and SORM). Additionally, in order to assess the accuracy of the FORM and SORM reliability estimates, Monte Carlo simulations are also performed. A case study based on a three-layered pavement structure is used to demonstrate the methodology. Several pavement design variables are treated as random; these include HMA and base layer thicknesses, base and subgrade modulus, and HMA layer binder and air void content. Information on the variability and correlation between these variables are obtained from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. Response surfaces for limit states dealing with HMA rutting failure are fit using several runs of the MEPDG based on a factorial design of combinations among the aforementioned random variables, as well as traffic, structural, and climatic considerations. These response surfaces are then used to analyze the reliability of the given pavement structure. Using the second moment and simulation techniques, it was found that on average the reliability estimate by the MEPDG is very conservative. Additionally, the validity of the methodology is verified by means of direct simulation using the MEPDG. Finally, recommendations on fitting the response surface are provided to ensure the applicability of the methodology. KW - Air voids KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Case studies KW - First order reliability method KW - Long-Term Pavement Performance Program KW - Mechanistic design KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Modulus of resilience KW - Monte Carlo method KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement layers KW - Pavement structure KW - Rutting KW - Second order reliability method KW - Simulation KW - Thickness UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161025-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42278/161025-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1116768 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01352435 AU - Gao, Lu AU - Zhang, Zhanmin AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Optimal Infrastructure Maintenance Scheduling Problem Under Budget Uncertainty PY - 2011/05 SP - 68p AB - This research addresses a general class of infrastructure asset management problems. Infrastructure agencies usually face budget uncertainties that will eventually lead to suboptimal planning if maintenance decisions are made without taking the uncertainty into consideration. It is important for decision makers to adopt maintenance scheduling policies that take future budget uncertainty into consideration. The author proposes a multistage, stochastic linear programming model to address this problem. The author also develops solution procedures using the augmented Lagrangian decomposition algorithm and scenario reduction method. A case study exploring the computational characteristics of the proposed methods is conducted and the benefit of using the stochastic programming approach is discussed. KW - Algorithms KW - Asset management KW - Case studies KW - Highway maintenance KW - Infrastructure KW - Lagrangian functions KW - Linear programming KW - Maintenance management KW - Scheduling KW - Stochastic programming UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161028-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42273/161028-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1116931 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01352434 AU - Burris, Mark AU - Devarasetty, Prem Chand AU - Shaw, W Douglass AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Managed Lane Travelers - Do They Pay for Travel as They Claimed They Would? PY - 2011/05 SP - 148p AB - This study examined if travelers are paying for travel on managed lanes (MLs) as they indicated that they would in a 2008 survey. To achieve the objectives, an Internet-based stated preference (SP) survey of Houston’s Katy Freeway travelers was conducted in 2010. Three survey design methodologies—Db-efficient, random level generation, and adaptive random—were tested in this survey. Separate mixed logit models were developed from the responses obtained from the three different design strategies in the 2010 survey. The implied mean value of travel time savings (VTTS) varied across the design-specific models. Only the Db-efficient design was able to estimate a value of reliability (VOR). Based on this and several other metrics, the Db-efficient design outperformed the other designs. A mixed logit model including all the responses from all three designs was also developed; the implied mean VTTS was estimated as 65 percent ($22/hr) of the mean hourly wage rate, and the implied mean VOR was estimated as 108 percent ($37/hr) of the mean hourly wage rate. Data on actual usage of the MLs were also collected. Based on actual usage, the average VTTS was calculated as $51/hr. However, the $51/hr travelers are paying likely also includes the value travelers place on travel time reliability of the MLs. The total (VTTS+VOR) amount estimated from the all-inclusive model from the survey was $59/hr, which is close to the value estimated from the actual usage. KW - Data collection KW - Design KW - High occupancy vehicle lanes KW - Katy Freeway (Houston, Texas) KW - Logits KW - Managed lanes KW - Rates, fares and tolls KW - Stated preferences KW - Travel behavior KW - Travel surveys KW - Value of reliability KW - Value of time UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161002-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42283/161002-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1117045 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01351906 AU - Carson, Jodi L AU - Pezoldt, Val J AU - Koncz, Nicholas AU - Obeng-Boampong, Kwaku AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Benefits of Public Roadside Safety Rest Areas in Texas PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 238p AB - The objective of this investigation was to develop a benefit-cost analysis methodology for safety rest areas in Texas and to demonstrate its application in select corridors throughout the state. In addition, this project considered novel safety rest area development approaches that could reduce the public cost burden borne by individual public agencies. Based upon the available supporting data for Texas, a benefit-cost ratio relationship was developed that included safety, comfort and convenience, and excess travel and diversion benefits accrued by highway users; direct monetary benefits accrued by highway or other public agencies; economic development/tourism and specific business enterprise benefits accrued by external entities and direct monetary cost accrued by highway or other public agencies. The resulting method utilizes timely and relevant data and national/aggregate unit values, whose sources are carefully documented to ensure defensibility and repeatability of the benefit-cost ratios estimated for Texas. A noted shortcoming of the applied method is that it is heavily assumption-based—minor changes to any of the assumed values will influence the resultant benefit-cost ratios, although it is unclear to what extent these ratios would change. A second shortcoming not unique to this methodology relates to the quality and accessibility of supporting data, which challenged and in some instances prevented estimation of individual benefit and cost components. A high level of variability in individual benefit and cost component estimates—both within and between the three demonstration corridors—suggests limitations to the transferability of these results. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Highway safety KW - Roadside rest areas KW - Texas KW - Traffic Information Centers UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6267-2.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/40000/40500/40595/0-6267-2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1114440 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01350109 AU - Amdal, James R AU - Swigart, Stanley L AU - Tolford, Tara AU - Ringenbach, Laurence Aude AU - University of New Orleans AU - Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Rails to Recovery: The Role of Passenger Rail Transportation in Post-Katrina New Orleans and Louisiana PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 156p AB - The purpose of this research is: 1) to inform decision makers at both the state and local level on options for successfully implementing a proposed passenger train between New Orleans and Baton Rouge; and 2) to evaluate the potential impacts of new streetcar extensions on growth and development within select service corridors within the City of New Orleans. Both of these projects are viewed within the context of a post-Katrina environment. This report also provides a Summer 2010 ‘snapshot in time’ of existing and proposed real estate development along and adjacent to the proposed streetcar extensions in and adjoining the New Orleans Central Business District, and evaluates the relationship between real estate development and transit investment in post-Katrina New Orleans. Research findings include the following: (A) Two key ingredients to date have been lacking in the proposed New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger rail service: 1) effective leadership championing the project; and 2) creative solutions to funding the annual operating deficit. (B) In New Orleans, several significant projects are being developed or have been designed in response to the Loyola Streetcar project and the proposed N. Rampart – St. Claude streetcar line. However, the vast majority of post-Katrina real estate investments have no relation to the funded or proposed Program of Projects by the Regional Transit Authority. This is due to the absence of pro-active planning by the City Planning Commission and the City Council that links land use decisions with transportation investments. KW - Baton Rouge (Louisiana) KW - City planning KW - Decision making KW - Financing KW - Intercity passenger rail KW - Investments KW - Land use planning KW - Leadership KW - Line extensions (Rail transit) KW - New Orleans (Louisiana) KW - Passenger trains KW - Rail transit KW - Real estate development KW - Streetcars UR - http://www.evaccenter.lsu.edu/pub/11-02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1113110 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01350105 AU - Daluge, Mary Jane AU - DeLong, Matthew AU - Hanig, Laurie AU - Kalla, Hari AU - Klauer, Charlie AU - Klein, Kenneth AU - Klekar, Susan AU - McMillan, Lyle AU - Quiroga, Cesar AU - Soule, Jeffrey AU - Tracy, Mary AU - Wessinger, Barbara AU - American Trade Initiatives AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Outdoor Advertising Control Practices in Australia, Europe, and Japan PY - 2011/05 SP - 92p AB - Although the Highway Beautification Act (HBA) has been credited with reducing the number of nonconforming signs and removing illegal signs throughout the country, the law is controversial and costly to administer. Many have questioned whether it has controlled outdoor advertising or met the intent of the U.S. Congress. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to learn how they regulate outdoor advertising both inside and outside the roadway right-of-way. The scan team also conducted a desk scan of outdoor advertising practices in Japan. In its study, the scan team observed the following: (1) context-sensitive and safety-oriented laws and regulations, (2) no regulation of nonconforming signs or distinction between on-premise and off-premise signs, (3) emphasis on safety and environmental impacts in guidelines and permit requirements, and (4) more collaboration between outdoor advertising stakeholders than in the United States. The scan team assembled implementation ideas under the following improvement goals: streamlining the program, improving efficiency, improving transparency, adopting a context-sensitive approach, and enhancing safety. KW - Australia KW - Context sensitive design KW - Cooperation KW - Environmental impacts KW - FHWA International Scanning Program KW - Highway Beautification Act of 1965 KW - Highway safety KW - Japan KW - Laws KW - Netherlands KW - Regulations KW - Roadside advertising KW - Stakeholders KW - Study tours KW - Sweden KW - United Kingdom UR - http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo20548/pl11023.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42240/FHWA-PL-11-023.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1113078 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349677 AU - Wechsler, Suzanne P AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - California Department of Transportation AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of a LiDAR Derived Digital Elevation Model (DEM) as Input to a METRANS Geographic Information System (GIS) PY - 2011/05 SP - 36p AB - This report describes an assessment of digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from LiDAR data for a subset of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A methodology based on Monte Carlo simulation was applied to investigate the accuracy of DEMs derived from the LiDAR data using different interpolation methods (inverse distance weighted, spline and Kriging) at different grid cell resolutions (0.25m2, and 0.50m2, 1m2 and 2m2). Results indicate that elevation accuracy and the accuracy of a building feature derived from the interpolated elevations are not correlated. Inverse Distance Weighed at 0.25m2 resolution produced the most accurate surfaces and ranked second in its ability to capture the shape of the building. However, this interpolation method and grid cell resolution pair took the longest time to compute (over three weeks for the accuracy simulation). The methodology provides Port personnel and LiDAR users with an approach to determine an appropriate grid cell resolution and interpolation method for generating DEMs and extracting building features from LiDAR data. Results indicate that compromises between surface accuracy, shape representation and the time required to process the data are required. KW - Accuracy KW - Data quality KW - Digital mapping KW - Elevation models KW - Geographic information systems KW - Grids (Coordinates) KW - Height KW - Interpolation KW - Laser radar KW - Methodology KW - Port of Long Beach KW - Port of Los Angeles UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42500/42538/AR05-04_Wechsler_Final.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108750 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349608 AU - Belzer, Dena AU - Srivastava, Sujata AU - Austin, Mason AU - Bump, Tyler AU - Wood, Jeff AU - Center for Transit-Oriented Development AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Transit and Regional Economic Development PY - 2011/05 SP - 41p AB - This paper examines the composition of existing employment in areas served by fixed-guideway rail transit, and explores how industries vary in their proclivity to locate in higher density, transit-served locations. It also assesses which industries have experienced recent growth near transit in absolute numbers, even though they may have a declining share of total employment in transit areas. The outcome of this analysis is a better understanding of the types of industries that may have a greater propensity to be transit-oriented. Findings from this paper will be of interest to regional economic development planners working to build long-term structural capacity for economic growth. It will also be of interest to transit planners that seek to maximize regional employment access and achieve high levels of ridership. Policymakers and planners will be able to use this paper to identify which industries currently express the greatest affinity toward transit and, thus, may be most appropriate to target for recruitment or retention in transit-oriented locations. The findings of this paper may also be help to make more cost-effective transit investments to better serve transit-oriented businesses and their employees. KW - Businesses KW - Economic development KW - Employment KW - Industrial location KW - Industries KW - Rail transit stations KW - Regional development KW - Transit oriented development UR - http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/TransitandRegionalED2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1111815 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349375 AU - Blanco, Myra AU - Hanowski, Richard J AU - Olson, Rebecca L AU - Morgan, Justin F AU - Soccolich, Susan A AU - Wu, Shih-Ching AU - Guo, Feng AU - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - The Impact of Driving, Non-Driving Work, and Rest Breaks on Driving Performance in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 124p AB - Current hours-of-service (HOS) regulations prescribe limits to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers’ operating hours. Besides assessing activities performed in the 14-hour workday, the relationship between safety-critical events (SCEs) and driving hours, work hours, and breaks was investigated. The data used in the analyses were collected in the Naturalistic Truck Driving Study and included 97 drivers and about 735,000 miles of continuous driving data. The assessment of the drivers’ workday determined that, on average, drivers spent 66 percent of their shift driving, 23 percent in non-driving work, and 11 percent resting. Analyses on driving hours (i.e., driving only) and SCE risk found a time-on-task effect across hours. Analyses on work hours (i.e., driving in addition to non-driving work) found that risk of being involved in an SCE increased as work hours increased. This suggests that time-on-task effects may not be related to driving hours alone, but implies an interaction between driving hours and work hours: if a driver begins the day with several hours of non-driving work, followed by driving that goes deep into the 14-hour workday, SCE risk was found to increase. The finding from the workday characterization that drivers spent approximately 23 percent of their workday performing non-driving work provides a possible explanation for this time-on-task effect across work hours. Breaks from driving were found to be beneficial in reducing SCEs (during 1-hour window after a break) and were effective to counteract the negative effects of time-on-task. KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Driving breaks (Countermeasures) KW - Drowsiness KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Hours of labor KW - Naturalistic driving research KW - Rest periods KW - Risk analysis KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck drivers UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51387/Work-Hours-HOS.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108816 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349370 AU - Jovanis, Paul P AU - Wu, Kun-Feng AU - Chen, Chen AU - Pennsylvania State University, University Park AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Hours of Service and Driver Fatigue: Driver Characteristics Research PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 88p AB - There is a need to quantitatively and qualitatively associate crash occurrence with a range of commercial truck driver characteristics, including hours of driving and hours worked over multiple days. The need arises because of the desire to continue to refine Federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers. An additional factor is the inconsistent and sometimes contradictory findings of truck driver safety research. This research used the probability of a crash after a certain amount of time driving given no crashes until that time. Carrier-supplied driver logs for periods of 1–2 weeks prior to each crash were used and compared to a random sample (two drivers) of non-crash-involved drivers selected from the same company, terminal, and month using a case-control logistic regression formulation. Data were separated into truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) analyses because previous research indicated differences in crash contributing factors for these two segments of the trucking industry. Considering all the data, there is a consistent increase in crash odds as driving time increases. LTL drivers experienced increased crash odds after the 6th hour of driving. Breaks from driving reduced crash odds. In particular, a second break reduced crash odds by 32 percent for TL drivers and 51 percent for LTL drivers. There was, however, an increase in crash odds associated with the return to work after a recovery period of 34 hours or more. KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Driving breaks (Countermeasures) KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Hours of labor KW - Less than truckload traffic KW - Rest periods KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck drivers KW - Truckload trucking UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51317/HOS-Driver-Fatigue.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108815 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349369 AU - Brock, John F AU - Short, Jeffrey AU - Camden, Matthew C AU - Hickman, Jeffrey S AU - Vlahos, Nicholas J AU - Bergoffen, Gene AU - MaineWay Services AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Efficacy of Web-Based Instruction to Provide Training on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 109p AB - This report presents an evaluation of the current state-of-the-art Web-based instruction (WBI), reviews the current computer platforms of potential users of WBI, reviews the current status of WBI applications for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stakeholders, and sets out specific instances of WBI successes in other Government regulatory agencies. The report also presents a set of measures that the FMCSA can use to measure the efficacy of any future WBI system that may be used to inform motor carriers and drivers, as well as Federal and State enforcement personnel, about regulations. Also included in this report is a literature review of general WBI literature, FMCSA and U.S. Department of Transportation uses of WBI, and other Federal and State Government WBI applications. KW - Computer based training KW - Distance learning KW - Education and training KW - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations KW - Law enforcement personnel KW - Literature reviews KW - Motor carriers KW - State of the art KW - Truck drivers KW - Web based training KW - Webinars UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51310/FMCSA-RRR-11-012-Web-Based_Instruction.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108831 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349368 AU - Porter, Ronald AU - McCormack, Edward D AU - Briglia, Peter M AU - Washington State Transportation Center AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - ITS Evaluation — Phase 3 (2010) PY - 2011/05//Research Report SP - 136p AB - This report documents the results of applying a previously developed, standardized approach for evaluating intelligent transportation systems (ITS) projects to 17 ITS earmark projects. These projects were funded between 1999 and 2004. They were a diverse collection that involved the deployment of traffic management systems, traveler information systems, and communications systems. The evaluation approach was based on a questionnaire to investigate technical, management, and organizational lessons learned. The report includes an evaluation report for each of the 17 ITS projects. Each report includes a discussion of the following: Background; Project description; System usage and benefits; Cost, operations and maintenance; Architecture and standards; and Lessons learned. Most of the lessons learned in this evaluation phase were similar to those documented in previous evaluations. KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Highway traffic control systems KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Lessons learned KW - Project management KW - Traveler information and communication systems UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/672.3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108817 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345002 AU - Houston, Nancy AU - Baldwin, Craig AU - Easton, Andrea Vann AU - Sangillo, Jeff AU - Booz Allen Hamilton AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - National Special Security Events: Transportation Planning for Planned Special Events PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 148p AB - Unique among planned special event activities are those events that carry the National Special Security Event (NSSE) designation. NSSEs occur with some frequency, with 35 of these events held between September 1998 and February 2010. These events include, but are not limited to, presidential inaugurations, presidential nominating conventions, major sports events such as the Super Bowl, and major international meetings such as the G-20 Summit. The US Secret Service (USSS) designates these planned special events due to the Secret Service’s responsibility for operational security for events of national significance. In most cases, NSSEs affect the transportation system for the jurisdiction in which the NSSE occurs. This document provides a transportation overview of NSSEs. As part of that transportation perspective, the document includes lessons learned from previous NSSEs, two transportation-focused case studies of two recent NSSEs, a checklist to assist transportation practitioners as they prepare for and execute an NSSE, a playbook that identifies key transportation activities for an NSSE, an NSSE fact sheet, a template as an aid to provide information about an NSSE to appropriate groups in both the planning and implementation phases of these events, and a resource directory. The primary audiences for this document are state departments of transportation (DOTs) and local transportation, public works, and law enforcement agencies responsible for planning and executing transportation for NSSEs. KW - National special security events KW - Planned special events KW - Security KW - Special events KW - Transportation planning UR - http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=740 UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop11012/fhwahop11012.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105096 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344998 AU - Friedberg, Wallace AU - Copeland, Kyle AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Ionizing Radiation in Earth’s Atmosphere and in Space Near Earth PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 32p AB - The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute of the FAA is charged with identifying health hazards in air travel and in commercial human space travel. This report addresses one of these hazards – ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is a subatomic particle of matter or packet of energy (photon) with sufficient energy to eject an orbital electron from an atom. Charged subatomic particles from exploding stars (supernovae) are a constant source of ionizing radiation in the atmosphere and in space. In space another constant source of ionizing radiation is the solar wind from the Sun. The solar wind consists mostly of electrons and protons with energies between 10 and 100 keV. The Sun undergoes an approximately 11-year cycle of rise and decline in activity and during its active phase there is an increased emission of the solar wind and occasional eruptions of high-energy particles (coronal mass ejections). Other sources of ionizing radiation during air travel include radioactive cargo, radioactive substances released into the atmosphere as a result of a nuclear reactor accident or terrorist activity, lightning, and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. A health effect following exposure to ionizing radiation for which the severity is radiation dose related is called a deterministic effect (non-stochastic effect, tissue reaction). Deterministic effects may occur soon after radiation exposure. For example, nausea and vomiting might be experienced by a space traveler a few hours after receiving a large dose of ionizing radiation while outside a space vehicle during a coronal mass ejection. If the probability (risk) of a health effect after exposure to ionizing radiation is dose related, it is called a stochastic effect. Such effects seldom occur until years after the radiation exposure. Examples of stochastic effects are cancer and genetic disorders. If one or both parents are irradiated prior to conceiving a child, there is a risk of genetic disorders in the child and in its progeny. The report can be used as a source book for instruction on ionizing radiation exposure of air and space travelers. KW - Air travel KW - Aviation safety KW - Commercial space transportation KW - Contamination KW - Health hazards KW - Ionizing radiation KW - Radiation doses KW - Radioactive materials KW - Risk analysis KW - Solar wind UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201109.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105089 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344718 AU - Chrysler, Susan T AU - Fitzpatrick, Kay AU - Brewer, Marcus A AU - Cynecki, Mike AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Pedestrian and Bicyclist Traffic Control Device Evaluation Methods PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 96p AB - This report offers traffic engineering practitioners information on how to evaluate roadway traffic control devices used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Though presented in the context of devices meant for pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, the guidance provided can be applied in a more general sense to evaluations of traffic control devices in all settings. The evaluation methods report is designed for practitioners (State transportation departments and county or city engineers and planners) but could also be helpful to traffic safety students and researchers. Personnel without specialized statistical analysis skills should be able to use the report. It presents a detailed plan for practitioners to follow from the initial problem identification stages to documenting the evaluation effort. The first step of any evaluation is to clearly formulate the research question by identifying the motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist behavior that poses a safety or operational problem. Candidate traffic control devices and other countermeasures can then be identified as potential solutions to that problem. The evaluation methods described in this report include user surveys or interviews, visibility studies, driving performance studies, observational traffic studies, and crash analyses. The selection of the appropriate evaluation method will consider cost, time, research aims, and available research equipment and staff. KW - Crash analysis KW - Cyclists KW - Field studies KW - Interviewing KW - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices KW - Pedestrians KW - Surveys KW - Traffic control devices UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/pedbike/11035/11035.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1107286 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344717 AU - Kniowski, Andrew B AU - Gehrt, Stanley D AU - Ohio State University, Columbus AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Ohio Department of Natural Resources AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Summer Ecology of Indiana Bats in Ohio PY - 2011/05 SP - 124p AB - The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is a tree roosting species found throughout the eastern United States that is federally listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A more detailed understanding of summer roosting and foraging habitat for Indiana bats is needed for effective conservation and management. The objectives of this research included identifying and describing aspects of the summer ecology of this species, especially selection of tree roosts and foraging habitat in the Big Darby Creek area in Ohio. During the 2008–2010 seasons, the authors captured 55 Indiana bats and radiotracked 51 individuals. They tracked bats to 56 roost trees 474 times (bat roost days). Roosts were largely clustered in riparian woodland habitat along the Big Darby Creek. Roost trees were of 11 different species but two of the trees could not be identified. Eight of the trees were alive, two were declining, and the rest were dead or in a greater stage of decay. Roost trees were found relatively close to water, and tended to be dead or decaying, have a high percentage of loose bark, and be of a dominant canopy class, when compared to other available trees. The authors calculated 33 home ranges. Average home range size was 210.5 ± 130.6 SD ha (0.84 ± 0.52 SD mi²) for fixed kernel and 374.2 ± 359.6 SD ha (1.49 ± 1.44 SD mi²) for minimum convex polygon. Bats selected woodland and water habitats, and avoided cropland at multiple spatial scales. Although most foraging flights occurred within the riparian corridor, bats also moved outside the corridor to upland areas. KW - Bats (Animals) KW - Endangered species KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Indiana KW - Ohio UR - http://worldcat.org/oclc/746561060/viewonline UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/39000/39200/39237/134387_FR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1107292 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344048 AU - Arndt, Jeffrey AU - Edrington, Suzie AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Rural and Urban Transit District Benchmarking—Effectiveness and Efficiency Guidance Document PY - 2011/05 SP - 62p AB - Rural and urban transit systems have sought ways to compare performance across agencies, identifying successful service delivery strategies and applying these concepts to achieve successful results within their agency. Benchmarking is a method used to accomplish this goal. Benchmarking is a means of comparing performance to an established performance baseline. Benchmarks are typically established through the process of identifying successful business practices through performance measurement. This guidance document establishes peer groupings for rural and urban transit districts, calculates effectiveness and efficiency factors within the peer groups, and identifies transferable elements of high performers that may provide transit districts information applicable to improve their own performance. The goal of this guidance document is to help rural and urban transit districts better understand and set targets for performance, increasing the return on federal and state transit investment. KW - Benchmarks KW - Peer groups KW - Performance measurement KW - Public transit KW - Rural transit KW - Texas KW - Transit districts KW - Urban transit UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6205-P1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/39000/39100/39140/0-6205-P1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106402 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344045 AU - Arndt, Jeffrey AU - Edrington, Suzie AU - Sandidge, Matthew AU - Quadrifoglio, Luca AU - Perkins, Judy AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Prairie View A&M University AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Peer Grouping and Performance Measurement to Improve Rural and Urban Transit in Texas PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 146p AB - Rural and small urban transit systems in Texas will become even more important with predicted changes in population trends. Rural demographic trends indicate growth in the number of persons age 65 and over coupled with a decrease in population density. Small urban area trends indicate substantial population growth and broadened geographic boundaries, yet resources to provide rural and small urban transit are limited. Therefore, transit managers find it is increasingly important to maximize service efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose of this research was to identify peer groups, performance benchmarks, and strategies used by successful transit providers to achieve high performance. The research project identifies peer groups based on the transit environment within which each agency operates, so that agencies can be compared to other operators who face similar environments. Peer group effectiveness and efficiency performance are examined within and between rural and urban peer groups, and high performers are identified for case studies. Through the case studies, key attributes are identified for achieving high operating efficiency and/or effectiveness. Performance strategies are categorized to provide transit providers with transferrable information to improve performance and increase the return on transit investment. KW - Benchmarks KW - Case studies KW - Demographics KW - Operating efficiency KW - Peer groups KW - Performance measurement KW - Public transit KW - Rural transit KW - Strategic planning KW - Texas KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - Urban transit UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6205-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/39000/39100/39139/0-6205-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106478 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343905 AU - Ullman, Gerald L AU - Iragavarapu, Vichika AU - Sun, Dazhi AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Work Zone Positive Protection Guidelines PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 120p AB - The goal of this project was to develop implementation guidance that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) can use to make better decisions regarding when and where to use positive protection in work zones and when to consider exposure control and other traffic control measures that could improve work zone safety. The specific objectives of the project were as follows: Analyze the benefits and costs of using portable concrete barrier (PCB) for positive protection in work zones; Analyze the benefits and costs associated with the use of moveable and portable barrier technologies that can be more quickly deployed and removed at work sites than traditional PCB; Analyze the benefits and costs of non-positive protection devices that can be used to improve safety and reduce work zone intrusion events in work zones; and Develop implementation guidelines for these various technologies. Researchers also developed guidelines for portable concrete barrier use in work zones. Guidelines regarding the use of portable steel barrier, mobile barrier, and truck-mounted attenuators were also developed. General guidance and information regarding the use of exposure control measures and other traffic control measures to reduce work space intrusion risks were also included in this report. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Decision making KW - Guidelines KW - Implementation KW - Temporary barriers KW - Truck mounted attenuators KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6163-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106286 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343903 AU - Frawley, William E AU - Borowiec, Jeffrey D AU - Protopapas, Annie A AU - Morgan, Curtis A AU - Warner, Jeffery E AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Landside Freight Access to Airports: Findings and Case Studies PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 282p AB - Texas’ airports play a large role in the national and regional movement of goods by air. This includes goods moved within the state, across the country, and internationally to several continents. Most of this movement of goods is accomplished at the largest airports in Texas. However, as freight demand grows, a time will come when other airports will need to be utilized to accommodate additional demand. Properly planned transportation infrastructure is critical to ensure the vitality of an airport’s freight operations. Time-sensitive air freight requires high levels of operational efficiency, which is generally optimized by taking steps to ensure both freight and passenger roadway access within the airport boundaries. Connections and design features of regional highways near the airports are no less important because they allow access to these important economic generators. This research report identifies the issues, barriers, physical bottlenecks (e.g., infrastructure needs), and solutions (including funding mechanisms) concerning landside access to airports in Texas. Inner city airports in large metropolitan areas sometimes face roadway geometric challenges, but typically have relatively low cargo activity levels. Shipping representatives stated that wayfinding is a key characteristic in providing good landside freight access to airports. Signage needs to be visible and informative in advance of necessary turns or lane changes. Efforts need to be taken to minimize comingling of freight and passenger traffic in areas near the passenger terminals. A variety of funding opportunities exist through public, private, and shared sources to improve access to airports. KW - Access KW - Air cargo KW - Air cargo terminals KW - Airports KW - Case studies KW - Financing KW - Guide signs KW - Highway design KW - Highway traffic control KW - Landside access KW - Landside operations (Airports) KW - Texas KW - Wayfinding UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6265-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106263 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343901 AU - Puppala, Anand J AU - Wejrungsikul, Thornchaya AU - Williammee, Richard S AU - Witherspoon, Thomas AU - Hoyos, Laureano AU - University of Texas, Arlington AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Design of Inclined Loaded Drilled Shafts in High-Plasticity Clay Environment PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 242p AB - Drilled shaft foundations are principally used to support many structures such as bridge piers, towers, buildings, transmission towers, and roadway cable barriers. This research focuses on the use of drilled shafts in the cable median barrier systems which play an important role in protecting people’s lives due to cross-over collisions on highways. During December 2006 to February 2007, several failures of 3-cable median barrier (TL-3) were observed in Kaufman County near Dallas without any traffic-related vehicular impacts. Preliminary investigation of failures showed that failed drilled shafts were located in high plasticity clay. Causes of failures are attributed to cold temperature induced shrinkage in the cables that increased in the tension in them, soil saturation due to long periods of rainfall and small sizes of drilled shafts used. Various sizes of drilled shafts were established and constructed in an environment similar to the one in which foundation distress was observed. Geotechnical sampling and laboratory testing were performed, and a new test setup for the application of an inclined tensile loading on drilled shafts was designed to simulate the loading under real field conditions. The capacities of different sizes of drilled shafts from field test were tested and measured under this setup. Once good simulation was obtained, the models are used for various foundation dimensions and various undrained shear strengths of soils which, in turn, provided results that are used in the development of foundation design charts. Additionally, construction guidelines and recommendation for periodic maintenance are provided in this report. KW - Cable barriers KW - Clay soils KW - Cold temperatures KW - Design charts KW - Drilled shafts KW - Failure KW - Foundations KW - Geotechnical engineering KW - Laboratory tests KW - Median barriers KW - Plasticity KW - Saturated soils KW - Shrinkage KW - Simulation KW - Size KW - Tension tests UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6146-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106260 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343899 AU - Storey, Beverly J AU - Schutt, James R AU - McFalls, Jett A AU - Jones, Kim D AU - Garza, Abel P AU - Gaus, Teresa A AU - Marek, Gary AU - Heflin, Kevin AU - Rogers, William J AU - Robinson, Clay AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Synthesis and Study of the Roadside Vegetation Establishment Process PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 112p AB - The Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES), which is administered and enforced by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), requires perennial vegetation to 70 percent of native or adjacent background vegetation before a Notice of Termination (NOT) can be filed. The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) roadway projects often terminate at times of the year when establishing permanent vegetation is very difficult or nearly impossible. Even when the construction calendar and the ideal growing season line up, establishing vegetation is still a constant challenge. Regions of the state that have limited rainfall and a shorter growing season often take multiple years to establish vegetation to meet the TPDES requirements. The objective of this study was to provide a more diverse set of tools and options for TxDOT personnel that will help ensure timely vegetation establishment to meet the TPDES regulatory requirements, minimize project delays, and help reduce long-term costs in vegetation development and management. To achieve these objectives, the researchers: (1) compared TxDOT’s practices to those of other state departments of transportation (DOTs) and related fields, (2) identified methods for more rapid vegetation establishment for meeting the TPDES requirements using field demonstration plots seeded according to current TxDOT practices, (3) devised a tool to assist design personnel not familiar with the vegetation establishment process, and (4) developed a vegetation establishment field guidebook. KW - Handbooks KW - Project delays KW - Project management KW - Regulations KW - Revegetation KW - Roadside KW - Seeding KW - Texas KW - Vegetation establishment UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5731-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106063 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343614 AU - Winchester, Niven AU - Wollersheim, Christoph AU - Clewlow, Regina AU - Jost, Nicolas C AU - Paltsev, Sergey AU - Reilly, John AU - Waitz, Ian A AU - Partnership for AiR Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - The Impact of Climate Policy on U.S. Aviation PY - 2011/05 SP - 19p AB - The authors evaluate the impact of an economy-wide cap-and-trade policy on U.S. aviation taking the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R.2454) as a representative example. They use an economy-wide model to estimate the impact of H.R. 2454 on fuel prices and economic activity, and a partial equilibrium model of the aviation industry to estimate changes in aviation carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and operations. Between 2012 and 2050, with reference demand growth benchmarked to International Civil Aviation Organization/Group on International Aviation Climate Change (ICAO/GIACC) (2009) forecasts, the authors find that aviation emissions increase by 130%. In their climate policy scenarios, emissions increase by between 97% and 122%. A key finding is that, under the core set of assumptions in this analysis, H.R. 2454 reduces average fleet efficiency, as increased air fares reduce demand and slow the introduction of new aircraft. Assumptions relating to the sensitivity of aviation demand to price changes, and the degree to which higher fuel prices stimulate advances in the fuel efficiency of new aircraft play an important role in this result. KW - Aircraft exhaust gases KW - Aircraft fuels KW - American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 KW - Aviation KW - Cap and trade program KW - Carbon dioxide KW - Economic impacts KW - Economic models KW - Environmental policy KW - Fares KW - Fuel efficiency KW - Impact studies KW - Pollutants KW - Prices KW - Travel demand UR - http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/partner/reports/proj31/proj31-captraderpt.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105725 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343610 AU - Navickis-Brasch, Aimee Shay AU - Washington State University, Pullman AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Eastern Washington Steep Slope Research for Management of Highway Stormwater PY - 2011/05//Research Report SP - 155p AB - Highway embankments can provide an ideal location for integrating low impact development (LID) stormwater best management practices (BMPs) into a highway setting, specifically sheet flow BMPs such as vegetated filter strips (VFS) and dispersion. However, the design criterion at Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) limits the embankment slope to 15% maximum. A possible justification for this limit is steeper slopes could concentrate flow, reducing the effectiveness of the BMP, and encouraging channelized flow that can erode the embankment. This design criterion can present a challenge to WSDOT since highway embankments can be constructed, without vehicle safety barriers, on slopes as steep as 33% and when VFS or dispersion are required on slopes greater than 15%, embankments need to be flattened and the roadway footprint expanded. This may result in the additional right of way (ROW) acquisition as well as additional construction and ecological costs from the expanded embankment. While studies have shown that VFS and dispersion areas can successfully meet runoff treatment and flow control goals on 33% slopes, limited research was found that evaluated the site characteristics that support stable embankments (without erosion) located at steeper slopes. In an effort to evaluate a design criteria, for both VFS and dispersion, that aligns with the 33% highway embankment limit, 45 sites in Eastern Washington were inventoried to determine the specific site characteristics that contribute to concentration of highway runoff on slopes steeper than 15%. Based on a statistical analysis the embankment slope alone was not considered statistically significant to erosion severity compared to other site characteristics. Instead, low vegetation coverage and a high percentage of sand had the strongest correlation to erosion severity. In addition, empirical observations at the sites noted conditions at the edge of pavement (EOP) can also encourage channelized flows. Based on these findings, a modified design criterion for VFS and dispersion BMPs is recommended allowing embankment slopes up to of 33% when vegetation can be established, taking into consideration the soil characteristics. In addition, level spreaders may allow for dispersed flows regardless of the conditions at the EOP. KW - Best practices KW - Design KW - Design criteria KW - Embankments KW - Erosion control KW - Low impact development KW - Runoff KW - Runoff dispersion KW - Slope (Angle) KW - Slope steepness KW - Vegetated filter strips KW - Vegetation KW - Washington (State) UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/771.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105721 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343387 AU - McCormack, Ed AU - University of Washington, Seattle AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Transportation Northwest Regional Center X (TransNow) AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Developing Transportation Metrics from Commercial GPS Truck Data PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 66p AB - Although trucks move the largest volume and value of freight in urban areas, relatively little is known about their travel patterns and how the roadway network performs for trucks. Commercial, in‐vehicle, global positioning systems (GPS) are increasingly used by trucking companies to manage their fleets. Several GPS vendors are making the output from these devices available to the research community and public sector organizations. As a result, these devices provide a new source of data that can be used to quantify travel patterns and are the only comprehensive source of wide area performance and travel data for trucks. While the data have been successfully used to develop truck‐related roadway performance measures, the data still have considerable unrealized potential. This TransNow project used the data to improve the ability to both understand and model freight as it moves on trucks. Since 2007, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Transportation Northwest (TransNow), and the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) have partnered on a research effort to collect and analyze GPS truck data from commercial, in‐vehicle, truck fleet management systems. The WSDOT/TransNow project has evaluated the feasibility of the GPS data to support a truck performance monitoring program. The project has produced large databases of the truck GPS data. As part of this effort, efficient processes to capture, clean, geo‐locate, and format the truck GPS data have been developed. After processing, the GPS data are a useful source of performance measures such as travel times between zones, travel routes, and stop locations. The main goal of this project was to work in partnership with this existing effort but to develop applications of the data beyond the more pragmatic truck monitoring needs required and funded by WSDOT. KW - Applications KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Data collection KW - Fleet management KW - Freight traffic KW - Global Positioning System KW - Information processing KW - Metrics (Quantitative assessment) KW - Travel data KW - Travel patterns KW - Travel time KW - Trucking UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105195 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343212 AU - Ross, June H AU - Pietz, Amanda Joy AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Maximizing Investments in Work Zone Safety in Oregon PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 113p AB - Due to the federal stimulus program and the 2009 Jobs and Transportation Act, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) anticipates that a large increase in highway construction will occur. There is the expectation that, since transportation safety grant funds may not increase and due to the lack of police enforcement resources, ODOT will need to be more strategic in planning how the available funds will be used. Questions regarding the allocation of safety grants among enforcement, equipment, and public education, and the optimal use of funds within each category, are being asked. Thus, a research project was initiated to investigate methods for maximizing work zone safety investments. The goal of this research project is to: (1) provide guidance for maximizing ODOT’s investments in work zone enforcement; (2) determine if additional coordination between the work zone enforcement program and the traffic control planning and work zone management efforts would enhance the programs; and (3) review the effectiveness of the work zone safety public education program both in terms of message and media and determine if other approaches should be considered. KW - Grant aid KW - Investments KW - Oregon KW - Road construction KW - Strategic planning KW - Traffic law enforcement KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/ResearchReports/500_380_WZSafetyweb.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104743 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343202 AU - Hillsman, Edward L AU - Barbeau, Sean J AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Enabling Cost-Effective Multimodal Trip Planners through Open Transit Data PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 115p AB - This study examined whether multimodal trip planners can be developed using open‐source software and open data sources. OpenStreetMap (OSM), maintained by the non‐profit OpenStreetMap Foundation, is an open, freely available international repository of geographic data that individuals contribute about their communities. In the transit industry, Google’s offer of a free online transit trip planner based on the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) has made GTFS a de facto standard for describing transit systems and a platform for many other Web and mobile applications. Over 125 public transportation agencies in the U.S. have put their data into GTFS format. Bus stop locations can link OSM and GTFS data. OpenTripPlanner is an open‐source multimodal trip planning software system with an active developer community. The study team set up an instance of OpenTripPlanner for Tampa, Florida, using biking and walking data from OSM, and GTFS data from local transit agencies, to examine the tool’s ability to route using multimodal data. The study team also recorded multimodal data for the Tampa region in OSM to examine the current OSM coding conventions and determine the coding system’s ability to support functions required of a multimodal trip planner, such as providing information on access to transit, wheelchair accessibility, or conditions that could affect the safety of a trip (e.g., intersection crossings). This study also investigated the use of opensource software to quickly increase the amount of multimodal data available in OpenStreetMap. The research team created GTFS‐OSM‐Sync (GO_Sync), a framework and open‐source software tool for synchronizing transit data between the transit agency’s official GTFS dataset and OSM. GO_Sync connects the wealth of data from GTFS datasets to the ability of the OSM community to augment and improve the data. During a test deployment of GO_Sync in Tampa, OSM users corrected 173 bus stop locations. The project demonstrated that it is feasible to implement a multimodal trip planner using open‐source software and open data sources. Based on existing practices regarding GTFS and OpenTripPlanner, transit schedule and route data are best obtained directly from transit agencies’ GTFS files. Data on infrastructure for walking and cycling can be obtained from OSM or from other locally available public‐domain data. This report suggests a few changes to the OSM coding conventions that would improve OSM’s ability to meet the needs of a multimodal trip planner. The principal barrier to developing a multimodal trip planner remains the availability of data and, when using OSM as a source of data, the relatively low participation of U.S. residents in the project, compared to Europe. The OSM community recognizes this as a problem, but additional research is needed on how best to overcome it. Additional research also is needed on how best to communicate results from a trip planner to users who may have varying skill and comfort levels when it comes to bicycling and walking. KW - Bicycling KW - Geographic information systems KW - Mapping KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Public transit KW - Trip planning KW - Walking UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BDK85_977-20_rpt.pdf UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/2011/05/enabling-cost-effective-multimodal-trip-planners-through-open-transit-data-2/ UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/41000/41800/41892/77926.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104804 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343106 AU - Harris, Pat AU - Harvey, Omar AU - Sebesta, Stephen AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Implementation of the UV-Vis Method to Measure Organic Content in Clay Soils: Technical Report PY - 2011/05//Technical Report SP - 56p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation has been having problems with organic matter in soils that they stabilize for use as subgrade layers in road construction. The organic matter reduces the effectiveness of common soil additives (lime/cement) in stabilization projects. The researchers developed a technique using UV-Vis spectroscopy to measure the harmful organic matter in another project (0-5540). This project consisted of purchasing three UV-Vis instruments, equipping them with software to measure the organic matter and doing two trainings with the Texas Department of Transportation. Following the trainings, four laboratories analyzed 20 natural soil samples and three laboratory standards to determine repeatability and reproducibility between the laboratories. Researchers also continued testing real project soils to see what mitigation techniques researchers could use. Researchers determined that three replicates need to be run to achieve 95 percent confidence that the measured value is the true value. Researchers determined that soils with organic matter below 1.5 percent can be safely treated, and soils with an organic matter to Eades and Grim optimum lime (OM: EG) ratio less than 0.5 have the greatest potential for mitigation with additional lime application. Additionally, calcium chloride added to the soil with the lime improved the formation of pozzolanic reaction products and strengths of some soils. This work illustrates the complex nature of organic interactions with soil stabilizers and the many questions left unresolved. KW - Calcium chloride KW - Calcium oxide KW - Clay soils KW - Laboratory tests KW - Organic content KW - Repeatability KW - Reproducibility KW - Soil stabilization KW - Spectrophotometry KW - Subgrade (Pavements) KW - Ultraviolet spectroscopy UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5540-01-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104893 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343097 AU - Modi, Pushkar AU - Morellas, Vassilios AU - Papanikolopoulos, Nikolaos P AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Counting Empty Parking Spots at Truck Stops Using Computer Vision PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 31p AB - For at least the past decade, truck driver fatigue has been thought to be a contributing factor in a number of heavy truck accidents. For better utilization of truck stops and to provide truck drivers with safe rest options, the authors are designing an automated truck stop management system that can compute occupancy rates at stops and notify drivers about the availability of parking spots using variable message displays located about 30 or 40 miles before the stop. This system detects, classifies and localizes vehicles on the truck stop's grounds by using a set of video cameras, from which video frames are analyzed in real-time. KW - Automatic vehicle detection and identification systems KW - Computer vision KW - Driver information systems KW - Parking KW - Parking availability KW - Real time data processing KW - Truck stops KW - Variable message signs KW - Video cameras UR - http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1530 UR - http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportdetail.html?id=2022 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55700/55752/CTS11-08.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104954 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342389 AU - Arpin, Eddie AU - Newstrom, Bryan AU - Shankwitz, Craig AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Hennepin County, Minnesota AU - Minnesota Valley Transit Authority AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Dual Frequency, Carrier Phase Differential GPS Augmentation PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 43p AB - For many roadway applications, high-accuracy in-lane level vehicle position information is desired. Unfortunately, in many roadway environments Global Position System (GPS) dead zones hinder sufficient GPS position accuracy. These roadway environments include underpasses, tree canopies, urban canyons, and any other locations where the view to the sky is limited. This report introduces a high-accuracy position estimator that augments GPS in areas where short-term (< 200 meter and < 15 second) GPS dead zones exist. The position estimator fuses differential GPS (DGPS) position measurements, yaw rate measurements, and two-dimensional velocity measurements to provide in-lane level accuracy position estimates. The estimator increases the availability of high-accuracy position estimates for applications that demand continuous high-accuracy in-lane level positioning, such as lane departure warning systems. The position estimator was evaluated and the position accuracy was quantified. Seven vehicles were outfitted with the position estimator system. Data were collected for 460 DGPS outages and the accuracy of the system was analyzed. From the analysis the position accuracy of the estimator could be approximated based on the distance and time since the DGPS outage began. This analysis provides a level of confidence in the position estimates as a function of distance and time elapsed from the start of a DGPS outage. This level of confidence measure allows applications to have a means to reject position estimates based on the outage time and distance if those estimates are projected to have lower accuracy than the application requires. KW - Augmentation systems KW - Automated warning systems KW - Differential Global Positioning System KW - Global Positioning System KW - GPS dead zones KW - Highways KW - Lane departures KW - Vehicle position UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1526 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55700/55753/CTS11-09.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104759 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342387 AU - Fuller, Stephen AU - Robinson, John AU - Fraire, Francisco AU - Vadali, Sharada AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Improving Intermodal Connectivity in Rural Areas to Enhance Transportation Efficiency: A Case Study PY - 2011/05//Final Report SP - 46p AB - Congested roadways in Texas’ metropolitan centers are important arteries for transporting agricultural commodities into domestic and international markets. Truck transportation of these commodities contributes to the observed congestion and delay in these urban centers. As an example, cotton, which is a major field crop in Texas, is transported via Dallas-Ft. Worth and Houston roadways to access container transport to the international market, the principal outlet for this commodity. This study examines the feasibility of investment in intermodal terminals in rural Texas with the implications for reducing roadway maintenance costs, greenhouse gases and truck transportation in Texas’ metropolitan areas. The analyses show an intermodal terminal in west Texas’ intensive cotton production region (Lubbock, Texas) would be economically viable, reducing loaded truck-miles on state roadways, C02 emissions, and truck-travel in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan center. KW - Agricultural products KW - Carbon dioxide KW - Case studies KW - Container traffic KW - Costs KW - Cotton KW - Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area KW - Economic efficiency KW - Freight trains KW - Freight transportation KW - Greenhouse gases KW - Highway maintenance KW - Intermodal terminals KW - Lubbock (Texas) KW - Rural areas KW - Texas KW - Trucking UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Fuller_07-07.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104763 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342240 AU - Chidester, Thomas AU - Milburn, Nelda AU - Lomangino, Nicholas AU - Baxter, Nancy AU - Hughes, Stephanie AU - Peterson, L Sarah AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Development, Validation, and Deployment of an Occupational Test of Color Vision for Air Traffic Control Specialists PY - 2011/05 SP - 36p AB - Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) are responsible for the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of traffic in the U.S. National Airspace System. Color has become an integral element of the air traffic control environment. It is used to communicate information to ATCSs about various modes of air traffic functions including conflict alerts, aircraft control status, and weather. The Federal Air Surgeon (AAM-1) and Human Factors Research, Engineering, and Development office (AJP-61) tasked the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) to develop, validate, and implement an occupational test for ATCS job candidates who fail clinical instruments during the pre-employment medical examination. The Aerospace Human Factors Research Division (AAM-500) of CAMI developed the Air Traffic Color Vision Test (ATCOV) to determine whether individuals with color vision disorders (CVDs) have adequate color vision to perform critical color-related tasks involved in air traffic control. The research team conducted two studies to validate ATCOV testing. The results of Study One provided evidence of the reliability of the subtests, established performance norms for subjects with normal color vision (NCV) on each subtest, determined cut scores to apply in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. The results of Study Two provided evidence of the reliability of second operational ATCOV subtests, established performance norms for NCV subjects on each subtest, determined cut scores to be applied in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. Color vision ability sufficient to perform duties safely remains critical to provision of air traffic services in the National Airspace System. ATCOV complies with Uniform Guidelines reporting requirements for both content and construct-oriented validity. Evidence of content validity for ATCS duties is provided through direct sampling of form and content of critical display data. Evidence of construct validity is provided by correlation with Colour Assessment and Diagnosis Test and Cone Contrast Test threshold scores, which precisely measure color vision ability. This resulted in a job sample test closely tied to critical tasks communicated using color on air traffic displays. ATCOV makes use of display formats and color chromaticities deployed for critical information on critical displays as defined by published analyses of ATCS tasks. Its items are isomorphic with datablocks and weather depictions deployed on ARTS, STARS, and DSR displays in terminal and en route facilities. Future challenges will surround the stability of color use on new systems and displays. KW - Air traffic controllers KW - Color vision KW - Physical condition KW - Selection and appointment KW - Tests UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201108.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103885 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341907 AU - Agrawal, Asha Weinstein AU - Nixon, Hilary AU - San Jose State University AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - What Do Americans Think About Federal Transportation Tax Options? Preliminary Results from Year 2 of a National Survey PY - 2011/05//Preliminary Report SP - 18p AB - Over the past decades, the transportation revenues available from state and federal gas taxes have fallen significantly, especially in terms of inflation-adjusted dollars per mile traveled. At the same time, the U.S. transportation system requires critical—and expensive—system upgrades. Policy makers are thus seeking options for raising new revenues. This report presents the preliminary results of the second year of a random-digit-dial public opinion telephone survey investigating support among members of the public for a variety of transportation tax options at the federal level. The survey results show that a majority of Americans would support higher taxes for transportation—under certain conditions. For example, a gas tax increase of 10 cents per gallon to improve road maintenance was supported by 62% of respondents, whereas support levels dropped to just under half if the revenues were to be devoted to reducing local air pollution or global warming. For tax options where the revenues were to be spent for undefined transportation purposes, the support levels varied considerably by what kind of tax would be imposed, with a sales tax much more popular than either a gas tax increase or a new mileage tax. The poll also asked respondents about their priorities for government spending on transportation in their state. Over two-thirds of respondents felt that governments should make it a high priority to maintain streets, roads, and highways, and almost two-thirds said the same about reducing accidents and improving safety. By contrast, not quite half of respondents placed a high priority on reducing traffic congestion or expanding public transit service. The survey questions replicate those from a similar survey conducted by the Mineta Transportation Institute in 2010, to establish how public views may have shifted over the past year. The survey findings suggest that Americans are just as willing to support tax increases for transportation this year as last, or perhaps even slightly more so. For example, this year 36% of respondents supported a new mileage tax if the rates varied by the vehicle’s pollution level, compared to a similar 33% supporting such a tax last year. The only substantial change in support levels over the two years was a jump in support for a gas tax with revenue spent to reduce local air pollution. This year the tax had 48% support, compared to 30% last year. This preliminary report of the survey findings will be followed in summer 2011 by a final report providing further detail. KW - Air quality management KW - Fuel taxes KW - Highway maintenance KW - Highway safety KW - Highway user taxation KW - Public opinion KW - Public transit KW - Sales tax KW - Surveys KW - Taxes KW - Traffic mitigation KW - United States KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://www.transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/research/publications/documents/Transportation_Tax_Survey_Prelim_1031.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/39000/39100/39142/Transportation_taxes_public_opinion_1031.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104227 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342032 AU - Brandt, Thomas AU - Varma, Amit AU - Rankin, Brent AU - Marcu, Sorin AU - Connor, Robert AU - Harries, Kent AU - University of Pittsburgh AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Effects of Fire Damage on the Structural Properties of Steel Bridge Elements PY - 2011/04/30/Final Report SP - 62p AB - It is well known that fire can cause severe damage to steel bridges. There are documented cases where fire has directly led to the collapse or significant sagging of a steel bridge. However, when the damage is less severe, the effects of the fire, if any, are not so clear. Evaluation techniques that can be performed easily in the field, but still provide uniform and meaningful information for this situation are lacking. The objective of this research is to develop simple yet effective guidelines for assessing the potential level of damage sustained during a fire when there are no obvious signs of distress (i.e., sagging, collapse). The guidelines are intended to be used by inspectors and engineers in the field immediately following the fire event to provide general insight into the potential influence the fire may have had on the material properties of the bridge steel, based on the visual appearance of the steel. A unique testing method is reported in which flange and web sections from a bridge girder are tested in real fire scenarios. The test setup allows for the examination of differences in outcomes due to a variety of paint coatings on the steel, thickness of steel, temperature and duration of fire exposure. Each test is photographed at certain stages that would be seen at a fire affected-bridge. These photographs can then be compared to actual bridge damage and an estimate of surface temperature attained. Following each fire test, material properties may be determined and compared to virgin or unexposed steel and AASHTO specifications to establish whether the material properties have changed or if the material is below minimum standards. Since the test setup and procedures are well defined, the test method can be standardized so that additional data can be collected in a consistent manner and incorporated into the guidelines in the future. This report, and more specifically the inspection guide provided in Chapter 7, provides a much-needed tool for the inspection and evaluation of steel bridge members exposed to fires where obvious physical damage has not occurred. It will allow uniform and quick initial determination on a bridge’s serviceability after undergoing fire exposures. KW - Damage assessment KW - Fire KW - Flanges KW - Guidelines KW - Inspection KW - Laboratory tests KW - Photographs KW - Steel KW - Steel bridges KW - Webbing UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Improving%20Pennsylvania%20Bridges/Effects%20of%20Fire%20Damage.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104552 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463871 TI - Performance of WMA Technologies: Stage II-Long-Term Field Performance AB - The use of warm mix asphalt (WMA) technology offers significant benefits, notably, lower energy demand during production and construction, reduced emissions at the plant and the paver, and increased allowable haul distances. However, it also presents potential engineering challenges. Lower WMA production temperatures and the water injection used with some WMA technologies have raised concerns about possible rutting and moisture susceptibility of WMA pavements. Thus, facilitating the implementation of WMA technologies in the United States requires the collection and analysis of definitive information on the material and engineering properties and long-term performance of WMA pavements constructed with the wide range of WMA technologies now available. The objectives of this research are to (1) identify the material and engineering properties of WMA pavements that are significant determinants of their long-term field performance and (2) recommend best practices for the use of WMA technologies. Phase I and II deliverables shall include technical reports with the Phase III Final Report summarizing the results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations of Phases I and II, with particular emphasis on the following: 1) Performance of the WMA and control hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements from time of construction through the contract period. 2) Material and engineering properties that are significant determinants of the performance of the WMA pavements compared to the HMA controls. 3) Recommended best practices for the use of WMA technologies developed in this project or updated from Projects 9-43, 9-47A, and 9-49. 4. Recommended changes to AASHTO specifications and test methods. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Field tests KW - Guidelines KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Pavement performance KW - Pollutants KW - Properties of materials KW - Sustainable development KW - Warm mix paving mixtures UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3013 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1232098 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343482 AU - Ramirez, L AU - Geary, M AU - Vandenbossche, J M AU - Gatti, K AU - Mu, F AU - University of Pittsburgh AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Premature Deterioration of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements PY - 2011/04/29/Final Report SP - 267p AB - Six sections of jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCPs) throughout the state were selected as candidates for the evaluation of premature deterioration. The data used in performing the evaluation included manual and historic automated distress survey data, falling weight deflectometer data, and laboratory material characterization data from field samples. For these six sections, a variety of issues including material-related distress, fatigue, and construction deficiencies were determined to be the cause of the premature deterioration. Recommendations for rehabilitating these sections as well as guidelines to deter the reoccurrence of these distresses have been provided. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Construction management KW - Deterioration KW - Fatigue (Mechanics) KW - Jointed plain concrete pavements KW - Materials KW - Pavement distress KW - Premature failure KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Extending%20Pavement%20Life/Premature%20Deterioration%20of%20Jointed%20Plain%20Concrete%20Pavement.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105479 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465786 TI - Transportation Research Board's 2011 Data Conference Support AB - The Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will organize and conduct a two-day conference scheduled for December 2011, to be held at the Beckman Center, located on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. The conference will address key issues related to exploring systematic approaches to providing data that are needed to support critical decisions facing state, regional, and local transportation agencies in the next five to ten years. The conference will convene policy makers, program managers, and data experts from states, metropolitan planning organizations, academia, and the private sector to discuss the issues and examine potential approaches to meeting critical data needs in several key areas. KW - Data collection KW - Decision making KW - Metropolitan planning organizations KW - Policy making KW - Technological innovations KW - Transportation departments KW - Transportation Research Board UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1234020 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01373834 AU - Bradshaw, Scott AU - Boansi, Kwabena AU - Huff, Jacqueline AU - Worthington, Michael AU - Elizabeth City State University AU - North Carolina Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of Performance Measures for the Assessment of Rural Planning Organizations PY - 2011/04/27/Final Report SP - 141p AB - In order for the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to provide oversight and assistance to the 20 Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) in the state, the TPB needs effective evaluation criteria and performance measures. The existing measures, including the annual performance report, do not meet those needs. The authors developed measures needed in order for the TPB to fulfill its goals. The authors conducted an extensive review of published research and a search of RPO-related documents in each state in order to identify evaluation and performance "best practices" in each state. The authors met with the TPB, the North Carolina Association of Rural Planning Organizations (NCARPO), and representatives of RPO constituents to determine concerns with existing measures and their needs and suggestions for the new performance measures. After developing the evaluation criteria and performance measures, the project team presented the plans to the various groups, and gathered feedback. The feedback was used to clarify any issues within the new performance measures. The development of the performance measures was driven by several principles: (1) the assessments developed, where possible, should be objective and quantifiable, (2) the evaluation criteria and performance measures should be developed with input from all of the parties involved, (3) the evaluation criteria and performance measures should facilitate the assessment of both short-term and long-term goals, and (4) performance measures should be practical and cost-efficient to implement. KW - Best practices KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - North Carolina KW - Planning methods KW - Rural areas KW - Rural planning organizations UR - http://www.ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/tpb/research/download/2008-12FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1141569 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01362672 AU - Gonzalez, Paul AU - Christie, Blake AU - White, Jeris AU - Noblis AU - Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Applying Systems Engineering Principles to the Development of Transportation Communication Standards PY - 2011/04/22/Final Report SP - 16p AB - Using traffic control devices and communications equipment to monitor and control arterials and freeways has brought with it new challenges and a demand for new skills to the transportation industry. Some of the challenges include integrating information from disparate and proprietary systems that were not designed to interoperate, designing systems that demonstrate they satisfy public transportation agency needs, and overcoming not-invented-here (NIH) attitudes. To address these issues the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) sponsored the development of interface standards for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology. This paper describes how systems engineering principles were applied and the life-cycle model used to develop ITS communications standards to overcome the challenges introduced with the application of new technology. KW - Communications KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Life cycle analysis KW - Standards KW - Systems engineering KW - Technological innovations UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/43000/43100/43152/ASEP__Dev_TCStandards_v2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127489 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01587730 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Ultra-High Performance Concrete Connections for Prefabricated Bridge Elements PY - 2011/04/21 SP - 2p AB - Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a steel fiber-reinforced, cementitious-based material that provides exceptionally high mechanical and durability related properties. The mechanical properties of UHPC allow for the redesign of connection details in ways that simplify the detailing such that the overall bridge layout and the manner in which the bridge is fabricated and constructed can be improved. This document focuses on the advantages offered by UHPC as an option for the connection of prefabricated bridge elements. KW - Bridge construction KW - Prefabricated bridges KW - State of the practice KW - Structural connection KW - Ultra high performance concrete UR - https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc-3/factsheets/edc_3_factsheet_uhpc_508.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1391682 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01472567 AU - Garvey, Philip M AU - Coulson, Ed AU - Sarabi, Aidin Rezaei AU - Pietrucha, Martin T AU - Pennsylvania State University, University Park AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Mid-Atlantic Universities Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of the Use of Registration Stickers PY - 2011/04/18/Final Report SP - 47p AB - This research evaluated the potential costs and benefits of doing away with license plate registration stickers as part of the registration renewal process for Pennsylvania. The research consisted of a comprehensive literature review, a survey of United States and Canadian licensing agencies, a cost/benefit analysis of eliminating license plate stickers, and an assessment of related law enforcement issues and public information and education (PI&E) campaigns conducted by other agencies that have stopped using license plate registration stickers. The result is a set of options and recommendations for Pennsylvania and an evaluation plan. The recommendations favored elimination of a sticker registration program for several reasons, including simplicity, cost savings, elimination of potential sticker theft, and positive reports from similarly adapted programs. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Law enforcement KW - License plates KW - Literature reviews KW - Pennsylvania KW - Public information programs KW - Registration KW - State of the practice KW - Stickers UR - http://www.mautc.psu.edu/docs/PSU-2010-03.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/46000/46900/46983/PSU-2010-03.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1243637 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465836 TI - Transportation Research Program Management Database AB - The purpose of the project is to modify the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Research Program Management Database (RPMD) in FileMaker Pro to: 1) accommodate the system modifications needed for implementation by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), 2) identify the needs and proposed modifications for participating states, and 3) enhance the RPMD to add new functions to meet additional research program management business needs of participating states, including management of the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Module. Unique modifications identified in Study Objective 2 may be developed through this project through separate task agreements funded with additional targeted contributions. Regarding the use of other software, some states would like to use the data architecture of the RPMD as a foundation for a database in a different software product. Study Objective 2 provides an opportunity to investigate the feasibility of this conversion and to understand the technical requirements needed to make this conversion. Development of a module in a different software product will need to be funded through separate task agreements funded with additional targeted contributions. States with similar interests could partner in this effort. States needing the database in a different format may also choose to participate in development of the TPF module, in order to influence the design. Development of the module in software other than FileMaker Pro will require a separate task and funding. KW - California Department of Transportation KW - Database design KW - Databases KW - Software packages KW - Washington State Department of Transportation UR - http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/407 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1234071 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341864 AU - King, Louis C AU - Department of Transportation AU - Department of Transportation TI - Quality Control Review on the Vulnerability Assessment of FAA's Operational Air Traffic Control System PY - 2011/04/15/Memorandum SP - 6p AB - This report summarizes the results of an information technology vulnerability assessment of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) operational Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems. This audit was requested by the now-Chairmen of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Subcommittee on Aviation. This audit assessed ATC systems and networks located at two FAA facilities within the continental United States. Clifton Gunderson LLP of Calverton, Maryland, completed the audit under contract to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The objective of this audit was to determine whether operational ATC systems can be accessed by unauthorized users from inside ATC facilities through FAA’s Mission Support/Administrative System Network (MSSN). Clifton Gunderson LLP concluded that they were unable to gain access to FAA's operational ATC systems. However, they identified the following weaknesses at the Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs): 1) information disclosure vulnerability; 2) inadequate system patch levels and unsupported operating systems; 3) improper network configurations; and 4) communication system vulnerabilities. KW - Air route traffic control centers KW - Air traffic control KW - Auditing KW - Communication systems KW - Computer networks KW - Computer operating systems KW - Configuration management KW - Information disclosure KW - Information technology KW - Risk assessment KW - Unauthorized access (Information systems) KW - Vulnerability (Security) UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/dot/files/Vulnerability%20Assessment%20of%20FAA%20Air%20Trafffic%20Control%20System_0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104102 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340897 AU - Fox, Patrick J AU - Ohio State University, Columbus AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Sonar Imaging of Flooded Subsurface Voids: Phase I: Proof of Concept PY - 2011/04/15/Final Report SP - 47p AB - Damage to Ohio highways due to subsidence or collapse of subsurface voids is a serious problem for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). These voids have often resulted from past underground mining activities for coal, clay, limestone and gypsum but may also result from dissolution of bedrock as with karst formations. Subsurface voids are flooded if they lie below the local drainage and may be partially flooded or open if they lie above the local drainage. The objective of this project was to conduct a feasibility study for the development of new technologies or the acquisition of existing equipment for downhole investigation of subsurface voids. Specifically, ODOT is interested in accurate mapping of these underground features. The objectives of Phase I were achieved by completing the following tasks: a) Definition of equipment requirements; b) Visits to the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the Office of Surface Mines (OSM) facilities; c) Zanesville field demonstration test; d) Identification of equipment vendors; e) Equipment specifications and quotes; and f) Downhole void investigation service. KW - Air voids KW - Detection and identification KW - Imaging systems KW - Mapping KW - Sonar KW - Subsidence (Geology) KW - Subsurface voids UR - http://worldcat.org/oclc/782061791/viewonline UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102881 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01573246 TI - Response Based Load Rating of Steel Bridges AB - The project will develop a tentative technical approach identifying what, how, when, where, and for how long data needs to be collected, as well as how it might be used to produce ratings. The statistical and reliability theories employed by the Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) Specifications shall be reviewed for requirements and restrictions applicable to processes or procedures for the actual collection of data when developing this plan. After the plan has been approved by the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR), the contractor shall conduct market research on sensors and data gathering technologies to determine if there are commercially available systems that will collect long-term field measurements of bridge data (strains and possibly deflections) under regular highway/roadway traffic. These sensors and data collection systems shall have the capability of gathering the data without having to impede traffic with lane closures or other forms of work zone traffic control. Rating equations and possible algorithms shall be developed. The equations and algorithms shall also utilize the statistical and reliability theory employed by the LRFR Specifications to produce reliability-based load ratings. Laboratory tests will be performed for validation of the equipment for use in the field without impact to traffic. After laboratory validation of the sensors and data collection systems and tools, field measurements will be taken with actual bridge traffic; however, consideration will be given to a heavy moving test load mixed with traffic, without interruption to traffic and without lane closures. A final report will document the entire research effort, including an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) ballot item to be presented to AASHTO T-18 for consideration and possible incorporation into the AASHTO Bridge Evaluation Manual. KW - Bearing capacity KW - Data collection KW - Deflection KW - Lane closure KW - Load and resistance factor design KW - Sensors KW - Steel bridges KW - Strain (Mechanics) KW - Vehicle mix UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1366316 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463617 TI - Fracture-Critical System Analysis for Steel Bridges AB - Advances in new materials for building modern bridges, such as high-performance steel, have served to reopen discussion of what defines a fracture-critical (FC) steel bridge. While the AASHTO code allows for building FC bridges using the appropriate design, construction, and inspection procedures, few are built because of the exacting requirements for both fabrication and maintenance inspection. These requirements have served to increase costs that the authors note could be eliminated or greatly reduced by re-examining bridges designated as FC and reclassifying as appropriate. The objectives of this research are to: (1) develop a quantification methodology to measure the FC attributes (e.g., loads, material properties, existing conditions, bridge configurations) of steel bridges; and (2) apply the methodology to AASHTO specifications in designing new bridges and evaluating existing bridges. KW - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials KW - Bridge construction KW - Bridge design KW - Classification KW - Costs KW - Fabrication KW - High strength steel KW - Mathematical methods KW - Steel bridges UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231843 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349668 AU - Rahai, Hamid R AU - Lu, Bei AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - California State University, Long Beach AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of a Portable Remote Sensing System for Measurement of Diesel Emissions from Passing Diesel Trucks PY - 2011/04/08/Final Report SP - 23p AB - A wireless remote-sensing system has been developed for measurement of NOx and particulate matters (PM) emissions from passing diesel trucks. The NOx measurement system has a UV light source with quartz fiber optics that focused the light source into a spectrometer. The signals from the spectrometer was routed through a wireless antenna to a remote computer and NOx measurements were performed by comparing the spectra of the receiving signals to a reference spectrum for compliance. Results of the remote sensing system were compared with direct exhaust measurements. For NOx measurement, comparing the variance of the spectrum between the 200-300 nm wavelengths with direct diesel engine exhaust measurement, an approximate NOx/variance ratio of 0.5 was found for the stationary measurement and ratios of 0.3-0.4 were obtained for transient measurements. PM measurements were performed by both a TSI DustTrak model 8520 and a remote MiniPCS particle counter-sizer system from Measurement Science Enterprise (MSE). Results of the PM measurements from these devices were comparable, indicating the potential of the MiniPCS system for remote sensing PM measurements. KW - Diesel engine exhaust gases KW - Diesel trucks KW - Measurement KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Particulates KW - Portable equipment KW - Remote sensing UR - http://www.metrans.org/sites/default/files/research-project/08-22_Rahai_Final_0_0.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42500/42542/08-22_Rahai_Final.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108751 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01359664 AU - Zimmerman, Carol AU - Gopalakrishna, Deepak AU - Balke, Kevin AU - Goodin, Ginger AU - Schreffler, Eric AU - Pessaro, Brian AU - Battelle AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Atlanta Congestion Reduction Demonstration: National Evaluation Plan PY - 2011/04/06 SP - 100p AB - This report provides an analytic framework for evaluating the Atlanta Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD) under the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) and CRD Programs. The Atlanta CRD projects include the conversion of lanes for high occupancy vehicle with a minimum of two occupants (HOV2+) on approximately 16-miles of I-85 to high occupancy toll (HOT)/HOV3+ lanes along with expansion and enhancement of transit service in that corridor, including new and expanded park-and-ride lots. The Atlanta CRD national evaluation plan identifies major questions to be answered through the evaluation, the evaluation analyses to be used to address those questions, and the data needed for the analyses. It also outlines the test plans that will be used to collect and analyze the required data. The evaluation plan is based on the National Evaluation Framework (NEF) prepared for the U.S. DOT. Four objective questions that were posed by U.S. DOT serve as a starting point for the NEF and Atlanta Evaluation Plan. These questions are how much congestion was reduced; what contributed to the reduction and what were the associated impacts; what lessons were learned about non-technical factors for success; and what were the overall cost and benefit of the congestion reduction strategies. The four objective questions were translated into twelve evaluation analyses, which in turn consist of hypotheses and questions, measures of effectiveness (MOEs), and data required for the MOEs. This document presents the plan for evaluating the Atlanta CRD projects KW - Atlanta (Georgia) KW - Congestion pricing KW - High occupancy toll lanes KW - High occupancy vehicle lanes KW - Park and ride KW - Traffic congestion KW - Urban Partnership Agreements UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42800/42820/atlantaupa_R3_.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1125674 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463254 TI - Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 04-07. Airport Contracting Survey of Federal and State Standards AB - The objective of this research is to produce an easy-to-use compendium of procurement requirements applicable to airport contracting. The compendium should address contracts receiving financial support through Airport Improvement Program (AIP) as well as the America Relief and Recovery Act (ARRA) and state procurement requirements that would apply whether or not federal funds are involved. The report should also discuss procurement requirements when a state is acting as a "pass-through" for federal funds, i.e. when an airport is a sub-grantee of a state agency receiving a federal grant. The report should address the relationship (or hierarchy) of federal, state, and local procurement requirements in the case of federally funded contracts and the relationship (or hierarchy) between state and local procurement requirements for contracts without federal funds. The resulting research report should include summaries of federal and state requirements (for each state), statutory or regulatory citations, and web links to the cited statutes or regulations. Leading cases (judicial and administrative decisions)--to the extent available--interpreting the provisions should also be included. The research report should also distinguish between procurement for construction contracts, equipment purchases and professional services. Discussion of local procurement requirements would be limited to the issue of the relationship between such requirements and state and local requirements. KW - Airport Improvement Program KW - Airport operations KW - Contract administration KW - Federal requirements KW - Government funding KW - Procurement KW - State government agencies UR - http://144.171.11.40/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2884 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231480 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01566843 TI - Study of the Impacts of Implements of Husbandry on Bridges AB - Traditional bridge design and bridge rating are based upon codified procedures that examine a bridge's capability to resist traditional highway-type vehicles (e.g., trucks). It is known, however, that other vehicles (e.g., farm/agricultural vehicles or implements of husbandry) use these bridges. These farm vehicles have characteristics that are quite different from traditional vehicles; specifically, they tend to have different wheel spacing, different gage widths, different wheel footprints, dynamic coupling characteristics, and others. Further, these vehicles are carrying heavier loads as the agriculture industry has desired them to do so. Currently, the Iowa Department of Transportation Bridge Rating Engineer must make assumptions about how highway bridges resist these non-traditional vehicles. Thus, a research study is needed to more accurately characterize how applied loads from these implements of husbandry are resisted. Specifically, it is desired to understand how these agriculture loads are distributed through the structural elements comprising the bridge and to assess the magnitude of the dynamic loads these vehicles impose. Further, it is desired to know what methods of analyzing bridges for these loads are acceptable, so that accurate bridge ratings may be produced. The objective of this study is to determine how the implements of husbandry distribute their load within a bridge structural system and to provide recommendations for accurately analyzing bridges for these loading effects. To achieve this objective the distribution of live load and dynamic impact effects for different types of agricultural vehicles will be determined by load testing and evaluating two general types of bridges. The types of equipment studied will include but will not be limited to; grain wagons/grain carts, manure tank wagons, agriculture fertilizer applicators, and tractors. Once the effect of these vehicles has been determined, recommendations for the analysis of bridges for these non-traditional vehicles will be developed. KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge rating KW - Farm tractors KW - Farm vehicles KW - Highway bridges KW - Live loads KW - Structural analysis KW - Structural elements UR - http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/460 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1358560 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01560736 TI - Motorcycle Crash Causation Study AB - The primary objective of the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study is to investigate the causes of motorcycle crashes and to enable the development of countermeasures that can be effective in reducing these crashes. Using the field tested methodology developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the study will focus on all relevant aspects of motorcycle crashes that could be susceptible to countermeasures that will either prevent motorcycle crashes from occurring or will lessen the harm resulting from them. The objective of this transportation pooled fund study is to provide additional funding to increase the number of crash investigations that will be used to expand the database. KW - Countermeasures KW - Crash injuries KW - Crash investigation KW - Crash prevention KW - Databases KW - Fatalities KW - Motorcycle crashes UR - http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/480 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1351299 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463607 TI - ARC Technology Transfer Initiative AB - The objective of this initiative is to build on the momentum of the ARC competition and its message: New Methods-New Materials-New Thinking by inspiring transportation and natural resource communities and the next generation of practitioners through a series of activities over the course of twelve months. This initiative intends to acknowledge the virtues of the winning design while celebrating the promising ideas of all finalist designs. It also strives to keep innovation at the forefront of our collective thinking about wildlife crossing structure design. KW - Design KW - Environmental impacts KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Next generation design KW - Training KW - Wildlife KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/research/4W3533.aspx UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231833 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463270 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SA-38. Use of Electronic On-Street Signage in Transit AB - Providing accurate, useful, and timely information to transit customers has always been a challenging task. Transit information is complex and vast. Often just a small fraction of transit information is relevant to any one rider. Transit information is also dynamic, changing in real time due to a number of different variables. Now with advances in technology, there are new opportunities to provide this information to transit riders to improve their experiences. Many transit providers are currently using electronic signage to convey service information. Others are considering doing the same. A synthesis is needed to document the state of the practice on the use of electronic passenger information signage by selected transit providers. It will focus on their experiences to provide both real-time and other information.  KW - Information dissemination KW - Passenger information systems KW - Real time information KW - Signs KW - Technological innovations KW - Transit riders UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3204 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231496 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463269 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SA-29. Energy Savings Strategies for Transit Agencies AB - Transit systems are implementing various designs, technologies, operating practices, and other strategies in order to maximize energy efficiencies and control costs. This synthesis will identify and document energy savings strategies at transit agencies of all sizes across a range of geographic locations and types of service and operating modes that reduce use or generate power. KW - Electric power generation KW - Energy conversion KW - Energy efficiency KW - Operating costs KW - Public transit KW - Technological innovations KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3205 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231495 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463268 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SB-21. Transit Station and Stop Adoption Programs AB - A number of transit agencies have programs in which local organizations, individuals, or other partners can "adopt" a transit station or stop. In some adoption programs, the adopting organization may receive recognition or incentives in exchange for periodically removing litter from a station or stop. In other programs, adopting organizations may maintain vegetation, report suspicious activity to the transit agency or install public amenities. A state of the practice synthesis will include but not be limited to the following: (1) Cost/benefits; (2) Level of community participation; (3) Safety and security; (4) Publicity/marketing for transit agency and adopters; (5) Development/recruitment/retention of partnerships; (6) Liability; (7) Long term considerations/effects on transit planning/operations; and (8) Roles/responsibilities /limitations of adopters/agencies/jurisdictions. This synthesis will include a literature review, survey of selected transit agencies and/or other stakeholders, and detailed case studies/profiles will be accomplished to report on their experiences, including lessons learned and gaps in information. KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Community action programs KW - Litter KW - Partnerships KW - Public transit KW - Rail transit stations KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3206 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231494 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463267 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SB-22. Use of Customer Market Research Panels in Transit AB - As transit agencies face increasingly constrained research budgets and shortened timelines, alternative approaches are being explored and developed in order to provide market research information for management decision-making. Market research panels are one alternative to explore further.  A question arises as to when and where this approach is appropriate and actionable in the context of the full spectrum of market research methods. This synthesis will help transit agencies of all sizes better understand under what circumstances to make use of this market research tool. This synthesis will conduct a literature review of the science and standards of market research panels, a survey of transit agencies, and case studies of selected transit agencies currently using market research panels. Non-transit industry sources will also be explored for information. KW - Case studies KW - Customer satisfaction KW - Decision making KW - Market research KW - Public transit KW - Surveys KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3207 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231493 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463266 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SB-23. Integrating Passenger Ferry Service with Mass Transit AB - Passenger ferry services are operated by public agencies, private operators, and public- private partnerships throughout the country. However, ferry services seem to be nearly invisible in the transportation industry. The question is asked whether ferries could be integrated better in the public transit matrix to improve mass transit service options and ridership. A synthesis is needed to look at various transit agencies and modes that interface with ferry services and report how well integration has been accomplished.  The objective of this study is to document the practice of developing, improving, or operating passenger ferry services so that they are seamlessly integrated into public transit systems.  KW - Ferry service KW - Integrated mass transit systems KW - Passenger transportation KW - Public transit KW - Ridership KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Transportation planning KW - Water transportation UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3208 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231492 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463265 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SD-04. Rail Transit Track Inspection Practices AB - Rail transit agencies spend a significant portion of their operating and capital budgets on track and track structure, tunnels, aerial structures, and other associated infrastructure.  The inspection of this infrastructure requires unique job skills, staffing, know-how, training, qualifications, as well as specialized equipment and inspection criteria.  Transit agencies have varying degrees of experience dealing with these issues. A synthesis is needed to provide transit executives and transit industry staff with a knowledge base of the information on track inspection practices and policies across the industry.  The synthesis will look at a range of older and newer North American rail transit agencies to obtain a representative mix of track inspection practices in order to document the state of the practice. A literature review and detailed case studies/profiles will be accomplished. The final product will include lessons learned, successes, challenges, and gaps in information. KW - Infrastructure KW - Inspection KW - Maintenance of way KW - Railroad tracks KW - Railroad transportation KW - Training KW - Tunnels UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3209 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231491 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463264 TI - Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SF-17. Transit Driver/Operator Distraction Policies AB - A number of transit agencies have enacted policies designed to address distracted driving, such as the use of electronic devices, eating , drinking talking, reading, and grooming, etc., as well as occupational distractions. Currently, a Commercial Truck and Bus Synthesis Safety Program effort is underway to study industry practice for large and small, truck and over the road coach operations and such items as internal and external sources of distraction, driver tasks, emerging counter-distracted driver technologies and better training for drivers. This synthesis is intended to provide public transit agencies with information about bus transit operator distraction policies and outcomes in order to assist them in evaluating and developing their own policies and programs.  KW - Bus drivers KW - Bus transit KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Distracted drivers KW - Distraction KW - Driver training KW - Public transit KW - Transit operating agencies UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3210 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231490 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463234 TI - Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 310. Determination of Current Levels of Retroreflectance Attained and Maintained by the State Departments of Transportation AB - The objective of this research is to assess the retroreflectivity of lane markings attained and maintained throughout the winter season in different exposure conditions across the United States in order to aid in determining a reasonably attainable level and assuring the state agencies that such levels can be maintained over the winter. KW - Durability KW - Lane lines KW - Retroreflectivity KW - United States KW - Winter maintenance UR - http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3074 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231459 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01616424 AU - Grant, Michael AU - Day, Matthew AU - Winick, Robert AU - Chavis, Anna AU - Trainor, Stephanie AU - Bauer, Jocelyn AU - ICF International AU - Motion Maps, LLC AU - Science Applications International Corporation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion Management. Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook PY - 2011/04 SP - 42p AB - This publication is a summary report describing visualization practices used as part of the congestion management process (CMP), and is a supplement to the CMP Guidebook. These visualizations include maps, charts, graphs, photographs, videos, and computer illustrations and simulations. The report is organized both in terms of the type of visualization and the type/source of data, and includes many examples of visualizations used in CMPs around the nation. KW - Congestion management systems KW - Data displays KW - Visualization UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_management_process/cmp_visualization_tools/visualizationtools.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1434919 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01598881 AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications Tool Kit PY - 2011/04 SP - 369p AB - This Toolkit is a compilation of policies, procedures, forms, and training resources that represent the best practices being used throughout the U.S. by a variety of transit systems. It does not represent all of the effective means that transit systems are using to address and monitor Prescription (Rx) and Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication use, but is the result of an extensive effort by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to compile a broad range of materials as examples and models. Any recipient of FTA funding should use this Toolkit to either develop new, or revise existing, Rx/OTC medication policies, procedures, and training programs. The Toolkit is divided into six main sections: I. Rx/OTC Medication Overview; II. Rx/OTC Medication Policies and Procedures; III. Accident Investigation Procedures; IV. Forms; V. Training; and VI. Resources. Appendices include a summary table of best practices, frequently asked questions, and OTC medications with alcohol. KW - Best practices KW - Crash investigation KW - Forms (Documents) KW - Medication KW - Over the counter medications KW - Policy KW - Toolkits KW - Training KW - Transit operating agencies UR - https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/RxOTC_April2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1405294 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01526272 AU - Grant, Michael AU - Bowen, Beverly AU - Day, Matthew AU - Winick, Robert AU - Bauer, Jocelyn AU - Chavis, Anna AU - Trainor, Stephanie AU - ICF International AU - Motion Maps, LLC AU - Science Applications International Corporation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook PY - 2011/04 SP - 76p AB - This publication is a guidebook designed to provide information on how to create an objectives-driven, performance-based congestion management process (CMP). This guidebook describes a flexible framework of 8 actions that should be included in the development of a CMP. It also highlights the role of the CMP in addressing multiple objectives, including livability, multimodal transportation, linkages with environmental review, collaboration with partners and stakeholders, demand management and operations strategies, and effective practices for documentation and visualization. KW - Case studies KW - Congestion management systems KW - Handbooks KW - Metropolitan planning organizations KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Traffic congestion KW - Transportation planning KW - Travel demand management UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_management_process/cmp_guidebook/cmpguidebk.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1308897 ER - TY - SER AN - 01522248 JO - Tech Brief PB - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Entry-Level Training of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers PY - 2011/04 SP - 4p AB - In order to better explore the potential advantages of simulation training, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established and sponsored a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) Driving Simulator Validation (SimVal) research program. This study represents the second phase of this research program, tasked with exploring the use of simulators in entry-level CMV driver training and testing. KW - Commercial drivers KW - Driver training KW - Driving simulators KW - Truck drivers KW - Validation UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51355/SimVal-Entry-Level.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1306427 ER - TY - SER AN - 01522243 JO - Tech Brief PB - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Showcase of Advanced Simulator Capabilities for Training and Testing Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers PY - 2011/04 SP - 4p AB - It is widely recognized that the operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requires a variety of specialized skills and knowledge. However, CMV drivers may not practice or experience situations requiring these skills on a regular basis. Due to this, refresher and defensive driving training and testing of CMV drivers may be valuable. The Advanced Capabilities Showcase (ACS) was a demonstration of how state-of-the-art driving simulators can be used in CMV defensive driving training and testing. These advanced capabilities include the ability to simulate emergency maneuvers and extreme driving conditions along with different vehicle configurations (e.g., vans, tankers, and doubles). This showcase had two primary goals: explore the realism and effectiveness of each simulated emergency maneuver and extreme driving condition; and demonstrate the ability to assess driver performance during simulated emergency maneuvers and extreme driving conditions while examining driver performance based on experience level. KW - Commercial drivers KW - Driver experience KW - Driver performance KW - Driver training KW - Driving simulators KW - Truck drivers KW - Truck driving UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51354/SimVal-ACS.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1306441 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01479902 AU - Steer Davies Gleave AU - Department of Transportation TI - HSIPR Best Practices: Ridership and Revenue Forecasting PY - 2011/04 SP - 89p AB - This report provides a high-level description of the steps typically involved in forecasting the ridership and revenue of a high-speed/intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) service. It is aimed at non-specialists who review HSIPR ridership forecasting studies prepared by others. It provides information on the range of data and methods used in HSIPR forecasting at different stages of study, and flags particular areas or subjects that will generally require in-depth examination by subject area experts. Forecasts are typically prepared for both a “build” situation that includes the proposed project, as well as a “no-build” situation without the project, with the specific definition of the no-build situation needing to be agreed upon with study reviewers. Project benefits and costs are generally defined in terms of differences between the two situations. A high level description of modeling steps is provided. Trip table preparation, modal level of service data, mode choice modeling, and induced travel modeling are discussed in more detail. The interface of high speed rail with urban models and air/rail complemetarity also are discussed. In addition to best practices, common errors and potential pitfalls are described. KW - Best practices KW - Choice models KW - Forecasting KW - High speed rail KW - Level of service KW - Mode choice KW - Revenues KW - Ridership KW - Travel demand KW - Trip tables UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/foia-electronic-reading-room UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/dot/files/OIG-HSR-Best-Practice-Ridership-and-Revenue-Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1247548 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01479900 AU - Steer Davies Gleave AU - Department of Transportation TI - HSIPR Best Practices: Overview PY - 2011/04 SP - 35p AB - The high cost of high speed rail projects makes objective analytical methods essential for project planning and evaluation. Current state-of-the-art methods in ridership and revenue forecasting, operating cost estimation, and public benefit evaluation are presented and discussed. This report emphasizes the need for consistent project definition when preparing estimates, forecasts and assessments, and the need for the project definition to be consistent with service quality assumptions. It gives an overview of the process, stages, first- and second-order effects, and common errors for ridership and revenue forecasting, operating cost estimation, and public benefit evaluation. Each of these issues are discussed in more detail in separate reports. KW - Best practices KW - Estimating KW - Forecasting KW - High speed rail KW - Operating costs KW - Programming (Planning) KW - Revenues KW - Ridership KW - Social benefits UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/foia-electronic-reading-room UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/dot/files/OIG-HSR-Best-Practice-Overview-Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1247549 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01472611 AU - Whitesides, Ralph AU - Hanks, Dallas A AU - Utah State University, Logan AU - Utah Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Freeways to Fuel: A Baseline Study of Biofuel Feedstock Growth on Non-Traditional Agronomic Lands in Utah PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 103p AB - The goal of the FreeWays to Fuel Project is to develop sustainable, agronomic, crop growth methods that will allow biofuel feedstock production to occur on marginal or non-traditional plots of lands. Canola and Safflower plots were established in 2007 and 2008 along roadsides in four different regions of the Utah I-15 corridor. Harsh climatic conditions with above average temperatures and below average precipitation existed in both years. Plots were sprayed pre-plant with glyphosate herbicide to kill the existing vegetation and crops were planted using conventional Tye Pasture Pleaser no till drill. 2007 yields of safflower, spring and fall canola under control conditions were 706, 394, and 485 lbs/acre respectively. This represents less than 50 percent average yields for safflower and 25 percent yields for canola under normal climatic conditions. Roadside plots all yielded under 200 pounds/acre of seed for both crops. Two-thousand and eight seeds were placed two inches deep during planting to position them closer to moisture. No measurable yield was observed for any crops in control plots and less than 10 pounds/acre in roadside plots. The authors found that it was not economical to grow oilseed crops for biodiesel production along Utah roadsides under the climatic conditions experienced during 2007 – 2008 while using a Ty no-till drill. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Biodiesel fuels KW - Biomass fuels KW - Crops KW - Cultivation KW - Interstate 15 KW - Land use KW - Planting KW - Roadside KW - Roadside flora KW - Utah UR - http://utah.ptfs.com/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=42158 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1243678 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01469927 AU - Nebraska Department of Roads AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - 2010 Continuous Traffic Count Data and Traffic Characteristics on Nebraska Streets and Highways PY - 2011/04 SP - 292p AB - The Nebraska Department of Roads, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, collected and analyzed data at 61 continuous traffic count locations in 2010. Of these 61 locations, 38 are on rural state and federal highways, 8 on low volume rural roads, 2 on city streets in Grand Island, 3 on city streets in Lincoln, 7 on city streets in Omaha, 1 on the Interstate in South Sioux City, 1 on a city street in Scottsbluff, and 1 on a city street in Holdrege. Most of the machines have been converted to collect data on vehicle type, not just volume. As a result, continuous classification data is available at the majority of the stations. Short-term manual vehicle classification data was collected during 2010 at many of the remaining permanent continuous traffic counters. A traffic counter detects each passing vehicle and records hourly totals electronically. This information is retrieved periodically over the telephone lines by the Planning and Project Development Division of the Nebraska Department of Roads. Here the information is processed into Average Daily Traffic (ADT) figures. Some of the uses of these ADT values are determination of design standards, classification of highways, development of improvement programs and safety programs. Another important use of the information provided by these permanent traffic counters is to adjust many statewide 24- and 48-hour machine counts and 8-hour manual counts to annual average daily traffic volumes. KW - Average daily traffic KW - Nebraska KW - Traffic counts KW - Traffic data KW - Traffic volume KW - Vehicle classification UR - http://nlc1.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/R6000/S009-2010.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1237145 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465738 TI - Fixed Asset Reporting for the National Transit Database AB - This project will develop a tool for collecting a more complete set of asset inventory data from transit providers as part of the annual National Transit Database (NTD) reporting process. This new reporting tool will improve the organization of vehicle and guideway data already being collected and will add new data on system assets that have a significant impact on long-term reinvestment needs. The project will develop a spreadsheet-based data collection tool with built-in validation checks that can be used by transit systems to report data to the NTD, along with training materials and definitions of data elements. It includes managing the first-year (pilot) data collection for rail transit systems, providing technical assistance, summarizing results, and making recommendations for final implementation. Transit operators will also be able to use the spreadsheet as a standard template for creating an asset inventory that can be used by asset management analysis tools such as the "Lite" version of the Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM), which FTA makes available as a free download that agencies can use for long-term capital investment planning. The contractor will deliver recommended data elements, a spreadsheet-based reporting tool, a reporting manual and training materials, and a report on pilot implementation of new reporting procedures for rail transit asset reporting. The tool will gather new data on transit facilities, guideways, and subsystems (such as train control, telecommunications, and power) while minimizing the reporting burden on the transit industry. The additional data will allow FTA to track the impact of current capital investments and to better evaluate and forecast required levels of capital investment needed to bring transit operators to a State of Good Repair. KW - Assets KW - Capital investments KW - Data collection KW - National Transit Database KW - Rail transit KW - Reporting (Disclosure) KW - Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM) UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233972 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465728 TI - Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Open Data Issues AB - This project seeks to identify characteristics of an open data policy for transit service information related to schedule, facility, real time arrival, and situational status (such as detours, event information, and passenger load) that are practical and suitable for transit agencies to implement. Transit agencies generate and collect a wide variety of data in order to manage rolling stock, facilities, and equipment. Technology plays a critical role in facilitating performance efficiencies and optimizing service, and it provides unprecedented visibility into daily transit operations for higher levels of decision support. There is increased interest from other entities in using transit schedule and operational data to provide real-time trip-planning applications. Open data standards offer many potential benefits, such as providing access to transit service and performance information, reducing barriers to collecting and distributing service information, leveraging the costs of developing data exchange methods to support applications, and reducing the effort to collect and process actionable information for policy and decision makers. New sources of high-quality data could create commercial opportunities for new products and markets; in the past, open data has spawned multimillion dollar industries (such as Tiger files and the geospatial industry). This research will address technical requirements (standards, data systems, data feed, security, etc.) as well as institutional requirements, effectiveness, privacy, accessibility, relation to operational practices, costs to migrate, and more. The final product will serve as a guide for successful implementation of an open data policy for transit service data for both the public- and private-sector elements within the industry. KW - Data collection KW - Decision making KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Real time information KW - Rolling stock KW - Transit service KW - Transit trip planning UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233962 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01458100 AU - Shah, Ayesha AU - McDaniel, Rebecca AU - Purdue University AU - Indiana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Performance of Indiana’s Superpave HMA Mixtures PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 66p AB - This project followed the performance of a number of hot mix asphalt paving projects for seven to eight years in an attempt to relate laboratory test results to field performance. First, a small scale study compared sampling locations, specific gravity test procedures and compaction devices used on two samples from projects, one with volumetric acceptance and one with non-volumetric acceptance, to determine the best combination to use for Part 2 of the study. In Part 2, 12 projects constructed in 2001 and 2002 were sampled, tested and monitored. Laboratory testing involved determining maximum and bulk specific gravities, binder content, air voids and other properties of the mixes. Laboratory performance tests were also conducted, including Superpave shear tests at high and intermediate temperatures and indirect tensile tests at low temperatures. The Purwheel loaded wheel tester was used to test mixtures from four of the projects to examine the mixes’ tendencies to strip and rut. The laboratory testing results generally predicted that all of the mixtures would perform well in the field in terms of rutting. Results ranged from fair to excellent, with the vast majority of the results in the good to excellent categories. The indirect tensile testing results did not indicate any extreme problems would be expected with thermal cracking of these materials. While some of the mixes did have expected critical cracking temperatures warmer than the binder low temperature grade, all of them would be expected to perform well down to about -17°C. The single mix with a -28 grade binder, as opposed to the -22 grades for all of the other mixes, also had the lowest critical cracking temperature. Field performance of these projects was monitored through a condition survey and using videologs, rut depths and roughness measurements from the INDOT Pavement Management System. Through 2009, all 12 projects were performing well with rut depths generally less than 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) and roughness of less than about 100 in/mi. While there is some cracking on many of the projects, it is generally not severe and is likely reflective rather than thermal cracking. In general then, the laboratory results agree with the field performance. The lab tests suggested that the mixes would be resistant to rutting and fairly resistant to thermal cracking, and this was verified by the field performance in all cases. This study is limited somewhat by the fact that none of the mixes would be expected to perform poorly. Having mixes that “failed” a test would help to establish the boundaries between good and bad performance. The study is also subject to a common limitation of long-term performance studies – the fact that technology has evolved over the course of the project. Mix design parameters have changed somewhat and new test methods, particularly the dynamic modulus and flow number tests, have gained prominence. Nonetheless, this study does show that Superpave mixes from the early part of the century can be expected to perform well and that the laboratory performance tests used in this study generally can predict this good performance. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Deformation KW - Field tests KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Laboratory tests KW - Pavement cracking KW - Pavement performance KW - Superpave UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5703/1288284314251 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1218717 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01449558 AU - Brummond, Scott AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Wisconsin Air Cargo Study PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 60p AB - Air cargo is a key economic lifeline for the communities that have airports. Manufacturers, businesses, hospitals and other community cornerstone employers depend on air cargo to successfully operate. While there is no doubt that air cargo represents significant value to those employers, the ability to quantify the dollar value has been difficult to obtain. The goal of this project was to obtain enough raw data to analyze and develop supported conclusions regarding the economic value of air cargo activities. The Wisconsin Air Cargo Survey was the first step of the overall study and was staged in two phases by the University of Wisconsin Survey Center (UWSC). Phase 1 (preliminary research), yielded beneficial insight, but no quantifiable data related to air cargo activity in neighboring states. During phase 2, UWSC’s survey revealed that a large number of Wisconsin airport managers did not have and/or were not able to access some of the primary data that the survey was designed to collect. UWSC provided the raw data from both phases of their research. Analysis by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) indicated that the primary study goal would not be met because the information WisDOT expected to collect was not available. There were many inconsistencies with the data and few substantive responses on a number of questions. Many of the survey answers were “best guess estimates” and it was apparent that there was a general lack of knowledge regarding many of the questions. Additional data gathering and analysis will be needed to determine the economic benefits of air cargo in Wisconsin. KW - Air cargo KW - Airports KW - Economic analysis KW - Surveys KW - Wisconsin UR - http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/WisDOT-Policy-Research-0092-09-15-final-report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/46000/46100/46141/WisDOT-Policy-Research-0092-09-15-final-report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1215916 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01447870 AU - Dailey, Daniel J AU - Transportation Northwest Regional Center X (TransNow) AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Understanding the Trade off Between Schedule Changes, Cost, and Timeliness in a Major Transit System PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 28p AB - Metro King County (KC) is about to undertake a change in the use of their scheduling tools, in an effort to reduce costs by removing elasticity/recovery time from the schedule. The schedule is one of the principle inputs to the delivery of service, and so, ideally, according to TCRP report 88, there would be a variety of metrics of performance that could be used to evaluate the overall effect of the schedule change on the transit service delivered to King County. In the work proposed here, the timeliness measures will be a focus. There is to date no local quantitative results published to understand the cost-benefits of the tradeoffs between reduced elasticity and on-time performance. Metro KC’s automatic vehicle location (AVL) system provides detailed tracking of each of the vehicles, both in-service and between routes. Almost uniquely, for an agency Metro's size, this detailed performance information can be made available to the University of Washington (UW) in real time, at no extra cost to Metro. For at least 10 years this principal investigator (PI) has operated and maintained the Mybus infrastructure that obtains, stores and compares the real-time vehicle performance data about the entire fleet against the scheduled service. The work proposed here would initially establish a baseline set of timeliness performance metrics. As the schedule is modified, using several methodologies and algorithms applied to different routes, these metrics will be estimated using the actual on the ground vehicle performance. Since one of the goals of reducing schedule elasticity is to reduce cost, there exists the opportunity to understand the quantitative relationship between scheduling algorithms/methodologies, costs and timeliness. This is a unique opportunity to experiment with a large operating transit system, and identify quantitative outcomes from a variety of scheduling decisions over the course of four schedule changes, with 26,000 individual trips per day, using 1,200 operating vehicles over the course of a year. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Automatic vehicle location KW - King County (Washington) KW - King County Metro Transit KW - Operating costs KW - Performance measurement KW - Public transit KW - Real time information KW - Schedules and scheduling KW - Timeliness UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1213876 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01376244 AU - Gilley, Rex D AU - Mallela, Jagannath AU - Mosher, Jeff AU - Ullman, Gerald L AU - Littleton, Paul AU - Applied Research Associates, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - South Carolina Demonstration Project: Rapid Removal and Replacement of the SC 703 Ben Sawyer Bridge Over the Intracoastal Waterway in Charleston County PY - 2011/04//Final Evaluation SP - 42p AB - As part of a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration under the Highways for LIFE program, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) was awarded a waiver of state match incentive to demonstrate the use of proven, innovative technologies for accelerated bridge removal and replacement. This report documents accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques used to remove, widen, and replace the superstructure of the SC 703 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in less time than traditional construction methods. This report contains a description of the existing bridge and the materials and techniques used during construction. Prefabricated modular superstructure segments, four per span, were used to simplify and expedite the construction. Under conventional construction, the impact of this project on the traveling public was estimated at 8 months, but with the use of accelerated construction techniques, the impact was reduced to 10 days. Using ABC techniques added about $4.8 million to the initial construction cost of the project. However, a more comprehensive economic analysis including user cost savings shows that the project saved road users about $1.7 million (or 5 percent of the total project costs). KW - Accelerated construction KW - Bridge construction KW - Design build KW - Economic analysis KW - Innovation KW - Prefabricated bridges KW - South Carolina UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl/summary/pdfs/sc_703.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1143810 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361623 AU - Abdel-Rahim, Ahmed AU - Kyte, Michael AU - Dixon, Michael AU - National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Improved Simulation of Driver Behavior: Modeling Protected and Permitted Left-Turn Operations at Signalized Intersections PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 39p AB - This report documents the findings from a research project that is focused on modeling protected and permitted left-turn operations at signalized intersection approaches. The project‟s primary objective is to document the microscopic characteristics of protected and permitted left-turn operational parameters at signalized intersections using the NGSIM datasets. The microscopic characteristics of the following parameters are investigated and documented as part of the project: vehicle turning path, start-up lost time, saturation flow rate, and speed and time headway profiles along the turning path. While the sample size for some of the cases might not be large enough to allow for full statistical analysis, the data presented in this report provides insights on different elements of driver behavior as it relates to left-turn operations. KW - Behavior KW - Drivers KW - Left turns KW - Microscopic traffic flow KW - Permissive left turn operations KW - Protected left turns KW - Signalized intersections KW - Traffic characteristics KW - Traffic models KW - Traffic simulation UR - http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/niatt/research/Final_Reports/KLK716_N11-06.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127350 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361240 AU - Chaudhary, Mina AU - Hellman, Adrian AU - Ngamdung, Tashi AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Railroad Right-of-Way Incident Analysis Research PY - 2011/04 SP - 46p AB - Locations of railroad right-of-way incidents in this research were identified as hotspots. These can be defined as highway-rail grade crossings or locations along the railroad right-of-way where collision or trespassing risk is unacceptably high and intervention is justified because the potential safety benefits exceed the cost of intervention. This project categorizes the hotspots as grade crossing and trespass incident hotspots. Mathematical models and theories are researched to see which ones may be used in identifying the hotspots. For the analysis of grade crossing incident hotspots, the Transport Canada model is modified to accommodate United States data and is applied to a sample of grade crossing incidents from 2003 to 2007 in the San Joaquin corridor in California. In analyzing trespass incident hotspots, the theory of cluster analysis, a type of spatial analysis, was researched. It appears that cluster analysis, used in conjunction with a geographic information system platform, would be a beneficial way of analyzing and predicting trespass hotspots. KW - Cluster analysis KW - Crash data KW - Crash risk forecasting KW - Crashes KW - Geographic information systems KW - High risk locations KW - Mathematical models KW - Mathematical prediction KW - Railroad grade crossings KW - Railroad safety KW - Railroad traffic control KW - Right of way (Land) KW - San Joaquin County (California) KW - Trespassers UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/100 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38400/38477/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-09-11.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126927 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360956 AU - Kim, Dong Hyun AU - Trevino, Manuel AU - Whitney, David P AU - Fowler, David W AU - Ferron, Raissa AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Materials Selection for Concrete Overlays: Information Survey Review and Evaluation of Existing Concrete Overlays in Texas PY - 2011/04//Technical Report SP - 124p AB - A comprehensive search and review of the use of concrete overlays by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) districts as well as other department of transportation (DOTs) was conducted, with special emphasis focused on gathering information about the constituent materials and mixture proportioning used in the concrete overlays. This review also included new materials such as fibers used in previous studies and new types of fibers currently available. Publications and articles covering the various overlay rehabilitations were used as the background for this project, as well as the several studies and implementation projects have been conducted for TxDOT. Along with the comprehensive search and review, condition surveys and evaluations of existing concrete overlay sections in Texas were performed. The sections included the early experimental concrete overlays in Houston, as well as some more recent projects around Texas. KW - Concrete overlays KW - Condition surveys KW - Fibers KW - Literature reviews KW - Mix design KW - Texas UR - http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_6590_1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127112 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360396 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Digest of Impaired Driving and Selected Beverage Control Laws, Twenty-Fifth Edition, Current as of March 1, 2010 PY - 2011/04//25th Edition SP - 569p AB - This digest reports the status of State laws that are concerned with impaired driving offenses and alcoholic beverage control. The status of the laws reported is as of March 1, 2010. The digest is designed to be an easily accessible reference to all States’ current laws on alcohol and other issues of impaired driving. It contains a selection of the most important laws pertaining to impaired driving for each State, compiled in a consistent format to make research simpler. Each State entry includes: Basis for a DWI Offense; Chemical Breath Tests for Alcohol Concentration; Adjudication of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges; Sanctions; Administrative Licensing Actions; Ignition Interlock; Sobriety Checkpoints; DWI Offenses and Commercial Motor Vehicles; Other Criminal Actions Related to DWI; Minimum Age Alcohol Laws, Dram Shop Laws and Related Actions, and others. This compilation is extensively footnoted and contains comprehensive information on critical impaired driving laws for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. KW - Adjudication KW - Alcohol breath tests KW - Alcohol ignition interlock devices KW - Alcoholic beverages KW - Commercial drivers KW - Drinking establishments KW - Drunk drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Legal drinking age KW - Per se laws KW - Revocation KW - Sanctions KW - Sobriety checkpoints KW - State laws KW - Suspensions UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811456.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1125927 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01358033 AU - Ullman, Gerald L AU - Lomax, Timothy J AU - Ye, Fan AU - Scriba, Tracy AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Work Zone Performance Measures Pilot Test PY - 2011/04 SP - 129p AB - Currently, a well-defined and validated set of metrics to use in monitoring work zone performance does not exist. This pilot test was conducted to assist state DOTs in identifying what work zone performance measures can and should be targeted, what data they will need to collect to compute those measures, and what methods exist to obtain that data. Work zone activity and traffic data from five work zone projects were gathered and analyzed. Multiple data sources and collection methods were examined and utilized to the extent available at each project. These sources were field crew personnel manually documenting queue presence, length, and duration; traffic surveillance data from a transportation management center or from portable work zone ITS; and third-party probe vehicle data (in this test, large truck speed data obtained via the FHWA Office of Freight Management). The results of the pilot test indicate that manual documentation of queuing by field personnel, and the use of permanent or portable traffic sensor data can be used effectively to measure work zone impacts, given that information as to the time and location of work activities is known. Probe vehicle data is also believed to be a viable source of data, but sample size issues did limit is applicability in this pilot test. Average and maximum queue lengths and duration, duration of queues exceeding pre-determined thresholds, vehicle exposure to queues, and vehicle delays when queues are present were among the several performance measures tested and demonstrated as viable indicators of work zone mobility impacts. A number of lessons learned through this pilot test effort are also included in the report. A primer on how to select and compute work zone performance measures is being developed based on the findings documented in this report. KW - Mobility KW - Performance measurement KW - Pilot studies KW - Probe vehicles KW - Sensors KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic queuing KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control KW - Work zones UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/publications/fhwahop11022/fhwahop11022.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1122585 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01355945 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Summary of Vehicle Occupant Protection Laws, Ninth Edition, Current as of June 1, 2010 PY - 2011/04//Ninth Edition SP - 196p AB - This publication reports the status of State statutes that are concerned with vehicle occupant protection. A summary chart of the key provisions of State occupant protection laws and detailed lists of these laws in every State are provided. Such laws include requiring the use of (1) seat belts, (2) child passenger restraint devices, and (3) motorcycle or bicycle helmets. Also included are laws that prohibit riding in the bed of a pickup truck. Except as noted, the status of the State laws reported is as of October 15, 2008. KW - Bicycle helmets KW - Child restraint systems KW - Motorcycle helmets KW - Occupant protection devices KW - Pickup trucks KW - Seat belts KW - State laws UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811458.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1120854 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01355944 AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Summary of State Speed Laws, Eleventh Edition, Current as of February 1, 2010 PY - 2011/04//Eleventh Edition SP - 299p AB - This publication provides the status of State statutes or regulations that are concerned with either speed limits or speed-related violations. Local laws are not reported. The status of the State laws or regulations reported is as of February 1, 2010. This publication includes a summary chart of key provisions of State speeding laws, and detailed lists of these laws in every State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These lists include code and case law citations, which should help individuals conducting additional research in this area of the law, and which can be used to facilitate the comparison of State laws in this subject area. KW - Regulations KW - Speed limits KW - Speeding KW - State laws UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811457.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/43000/43300/43343/811457.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1120846 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01355171 AU - Ross, June AU - Sperley, Myra AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Red Light Running Camera Assessment PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 56p AB - In the 2004-2007 period, the Mission Street SE and 25th Street SE intersection in Salem, Oregon showed relatively few crashes attributable to red light running (RLR) but, since a high number of RLR violations were observed, the intersection was identified as having a high crash potential. ODOT approved the installation of RLR cameras for a trial period to study the results of RLR cameras. Cameras were installed in February 2008 in the westbound and northbound directions. A before and after study of the crashes involving westbound and northbound drivers at the Mission and 25th intersection was completed. In the 50 months prior to the camera installation crashes averaged 0.62 per month. In the 21 months after installation, the average increased by 77.4% to 1.10 per month. Crash cost estimates for different types of crashes make it possible to account for the expectation that RLR cameras are likely to result in fewer angle crashes, which are often severe, and more rear end crashes, for which injuries tend to be less severe. The estimated average monthly crash costs increased from $16,296 before the cameras were installed to $27,738 after the cameras were installed. Crashes increased only slightly or not at all at two comparison intersections, whereas the crashes increased substantially at the Mission at 25th intersection. Since traffic volumes declined slightly from the pre- to post-installation periods, the crash data were not normalized. After camera installation, violations decreased by 43 percent in the westbound direction and 23 percent in the northbound direction. At both the westbound and northbound approaches, left turning vehicles accounted for the overwhelming majority of the violations. KW - Before and after studies KW - Cameras KW - Countermeasures KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Highway safety KW - Left turns KW - Oregon KW - Red light running KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic violators UR - http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/ResearchReports/RLR_Camera_SPR304_521.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1119676 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354560 AU - Houston, William N AU - Harraz, Abdalla M AU - Walsh, Kenneth D AU - Houston, Sandra L AU - Perry, Courtland AU - Arizona State University, Tempe AU - Arizona Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Drilled Shaft Bridge Foundation Design Parameters and Procedures for Bearing in SGC Soils PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 126p AB - This report provides a simplified method to be used for evaluating the skin friction and tip resistance of axially loaded drilled shafts. A summary of literature and current practice was completed and then a comprehensive set of field and laboratory tests was performed. Several soil samples were collected from different sites from Arizona and surrounding states. Large scale direct shear apparatus was developed and used to determine the friction between soil and concrete. Finite element analyses were conducted on several prototype cases to determine effect of soil parameters such as dilation on the skin friction values. A step-by-step simplified approach was introduced to determine the skin and tip resistance of drilled shaft foundations in gravelly soils. An example application was presented to guide users in utilizing the simplified approach. KW - Axial loads KW - Bridge foundations KW - Cobbles KW - Compressibility KW - Design KW - Dilation KW - Drilled shafts KW - End bearing KW - Gravelly soils KW - Sandy gravels KW - Skin friction UR - http://repository.asu.edu/attachments/108741/content/Drilled%20Shaft%20Bridge.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118950 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354559 AU - Dodd, Norris L AU - Gagnon, Jeffrey W AU - Sprague, Scott AU - Boe, Susan AU - Schweinsburg, Raymond E AU - Arizona Game and Fish Department AU - Arizona Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Assessment of Pronghorn Movements and Strategies to Promote Highway Permeability: US Highway 89 PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 84p AB - Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) movements were investigated with Global Position System (GPS) telemetry from 2007 to 2008 along a 28-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 89 in northern Arizona to develop strategies to enhance permeability with future highway reconstruction. Research objectives were to: 1. Assess pronghorn movement patterns and distribution and determine highway permeability. 2. Investigate the relationships of pronghorn distribution patterns to vehicular traffic volume. 3. Assess the influence of fencing on pronghorn highway crossing patterns and permeability. 4. Investigate pronghorn-vehicle collision patterns. 5. Develop recommendations to enhance pronghorn highway permeability. The team tracked 37 pronghorn (20 females, 17 males) with GPS receiver collars. Of 118,181 GPS fixes, 1,125 occurred within 0.15 mile of US 89, and 3,794 occurred within 0.30 mile. Only one pronghorn crossed US 89 during the two years of tracking. The mean passage rate was a negligible 0.006 crossings/approach. No collisions with vehicles were recorded during the study. In total, 5,035 weighted pronghorn approaches, number of animals/segment, and five other criteria were used to rate 0.6-mile highway segments for suitability as passage structure locations. The team recommended 3.2-mile spacing between passage structures and three sites for passage structures integrated with fencing and noise reduction measures. KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Fences KW - Global Positioning System KW - Highway permeability KW - Highway safety KW - Pronghorn antelope KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic volume KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/cdm/ref/collection/statepubs/id/16842 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118656 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354552 AU - Ozyildirim, H Celik AU - Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Laboratory Investigation of Lightweight Concrete Properties PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 21p AB - Lightweight concrete (LWC), with its reduced weight and improved durability, enables longer spans, fewer piers, and longevity for bridge structures. The current emphasis on upgrading structures makes LWC highly desirable as a construction material since superstructures with wider shoulders or more lanes can be upgraded without major work on the substructure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the density (unit weight), splitting tensile strength, and elastic modulus of LWC mixtures under different curing conditions to achieve a better understanding of the LWC properties that are essential for long-lasting and cost-effective structures. Further, the study examined the correlation between the results of the rapid chloride permeability test and the surface resistance test using the Wenner probe to investigate whether the latter could be used to predict the permeability of LWC mixtures, as it is faster and more convenient. The scope of the study was limited to LWC mixtures having different lightweight aggregates prepared and tested in the laboratory. The results indicated that measured densities are different than those calculated from batch weights; curing conditions affect the splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus values; and the correlation between the results of the rapid chloride permeability test and the surface resistivity test for a given lightweight aggregate was good. The study recommends that fresh concrete densities be used in designing for dead load computations of LWC structures; that the curing condition be stated for the hardened concrete properties; and that the surface resistivity test be permitted for screening or acceptance of LWC specimens for permeability after the test is standardized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. KW - Concrete curing KW - Density KW - Lightweight concrete KW - Modulus of elasticity KW - Permeability KW - Properties of materials KW - Surface resistivity KW - Tensile strength KW - Weight UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/11-r17.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55700/55727/11-R17.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118451 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354154 AU - Yates, J Frank AU - Alattar, Laith AU - Eby, David W AU - Molnar, Lisa J AU - LeBlanc, David AU - Gilbert, Mark AU - Rasulis, Michelle AU - St Louis, Renee AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - An Analysis of Seatbelt Use Decision Making Among Part-Time Users PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 52p AB - Young people, in particular young males, are overrepresented in fatal crashes. In part, this elevated fatal crash rate results from the lack of seatbelt use among teen drivers and passengers. A recent review of more than 200 teen-targeted programs for promoting belt use found that few were effective and none were empirically based on an understanding of the cognitive processes underlying the decision for a teen to use or not use a seatbelt. Seatbelt use researchers face a daunting challenge: How can they explain and influence the behavior of part-time seatbelt users? The authors' approach to this challenge rested on the assumption that a driver‘s seatbelt use—or nonuse—is at least partly a product of the driver‘s decisions. A "decision" is a commitment to a course of action that is intended to serve the interests and values of particular people, sometimes called the intended beneficiaries. In this study, the authors distinguish two levels of seatbelt use decisions: policy and spot. A driver‘s seatbelt use "policy" is a rule the driver says that he seeks to follow in determining whether to use his seatbelt on a given trip. In the present research, a "spot decision" is a driver‘s decision about whether to use a seatbelt on a given trip—literally on the spot. The theory guiding this work was the "cardinal issue perspective" (CIP) on decision making. According to the CIP, 10 issues arise in every decision situation, in some form or another. Further, each of those issues is resolved somehow by the decision maker, deliberately or not. The study involved the recruitment of 24 young male drivers. Each participant drove an instrumented vehicle, equipped with several sensors including a camera that began recording in-cabin behavior when the vehicle door opened, for 12 days. After review of the driving and belt use data by research staff, participants completed a detailed interview of their belt use policies and spot belt use decisions. The results showed that belt use varied as a function of the presence of a passenger, time of day, and trip length. About one-half of participants had policies regarding belt use. Of those who did report having policies, one-half had a policy to always use belts and the rest had part-time belt use policies. The details of the part-time policies varied widely among participants. Issues influencing spot decisions included forgetfulness, distraction, short trip lengths, and familiarity with the road network to be traveled. One factor influencing belt use decisions that clearly emerged from the study was habit. Many participants with a full-time belt use policy reported that their use of belts was simply a habit. Efforts on the behalf of driver educators and parents to instill the habit of belt use in young people will free young drivers from the necessity of having to make belt use decisions on a trip-by-trip basis. Although one benefit of having a full-time seatbelt use policy is that it frees individuals from having to expend the effort to make a belt decision on every trip, most participants in this study seemed to be unaware of the investment costs associated with such trip-by-trip decisions. Other conclusions are presented. KW - Decision making KW - Risk taking KW - Seat belts KW - Teenage drivers KW - Traffic safety KW - Utilization UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/85177/1/102755.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1114741 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354141 AU - Anderson, Michael AU - Dondapati, Mary Catherine AU - Harris, Gregory AU - University of Alabama, Huntsville AU - University Transportation Center for Alabama AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Effectively Using the QRFM to Model Truck Trips in Medium-Sized Urban Communities PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 17p AB - This report analyzes the effectiveness of applying the Quick Response Freight Manual (QRFM) to model freight transportation. Typically freight transportation is modeled indirectly or as an after-thought. Increasing freight volumes, coupled with cost-saving strategies such as just-in-time delivery systems, require that transportation policymakers analyze infrastructure needs and make investment decisions that explicitly include freight volumes as a component. This paper contains a case study using a travel model for a medium-sized urban area and the QRFM trip-generation and distribution methodology to provide a framework for freight planning that can be used to improve resource-allocation decisions. KW - Freight modeling KW - Freight transportation KW - Resource allocation KW - Transportation planning KW - Travel KW - Trip generation KW - Trucking KW - Trucks KW - Urban areas UR - http://utca.eng.ua.edu/files/2011/08/06306-Final-Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1117025 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354085 AU - Morgan, Justin F AU - Trimble, Tammy E AU - Bowman, Darrell S AU - Baker, Stephanie AU - Pickett, Racquel AU - Murray, Dan AU - Bergoffen, Gene AU - MaineWay Services AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Synthesis of Literature Relating to Cellular Telephone/Personal Digital Assistant Use in Commercial Truck and Bus Operations PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 32p AB - There is an increasing awareness of the role of driver distraction in commercial motor vehicle crashes. This study presents the results of efforts to expand current knowledge of truck and motorcoach industry practices regarding commercial driver distraction. The project involved a thorough literature review on driver distraction. Little research specifically addressed commercial driver distraction; those studies that did examine commercial driving typically found significant degradations in driver performance due to visually demanding device use. However, the findings of automotive driver distraction research vary based on the type of examination (i.e., simulator, test-track, or naturalistic data collection methods) and the aspect of phone use. These findings, in light of the importance and potential safety risks posed by driver distraction, may help guide further research into the nature and magnitude of distraction faced by CMV drivers as part of their normal job functions. KW - Bus crashes KW - Bus drivers KW - Cellular telephones KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Distraction KW - Performance KW - Personal digital assistants KW - Traffic safety KW - Truck crashes KW - Truck drivers KW - Trucking safety UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51200/51275/Cell-PDA-Use-in-Commercial-Truck-and-Bus-Operations.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1116695 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353835 AU - Izadi, Anoosha AU - Bhasin, Arash Motamed and Amit AU - Bhasin, Amit AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Designing Fine Aggregate Mixtures to Evaluate Fatigue Crack-Growth in Asphalt Mixtures PY - 2011/04 SP - 54p AB - Fatigue cracking is a significant form of pavement distress in flexible pavements. The properties of the sand-asphalt mortars or fine aggregate matrix (FAM) can be used to characterize the evolution of fatigue crack growth and self-healing in asphalt mixtures. This study compares the internal microstructure of the mortar within a full asphalt mixture to the internal microstructure of the FAM specimen. This study also conducts a limited evaluation of the influence of mixture properties and methods of compaction on the engineering properties of the FAM specimens. The results from this study, although limited in number, indicate that in most cases the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) compacted FAM specimen had a microstructure that most closely resembled the microstructure of the mortar within a full asphalt mixture. Another finding from this study was that, at a given level of damage, the healing characteristic of the three different types of FAM mixes was not significantly different. This indicates that the healing rate is mostly dictated by the type of binder and not significantly influenced by the gradation or binder content, as long as the volumetric distribution of the mastic was the same. In other words, the inherent healing characteristics of the asphalt binder plays a more significant role relative to other properties (e.g. volumetrics) in the overall fatigue cracking resistance of the asphalt mixture. KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Fatigue (Mechanics) KW - Fatigue cracking KW - Fine aggregates KW - Flexible pavements KW - Microstructure KW - Mortar KW - Pavement distress KW - Superpave UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42275/161022-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118644 ER - TY - SER AN - 01351918 JO - TechBrief PB - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - The Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) Procedure PY - 2011/04 SP - 9p AB - The Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) test is the latest improvement to the Superpave Performance Graded (PG) Asphalt Binder specification. This new test and specification – listed as AASHTO TP70 and AASHTO MP19 – provide the user with a new high temperature binder specification that more accurately indicates the rutting performance of the asphalt binder and is blind to modification. A major benefit of the new MSCR test is that it eliminates the need to run tests such as elastic recovery, toughness and tenacity, and force ductility, procedures designed specifically to indicate polymer modification of asphalt binders. A single MSCR test can provide information on both performance and formulation of the asphalt binder. This Technical Brief provides an overview of the intent of the Superpave MSCR procedure to evaluate asphalt binder and its relation to asphalt pavement performance. KW - Asphalt pavements KW - Asphalt tests KW - Binder content KW - Bituminous binders KW - Mix design KW - Multiple Stress Creep Recovery KW - Pavement performance KW - Rutting KW - Superpave UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/materials/pubs/hif11038/hif11038.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1114258 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349601 AU - Belzer, Dena AU - Srivastava, Sujata AU - Wood, Jeff AU - Greenberg, Ellen AU - Center for Transit-Oriented Development AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Employment PY - 2011/04 SP - 28p AB - This report explores the need to consider regional employment centers in planning transit systems and services, and expands the discussion about how employment concentrations should be incorporated into the discussion of transit-oriented development (TOD). The ongoing trend of employment decentralization outside of central business districts (CBDs) demands a new approach to transit planning outside the traditional suburban-urban/CBD commute model. This report includes a literature review and case studies of regional employment patterns and transit networks in the Atlanta, Phoenix-Mesa, and Minneapolis-St. Paul regions. Literature review finds that extreme employment dispersal has occurred in the last half-century, large and high-density employment centers are likely to result in higher transit mode share, and walkable destinations feature fewer automobile trips. Transit performance can be maximized by focusing on dense regional employment clusters with high potential for internal pedestrian circulation. The report recommends that TOD and regional transit planning focus on employment patterns, clusters outside of CBDs incorporate transit, and new fixed-guideway investments give strong consideration to connecting existing employment concentrations. KW - Atlanta Metropolitan Area KW - Decentralization KW - Employment KW - Modal split KW - Pedestrians KW - Phoenix Metropolitan Area KW - Public transit KW - Regional development KW - Transit oriented development KW - Transportation planning KW - Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota) UR - http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/TODandEmploymentFINALMay2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1111817 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349377 AU - Diefenderfer, Brian K AU - Apeagyei, Alex K AU - Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research AU - Virginia Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Analysis of Full-Depth Reclamation Trial Sections in Virginia PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 54p AB - Full-depth reclamation (FDR) has become an increasingly common technology to restore the service life of pavement structures requiring deep rehabilitation and to stretch available funding for pavement rehabilitation. FDR consists of pulverizing the existing bound flexible pavement layers along with a portion of the unbound layers (or all the unbound layers and a portion of the subgrade); adding a stabilizing agent; compacting the mixture; and surfacing with a new bound material layer(s) or surface treatment. FDR has been successfully demonstrated by many highway agencies. However, the results of structural characterization and life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) vary greatly, making it difficult to implement the results of previous studies directly as typical values for future pavement designs. This study assessed the condition of three FDR trial sections constructed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) during the 2008 construction season. The sites were on SR 40 (Franklin County), SR 13 (Powhatan County), and SR 6 (Goochland County). The test site on SR 40 used asphalt emulsion and foamed asphalt binder as the respective stabilizing agents on two sections within the project. The test sites on SR 13 and SR 6 used portland cement as the stabilizing agent. Following reclamation, all three sites received a hot-mix asphalt overlay. The FDR assessment was conducted using a variety of methods that included gradation analysis; determination of resilient modulus, dynamic modulus, and indirect tensile strength; ground-penetrating radar; falling-weight deflectometer testing; and LCCA. A hypothetical LCCA was also conducted to document the potential cost savings between a pavement rehabilitation schedule that included FDR with one that was based solely on traditionally used rehabilitation techniques. The study showed that pavements could be successfully reconstructed using FDR and that the structural capacity of FDR sections was dependent on both the stabilizing agent and time. The study recommends that VDOT pursue additional FDR projects where appropriate and work on refining a list of criteria to select future projects for those pavements where it is most suitable. Further, a project-level investigation should be performed on any potential FDR site to verify that it is an appropriate candidate. The LCCA showed that if a pavement rehabilitation strategy that includes FDR is applied to a preliminary candidate list of projects on VDOT’s primary and secondary networks, a 50-year life-cycle cost savings of approximately $10 million and $30.5 million, respectively, is possible when compared to a traditionally used pavement rehabilitation approach. If the potential cost savings were annualized, the savings to VDOT would be approximately $463,000 and $1.42 million per year for the primary and secondary networks, respectively. KW - Asphalt emulsions KW - Foamed asphalt KW - Franklin County (Virginia) KW - Full-depth reclamation KW - Goochland County (Virginia) KW - In-place recycling KW - Life cycle costing KW - Portland cement KW - Powhatan County (Virginia) KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Soil stabilization KW - Test sections UR - http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/11-r23.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55700/55729/11-R23.PDF UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108830 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345765 AU - Haire, E R AU - Leaf, W A AU - Preusser, D F AU - Solomon, M G AU - Preusser Research Group, Incorporated AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Use of Warrants to Reduce Breath Test Refusals: Experiences from North Carolina PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 54p AB - Many States experience high rates of breath test refusals among DWI suspects. The objective of this study was to examine one possible strategy to decrease refusals rates—the use of a search warrant to obtain blood samples from a driver who refuses to provide a breath sample. Three counties in North Carolina established the use of warrants in cases of breath test refusals and were research sites. This report presents case study information on their experiences with the implementation and use of warrants. The program evaluation examined whether the use of warrants reduced refusal rates in the participating counties. However, many of the counties were unable to implement a program during the timeframe of the study, and others did not achieve much program strength. This report includes data from the evaluation effort. However, given the various methodological issues that occurred during this study, it is not possible to determine whether observed decreases in refusal rates were a result of the warrants program. In general, police officers in these participating counties report that the 15 to 60 minutes of added processing time needed to obtain a warrant and draw blood was time well spent, and that the chemical evidence obtained from blood was of great value. KW - Alcohol breath tests KW - Alcohol test refusal KW - Blood alcohol levels KW - Countermeasures KW - Drunk drivers KW - Highway safety KW - North Carolina KW - Search warrants UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811461.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1107368 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345762 AU - McLaughlin, Shane B AU - Doerzaph, Zachary R AU - Cannon, Brad R AU - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Pilot Study of Instrumentation to Collect Behavioral Data to Identify On-Road Rider Behavior PY - 2011/04//Final Letter Report SP - 168p AB - Motorcycle-related research questions of interest to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were reviewed. Instrumentation techniques and study procedures that have been used for light- and heavy-vehicle studies were adapted for use in answering the motorcycle-related questions. Three motorcyclists rode with instrumentation for a total of over 3,100 miles. The final data acquisition system and instrumentation recorded acceleration in three axes, yaw, pitch, roll, geographic location, rear-wheel speed, position in lane, turn-signal use, braking, range and closing speed to forward objects, and five video views. The sensor and video data were collected continuously while the bike was running. Development of helmet-mounted eye tracking and three dimensional head tracking instrumentation for use in naturalistic studies was attempted. Study components including recruiting, screening, questionnaires, and garage procedures were also tested. Analyses were conducted to illustrate possible uses of the data and to confirm the effectiveness of the adapted instrumentation. An independent evaluator reviewed the project, including the technical approach, instrumentation, data and questionnaires. Demonstration of motorcycle instrumentation that will support the majority of NHTSA's motorcycle research questions was successful. Instrumentation for fine measurement of gaze location in naturalistic situations was not successful. Identification of coarse scan behavior and general areas where riders are looking (e.g., forward, left, right, down, rearward) was possible. KW - Behavior KW - Data collection KW - Instrumentation KW - Motorcycles KW - Motorcyclists KW - Naturalistic studies UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811442.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1107364 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345754 AU - Huseth, Andrea AU - Vachal, Kimberly AU - Benson, Laurel AU - Lofgren, Mark AU - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute AU - Mountain-Plains Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Pilot Study to Assess Sustained and Multifaceted Traffic Safety Activity on North Dakotaʼs Rural Roads PY - 2011/04 SP - 62p AB - North Dakota consistently experiences a relatively high level of crashes and injuries on rural roads, considering lane miles and vehicle miles traveled. Approximately 55% of the state‟s travel, in vehicle-miles, takes place on rural roads. North Dakota fatal crash reports from 2003 to 2007 show that 89% of serious injuries, including fatal and disabling injuries, occurred on rural roads. The state continues to assess and deploy resources to reduce crashes and injuries on rural roads as outlined in work plans such as the Highway Safety Improvement Plan and the Highway Safety Plan. An important aspect of successfully pursuing a state and federal emphasis on rural road safety is to understand the effectiveness of individual and coordinated safety interventions. The overall goal of this project was to measure effectiveness for alternative levels of intervention designed to heighten awareness and safety on rural roads in a targeted corridor. A multi-county case study was designed to include sustained and multifaceted safety interventions. Two counties in North Dakota were selected to be included in a designated Traffic Safety Corridor where safety interventions would occur. Another county beyond the corridor was monitored as a control case. Metrics used to measure effectiveness were a multi-phase driver survey, direct seat belt observations which occurred pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention, and county-level crash/citation data. Overall, results of this research indicate that the project interventions that were implemented had little effect on overall seat belt use of the targeted counties. KW - Countermeasures KW - Effectiveness KW - Highway safety KW - Injuries KW - North Dakota KW - Rural highways KW - Safety programs KW - Seat belts KW - Traffic crashes KW - Utilization UR - http://www.mountain-plains.org/pubs/pdf/MPC11-233.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106669 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345039 AU - Maritime Administration AU - Environmental Protection Agency TI - America’s Marine Highway: Report to Congress PY - 2011/04 SP - 86p AB - This Report to Congress is required by Sections 1121 and 1123 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Energy Act). Section 1121 directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish a short sea transportation program and designate short sea transportation projects under the program to mitigate landside congestion. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has implemented this short sea transportation program as the “America’s Marine Highway Program” (the Program). The Program is intended to expand the use of our inland, Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System, intracoastal, and coastal waterways for the transportation of freight (loaded in containers and trailers) and passengers to mitigate landside congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions per ton-mile of freight moved, and accomplish other objectives. The first section of this report provides the justification for expanding the utilization of Marine Highway services. It describes the interests of the Federal government in encouraging greater use of Marine Highways and, through the example of Europe, shows that government policy can be successful in achieving this result. An important point of this section is that the full range of public benefits of Marine Highway services will not be realized based solely on market-driven transportation choices. This report illustrates that the opportunity to more effectively balance our national transportation system – with numerous transportation services, including rail, road, and water – is attractive for a number of reasons. A balanced system that takes advantage of the relative strengths of each mode can better address the transportation challenges of growing surface congestion, aging infrastructure, and system repair and expansion. These challenges, combined with growing public pressure to improve the environment and the need to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum fuels, make America’s Marine Highway an attractive transportation choice. Furthermore, it can help our government’s response to and recovery from emergencies and provide mobility resources to support national defense. KW - Aging (Materials) KW - Benefits KW - Emergency response and recovery KW - Emission mitigation strategies KW - Environmental protection KW - Freight transportation KW - Landside capacity KW - Marine highways KW - Passenger transportation KW - Short sea shipping KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic mitigation KW - United States KW - Water transportation KW - Waterways UR - http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/MARAD_AMH_Report_to_Congress.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105315 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345036 AU - Matteson, Anne AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents Factbook 2008 PY - 2011/04//Special Report SP - 70p AB - This document presents aggregate statistics on buses involved in traffic accidents in 2008. The statistics are derived from the Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA) file, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The BIFA database is a census of all buses involved in a fatal accident in the United States, and provides coverage of buses recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. BIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the bus from the BIFA survey. KW - Bus crashes KW - Bus transit KW - Bus transportation KW - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents KW - Data aggregation KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Statistics KW - United States UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84149/1/96746_A10.pdf UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/84149 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106020 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344980 AU - Rossetti, Michael A AU - Johnsen, Michael AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Weather and Climate Impacts on Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 88p AB - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has an interest in how adverse weather may influence trucking industry practices, and what climate change might mean for future FMCSA efforts to reduce weather-related crashes. Weather conditions influence commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations and driver safety through wet pavement, impaired visibility, heavy precipitation, frozen precipitation, flooding, high winds, extremes of temperature, and other factors. Climate variability and climate change may also increase these exposures by affecting the distribution, frequency, or intensity of those weather events. Regional, State, and/or local impacts projected by climate change studies may have future implications for CMV safety. Should climate change result in more frequent or intense storms affecting CMVs, the historic decline in weather-related crashes may level off. This could pose challenges to FMCSA’s primary mission, and the agency may need to explore different strategies for reducing weather-related crashes, such as education and training programs or technologies that could alert drivers of adverse weather conditions. KW - Climate KW - Climate change KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Truck crashes KW - Trucking safety KW - Weather conditions UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/50000/50100/50134/Weather-Impacts-on-CMV-Safety-report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105162 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344772 AU - Nambisan, Shashi AU - Hallmark, Shauna AU - Fitzsimmons, Eric AU - McDonald, Tom AU - Sperry, Bob AU - Anderson, David AU - Vencil, Evan AU - Roche, Jerry AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Midwest Transportation Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Lane-Departure Guidance for Iowa PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 75p AB - Lane departure crashes are the single largest category of fatal and major injury crashes in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that 60% of roadway-related fatal crashes are lane departures and that 39% of Iowa’s fatal crashes are single-vehicle run-off-road crashes. Addressing roadway departure was identified as one of the top eight program strategies for the Iowa DOT in their Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan. The goal is to reduce lane departure crashes and their consequences through lane departure-related design standards and policies. This report outlines roadway countermeasures that can be used to address lane departure crashes. Paved shoulders, pavement safety edge, shoulder rumble strips, edge-line rumble strips, centerline rumble strips, high-tension median cable barriers and countermeasures for horizontal curves are included. A general description, design variations, summary of performance and effectiveness, guidance and current practice for Iowa, and proposed guidance and changes are included for each possible countermeasure. KW - Countermeasures KW - Edge detection KW - Guidelines KW - Highway curves KW - Highway design KW - Highway safety KW - Iowa KW - Lane departures KW - Median barriers KW - Paved shoulders KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Rumble strips UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106581 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344044 AU - Khan, Lutful I AU - Pearson, Cynthia AU - Cleveland State University AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Geofabric in Undercut on MSE Wall Stability PY - 2011/04 SP - 30p AB - Compaction of granular base materials at sites with fine grained native soils often causes unwanted material loss due to penetration at the base. In 2007, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) began placing geotextile fabrics in the undercut of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls at the interface of the native soil and aggregate fill to facilitate construction. It is probable that the sliding resistances of the MSE retaining walls are affected by this practice. At this time, it is unknown if shear parameters at the base of the MSE walls are altered due to the presence of geotextiles at the soil/stone (granular backfill) interface and, if the factor of safety (FS) against sliding failure is compromised. To address this issue, a systematic investigation of the shear parameters at the geotextile/stone interface and native-soil/stone interface was conducted by Large Scale Direct Shear tests. It was observed that the shear strength between the geofabric/stone interfaces were lower than those of the soil/stone interfaces. The extent of the shear reduction depended on the properties of the base soil. For the same stone, the shear parameters at the geofabric interface changed from those of the cohesive soil interface such that friction angle slightly increased and the adhesion slightly decreased. However, the net shear strength at the geofabric interface, calculated with 25 psi normal stress, was generally lower. In case of cohesionless base soil, the shear parameters at the geofabric/stone interface reduced noticeably from those of soil/stone interface. This, in turn, produced a significant (up to 30%) reduction in shear strength at the geofabric/stone interface, calculated under 25 psi normal pressure. The findings of this research indicate that the design of MSE walls with geofabric at the undercut may require modification of the sliding safety factor to reflect the reduced shear strength at the interface. KW - Adhesion KW - Cohesive soils KW - Friction angle KW - Geotextiles KW - Granular soils KW - Interfaces KW - Mechanically stabilized earth KW - Retaining walls KW - Safety factors KW - Shear strength KW - Sliding UR - http://worldcat.org/oclc/746952952/viewonline UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106490 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343658 AU - DeLuccie, Veronica AU - Goldbaum, Jay AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Review of QC/QA Data 2000 Through 2009 PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 44p AB - This report analyzes the Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) data for Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) awarded in the years 2000 through 2009. Analysis of the overall performance of the projects is accomplished by reviewing the Calculated Pay Factor Composite (CPFC) and Incentive/Disincentive Payments (I/DP). Analysis of each of the test elements: thickness, compressive strength, sand equivalent, and flexural strength is also completed. The results of the evaluation are presented in tables, figures, and reports. The overall quality of PCCP evaluated is very high. The quality levels in each of the elements are approaching the maximum of 100%. The pay factors for the individual elements are also close to their maximums. The material being produced is well above the minimum standards set by the specifications. KW - Calculated pay factor composite KW - Compressive strength KW - Concrete pavements KW - Disincentives KW - Flexural strength KW - Incentives KW - Material quality KW - Paving KW - Payment KW - Portland cement concrete KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Sand equivalent test KW - Thickness UR - http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/research/pdfs/2011/PCCP2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106004 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343656 AU - Bunyak, Dawn AU - Simmons, Thomas H AU - Simmons, R Laurie AU - Bunyak Research Associates AU - Front Range Research Associates, Incorporated AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Denver Area Post-World War II Suburbs PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 290p AB - Historic Residential Subdivisions of Metropolitan Denver, 1940-1965, documents the development of mid-century suburbs in Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Region 6. The report follows the National Register of Historic Places format for multiple property documentation, and is intended as a tool for researchers who need to determine the National Register eligibility for neighborhoods with the potential to be impacted by transportation projects. KW - Denver (Colorado) KW - Historic sites KW - National Register of Historic Places KW - Neighborhoods KW - Subdivisions KW - Suburbs KW - Transportation projects UR - http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/research/pdfs/2011/suburbs.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106010 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343608 AU - O'Reilly, Matthew AU - Darwin, David AU - Browning, JoAnn AU - Locke, Carl E AU - University of Kansas Center for Research, Incorporated AU - Kansas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Multiple Corrosion Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 567p AB - The performance of corrosion protection systems for reinforcing steel in concrete is evaluated. In addition to conventional and conventional epoxy-coated reinforcement, the corrosion protection systems tested include epoxy coatings with improved adhesion to the underlying steel, conventional and conventional epoxy-coated reinforcement used in conjunction with concrete containing one of three corrosion inhibitors, DCI-S, Rheocrete 222+, or Hycrete, epoxy-coated reinforcement with a microencapsulated calcium nitrite primer, multiple-coated reinforcement with a layer of zinc between the epoxy and steel, and pickled 2205 duplex stainless steel. The systems are evaluated using bench-scale and field tests. Two bridges in Kansas, cast with 2205 stainless steel, are monitored using corrosion potential mapping. Epoxy-coated and multiplecoated bars are evaluated to determine the effect of corrosion loss and time on the disbondment of the epoxy coating. Conventional, galvanized, and epoxy-coated reinforcement are evaluated using impressed current to determine the corrosion loss required to crack concrete for each system. A finite element model is developed to represent general and localized corrosion, and the results are used to develop a relationship between concrete cover, bar diameter, and area of bar corroding, and the corrosion loss required to crack concrete. An analysis of pore solutions expressed from cement pastes containing corrosion inhibitors is performed, with pH and selected ion concentrations measured from solutions collected one and seven days after casting. The results obtained from bench-scale and field test specimens are used to estimate cost effectiveness for each system under a 75-year service life. The results show epoxy coatings significantly reduce the corrosion rate compared to conventional reinforcement. Corrosion inhibitors significantly reduce corrosion rates in uncracked concrete. In cracked concrete, corrosion inhibitors also reduce corrosion rates, but their relative effectiveness is reduced. Specimens containing Hycrete exhibit the lowest corrosion rates; however, field specimens containing Hycrete also show signs of scaling. Epoxies with improved adhesion exhibit no improvement over conventional epoxy-coated reinforcement in terms of corrosion rate or disbondment of the epoxy coating. Multiple-coated reinforcement exhibits significantly less disbondment than epoxy-coated reinforcement. Pickled 2205 reinforcement exhibits the least corrosion among all systems tested. Testing of conventional and galvanized reinforcement indicates galvanized reinforcement requires more than twice as much corrosion loss to crack the surrounding concrete compared to conventional reinforcement. KW - Adhesion KW - Bench-scale tests KW - Bridge decks KW - Corrosion protection KW - Corrosion resistant materials KW - Epoxy coatings KW - Field tests KW - Galvanized steel KW - Reinforced concrete KW - Reinforcing steel KW - Stainless steel KW - Zinc coatings UR - http://www.iri.ku.edu/publications/SM100.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105740 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343588 AU - Wang, Jianmin AU - Su, Tingzhi AU - Center for Transportation Infrastructure and Safety AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Leaching Behavior of Coal Combustion Products and the Environmental Implication in Road Construction PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 113p AB - Leaching of trace elements may raise environmental concerns when using coal fly ash in road construction. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of creating the first national rule on coal ash management, including beneficial use. Meanwhile, driven by tightening emission regulations, technological evolution at the coal energy industry continuously generates new types of coal fly ashes with unknown characteristics. These changing landscapes may impact the coal ash utilization options in the construction industry. To minimize the possible adverse environmental impact in utilizing coal ash for road construction, it is important to evaluate the characteristics of fly ashes generated from plants that employ new air emission control technologies, to determine the leachability of trace contaminants, and to find effective methods for remediating inorganic contaminants in fly ash when necessary. This project assessed the physical and chemical characteristics of fly ashes produced from trona injection plants (used for SO2 emission control), and investigated the leaching of a group of concerned inorganic contaminants from these fly ashes. A protocol was developed to quantify the availability and stability of As and Se in raw bituminous fly ash under various field conditions. The effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA)-washing in remediating fly ash was also studied. This report presents the results of this project in the format of four journal manuscripts, which are in the process being submitted for peer review and publication. KW - Arsenic KW - Coal KW - Electric power plants KW - Emission control systems KW - Environmental impacts KW - Fly ash KW - Industrial plants KW - Leaching KW - Road construction KW - Selenium KW - Sulfur dioxide KW - Trace elements UR - http://utc.mst.edu/documents/R214_CR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105565 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343204 AU - Wiliszowski, C H AU - Fell, J C AU - Smither, D AU - Vegega, M E AU - Auld-Owens, A AU - Namuswe, E AU - Bedford Research AU - Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AU - Association of Schools of Public Health TI - Feasibility of Collecting Traffic Safety Data From Law Enforcement Agencies PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 72p AB - The resources expended and the specific activities used by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to enforce traffic safety laws are generally unknown, at least in the aggregate. It would be beneficial to law enforcement and traffic safety experts to follow increases and decreases in traffic law enforcement over the years in order to understand better the activity levels necessary to reach traffic safety goals. It is important to understand the relationships of these measures with the frequency, rate, and severity of traffic crashes within a community, a State, and the Nation. Currently, no data collection systems capture nationally representative information of traffic safety law enforcement activities and resources. The focus of this project was to learn from law enforcement representatives what information is currently collected; document the resources, strategies, frequency, and intensity of activities dedicated to traffic-safety-related enforcement; and learn how LEAs use these resources. It was concluded that collecting traffic safety enforcement data from LEAs for a new data system is feasible, but initially it will be a difficult and complex task. According to LEA representatives from around the United States who participated in this project, it is feasible to collect at least minimum monthly data on traffic law enforcement activities at the police agency level (e.g., staffing, equipment, strategies employed, traffic stops/contacts with drivers, violations issued, calls for service, and crashes reported). Various methods for sampling LEAs are described. Recommendations include clearly defining the data elements to be collected, conducting a pilot study, and collecting appropriate information to make accurate cost estimates of developing and running such a system. KW - Agencies KW - Crash data KW - Data collection KW - Feasibility analysis KW - Traffic law enforcement KW - Traffic safety KW - Traffic violations UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811447.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104695 ER - TY - SER AN - 01343112 JO - Civil Engineering Studies, Illinois Center for Transportation Series PB - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Bamzai, Radhika AU - Lee, Yongdoo AU - Li, Zongzhi AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Safety Impacts of Highway Shoulder Attributes in Illinois PY - 2011/04 IS - 11-078 SP - 198p AB - The single greatest category of highway vehicle crashes is run-off-the-road incidents. Significant material differences and elevation changes in shoulder edges pose a potential safety hazard when a vehicle leaves the travel way. Shoulder paving is recognized as a positive countermeasure to reduce a shoulder drop-off hazard. This report documents an in-depth analysis of safety impacts of shoulder attributes using data on Illinois state-maintained highways for the period 2000-2006. Preliminary data analysis is first conducted to establish the correlation between shoulder-related crashes by type and severity category and shoulder attributes such as shoulder material type and outside paved shoulder width. Then, an analytical procedure is developed and applied to the Illinois data for assessing safety impacts of shoulder paving and prioritizing highway segments for shoulder paving using the Empirical Bayesian (EB) analysis and cross-sectional analysis approaches and an optimization model. While this procedure does not eliminate the need for human judgment, it could help experts make better decisions using optimization techniques. The findings are expected to help the Illinois Department of Transportation update current design manuals. KW - Decision making KW - Dropoffs (Pavements) KW - Empirical Bayes method KW - Hazards KW - Highway design KW - Highway safety KW - Illinois KW - Optimization KW - Paved shoulders KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Road shoulders KW - Width UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45840 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104999 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343108 AU - Anderson, Keith W AU - Uhlmeyer, Jeff S AU - Russell, Mark AU - Weston, Jim AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Long-Term Pavement Performance and Noise Characteristics of the Next Generation Concrete Surface PY - 2011/04//Post-Construction Report SP - 45p AB - This report documents the construction of the first Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS) by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). A 1,500 foot test section was installed on the eastbound lanes of I-82 near Sunnyside, WA in October of 2010. Baseline measurements of noise, friction, wear and smoothness are reported. The sound intensity levels of 101.6 and 99.6 for the outside and inside lanes, respectively, are within the range reported for other NGCS projects. A literature review is provided that documents the development of the NGCS process as well as descriptions and results from the initial field trials in the U.S. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Field tests KW - Friction KW - Interstate 82 KW - Literature reviews KW - Next Generation Concrete Surface Program KW - Pavement performance KW - Smoothness KW - Sound intensity KW - Test sections KW - Tire/pavement noise KW - Washington (State) KW - Wear UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/767.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104984 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342976 AU - Russell, Mark AU - Littleton, Kevin AU - Weston, Jim AU - Uhlmeyer, Jeff S AU - Johnson, Brett AU - Dunham, Scott AU - Van De Bogert, Stephen A AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Use of a Double Chip Seal to Correct a Flushing Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement in Washington State PY - 2011/04//Post-Construction and Performance Report SP - 36p AB - A chip seal constructed on an existing flushed roadway has the potential to result in bleeding or flushing of the new chip seal. The excess binder, if not properly accounted for during design and construction, will migrate to the surface of the chip seal and fill the aggregate void spaces leaving a flushed surface. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) elected to construct a double chip seal to mitigate a flushing section of pavement on SR 20. This report documents the design and construction of the double chip seal and provides information on its initial performance. The double chip seal will be monitored for up to five years at which a final report will be prepared including conclusions as to its success or failure. KW - Bleeding (Pavements) KW - Chip seals KW - Maintenance practices KW - Pavement performance KW - Washington (State) UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/760.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104767 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342975 AU - Barron, Kevin M AU - TrafficLand, Incorporated AU - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority AU - New York State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Environmental Benefits of a Statewide Traffic Video Network PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 32p AB - The objective of this study is to calculate the reduction in hydrocarbon emissions from the changes in travel behavior of traveler information system users. Research indicates that a certain percentage of motorists who use a traveler information system prior to initiating their travel are willing to change their travel behavior; either by changing their route, time or mode of travel. As a result of these changes in individual travel behavior, positive environmental benefits are created through a decrease in hydrocarbon emissions. The author of this study used research conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation and a major national traveler information service provider to develop the percentage of users willing to make a change in travel behavior (30%) and the estimated reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) per vehicle-mile-traveled. Using travel statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and the New York State Department of Transportation, typical commuting trips were developed for each of the six urban areas included in the study. The total number of traveler information system users was developed from actual usage statistics for the 511NY phone service and website and the TrafficLand.com website for a “typical day” in July 2010. Based on the data used in this study, the author estimates that, for all the regions in this study, the changes in travel behavior from the use of traveler information systems prior to travel can generate a one-day net reduction of 71 kg/day of VOC, 4 kg/day of NOx and 767 kg/day of CO. KW - Behavior modification KW - Carbon monoxide KW - Environmental impacts KW - Exhaust gases KW - Hydrocarbons KW - New York (State) KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Traffic surveillance KW - Travel behavior KW - Traveler information and communication systems KW - Urban areas KW - Vehicle miles of travel KW - Video cameras KW - Volatile organic compounds UR - https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/trans-r-and-d-repository/C-08-06%20NYSERDA%2010633%20Final%20Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104776 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342973 AU - Ripplinger, David AU - Mattson, Jeremy AU - Peterson, Del AU - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Travel Behavior of the Lone Rangers: An Application of Attitudinal Structural Equation Modeling to Intercity Transportation Market Segmentation PY - 2011/04 SP - 29p AB - Travel behavior information is valuable to transportation policymakers, planners, and service providers. While aggregate data are helpful, segmenting a market into smaller groups allows for more targeted planning, promotion, operation, and evaluation. In this study, intercity market segments based on traveler attitudes are identified using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study focuses on rural and small urban areas, using survey data for residents of North Dakota and west central and northwest Minnesota. Attitudes toward travel time, flexibility, and privacy are found to have the strongest explanatory power. The socioeconomic profile of each market segment is identified. Individuals living in the study’s upper Midwest market area are assigned to market segments based on their socioeconomic characteristics to determine market segment size. Mode shares for automobile, air, intercity bus, intercity rail, and van service are estimated for each market segment. Intercity bus and train mode shares are predicted to double in each market segment when travel speeds are increased to those experienced by automobile travelers. KW - Air travel KW - Attitudes KW - Automobile travel KW - Bus transportation KW - Intercity passenger rail KW - Intercity transportation KW - Intercity travel KW - Market segmented groups KW - Minnesota KW - Modal split KW - North Dakota KW - Rural areas KW - Small towns KW - Socioeconomic factors KW - Structural equation modeling KW - Travel behavior KW - Travel time KW - Vans UR - http://www.ugpti.org/pubs/pdf/DP239.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104768 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342276 AU - Nason, Jeffrey A AU - Nelson, Peter O AU - Bloomquist, Don J AU - Sprick, Matthew S AU - Oregon State University, Corvallis AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Copper Speciation in Highway Stormwater Runoff as Related to Bioavailability and Toxicity to ESA-Listed Salmon PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 196p AB - The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the effects of site location, storm hydrology, and water quality parameters on the concentration of dissolved copper (Cu2+diss) in Oregon highway runoff; 2) establish an analytical technique suitable for the determination of copper speciation in highway stormwater runoff; 3) compare analytically determined free ionic copper (Cu2+free) concentrations in highway stormwater runoff with modeled concentrations; and 4) develop a qualitative understanding of where and when copper toxicity has the most potential to be problematic for receiving waters. In this study, stormwater runoff from an urban high annual average daily traffic(AADT) site had consistently higher event mean concentrations of measured Cu2+diss and Cu2+free than the non-urban sites with lower AADT. First flush samples displayed consistently higher concentrations of both Cu2+diss and Cu2+free. A modified Competitive Ligand Exchange-Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (CLE-ACSV) technique utilizing salicylaldoxime as an added ligand can be used to determine the speciation of copper in highway stormwater runoff. Analytical results from composite stormwater samples suggest that dissolved copper in highway stormwater runoff is largely complexed by organic matter (typically > 99.9%), and that very little of the copper in stormwater is bioavailable; the concentrations of Cu2+free were generally several orders of magnitudes below levels found to inhibit olfaction in Endangered Species Act listed fish species. Elevated Cu2+diss levels proved to be the greatest indicator of high Cu2+free concentrations. Urban sites with AADT and first flush samples characterized by elevated concentrations of Cu2+diss are of the greatest concern with respect to elevated free ionic copper concentrations. Available dissolved organic matter models in Visual MINTEQ overestimate Cu2+free concentrations when compared to analytically determined Cu2+free concentrations. This imparts a conservatism that makes these models potentially useful for regulatory purposes. KW - Bioavailability KW - Copper KW - Endangered species KW - Environmental impacts KW - Hydrology KW - Oregon KW - Runoff KW - Salmon KW - Toxicity KW - Urban areas KW - Water quality UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37929/SPR_663_Final_Report_web.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104242 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342031 AU - Dessouky, Samer AU - Papagiannakis, A T AU - Krugler, Paul AU - Freeman, Tom AU - University of Texas, San Antonio AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Review of Best Practices for the Selection of Rehab and Preventive Maintenance Projects: Technical Report PY - 2011/04//Technical Report SP - 138p AB - With finite resources and an extensive road network to maintain, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) personnel must select the roadways to receive rehabilitation and preventive maintenance (PM) treatments as well as select rehabilitation and PM methods that are structurally sound, capable of being opened to traffic quickly, straightforward construction methods and, most importantly, minimize the associated costs. This research project focuses on developing guidelines to aid TxDOT personnel in making optimal selections of rehabilitation and PM projects. TxDOT district personnel have implemented various selection procedures, but there is a tremendous need to have a comprehensive, logical approach developed. The study objectives are to determine best practices of selecting and prioritizing PM and rehab projects in the districts and to develop a simple effective prioritization Excel-based tool to aid TxDOT personnel in decision making. KW - Best practices KW - Decision making KW - Guidelines KW - Highway maintenance KW - Preventive maintenance KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Strategic planning KW - Texas Department of Transportation UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6586-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104540 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342029 AU - Krugler, Paul E AU - Chang-Albitres, Carlos M AU - Feldman, Richard M AU - Butenko, Sergiy AU - Kang, Dong Hun AU - Seyedshohadaie, Reza AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Implementation of TAMSIM and EROW Right-of-Way Acquisition Decision-Support Tools PY - 2011/04//Technical Report SP - 22p AB - An implementation project was performed to initiate use of TAMSIM and EROW tools in region offices and the Right of Way (ROW) Division. The research team worked with Texas Department of Transportation regional ROW staffs to apply both tools to a set of actual projects, one project from each region. The culminating EROW analysis provided estimates of anticipated outcomes from optimal use of potential early acquisition budgets ranging from $0.5 million to $10 million. Regional workshops utilized the data and information derived from these trial tool applications. TAMSIM and EROW were also demonstrated to ROW Division personnel, and recommendations for potential additional applications were presented. Several tool refinements were made as opportunities were identified during initial usage with district personnel. TAMSIM 2.0 and EROW 2.0 are included in the CD-ROM accompanying this report. KW - Budgeting KW - Decision support systems KW - Implementation KW - Property acquisition KW - Right of way (Land) KW - Texas Department of Transportation UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5534-01-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104539 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341963 AU - Copeland, Audrey AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Asphalt Mixtures: State of the Practice PY - 2011/04 SP - 60p AB - With increased demand and limited aggregate and binder supply, hot mix asphalt (HMA) producers discovered that reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is a valuable component in HMA. As a result, there has been renewed interest in increasing the amount of RAP used in HMA. While a number of factors drive the use of RAP in asphalt pavements, the two primary factors are economic savings and environmental benefits. RAP is a useful alternative to virgin materials because it reduces the use of virgin aggregate and the amount of virgin asphalt binder required in the production of HMA. Using RAP greatly reduces the amount of construction debris going into landfills, and it does not deplete nonrenewable natural resources such as virgin aggregate and asphalt binder. Ultimately, recycling asphalt creates a cycle of reuse that optimizes the use of natural resources and sustains the asphalt pavement industry. More widespread use of higher amounts of RAP in asphalt mixtures requires support from State transportation departments and the HMA industry. State transportation departments have expressed concern over the lack of guidance on the use of high percentages of RAP (high RAP) mixtures, as well as the lack of information on their performance. As a result, there is a need for national guidance on best practices when using RAP and documented information about long-term performance of high RAP pavements. The intent of this report is to provide state-of-the-practice information on including higher amounts of RAP in asphalt mixtures. The state of the practice for RAP use across the United States, as well as common challenges for increasing the use of RAP, are identified. Best practices applicable for the use of RAP are presented to identify general parameters that must be considered when developing specifications and to provide information on available resources and best practices for sourcing, processing, stockpiling, testing, designing, evaluating, producing, and placing high RAP mixtures, as well as practices to attain the best performance for high RAP mixtures . KW - Asphalt mixtures KW - Hot mix asphalt KW - Mix design KW - Pavement performance KW - Reclaimed asphalt pavements KW - Specifications KW - State departments of transportation KW - State of the practice KW - United States UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/11021/11021.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104401 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341906 AU - Iseki, Hiroyuki AU - Rivasplata, Charles R AU - Houtman, Rebecca AU - Smith, Adam AU - Seifert, Carl AU - Sudar, Tiffany AU - San Jose State University AU - University of New Orleans AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Examination of Regional Transit Service Under Contracting: A Case Study in the Greater New Orleans Region PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 180p AB - Many local governments and transit agencies in the United States face financial difficulties in providing adequate public transit service in individual systems, and in providing sufficient regional coordination to accommodate transit trips involving at least one transfer between systems. These difficulties can be attributed to the recent economic downturn, continuing withdrawal of the state and federal funds that help support local transit service, a decline in local funding for transit service in inner cities due to ongoing suburbanization, and a distribution of resources that responds to geographic equity without addressing service needs. This study examines two main research questions: (1) the effect of a “delegated management” contract on efficiency and effectiveness within a single transit system, and (2) the effects of a single private firm—contracted separately by more than one agency in the same region—on regional coordination, exploring the case in Greater New Orleans. The current situation in New Orleans exhibits two unique transit service conditions. First, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) executed a “delegated management” contract with a multinational private firm, outsourcing more functions (e.g., management, planning, funding) to the contractor than has been typical in the U.S. Second, as the same contractor has also been contracted by another transit agency in an adjacent jurisdiction—Jefferson Transit (JeT), this firm may potentially have economic incentives to improve regional coordination, in order to increase the productivity and effectiveness of its own transit service provision. Although the limited amount of available operation and financial data has prevented drawing more definitive conclusions, the findings of this multifaceted study should provide valuable information on a transit service contracting approach new to the U.S.: delegated management. This study also identified a coherent set of indices with which to evaluate the regional coordination of transit service, the present status of coordination among U.S. transit agencies, and barriers that need to be resolved for regional transit coordination to be successful. KW - Barriers to implementation KW - Case studies KW - Contracting out KW - Coordination KW - New Orleans (Louisiana) KW - Public transit KW - Regional planning KW - Regional transportation KW - Transportation planning UR - http://transweb.sjsu.edu/PDFs/research/2904_Regional_Transit_New_Orleans.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104233 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341866 AU - Stern, Alexander N AU - Fox, Patrick J AU - Ohio State University, Columbus AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) for Use with Transportation Projects PY - 2011/04 SP - 124p AB - Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) has many advantages as a means for subsurface investigation. CPT consists of pushing a steel cone into the ground and recording the penetration resistance using sensors. Pore pressure, shear wave velocity and other measurements can also be taken using CPT. Several states have incorporated CPT into their subsurface investigation programs and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has funded this project as a first step toward routine use of CPT in Ohio. CPT soundings were completed at 20 sites throughout Ohio and the data were correlated with corresponding data obtained from standard penetration and laboratory testing. Clear correlation trends for the 17 different ODOT soil types were not obtained and a larger database is needed to improve the correlations. Guidelines for CPT machine operation and data analysis are presented. Existing correlations for engineering parameters are also discussed. CPT is expected to become a useful tool for ODOT subsurface exploration work and provide considerable cost savings over the long term. KW - Cone penetrometers KW - Correlation analysis KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Data analysis KW - Guidelines KW - Laboratory tests KW - Ohio KW - Soil penetration test KW - Subsurface investigations UR - http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Research/reportsandplans/Reports/2011/Geotechnical/134371-FR.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104107 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341824 AU - Frank, Lawrence D AU - Greenwald, Michael J AU - Kavage, Sarah AU - Devlin, Andrew AU - Urban Design 4 Health, Incorporated AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - An Assessment of Urban Form and Pedestrian and Transit Improvements as an Integrated GHG Reduction Strategy PY - 2011/04//Final Research Report SP - 117p AB - This study is one of the first to test the effect of sidewalks on travel patterns and the first the authors know of to relate sidewalk availability with vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recently, several large jurisdictions in King County, Washington have developed local sidewalk data layers, creating a new opportunity to look at pedestrian infrastructure alongside other investment and policy strategies associated with reduced VMT and CO2. The study used travel outcome data from the 2006 PSRC Household Activity Survey. The household-level analysis was restricted to households in King County cities where sidewalk data were already available, and modeled the association of urban form, pedestrian infrastructure, transit service and travel costs on VMT and CO2, while controlling for household characteristics known to influence travel. The results provide early evidence of the potential effectiveness of sidewalks to reduce CO2 and VMT, in addition to a mixed land use pattern, shorter transit travel and wait times, lower transit fares and higher parking costs. However, the lack of ability to collect sidewalk data from across all of King County limited the study results. The sample population was lacking in variation and skewed towards the more urban and walkable parts of King County. This contributed to difficulties with multicollinearity in the modeling process, which in turn may have limited the significance of other urban form variables that have been repeatedly associated with travel outcomes in other King County studies. This study is, however, an important first step towards a more complete understanding of how pedestrian investment, urban form, transit service and demand management (pricing) policy can interact to meet the state's goals for VMT reduction. The inclusion of sidewalk data from across the entire county or region will provide further, and more conclusive, insights. KW - Built environment KW - Carbon dioxide KW - Greenhouse gases KW - Improvements KW - King County (Washington) KW - Land use KW - Pedestrians KW - Public transit KW - Sidewalks KW - Travel costs KW - Urban form KW - Vehicle miles of travel KW - Walking UR - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/765.1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37800/37855/765.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103949 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341795 AU - Lee, Young-Jae AU - Morgan State University AU - Maryland State Highway Administration AU - National Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Life Cycle and Economic Efficiency Analysis Phase II: Durable Pavement Markings PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 52p AB - This report details the Phase II analysis of the life cycle and economic efficiency of inlaid tape and thermoplastic. Waterborne paint was included as a non-durable for comparison purposes only. In order to find the most economical product for specific traffic and weather conditions, the project examined the relationship between the pavement marking materials’ retroreflectivity and input variables. For three to four years, retroreflectivity data were collected from six locations in the state of Maryland. The sites were selected based on the amount of traffic and snowfall they received. Phase I of this study was done with one year of data, but that data collection period could not provide reasonable and reliable estimates of future retroreflectivity. As hoped, a two-year extension of the data collection period produced better estimates. The results of this research show that snowfall is a major factor in the deterioration of the retroreflectivity. The life cycle of each material was estimated under different conditions, and the installation cost of each material was estimated for the economic efficiency analysis. The results suggested that specific materials should be applied for specific weather and traffic conditions. Although inlaid tape’s estimated life cycle was longer than thermoplastic’s, thermoplastic’s lower cost made it the more economical material for all conditions. KW - Costs KW - Data collection KW - Deterioration by environmental action KW - Durability KW - Economic efficiency KW - Life cycle analysis KW - Maryland KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road marking tapes KW - Snowfall KW - Thermoplastic materials KW - Traffic paint KW - Weather conditions UR - http://roads.maryland.gov/OPR_Research/MD-11-SP808B4P_Life-Cycle-and-Economic-Efficiency-Analysis-Phase%20II_Durable-Pavement-Markings_REPORT.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37998/LifeCycle_Lee_1011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103229 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341255 AU - Ament, Robert AU - Jennings, Stuart AU - Blicker, Pam AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Montana Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Steep Cut Slope Composting: Field Trials and Evaluation PY - 2011/04//Final Report (Phase III) SP - 116p AB - Three different depths of compost and five compost retention techniques were tested to determine their efficacy and cost effectiveness for increasing the establishment of native grass seedings and decreasing erosion on steep roadside cut slopes in southwest Montana. The depths of compost selected were: 0.32 cm (0.13 in.), 0.64 cm (0.25 in.) and 1.27 cm (0.5 in.). The compost retention methods utilized a coconut-straw fiber fabric, lightweight plastic netting and three commercially available tackifiers: 1) a polymer emulsion liquid, 2) a guar-based water dispersible formulation, and 3) a Plantago-based seed husk powder. Compost application rates of 1.27–2.54 cm (0.5–1 in.) are recommended for establishment of sufficient vegetation cover, estimated to result in 16–26 percent native bunchgrass cover in arid climates in Montana. These recommended application rates are estimated to cost between $41,160 and $82,171/hectare ($16,657 and $33,254/acre) based on plot construction methods from this study using a blower truck. Compost retention treatments employing physical retention of compost such as coconut-straw fiber fabric or lightweight plastic netting were effective in limiting the loss of applied compost. The tackifiers gave confounding results on their ability to retain compost. KW - Coconut fiber blankets KW - Compost KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Embankments KW - Erosion control KW - Field tests KW - Grasses KW - Montana KW - Native plants KW - Plastic mesh KW - Tackifiers UR - http://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/research/external/docs/research_proj/organic_matter/phaseiii/final_report.pdf UR - http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/env/organic_matter.shtml UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103146 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341165 AU - Jahan, Kauser AU - Axe, Lisa B AU - Sandhu, Nimrat K AU - Ndiba, Peter K AU - Ramanujachary, Kandalam V AU - Magdaleno, Travis Francis AU - New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark AU - Rowan University AU - New Jersey Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Heavy Metal Contamination in Highway Marking Glass Beads PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 183p AB - This research was undertaken to study the implications of using glass beads containing elevated concentrations of metals and metalloids on roadways. Glass beads are embedded on pavement markings to obtain retroreflectivity which plays a crucial role in the lighting-up effect necessary for safe driving. This report outlines the methods used for measuring the total metal concentrations in the glass beads. The report then proceeds with leaching studies conducted and includes a factorial approach to examine environmentally relevant conditions. Two standard United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) procedures are also used for determining the leaching potential of glass beads: toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP). The leaching results are compared against the New Jersey Default Leachate Criteria for groundwater which addresses the potential impact to groundwater that is considered a drinking water source. Results revealed that the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) correlated well with digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis. The most important factors affecting leaching were pH and time. Guidance was developed for metal concentrations in glass beads corresponding to potential exceedance of the criteria: 100 mg/kg arsenic, 100 mg/kg lead, and 175 mg/kg antimony. KW - Antimony KW - Arsenic KW - Concentration (Chemistry) KW - Contaminants KW - Environmental impacts KW - Glass beads KW - Groundwater KW - Groundwater contamination KW - Heavy metals KW - Leaching KW - Lead (Metal) KW - pH value KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road marking materials UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103110 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341122 AU - Bryson, John M AU - Crosby, Barbara C AU - Stone, Melissa M AU - Saunoi-Sandgren, Emily AU - Imboden, Anders S AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Urban Partnership Agreement: A Comparative Study of Technology and Collaboration in Transportation Policy Implementation PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 74p AB - The problems faced by today's public managers are often too large to be solved by a single entity and require collaboration across government, nonprofit, and business sectors. As new technologies and systematic approaches transform the transportation field, cross-sector collaboration has become an increasingly important policy development and implementation approach. Particularly within the transportation field, an assemblage of technologies is often critical to implementing system-wide strategies aimed at, for example, mitigating traffic congestion. In many cases, designers and implementers of effective transportation policies must combine a variety of technologies with deft relationship building and management. Through the development of comparative case studies of three of the Urban Partnership Agreement initiatives, this research study will examine how technology and collaborative processes may be combined to achieve important transportation goals and create public value more generally. The report begins with a narrative description of the implementation phase of the Urban Partnership program in the Twin Cities metro area from June 2008 through August 2009; the development and ultimate unraveling of the program in New York City; and the development and implementation of the Miami program. Subsequent sections cover the methodology, findings about key aspects of the UPA collaboration in Minnesota, New York City, and Miami, and conclusions and implications for transportation policy, planning, and implementation, as well as collaboration more generally. KW - Case studies KW - Cooperation KW - Implementation KW - Miami Metropolitan Area KW - New York Metropolitan Area KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic mitigation KW - Transportation planning KW - Transportation policy KW - Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota) KW - Urban areas KW - Urban Partnership Agreements UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1514 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103074 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340899 AU - Arndt, Jeffrey AU - Edrington, Suzie AU - Sandidge, Matt AU - Valencia, Lila AU - Jordan, Jeffrey AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Sizing and Serving Texas Urban Gaps PY - 2011/04//Technical Report SP - 288p AB - Federal and state funding is largely distributed based upon federally defined geographic areas—urbanized areas or rural areas (non-urbanized areas). For urban transit districts, the funding is based upon characteristics of the entire urbanized area. However, the service area boundary for transit providers in urbanized areas often does not match the urbanized area boundary, leaving a portion of the urbanized area without a designated transit provider. The unserved area is referred to as an urban gap. This research estimates the magnitude and characteristics of urban gaps in all urbanized areas in Texas based upon both the 2000 Census and a projection of the 2010 Census. The research then presents case studies on a variety of approaches that are being used in Texas to fund and operate transit service to urban gap populations. KW - Case studies KW - Financing KW - Gaps in service provision KW - Geographic boundaries KW - Public transit KW - Service areas KW - Texas KW - Urban areas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6473-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37961/0-6473-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102877 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340898 AU - Bullough, John D AU - Snyder, Jeremy D AU - Skinner, Nicholas P AU - Rea, Mark S AU - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute AU - New York State Department of Transportation AU - University Transportation Research Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Barricade Lighting System PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 26p AB - Presently in work zones, standard barricade warning lights are used to provide channelizing and warning functions. These yellow flashing lights are presently used without consideration of the specific work zone activities underway at any given time. Several novel concepts for a barricade lighting system (BLS) were developed and evaluated: flashing red lights for use when traffic is stopped or very slow within a work zone, flashing green lights when a work zone is inactive and traffic should proceed normally, expanding yellow lights when drivers should slow down and exercise enhanced caution, and sweeping yellow lights when lane closures require drivers to move to the right or left. Prototype BLS units were designed and fabricated. A survey of driver understanding of these BLS functions indicated that drivers would probably understand all of the functions but that the flashing red and green functions could result in conflicts with other roadway traffic control devices. A field evaluation of the expanding and sweeping BLS functions in mock-up work zones demonstrated that driver comprehension of the lights could be translated to a driving situation. Drivers changed lanes sooner (providing a 40% longer lane change margin) in response to the sweeping BLS function than to conventional flashing barricade lights, and subjective ratings of the clarity of the BLS functions were also positive. KW - Barricades KW - Comprehension KW - Drivers KW - Innovation KW - Lighting KW - Prototypes KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://www.utrc2.org/research/assets/199/UTRC-BLS-Report1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102887 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340896 AU - Krizek, Kevin J AU - Stonebraker, Eric AU - Tribbey, Seth AU - San Jose State University AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Bicycling Access and Egress to Transit: Informing the Possibilities PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 144p AB - When effectively integrated with transit services, considerable room exists for bicycling to realize various benefits to communities. A successful marriage between bicycling and transit will likely increase the use and efficiency of both modes. A core problem, however, exists in that the predominant approach for integrating bicycles and transit—bicycles aboard transit vehicles—frequently runs up against capacity restraints. Integrating bicycling and transit requires analysis of a broad range of alternatives that considers both the travel patterns and needs of individuals but also accompanying urban form characteristics. What are the most cost effective strategies likely to generate the largest number of cyclists accessing transit? To aid in developing a framework to evaluate the cost effectiveness of different strategies to integrate transit and bicycling this project: (1) reviews the state of the knowledge, (2) proposes an analysis framework for communities and transit agencies to consider in efforts to maximize the integration of bicycling and transit, (3) conducts focus groups with cyclists from five case study communities to gauge preferences for bicycle and transit integration strategies, and (4) develops a preliminary application to evaluate four bicycle and transit integration strategies based on focus group discussions and use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). These evaluation measures are applied to five communities. A cycling-transit user (CTU) index provides an initial attempt to understand transit stops that have a higher likelihood to attract CTUs. The AHP ranked cyclists’ preferences for four bicycle and transit integration strategies in order of preference: (1) “Bike ON transit” (transporting the owner’s bicycle aboard (inside or outside) the transit vehicle) (0.471); (2) “Bike TO transit” (using and parking the owner’s bicycle at a transit access location) (0.185); (3) “Shared bike” (sharing a bicycle, which would be based at either the transit access or egress point) (0.185); and (4) “Two bike” (using an owner’s two bicycles at the access and egress location) (0.159). Results of the cost effectiveness assessment suggest that “Bike ON transit” ranked most cost effective overall, followed by “Bike TO transit,” “Two bike,” and “Shared bike” strategies. KW - Analytic hierarchy process KW - Bicycle commuting KW - Bicycle travel KW - Bicycling KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Focus groups KW - Integrated transportation systems KW - Public transit KW - Strategic planning UR - http://transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/research/publications/documents/2825_bicycling_access.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102901 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340895 AU - Ahmed, Ashraf AU - Farkas, Andrew AU - Beck, Kenneth H AU - Morgan State University AU - University of Maryland, College Park AU - Maryland State Highway Administration AU - National Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - A Social Network Analysis of Alcohol-Impaired Drivers in Maryland: An Egocentric Approach PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 65p AB - This study examined the personal, household, and social structural attributes of alcohol-impaired drivers in Maryland. The study used an egocentric approach of social network analysis. This approach concentrated on specific actors (alcohol-impaired drivers), called egos, and those with whom the actors interact, called alters. In sum, egos and alters were similar in many aspects of their driving, drinking behavior and background. They influenced each other mostly in positive ways. The size of social networks affected the context of drinking behavior and the number of traffic violations. Receiving citations did show some deterrent effect. Thus, there are implications for intervention programs. KW - Behavior KW - Drunk drivers KW - Intervention KW - Maryland KW - Social factors KW - Social network analysis KW - Traffic citations KW - Traffic violations UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38500/38557/ASocial_Ahmed_1011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102892 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340827 AU - Jasek, Debbie AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Facilitating Outreach Programs for Students in Rural Texas PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 24p AB - Since 1998, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) has expanded its efforts to build dynamic partnerships among the business, industry, and education sectors. Previous grants from the Southwest University Transportation Center (SWUTC) created pilot programs targeting minority populations in southern and coastal Texas. This current project strives to create long-term outreach programs to students in rural Texas built on these previous efforts. A number of the pilot programs are evolving into active programs funded by other public and private monies. These programs include an Industry to Work Day, participation in career fairs, teachers’ workshops, colonias outreach, and assistance with the South Texas Summer Transportation Institute. In order for these programs to be successful, TTI needs to remain an active program partner. This project provided TTI team members with the opportunity to act as facilitators for two years to ensure program success. KW - Education and training KW - Outreach KW - Rural areas KW - Students KW - Texas KW - Transportation careers UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Jasek_09-10-08.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102843 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340824 AU - Overman, John H AU - Tucker, Sandy AU - Sandidge, Matt AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Transportation Plan Repository and Archive PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 32p AB - This project created a repository and archive for transportation planning documents in Texas within the established Texas A&M Repository (http://digital.library.tamu.edu). This transportation planning archive and repository provides ready access to transportation plans to planners, researchers, policy makers, and the public—whether for planning purposes, research, or general information. The repository will become a historic archive of decision-making documents to which planners can refer. Past decisions and their outcomes inform future decisions, part of a continuous, comprehensive, and cooperative process to improve transportation mobility for all. This project developed a process for collecting transportation plans, creating repository records, and for uploading the documents. It established a homepage for the collection and developed a consistent set of metadata for elements of the repository records such as agency names, dates, and plan topics. The archive currently contains the long-range transportation plans from metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico; all are posted in the Texas A&M Repository at http://repository.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/90584. The plans are being made available without charge as a public service. The Texas A&M Repository provides persistent and reliable access to digital works for wide distribution and long-term preservation. The project leverages the underlying database and search interface that are part of the Texas A&M Repository and takes advantage of the Repository’s servers, storage, and commitment to maintain the files permanently. The Texas A&M Repository can be used by anyone with Internet access. International standards used by the Repository and cooperative arrangements among similar repositories result in making the documents readily discoverable through search engines such as Google. The long-term goal is that the repository and archive expand its transportation plan collection and provide even greater benefits to the public and transportation planning community. KW - Archives KW - Data collection KW - Data uploading KW - Documents KW - Information storage and retrieval systems KW - Long range planning KW - Metadata KW - Public access to information KW - Records management KW - Repositories KW - Transportation planning UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Overman_10-20-58.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102844 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340793 AU - Zimmerman, Katie AU - Wolters, Angie AU - Smith, Cynthia J AU - Applied Pavement Technology, Incorporated AU - Mississippi Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Final Report - Feasibility Study for the Redesign of MDOT's Pavement Management System Software PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 30p AB - In August of 2006 the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) initiated State Study No. 191, entitled “Feasibility Study for the Redesign of MDOT’s Pavement Management System (PMS) Software.” At the initiation of this study, the Department identified some of the deficiencies of the current tools: 1) The data integration tools envisioned with the current software, Transportation Management Information System (TMIS), such as ad hoc querying and dynamic segmentation, were not developed fully. 2) TMIS was developed using a software program that is now outdated. As a result, the Department is limited in its ability to upgrade certain programs (such as Sybase, MGE, and GeoMedia) because upgrades to these programs render TMIS useless. 3) The Department is moving towards the Oracle database platform and web enablement for all applications, which are not possible with TMIS. 4) Processes for updating linear referencing changes in base maps are cumbersome and labor‐intensive.  The pavement maintenance treatments in TMIS do not fully reflect the Department’s current business processes. 5) The pavement management database and optimization tools are not fully integrated. In order to address these deficiencies, the current research study has focused on finalizing the list of desired pavement management capabilities and evaluating the feasible software strategies in order to develop this implementation plan and associated cost estimate. In summary, this study provides a needs assessment, evaluation of software strategies, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) draft. KW - Asset management KW - Databases KW - Design KW - Feasibility analysis KW - Mississippi KW - Pavement management systems KW - Software KW - State departments of transportation UR - http://mdot.ms.gov/documents/research/Reports/Interim%20and%20Final%20Reports/State%20Study%20191%20-%20Feasibility%20Study%20for%20the%20Redesign%20of%20MDOT%20Pavement%20Management%20System%20Software.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102821 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340790 AU - Morgan, Justin F AU - Tidwell, Scott A AU - Medina, Alejandra AU - Blanco, Myra AU - Hickman, Jeffrey S AU - Hanowski, Richard J AU - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Commercial Motor Vehicle Driving Simulator Validation Study: Phase II PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 272p AB - This study examined the effectiveness of a driving simulator for entry-level commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver training and testing. Four training groups of 107 individuals (conventional 8-week certified course, conventional 8-week certified course with 60 percent of driving in a simulator, informal training with friends/relatives, and commercial’s driver license [CDL] test-focused short courses) were followed from training into employment. There were no group differences in Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) road tests. There were group differences in DMV range tests and validated real truck and simulator re-creations of DMV road and range tests. Conventional and simulator groups generally scored higher than informal and CDL test-focused participants. A 4-month follow-up after being hired as a CDL driver indicated no differences in performance, safety, self- or supervisory-ratings. Findings support the use of CMV driving simulator-based training, but simulator-based testing does not appear to be feasible at this point. Cost analysis indicated simulator training using the study simulator was $35/participant less expensive than conventional training. The simulator was examined in a demonstration of extreme conditions and emergency maneuvers under different vehicle configurations with 48 other drivers. Also provided is a case study of existing implementations of CMV simulator training, indicating benefits, drawbacks, and drivers’ overall opinions. KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Driver licenses KW - Driver training KW - Driving simulators KW - Truck drivers KW - Truck driving UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51300/51353/Simulator-Validation-Study-report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102701 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340441 AU - Nakagawara, Van B AU - Montgomery, Ronald W AU - Wood, Kathryn J AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Laser Illumination of Flight Crew Personnel by Month, Day of Week, and Time of Day for a 5-Year Study Period: 2004-2008 PY - 2011/04 SP - 14p AB - INTRODUCTION: Illumination of civilian and military aircraft by laser beams in the National Airspace System (NAS) has concerned the aviation community for nearly two decades. The principal concern is the affect laser exposure may have on flight crew personnel during landing and departure maneuvers when operational requirements are critical. This study examines the frequency of aviation-related laser event reports by month, day of the week, and time of day. METHODS: Reports of aircraft illuminated by high-intensity light sources have been consolidated from multiple information sources into a database maintained by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute’s Vision Research Team. Laser illumination event data involving civilian aircraft in the United States for a 5-year period (January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008) were examined for this study. RESULTS: There were a total of 2,492 laser events in the U.S. during the study period. In 1,676 (67.3%) of these, the cockpit environment was illuminated by a laser light. August through December were the most active months with 51% of all reports, while May through July were the least active with only 19% of all reported incidents. Sunday was the most likely day of the week for an aircraft to be illuminated by a laser (15.4%), with a relatively high number of aircraft illuminations occurring on Friday and Saturday. Weekdays exhibited the fewest laser illumination events. Time of day was provided in 2,429 (97.5%) aircraft laser illumination reports. Approximately 69.8% (1,696) of the aircraft illuminations occurred between 7 p.m. (1900 hours) and 11 p.m. (2300 hours) during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Laser illumination events are most likely to occur from late summer to early winter months and on weekends between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Both weather conditions and daylight savings time may play important roles in determining an opportune time frame for laser activity in a particular locale. Knowledge of these findings may assist the aviation community and law enforcement officials in allocating their limited resources to increase the likelihood of apprehending those responsible for these criminal acts. KW - Airspace incidents KW - Aviation safety KW - Days KW - Flight crews KW - Laser beams KW - Months KW - Periods of the day UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201107.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100727 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340425 AU - Fitzpatrick, Kay AU - Chrysler, Susan T AU - Van Houten, Ron AU - Hunter, William W AU - Turner, Shawn AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineering Countermeasures: Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons, HAWKs, Sharrows, Crosswalk Markings, and the Development of an Evaluation Methods Report PY - 2011/04//Technical Report SP - 70p AB - This report documents a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) project to quantify the effectiveness of selected engineering countermeasures to improve safety and operations for pedestrians and bicyclists. Through a combination of literature review, review of traffic control device experimental requests, practitioner panels, and meetings with FHWA, the research team identified four countermeasures for evaluation as well as the need for a handbook for practitioners conducting evaluations of traffic control devices. This report provides a brief summary of the evaluations of these four countermeasures and references to the full technical reports for each. The rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) device is a pedestrian-activated beacon system located at the roadside below pedestrian crosswalk signs. The study found that RRFBs produced an increase in yielding behavior at all 22 sites located in 3 cities (average yielding increased from 4 to 80 percent). Data collected over a 2-year follow-up period at 18 of these sites also documented the long-term maintenance of the improved yielding behavior produced by RRFBs. The High intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) (also known as the pedestrian hybrid beacon) consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. From the before-after evaluation that considered data for 21 HAWK sites and 102 unsignalized intersections, the following changes in crashes were found after HAWK installation: a 29 percent reduction in total crashes (statistically significant), a 15 percent reduction in severe crashes (not statistically significant), and a 69 percent reduction in total pedestrian crashes (statistically significant). Shared lane markings help convey to motorists and bicyclists that they must share the travel way on which they operate. A variety of hypotheses were examined, and a number of variables related to the interaction and spacing of bicycles and motor vehicles showed positive effects. Finally, the crosswalk marking study investigated the relative daytime and nighttime visibility of three crosswalk marking patterns. For the sites where markings were newly installed for this study, the detection distances to bar pairs and continental markings were similar, and they were statistically significantly longer than the detection distance to the transverse markings both during the day and at night. This report also summarizes the evaluation methods report, which provides information for traffic engineering practitioners on how to conduct evaluations of traffic control devices used by pedestrians and bicyclists. KW - Bicycle crashes KW - Bicycle safety KW - Countermeasures KW - Crosswalks KW - Evaluation KW - Flashing beacons KW - High intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian-vehicle crashes KW - Road markings KW - Safety engineering KW - Sharrows UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/pedbike/11039/11039.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100782 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340393 AU - Knecht, William AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Testing Web-Based Preflight Weather Self-Briefing for General Aviation Pilots PY - 2011/04 SP - 26p AB - The Internet affords an increasingly capable, economical, and popular vehicle for preflight weather self-briefing. This research constitutes the first known experimental investigation of how modern Web-based weather products are actually being used by general aviation (GA) pilots. A data-gathering emulation of the National Weather Service Web site http://aviationweather.gov was written for use on a personal computer. Eighteen Web pages were created to display weather information, each page emulating a similar category of product shown by aviationweather.gov. This formed the primary weather briefing site for two similar, challenging weather scenarios subsequently flown by 50 GA pilots in simulated cross-country VFR flight. Two dependent variables were measured—page views (which pages each pilot viewed) and pageview duration (how long each page was viewed). Total briefing time was then calculated for each pilot by summing pageview durations. A groupwise “dwell” index was also derived for each Web page by multiplying the group’s page views times its median pageview durations. A number of specific findings emerged from the data analysis. First, given a specific flight mission, the author found that, as a group, GA pilots appeared significantly consistent over time in the kinds of information they sought out. However, the amount of time they spent examining that information seemed to vary over time, even given similar flight situations. Second, pilots seem to have favorite information sources (e.g., graphical prog charts, TAFs, NEXRAD, and satellite cloud images). We could expect those favorites to shift slightly, depending on the flight mission. Third, Web page design is potentially important. For example, pages not accessible from the top-level menu may be ignored or overlooked. These findings are important to weather information providers because the ability to display certain types of information—and certain ways of displaying it—are sure to give the knowledgeable provider an advantage over competitors. The key is to have highly informative pages that still remain easy to understand. KW - Aviation KW - Design KW - General aviation pilots KW - Home pages (Websites) KW - Information display systems KW - Internet KW - Preflight briefing KW - Weather KW - Websites (Information retrieval) UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201105.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100706 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340388 AU - Pfleiderer, Elaine M AU - Chidester, Thomas R AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Establishing the Reliability and Validity of the Perceptions of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (PFOQA) Questionnaire PY - 2011/04 SP - 26p AB - Though the majority of Part 121 flights are operated by airlines that have FAA-approved Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs, only 17% of the smaller carriers have them. A recent report cited pilots’ concerns about data misuse as one of the primary factors preventing participation in voluntary safety programs (GAO, 2010). Thus, increased participation in FOQA may depend on gaining insight into pilots’ perceptions and developing strategies to mitigate their concerns. The present study is an evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Perceptions of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (PFOQA) questionnaire scales. The PFOQA scales were based on the assumption that negative and positive perceptions of FOQA programs represent two distinct dimensions consisting of expectations about positive safety enhancements and concerns about data misuse. Though the Positive Perceptions Scale ( =.86) and the Negative Perceptions Scale ( =.88) both demonstrated good internal consistency reliability, the results of Principal Components Analysis and Content Analysis suggest that the PFOQA items may not represent a sufficient sample of pilots’ expectations and concerns in order to draw valid inferences about their perceptions of existing FOQA programs. Rather, the PFOQA questionnaire seems best suited for assessing pilots’ attitudes prior to FOQA implementation. Providing feedback on questionnaire results and communicating how the airline plans to address pilots’ concerns can set the stage for a positive program introduction. Certainly, the potential safety benefits of FOQA programs justify efforts to understand and mitigate negative perceptions that might prevent their adoption. KW - Air pilots KW - Aviation safety KW - Flight Operational Quality Assurance Program KW - Quality assurance KW - Questionnaires KW - Reliability (Statistics) KW - Safety programs KW - Validity UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201106.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100725 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340382 AU - Gay, Kevin AU - Horton, Suzanne AU - On, Sung Teak AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - FMCSA Safety Program Effectiveness Measurement: Intervention Model in Fiscal Year 2007 PY - 2011/04//Final Report SP - 33p AB - This report presents results from FMCSA’s Roadside Intervention Model for fiscal year 2007. The model estimates the number of crashes avoided, as well as injuries avoided and lives saved, as a result of the Agency’s roadside inspection program. The Roadside Intervention Model uses a risk-based approach to estimate the benefits of the roadside inspection program. With this approach, each violation detected at the roadside is assigned a crash risk. When these violations are corrected as a result of an inspection, the associated crash risks are removed and the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries prevented can be estimated. KW - Commercial vehicles KW - Countermeasures KW - Crash risk forecasting KW - Effectiveness KW - Inspection KW - Roadside KW - Safety programs KW - Truck crashes KW - Trucking safety KW - U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37946/Intervention-2007.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102483 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01362910 AU - Galarus, Douglas AU - Richter, Daniell AU - Bateman, Kelvin AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Central Federal Highways Division Data Collection Packages - Final Report PY - 2011/03/31/Final Report SP - 61p AB - The purpose of this research study was to develop a proof of concept, prototype electronic data-collection and reporting system to facilitate the completion of Emergency Relief for Federally Owned (ERFO) Roads Damage Site Reports (DSR). The system would replace current reports, which are hand-written in the field and converted to an electronic format later. Researchers developed the prototype system, which integrates a Tablet PC, digital camera, GPS, and satellite and cellular modems. Users completing road damage reports have the capability to summarize basic information, map locations, download topographic maps and aerial photos for reference, import and annotate photos using a stylus pen, free-hand sketch using the stylus pen, and automatically generate reports. The system was successfully tested in the lab and demonstrated to the FHWA. Anticipated benefits of the new method include more detailed, accurate and timely reporting of incidents in the field, which may facilitate and expedite emergency response and road repair activities. KW - Central Federal Lands Highway Division KW - Data collection KW - Data communications KW - Emergency management KW - Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program KW - Global Positioning System KW - Incident management KW - Information systems KW - Mobile communication systems KW - Prototypes KW - Systems engineering UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W1804_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1128278 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343105 AU - Ament, Robert AU - Galarus, Doug AU - Richter, Daniel AU - Bateman, Kelvin AU - Huijser, Marcel AU - Begley, James AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Roadkill Observation Collection System (ROCS): Phase III Development PY - 2011/03/31 SP - 114p AB - The Roadkill Observation Collection System (ROCS) is a multi-phased effort that has developed software for a tripartite system: rugged, handheld and integrated personal digital assistant (PDA) - global positioning system (GPS) data collectors, automatic uploads of data from the PDA-GPS units to a central electronic data repository and controlled admission to the ROCS central data server to access data to examine results on visualization software, for evaluation, summaries and reports. Data collection for this latest phase of the ROCS was conducted in 2010 and early 2011 in Iowa and New York by transportation maintenance crews removing animal carcasses along highways. An evaluation of a portion of the spatially accurate data (within 5-10 meters of actual location) using the central ROCS server indicate the data can be used to identify areas of high animal–vehicle collisions via a spatial cluster analysis, can be used to conduct a cost–benefit analyses for mitigation, and have the potential for other useful evaluations. Field and system tests of the ROCS have been completed indicating a fully functional system that is now ready for broader geographic deployment. KW - Animal vehicle collisions KW - Cluster analysis KW - Data collection KW - Data processing centers KW - Global Positioning System KW - Location KW - Personal digital assistants KW - Road kill KW - Spatial analysis UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W1824_Final_Report_Phase3.pdf UR - http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W2109_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104945 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342281 AU - Miller, Sheryl AU - Rephlo, Jennifer AU - Armstrong, Christopher AU - Jasper, Keith AU - Golembiewski, Gary AU - Science Applications International Corporation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - National Evaluation of the Safetrip-21 Initiative: Combined Final Report PY - 2011/03/31/Final Report SP - 147p AB - Through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) SafeTrip-21 Initiative, the U.S. DOT tested a variety of technologies in a number of locations in California as well as along the I-95 corridor on the east coast. This document presents the findings of the independent national evaluation of eight of its applications. Part I of the report provides an overview of the initiative and the evaluation activities. Part II summarizes each application that was tested and the related evaluation findings. Part III synthesizes the evaluation findings across four topics relevant to the its community – collecting and using traffic conditions data, providing real-time traffic information to drivers, providing multi-modal travel information to travelers, and providing safety information to drivers. KW - California KW - Highway safety KW - Information systems KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Public transit KW - Real time information KW - Traffic data UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38500/38510/safetrip_cfr.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104414 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342036 AU - Magalotti, Mark J AU - University of Pittsburgh AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Freeway Ramp Management in Pennsylvania PY - 2011/03/31/Final Report SP - 210p AB - This research identified the opportunities to implement ramp management strategies on freeways in Pennsylvania. The research explored the need to integrate local arterial traffic signal systems with ramp management strategies to reduce the impacts of ramp management on local roadways. The report recommends a definition of freeway congestion and screening criteria for candidate ramp management freeways in Pennsylvania. In addition, a case study was performed for the I-376 tunnel bottleneck in the City of Pittsburgh to identify potential ramp management strategies, their impact on local roadways, mitigation strategies for local traffic signal systems and the relative benefits and costs of implementing such a project on I-376. Transportation planning and simulation models were used to evaluate travel pattern changes and measures of performance of the I-376 freeway with ramp management strategies in place. KW - Arterial highways KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Bottlenecks KW - Case studies KW - Freeway management systems KW - Pennsylvania KW - Performance measurement KW - Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) KW - Ramps (Interchanges) KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic mitigation KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Traffic simulation KW - Travel patterns UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Extending%20Pavement%20Life/Freeway%20Ramp%20Management.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104572 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340767 AU - Department of Transportation AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - FAA Must Improve its Controller Training Metrics to Help Identify Program Needs PY - 2011/03/30 SP - 12p AB - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to hire and train nearly 11,000 new air traffic controllers through fiscal year (FY) 2019 to replace the large numbers of those now retiring. As FAA begins training this influx of new hires, it must have accurate metrics on their training progress to ensure that key air traffic control facilities have enough controllers for safe and efficient operations. In 2009, at the request of Representative Jerry F. Costello, then Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed training failures among newly hired air traffic controllers. During that review, OIG found that FAA’s reported training failure rate was not accurate and that FAA’s primary source of training failure data, the National Training Database (NTD), contained outdated and inaccurate data. Both are critical metrics for managing this important program. This review follows up on OIG's 2009 audit. The audit objectives were to (1) evaluate FAA’s actions to improve its system for tracking the training progress of newly hired controllers and (2) review FAA’s metrics for measuring and reporting the effectiveness of its controller training program. Briefly, FAA has improved its tracking process for new controller training over the last year. The Agency has taken a number of corrective actions to address the problems OIG identified in 2009 that contributed to an inaccurate training failure rate reported for newly hired controllers. FAA’s metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the controller training program do not provide a complete picture because they include controllers who have not completed their initial training. For example, if there are 100 controllers in the training program and 9 of those controllers fail or leave, FAA reports an attrition rate of 9 percent. This produces unrealistic results because some of the remaining 91 in-progress controllers may also leave the program at a later time. Accurate training data are necessary so that FAA can adequately prepare new hires to replace retiring veteran controllers, assign new hires to the appropriate level and type of facility, and adjust its training program when warranted. OIG's recommendation focuses on steps FAA should take to measure and present a more complete picture of the effectiveness of its air traffic controller training program. KW - Air traffic controllers KW - Effectiveness KW - Measurement KW - Needs assessment KW - Performance measurement KW - Training KW - Training programs KW - U.S. Federal Aviation Administration UR - http://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/dot/files/Controller%20Training%20Data%20Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102818 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01357643 AU - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration TI - Top Consequence Hazardous Materials by Commodities and Failure Modes, 2005-2009 PY - 2011/03/28 IS - 2 SP - 15p AB - This paper outlines the hazardous materials (hazmat) in transport that have been responsible for the most serious consequences in terms of deaths and major injuries during the years 2005 to 2009. It also identifies failure modes and the corresponding transportation phases that have resulted in the most high-impact casualties during this same period. As the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration analyzes alternatives to increase the safety of hazmat transportation, the agency will consider several findings from this report: (1) some hazardous materials have high consequences due to their high levels of transport (i.e. high exposure) while in other cases it is the sheer volatility or danger of the substance that leads to significant consequences despite modest exposure; Most of the deaths and injuries due to hazmat can be linked to a small sub-section of all hazardous materials; Nearly all of the hazmat fatalities between 2005 and 2009 occurred during either rail or highway transport. (The exception was a single multiple-fatality waterborne incident.) The vast majority of major injuries (85%) were also associated with these two modes; and rollover and derailment while in transit are the principal failure causes recorded (and are specific to road and rail transportation, respectively), followed by human error across all phases of transportation. KW - Commodities KW - Crash causes KW - Crashes KW - Fatalities KW - Freight transportation KW - Hazardous materials KW - Injuries UR - http://www.firedirect.net/_pdfs/1107_PHSMA.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1122876 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01369959 AU - Geddes, Scott AU - Petrucci, Giuseppe AU - University of Vermont, Burlington AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Atmospheric Oxidative Chemistry of Organic Particulate Emissions from Fuel Combustion PY - 2011/03/25 SP - 11p AB - This report presents the construction and characterization of the University of Vermont Environmental Chamber (UVMEC) for the study of atmospheric reactions of volatile compounds. The experimental system has been designed to permit the generation and measurement of low-level (sub ppmv) oxidants inside the reaction chamber. The primary function of the UVMEC is to enable tropospheric particulate formation and aging studies to be performed on environmentally relevant timescales. KW - Aerosols KW - Atmospheric chemistry KW - Combustion KW - Environmental impacts KW - Exhaust gases KW - Oxidizing agents KW - Ozone KW - Particulates KW - Pollutants KW - Test chambers UR - http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/research/trc_reports/UVM-TRC-11-004.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1138412 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353556 AU - Boile, Maria AU - Theofanis, Sotirios AU - Ozbay, Kaan AU - Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation AU - New York Metropolitan Transportation Council AU - University Transportation Research Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Feasibility of Freight Villages in the NYMTC Region: Task 6 – Site Impact Assessment PY - 2011/03/23 SP - 48p AB - This report summarizes the work conducted to analyze the site impact of freight villages. The analysis included assessing traffic, logistics and economic impacts, which are then used to determine the extent to which freight village development has the potential to assist in New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s regional objectives. The objectives are to mitigate congestion by reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing mode balance, foster rational and efficient land uses that curb sprawl, focus development on desired growth areas, promote compatible land uses, and promote economic development in the form of job creation. The method of assessment is as follows: analyze the generation of truck traffic, where different numbers of trucks are generated by the type of facility located within a freight village. A typical freight village model was created and was applied to six sites. The number of trucks generated by facilities is estimated using the truck trip rates from the ITE Trip Generation manual and relevant figures. To assess the impact of alternative land uses compared to freight village development, various scenarios were used for comparisons which include development of a business park, an amusement park and a regional park. The traffic impact of a freight village will then be compared to that of alternative developments. After conducting the study and analyzing the potential sites more thoroughly it was concluded that they are suitable for development as freight villages. Previous analysis and international experience show that networking among freight village facilities in a region enhances their functionalities and increases their potential to achieve clustering effects and to further reduce any adverse impact. As the need for goods in the region grows, so does the demand for freight transport and logistics operations. The current model of various small facilities and large number of truck trips required to accommodate the demand for freight is not sustainable. Freight villages help achieve environmental objectives, having the potential to reduce miles of less sustainable modes of transport and increasing the use of environmental friendly transport modes such as rail and water accessible warehouse facilities. KW - Economic development KW - Economic impacts KW - Feasibility analysis KW - Freight demand KW - Freight transportation KW - Freight villages KW - Impact studies KW - Land use planning KW - Logistics KW - New York Metropolitan Area KW - Sustainable development KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic impact analysis KW - Traffic mitigation KW - Truck trips UR - http://www.utrc2.org/research/assets/119/Final_Freight-Villages1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118320 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01552143 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Improving FHWA's Ability to Assess Highway Infrastructure Health: Phase I Results PY - 2011/03/22/Final Report SP - 33p AB - The primary goals of this project are to define a consistent and reliable method of assessing infrastructure health with a focus on pavements and bridges on the Interstate Highway System, and to develop tools to provide Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) ready access to key information that will allow for a better and more complete view of infrastructure health nationally. While initially focusing on the Interstate Highway System, it is the intent of this project to develop methodologies that can be expanded to the National Highway System or any other defined system of pavements or bridges, subject to data availability. To meet these goals, the scope of this project includes two main tracks: (1) Develop an approach for categorizing pavement and bridges as Good/Fair/Poor, which can be used consistently across the country. Performance in this context is based on condition information. (2) Develop a methodology for determining the health of a corridor with respect to pavement and bridges. Health in this context is based on factors that go beyond condition. KW - Condition surveys KW - Data collection KW - Highway bridges KW - Infrastructure KW - Interstate Highway System KW - Methodology KW - Pavements KW - Structural health monitoring KW - U.S. Federal Highway Administration UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/asset/health/phase1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1341310 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361076 AU - Heppner, Paul AU - Bell, Brian AU - Orrego, Andres AU - Wise, Joshua AU - Pucci, Julian AU - Global Science & Technology, Incorporated AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Passenger Bus Industry Weather Information Application. PY - 2011/03/21/Project Findings SP - 41p AB - Adverse weather significantly affects the United States national transportation system, including commercial companies that rely on highways to support their enterprises. The Passenger Bus (Motorcoach) Industry (PBI) is one such affected user whose operational efficiency, occupant safety, and the cost of services can be compromised by adverse weather. The primary objective of the Passenger Bus Industry Weather Information Application (PBI WxApp) is to integrate mobile platform environmental observations with fixed-site (airports and road-weather stations) observations in order to create a window of meteorological information along a commercial vehicle’s intended travel route. The expected outcome is situational awareness for drivers, passengers, and dispatchers or other operations personnel, including those who use decision support systems. Mobile platform observations describe environmental conditions in locations not sampled by fixed-site road-weather equipment. Consequently, the PBI WxApp includes input data that is dynamic and oft times rapidly changing when the vehicles encounter storms and precipitation. This report will describe the development of the PBI WxApp and its general outcomes. The findings show that mobile platform data are reliable and provide a weather window that is more complete than any single source of data. KW - Bus transportation KW - Commercial vehicle operations KW - Decision support systems KW - Mobile communication systems KW - Passenger transportation KW - Road weather information systems KW - Weather conditions KW - Wireless LANs UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/43000/43200/43202/FHWA-JPO-11-123_PBI_WxApp_Final_Report_v1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126438 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353880 AU - Gillespie, Anthony AU - Zimmerman, Carol AU - Turnbull, Katie AU - Tooley, Melissa AU - Battelle AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Key Findings and Recommendations for Technology Transfer at the ITS JPO PY - 2011/03/21/Final Report SP - 115p AB - This report provides key findings and recommendations for technology transfer at the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) based upon an assessment of best practices in technology transfer in other industries, such as national labs, Federal Agencies, universities and industry. For this project, the assessment of best practices in other industries was comprised of the following components; a literature review to identify best practices; web surveys of technology transfer professionals in other industries and at University Transportation Centers to get the current perspective on technology transfer best practices; and site/telephone interviews to generate 7 case studies of the best practices of selected organizations in other industries. Based upon this assessment, the key findings and recommendations were developed and compared to the recommendations in two previous reports by the Government Accounting Office and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General on the ITS JPO. KW - Best practices KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Interviewing KW - Literature reviews KW - Recommendations KW - Technology transfer KW - Websites (Information retrieval) UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42100/42107/FHWA-JPO-11-085__Key_Findings___Recommendations_for_Tech_Transfer_at_ITS_JPO__PDF_508.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118147 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341900 AU - Rue, Harrison AU - Rooney, Kathleen AU - Dock, Stephanie AU - Ange, Katharine AU - Twaddell, Hannah AU - Poncy, Amanda AU - ICF International AU - Renaissance Planning Group AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - The Role of FHWA Programs In Livability: State of the Practice Summary PY - 2011/03/21 SP - 40p AB - This research paper highlights the current state of the practice relative to the implementation of livability principles within the context of the Federal-aid highway program. It also highlights the challenges facing the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other transportation agencies in changing traditional planning approaches and evolving institutional frameworks to more effectively incorporate livability principles. It offers a sampling of strategies and tools for implementing livability through different programs and agencies, and across various scales as they pertain to highway program planning and development. The research conducted for this paper focused on identifying integrated highway projects that address livability from multiple perspectives, including a national literature review/scan coupled with technical knowledge of the research team and outreach to transportation practitioners. As a result of the literature scan, many different types of organizations and planning products, at different geographic levels, incorporating Federal, State, regional, and local programs and projects, were reviewed for livability practices and broad analytical observations. KW - Community development KW - Federal aid highways KW - Highway design KW - Highway planning KW - Integrated planning KW - Land use planning KW - Literature reviews KW - Quality of life KW - State of the practice KW - Strategic planning KW - Sustainable development UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/livability/state_of_the_practice_summary/research2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104128 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344858 AU - National Park Service AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center TI - Cape Cod National Seashore Intelligent Transportation Systems Implementation Plan PY - 2011/03/18/Final Report SP - 74p AB - The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is providing technical support to the Cape Cod National Seashore in the planning of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). In collaboration with the Cape Cod Commission, National Seashore staff believe that ITS can improve the quality of visitor experience and help to ease congestion related to visitor traffic at the Seashore’s six beaches. Such systems can also improve management of unplanned incidents and emergency events. Several major studies and plans have highlighted the potential benefits to the National Seashore of ITS for parking management, traveler information, and emergency communication. With this knowledge base and related planning in place, the National Seashore and the Volpe Center began a more focused exploration of investment in ITS. The National Seashore is following the recommended systems engineering model for ITS. In keeping with regulatory requirements, it has participated in the updating of the Regional ITS Architecture for Southeastern Massachusetts. Existing conditions have been identified and researched. A productive first round of discussions between National Seashore staff and stakeholders has yielded a concept of what the system should look like and do; two linked system components, Parking Management and Traveler Information, have been identified, along with details of how they should operate. Several meetings have occurred between the research team and key emergency-response agencies at the county and state levels to discuss strategies for using whatever ITS elements the National Seashore ultimately deploys to disseminate essential traveler information in the event of a hurricane or other emergency. In addition, technology assessments have been performed on key system elements (i.e., vehicle counting systems, and traveler information systems, and recommendations have been formulated for ITS deployment in the National Seashore, in terms of both the technologies to use, and the implementation steps to follow. During the initial phases of this project, when the desired functionality of the ITS deployment was being considered, the project team invited and received participation from a broad array of stakeholders, including local towns, state and county emergency response agencies, business organizations, and the regional public transportation Authority. As part of the preliminary analyses, the team produced an Existing Conditions report, the main findings from which are summarized in Chapter 3. The high-level planning steps in the ITS implementation process are now complete. This report summarizes those steps, reports on the resulting conclusions, and provides guidance on the next steps in the implementation process: system design, procurement, and deployment. KW - Cape Cod National Seashore KW - Disaster preparedness KW - Emergency communication systems KW - Hazards and emergency operations KW - Hurricanes KW - Information dissemination KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Parking management KW - Public transit KW - Regional planning KW - Transit operating agencies KW - Traveler information and communication systems UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38000/38094/DOT-VNTSC-NPS-11-07.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105244 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344856 AU - Hajbabaie, Ali AU - Medina, Juan C AU - Benekohal, Rahim F AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - NEXTRANS AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Traffic Signal Coordination and Queue Management in Oversaturated Intersection PY - 2011/03/18/Final Report SP - 108p AB - Traffic signal timing optimization when done properly, could significantly improve network performance by reducing delay, increasing network throughput, reducing number of stops, or increasing average speed in the network. The optimization can become complex due to large solution space caused by many combinations of different parameters that affect traffic operation. In this study three different methods are used to find near-optimal signal timing parameters in transportation networks. The methods are: Genetic Algorithms (GA), Evolution Strategies (ES), and Approximate Dynamic Programming (ADP). Each method is introduced, the signal timings associated with them are explained and some important measures of performance of the networks are determined and compared. One small network with 9 intersections and one medium network with 20 intersections were used for evaluating the optimizations methods. Three general cases (Cases 1, 2, 3) are discussed in this report. For the small symmetric network, three levels of traffic loading are used (no overload, 10% overload and 20% overload). For the medium network (modified Springfield IL downtown network), two levels of entry volumes are used (750 and 1000 vehicle per hour per lane). KW - Genetic algorithms KW - Intersections KW - Optimization KW - Oversaturation (Traffic flow) KW - Saturation flow KW - Springfield (Illinois) KW - Throughput (Traffic) KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic networks KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Traffic signal timing UR - http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/nextrans/assets/pdfs/Year%202%20Final%20Reports/Final%20Report%20047.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38000/38085/NEXTRANS_Project_No__047IY02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105241 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340777 AU - Greer, Elizabeth AU - Allwell, Cassandra AU - Burger, Charlotte AU - Raskin, Larry AU - Noblis AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - ITS Professional Capacity Building: Setting Strategic Direction 2010-2014 PY - 2011/03/18/Final Report SP - 63p AB - This document describes the strategy that the ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program is pursuing to create a 21st century learning environment and build an ITS professional that leads the world in the innovative use of ITS technologies. The strategic plan presents: (1) Introduction. Describes how the PCB Program is shifting its strategic approach to better meet customer needs. (2) Vision, Mission, and Values. States the renewed vision, mission, and core values of the Program. (3) Goals and Objectives. Describes the strategic plan for 2010 to 2014. Outlines four strategic goals, sets objectives, states anticipated outcomes. (4) Benefits and Conclusion. Describes benefits of the renewed strategy, outlines how results will be measured, and summarizes actions to be taken to enact the plan. (5) Appendices. Details stakeholder engagement process and Implementation Plan. KW - Continuing education KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Professional capacity building KW - Strategic planning UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38500/38509/strat_direction_plan.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102641 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01463257 TI - Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 04-04. Buy America Requirements for Federally Funded Airports AB - The objective of this research is to produce an easy-to-use guide that addresses all of the Buy America requirements applicable to federally funded airport projects, with an emphasis on the specific requirements associated with Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)recently issued a Legal Research Digest discussing Federal Buy America requirements for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded projects. It is anticipated that the results of this research project would be a complement to that digest focusing on airports and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded projects. KW - Airport operations KW - Airports KW - Buy America KW - Federal funding KW - Guidelines KW - Requirements UR - http://144.171.11.40/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2881 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1231483 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343382 AU - Ramezani, Hani AU - Benekohal, Rahim F AU - Avrenli, Kivanc A AU - NEXTRANS AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Determining Queue and Congestion in Highway Work Zone Bottlenecks PY - 2011/03/11/Final Report on Phase C SP - 80p AB - Construction zones, though required for infrastructure maintenance, have become congestion choke points on most highway systems in the US. The congestion may create potentially unsafe driving conditions for approaching motorists that do not expect queue there. Managing the growth and dissipation of vehicular queue upstream and within work zones can help reduce congestion and improve traffic safety. However, critical issues are how to determine the extent of queue and congestion accurately, as well as how to best use that information in managing the adverse effects of queue. This study investigated some of the issues in capacity, queue length, and delay estimation in work zones. In particular, the current methods for analyzing congestion in work zones are examined. Further requirements to improve the accuracy of analysis are identified and discussed. The effect of large gaps between vehicles on capacity measurement is determined using field data. Alternative methods for computing work zone capacity were developed. Furthermore, two types of moving queue are studied: 1) intermittent moving queue, 2) continuous moving queue. The characteristics of each type of queue are studied using field data. A methodology to estimate intermittent queue length and delay is proposed. The study investigates continuous moving queue propagation and dissipation using shockwave theory. Also, formulations are developed to estimate continuous moving queue length and delay. KW - Bottlenecks KW - Queue length KW - Queuing KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic queuing KW - Traffic safety KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38000/38086/NEXTRANS_Project_No__046IY02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105157 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340789 AU - Hestekin, Jamie AU - Beitle, Robert AU - Babcock, Robert E AU - Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Production of Butanol Fuel from Renewable Systems Using a Membrane Assisted Fermentation System PY - 2011/03/10/Final Report SP - 18p AB - The U.S. presently imports over 60% of the crude oil that is used to generate most of the 180 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel that are annually consumed in this country. It is estimated that in the U.S., there are at least 500 million dry tons of biomass available annually. This biomass is in the form of forest residues, mill residues, dedicated energy crops, urban wood waste, and agricultural residues. This research investigates the use of another feedstock, algae, as a new raw material for transportation fuel. Algae grown in a native algal raceway system removes pollutants from the water as well as making biofuels. The specific research aim was to transform native algae strains, grown to clean contaminated water, into butanol (1-butyl alcohol). The algae used were from sources inside of Arkansas and New York City. The first process step was drying the algae. It was found that enough water could be removed in 2-3 days by air drying in a greenhouse to make algae dry enough for subsequent processing. The next processing step was to hydrolyze the algae and extract carbohydrates for ultimate butanol production. The authors found that at a temperature of 110 C, a short time (30 minutes or less) combined with a high acid concentration (as high as 30 g/L) was optimal for maximum carbohydrate production. The next processing step was to ferment carbohydrates into butanol using clostridium spp. The authors first attempted to use a C. beijenerckii but found it was unsuitable for growth with algae. They found, however, that C. sacchroperbutylacetonicum was suitable for growth and was able to produce butanol from algae. They also found that the butanol could be separated efficiently using a 2-step distillation with phase separation. KW - Algae KW - Biomass fuels KW - Butanol KW - Fermentation KW - Oxygenates KW - Production UR - http://mackblackwell.uark.edu/MBTC_DOT_3018.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102822 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340770 AU - Wang, Kelvin C P AU - Hall, Kevin D AU - Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - AHTD Cracking Protocol Application with Automated Distress Survey for Design and Management PY - 2011/03/09/Final Report SP - 33p AB - Manual surveys of pavement cracking have problems associated with variability, repeatability, processing speed, and cost. If conducted in the field, safety and related liability of manual survey present challenges to highway agencies. Therefore automated processes for cracking analysis have been sought after in the past decades. Processed cracking results need to be compiled based on a standard or a protocol so pavement engineers can apply the results in design and management. Pavement cracking protocols vary in details. Cracking definitions in the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) and the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (MEPDG) represent two efforts in defining cracking applications for pavement condition monitoring and prediction modelling of pavement condition in design respectively. This paper presents the findings of using a fully automated process with the Automated Distress Analyzer (ADA) to establish a viable method for analyzing cracks based on 2D laser images for HPMS and MEPDG. It is determined that automated survey is possible for both protocols as long as careful design and implementation are made and errors are controlled in the process as much as possible. In addition, an analysis of wheelpath wandering and its effect on cracking analysis is conducted by varying positions of wheelpaths and their sizes. KW - Automated distress analyzer KW - Condition surveys KW - Pavement cracking KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement distress KW - Pavement management systems UR - http://www.arkansastrc.com/MBTC%20REPORTS/MBTC%203016.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102744 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465789 TI - Developing Advanced Spatial Analysis Tools in Transportation Safety Planning: Examining Planning Zones and Trip Data AB - The objectives of this project are: (1) To establish the suitability of a current traffic-related zoning approach in the new generation planning method: Transportation Safety Planning (TSP). (2) To explore the effective and efficient use in TSP of existing key determinants in Traditional Transportation as trip generation/distribution data. (3) Based on the accomplishment of objectives 1 and 2, to develop a prototype of a scientific, while practical, spatial analysis toolbox to advance TSP practice at various levels. KW - Spatial analysis KW - Transportation planning KW - Transportation safety KW - Trip data KW - Trip generation UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1234023 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01337359 AU - Garrick, Norman AU - University of Connecticut, Storrs AU - New England University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Community Design and Transportation Safety PY - 2011/03/06/Final Report SP - 3p AB - The goal of this study was to assess how street network characteristics affect road safety. Using a spatial geographic information system (GIS) analysis together with a novel approach to classifying street network patterns, the research showed that both street network and street characteristics are significantly correlated with road safety outcomes. The basis for this analysis was over 230,000 individual crash records geo-coded in a GIS database in over 1000 census Block Groups in 24 California cities. In conducting this study, the authors controlled for variables such as street patterns, vehicle volumes, activity levels, income levels, and proximity to limited access highways and to the downtown area. KW - Activity levels KW - California KW - Cities KW - Communities KW - Crash records KW - Geographic information systems KW - Highway safety KW - Street patterns KW - Streets KW - Traffic volume UR - http://utc.mit.edu/uploads/UCRN%2020-8%20FP-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/36000/36000/36093/UCRN_20-8_FP-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100366 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01466563 TI - City of Camden, Broad Street Road Diet, Federal Highway Administration TIGER II, Grant No. P-37 AB - This Cooperative Agreement between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the City of Camden is to perform transportation planning work as follows: preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document and plans for reducing the number of travel lanes on United States Highway 521 (Broad Street) to improve safety and livability in downtown Camden. KW - Highway safety KW - National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 KW - Quality of life KW - South Carolina KW - Transportation planning KW - Travel lanes UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1234798 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01357950 AU - Miller, Jeffrey AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Booz Allen Hamilton TI - Program Evaluation of FHWA Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Activities PY - 2011/03/01/Final Report SP - 93p AB - FHWA’s Office of Highway Safety (HSA) initiated a program evaluation by Booz Allen Hamilton to assess the overall effectiveness of the Agency’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program. The evaluation covers pedestrian and bicycle safety activities conducted throughout FHWA headquarters’ safety, planning, and research offices and field Resource Center and Division Offices. The evaluation (1) includes a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of FHWA’s current program design and delivery and (2) identifies specific program management and performance recommendations to improve program outcomes. FHWA’s primary customers for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program are state DOTs and local agencies. The program develops guidance on processes to improve safety planning, develops and tests specific pedestrian and bicycle safety countermeasures and strategies, and provides training and technical assistance. Rather than assessing the effectiveness of individual program activities, this evaluation looks at the overall management processes FHWA uses to identify needs and trends from its primary customers, how best to deliver these services, and the impacts of its activities in reducing pedestrian and bicycle safety fatalities and injuries nationwide. KW - Bicycle safety KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Needs assessment KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Performance KW - Program management KW - Programming (Planning) KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - U.S. Federal Highway Administration UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42900/42988/Final_Report_FHWA_PedBike_Program_Evaluation_3-2-2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1122329 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01622422 AU - Lee, Cynthia AU - Macdonald, John AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - Baseline Ambient Sound Levels in Point Reyes National Seashore PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 131p AB - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the cooperation of the National Park Service (NPS) and assistance of the U.S. Department of Transportation, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is developing Air Tour Management Plans (ATMP) for all national parks with commercial air tours, with the exception of the Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP), tribal lands within or abutting the GCNP, air tour operations flying over or near the Lake Mead National Recreation Area solely as a transportation route to conduct an air tour over GCNP, Rocky Mountain National Park, and national park units located in Alaska. An important area of technical support is the determination of representative baseline ambient sound levels for the study parks. During the summer (July – August 2009) and winter (January – February 2010), the Volpe Center conducted baseline ambient sound level measurements in Point Reyes National Seashore. Approximately one month of acoustical and meteorological data were measured at four sites throughout the park. This document summarizes the results of the noise measurement study. KW - Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) KW - Air tours KW - Aircraft noise KW - Baseline data KW - Measurement KW - National parks KW - Point Reyes National Seashore (California) KW - Sound level UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/60000/60400/60400/Point_Reyes_ambient_sound_levels.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1441072 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01599861 AU - Lindquist, Peter AU - National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Midwest FreightView and the Great Lakes Maritime Information Delivery System: A Resource for the Regional Analysis of Intermodal Freight Flows PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 12p AB - Midwest FreightView and the Great Lakes Maritime Information Delivery System is a comprehensive data repository and information clearinghouse in support of Great Lakes maritime commerce. This multifunctional resource integrated in a geographic information system focuses on relating economic spatial data with commodity flow data and traffic patterns in order to effectively document and explain patterns of economic activity among all major sectors of the regional economy with an emphasis on their linkage to freight movements. KW - Computer program documentation KW - Data storage KW - Database management systems KW - Databases KW - Economic development KW - Economic impacts KW - Freight traffic KW - Freight transportation KW - Great Lakes Region KW - Midwest FreightView KW - Regional analysis KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Water transportation UR - http://www.wistrans.org/cfire/documents/CFIRE_0233_FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1408184 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01580468 AU - Knight, Robert AU - Brookman, Michael J AU - Bevilacqua-Knight, Incorporated AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Air-Steam Hybrid Engine: An Alternative to Internal Combustion. Cleaner, More Efficient, Multi-Fuel Compatible, Retrofitable PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 49p AB - In this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project, an energy-efficient air-steam propulsion system has been developed and patented, and key performance attributes have been demonstrated to be superior to those of internal combustion engines. A mixed air-steam propellant system can provide immediate power without a boiler, and that power can be varied simply by modifying the ratio of water and air in the propellant mix. Next steps for this innovation include more detailed performance verification and an analysis of scaling this promising technology to propel buses and trains for mass transit use. Successful validation would lead to a vehicle retrofit of a smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient engine in a standard mid-size or full-size vehicle. That engine could operate on a variety of fuels other than refined petroleum. These goals are consistent with the DOT SBIR subtopic narrative, “Economical and durable technologies and devices for improving safety for riders and transit agency employees, reducing noise and energy consumption, or improving the rider experience. The innovations must be adaptable to existing bus and rail transit vehicles and systems. KW - Air-steam hybrid engines KW - Biomass fuels KW - Energy efficiency KW - External combustion engines KW - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) KW - Technological innovations KW - Transit buses UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/55000/55400/55499/FTA_Report_No._0013.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1373030 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01534781 AU - Goodspeed, Charles AU - Robert, Christopher AU - Pelletier, Justin AU - Salzer, David AU - Santoso, Patrick AU - University of New Hampshire, Durham AU - New Hampshire Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Transverse Joint Configuration Development and Testing for a Modular Bridge Deck Replacement System PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 102p AB - According to the 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, one in four of the nation’s bridges are listed as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, establishing a dire need for new and innovative repair and replacement techniques to improve the efficiency and state of the nation’s bridges. Full-depth pre-cast bridge deck panels have proven to be a rapid, efficient and cost effective solution to cast-in-place bridge deck replacement techniques. However, the panel-to-panel connection for these segmental deck replacement systems requires further development and testing to improve their structural redundancy, and to streamline their installation procedure. Multiple transverse joint configurations have been developed, fabricated, and tested in order to evaluate their shear transfer capabilities and ease of use. It was determined that a round corrugated transverse joint configuration provided the greatest shear transfer capacity and an efficient installation procedure. KW - Bridge decks KW - Installation KW - Modular structures KW - New Hampshire KW - Precast concrete KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Shear transfer KW - Transverse joints UR - http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/materials/research/projects/documents/FHWA-NH-RD-14282T.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1320443 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01522245 AU - Lee, Cynthia AU - MacDonald, John AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - National Park Service TI - Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Acoustical Monitoring 2007/2008 PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 96p AB - In 2007, the Natural Sounds Program (National Park Service) received a technical assistance request to collect baseline acoustical data at Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). During the summer (June – September 2007) and winter (January – February 2008), six sites were deployed for approximately 30 days each. The baseline data collected during this period will help park managers and planners estimate the effects of future noise impacts and will help to inform future park planning objectives such as creating soundscape management plans, as well as the development of an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP), which provides for the regulation of commercial air tours. The sound sources of concern at GGNRA include developments near park boundaries, air tours, commercial and private aircraft activities, and requests for special use permits for noisy activities. This document summarizes the results of the noise measurement study. KW - Aircraft noise KW - Ambient noise KW - Golden Gate National Recreation Area KW - National parks KW - Noise sources KW - Sound level UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/51000/51100/51115/GOGA_AcousticalMonitoringReport_nrss.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1303899 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01493872 AU - Clevenger, Anthony P AU - Huijser, Marcel P AU - Western Transportation Institute AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Wildlife Crossing Structure Handbook: Design and Evaluation in North America PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 223p AB - This handbook provides numerous solutions to wildlife-vehicle interactions by offering effective and safe wildlife crossing examples. It initially describes the critter crossing problem and justifies the need to solve it. Project and program level considerations are identified for planning, placement and design of wildlife crossing structures. Key design and ecological criteria, construction and maintenance guidelines, and effective monitoring techniques are shown and described in this handbook’s practical application examples called Hot Sheets. KW - Animal behavior KW - Best practices KW - Habitat (Ecology) KW - Handbooks KW - Highway safety KW - North America KW - Structural design KW - Wildlife crossings UR - http://www.cflhd.gov/programs/techdevelopment/wildlife/ UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1262539 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465735 TI - TERM Lite: Asset Assessment Tool for Transit Agencies AB - These projects support the efforts of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), for the purpose of modifying FTA's Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM) to be a user-friendly and useful tool for transit agencies in understanding the future condition of their assets under different investment scenarios (TERM-Lite). FTA will use TERM to evaluate the impact of various national-level investment scenarios on the conditions and performance of the nation's transit systems over the next 20 years. TERM can calculate the State of Good Repair backlog, normal replacement needs, and average conditions that result from various constrained funding scenarios for the transit industry as a whole. To promote better local asset management, FTA is adapting TERM to provide these capabilities for individual transit agencies so they can make similar calculations based on their own assets. LA MTA and Chicago's RTA are beta-testing TERM-Lite by using it to make projections and calculate backlog in the same way FTA does and by running different funding scenarios to explore their long-term capital investment needs, also as FTA does. FTA contractors are working with them to make TERM-Lite as user-friendly as possible. KW - Asset management KW - Investments KW - Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority KW - Regional Transportation Authority (Illinois) KW - State of good repair KW - Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM) KW - Transit operating agencies UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233969 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465727 TI - Development of Transit Livability Assessment Data AB - This project works with urban and rural livability measures recommended by other University Transportation Center (UTC) studies. It develops data resources and display tools as a test of recommended metrics and to understand issues involved in collecting and maintaining the geo-coded data needed for this kind of place-based analysis. The overall goal is to be able to define quantifiable aspects of livability that can be used as performance measures to evaluate outcomes of transportation and land-use planning policies and programs. Transit livability metrics will be demonstrated in a geographic region or regions selected for data availability and for the applicability to a variety of communities. A final report with recommendations for structuring data collection and maintenance to support annual reporting for tracking progress will be delivered. KW - Assessments KW - Data collection KW - Land use planning KW - Performance measurement KW - Public transit KW - Quality of life UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233961 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465726 TI - Urban Transit Livability Performance Measures Study AB - This project will define national urban transit livability performance measures that could be calculated on an annual basis to track trends and progress. The study will identify and evaluate performance measures for how well transit contributes to the livability of urban communities. The measures must be designed to allow the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to gauge the effectiveness of federal livability efforts. Additionally, they must be applicable and measurable from a national perspective and compatible with regional and local planning efforts. The metrics must not require a large, ongoing funding commitment for collecting data. Measures of how well transit systems meet the needs of people in the communities they serve are required for evaluating the success of livability enhancement programs and for identifying where these programs are needed. Beyond this, the process of defining quantitative measures of abstract concepts like livability contributes to better understanding of policy objectives and builds a common vocabulary by which they can be discussed. Communities will benefit from applying performance measures of livability to their transportation and land-use planning, and transit agencies will benefit from explication of how they contribute to enhanced livability. Measures will be evaluated across a geographic region or regions selected for data availability and variety of urban environments (e.g., from low-density, low transit use to residential downtown areas with high ridership, including small, medium, and large cities). KW - Communities KW - Data collection KW - Policy analysis KW - Quality of life KW - Regional planning KW - Ridership UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233960 ER - TY - ABST AN - 01465725 TI - Rural Transit Livability Performance Measures Study AB - This project will define national rural transit livability performance measures that could be calculated on an annual basis to track trends and progress. The study will identify and evaluate performance measures for how well transit contributes to the livability of rural communities. The measures must be designed to allow the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to gauge the effectiveness of federal transit livability efforts. Additionally, they must be applicable and measurable from a national perspective and compatible with regional and local planning efforts. The metrics must not require a large, ongoing funding commitment for collecting data. Measures of how well transit systems meet the needs of people in the communities they serve are required for evaluating the success of livability enhancement programs and for identifying where these programs are needed. Beyond this, the process of defining quantitative measures of abstract concepts like livability contributes to better understanding of policy objectives and builds a common vocabulary by which they can be discussed. Communities will benefit from applying performance measures of livability to their transportation and land-use planning, and transit agencies will benefit from explication of how they contribute to enhanced livability. KW - Data collection KW - Land use planning KW - Performance measurement KW - Policy KW - Quality of life KW - Regional planning KW - Transit operating agencies UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1233959 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01451531 AU - United States Federal Highway Administration TI - South Capitol Street, Independence Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue : environmental impact statement PY - 2011/03//Volumes held: Draft, Final, Draft technical reports B1, Air quality technical report appendices B2, Final technical reports B3 KW - Environmental impact statements UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1220075 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01451215 AU - United States Federal Highway Administration TI - Grand Parkway (State Highway 99) segments H and I-1 from United States Highway (US) 59 (N) to Interstate Highway (IH) 10 (E), Montgomery, Harris, Liberty, and Chambers counties : environmental impact statement PY - 2011/03//Volumes held: Draft(2v) KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Texas UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1219759 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01451205 AU - United States Federal Highway Administration TI - Adopt a route for an ultimate 4-lane expressway for State Route 180, from Interstate 5 to the western terminus of State Route 180, near Valentine Avenue (post miles R9.0 to R54.2), in western Fresno County : environmental impact statement PY - 2011/03//Volumes held: Draft KW - California KW - Environmental impact statements UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1219749 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01451015 AU - United States Federal Highway Administration TI - MD 3 project planning study from north of US 50 to south of MD 32, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties : environmental impact statement PY - 2011/03//Volumes held: Draft(2v)(v.2 is folio), Final KW - Environmental impact statements KW - Maryland UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1219559 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01450870 AU - Gilbo, Eugene AU - Smith, Scott AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Federal aviation Administration TI - New Ways of Looking at Sector Demand and Sector Alerts PY - 2011/03 SP - 36p AB - This report presents the latest results of research conducted at the Volpe Center on improving air traffic demand predictions and enhancing the Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS) Monitor/Alert function for identifying potential congestion at National Airspace System (NAS) elements such as airports, sectors and fixes. New approaches are presented for improving the way that TFMS determines if a sector is alerted. The deterministic demand pattern approach as well as the probabilistic weighted average approach have the advantage of being a smaller change from the traditional and long accepted way of doing business, while the fully probabilistic approach has the advantage of providing a more satisfactory way of looking at demand. The Federal Aviation Administration can now compare these approaches to the current approach and determine which is more attractive for the long run. If one of the new approaches is deemed desirable, additional work would be needed to flesh the proposals out into fully operational tools. KW - Air traffic KW - Air traffic control KW - Airport capacity KW - Airport congestion KW - Airspace sectors KW - Alert systems KW - Flow control (Air traffic control) KW - Metering (Air traffic control) KW - Monitoring KW - Traffic flow UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/45000/45600/45605/New_ways_of_looking_on_sector_demand_14March2011.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1218198 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01446037 AU - Knight, Robert AU - Brookman, Michael J AU - Bevilacqua-Knight, Incorporated AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Air-Steam Hybrid Engine: An Alternative to Internal Combustion PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 49p AB - In this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project, an energy-efficient air-steam propulsion system has been developed and patented, and key performance attributes have been demonstrated to be superior to those of internal combustion engines. A mixed air-steam propellant system can provide immediate power without a boiler, and that power can be varied simply by modifying the ratio of water and air in the propellant mix. Next steps for this innovation include more detailed performance verification and an analysis of scaling this promising technology to propel buses and trains for mass transit use. Successful validation would lead to a vehicle retrofit of a smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient engine in a standard mid-size or full-size vehicle. That engine could operate on a variety of fuels other than refined petroleum. This report includes a test of the Binary Recovery, Air-Steam Hybrid (BRASH) engine. After making necessary mechanical and electronic modifications to a Smart™ sized test vehicle, two experiments were performed to validate the air-steam propulsion system operation and determine key baseline performance parameters. The first test run was to establish minimum fuel and propellant flow rates for sustained operation at low speed (air-rich mode), and the second to establish reasonable upper limits of fuel and propellant flow at higher engine speeds (steam-rich mode). KW - Air engines KW - Air-steam hybrid engines KW - External combustion engines KW - Fuel efficiency KW - Performance tests KW - Pollutants KW - Retrofitting KW - Steam engines KW - Technological innovations UR - http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_Report_No._0013.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1212640 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01383552 AU - Blower, Daniel AU - Matteson, Anne AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Evaluation of 2007 Montana Crash Data Reported to the MCMIS Crash File PY - 2011/03//Special Report SP - 35p AB - This report is part of a series evaluating the data reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) Crash File undertaken by the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The earlier studies showed that reporting to the MCMIS Crash File was incomplete. This report examines the factors that are associated with reporting rates for the State of Montana. MCMIS Crash File records were matched to the Montana crash file to determine the nature and extent of underreporting. It is estimated that Montana reported 81.0 percent of reportable crash involvements in 2007. Reporting rates were found to be related to crash severity, the configuration of the vehicle, and the type of enforcement agency that covered the crash. Over 97 percent of fatal crash involvements were reported, 80.2 percent of injury/transported involvements, and 80.2 percent of towed/disabled involvements. Trucks were reported at a significantly higher rate than buses. Large trucks, especially truck tractors, were reported at a higher rate than smaller trucks. Missing data rates are low for most variables. Corresponding data elements in the MCMIS and Montana crash files were reasonably consistent, though specific problems were noted with respect to some variables. The timeliness of report was outstanding, with almost 99 percent of records submitted to the MCMIS file within 90 days of the crash. KW - Bus crashes KW - Crash data KW - Crash records KW - Crash severity KW - Missing data KW - Montana KW - Motor Carrier Management Information System Crash File KW - Traffic crashes KW - Truck crashes KW - Underreporting UR - http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89596/1/102788.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1147890 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01380974 AU - Garvin, M AU - Molenaar, Keith R AU - Navarro, D AU - Proctor, G AU - United States. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Office of International Programs TI - Key performance indicators in public-private partnerships PY - 2011/03 IS - FHWA-PL-10-029 SP - 108p AB - This report provides a state-of-the-practice description of domestic and international practices for key performance indicators (KPIs) in public-private partnerships (PPPs). The report is based on a comprehensive literature review and eight case studies from Australia, British Columbia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The report identifies how government-developed performance measures reflecting societal goals such as congestion management or environmental impact are translated through KPIs and included in project documents for designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining transportation facilities. The report shows that it is possible to align projects with these higher goals. The findings are applicable to agencies that wish to align overarching organizational and societal performance measures through KPIs not only to PPP projects, but also to conventionally bid projects. KW - Australia KW - British Columbia, Canada KW - Case studies KW - Case study KW - Governments KW - Management KW - Partnership KW - Partnerships KW - Performance indicators KW - Performance measurement KW - Policy and planning KW - Private enterprise KW - Private sector KW - Public sector KW - Toll roads KW - Transport management KW - United Kingdom KW - Usa UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl10029/pl10029.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1148889 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01370181 AU - Maher, Ali AU - Ruggeri, Joseph AU - Geo-Hydro, Inc AU - Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Hydrodynamic Modeling for Ex-Situ Testing PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 26p AB - The primary objective of the project is to provide a review of the current state of practice regarding hydrodynamic models and modeling for ex-situ testing applications. From a selection of graphics, simulations and numerical modules available, the study will provide ease of use, parameter requirements, applicability, functionality, capabilities and output results to aid in the selection process and make a recommendation based on ex-situ testing analysis needs, possible trends and response indicators. KW - Hydrodynamics KW - Hydrology KW - Numerical analysis KW - Simulation KW - Testing KW - Trend (Statistics) UR - http://cait.rutgers.edu/cait/research/hydrodynamic-modeling-ex-situ-testing UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1136636 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01368803 AU - Buttlar, William G AU - Paulino, Glaucio H AU - Dave, Eshan V AU - Leon, Sofie AU - NEXTRANS AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Thermal Cracking Performance Prediction and Asset Management Integration PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 44p AB - With shrinking maintenance budgets and the need to ‘do more with less,’ accurate, robust asset management tools are greatly needed for the transportation engineering community. In addition, the increased use of recycled materials and low energy production techniques such as warm-mix asphalt are leading to increased needs for preventive and rehabilitative maintenance activities. The timing of such activities will greatly affect the total discounted life-cycle cost of the pavement system. Low-temperature cracking of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements continues to be a leading cause of premature pavement deterioration in regions of cold climate and/or where significant thermal cycling occurs. Recent advances in fracture testing and modeling of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) materials have greatly aided in the understanding of the key mechanisms behind this important pavement distress, which can greatly reduce pavement lifespan and the lifespan of subsequent rehabilitation cycles. However, there is a need for implementation of new models into a standalone program which can be readily utilized by researchers and practitioners. Moreover, the complete integration of material selection, material design, pavement design and pavement performance into a more holistic asset management system has been hampered by the lack of accurate, user-friendly performance prediction models for pavements. The objective of this project was to complete the development of a user-friendly interface that provides simplified access to sophisticated low-temperature cracking prediction models. This stand-alone program will greatly accelerate the transfer of this technology to practitioners and other interested scientists and engineers (pavement designers, analysts, and researchers). The program is designed to be compatible with the existing thermal cracking model used in the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), and with the new thermal cracking model being developed under the National Pooled Fund Study on Low Temperature Cracking. As part of this report, the key developments associated with the new mechanics-based thermal cracking model are presented. The funding provided by this NexTrans supplement allowed the development of the thermal cracking software to include aspects which will facilitate its seamless integration into an overarching pavement management software program. KW - Asset management KW - Life cycle costing KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Pavement performance KW - Recycled materials KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Thermal degradation UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/44000/44300/44317/Final_Report_041.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1137369 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01367502 AU - Rojas, David AU - Phillips, Eric AU - Lea+Elliott, Incorporated AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) Before/After Cost Effectiveness Study PY - 2011/03//Final Draft Report SP - 84p AB - San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) undertook a retrofit of a fixed-block signaling system with a communications-based train control (CBTC) system in the subway portion of their light rail system (Muni Metro subway) in 1998. This report presents the findings of an in-depth study of the effectiveness of implementing the project. Along with a project narrative, two forms of analysis are provided: a quantitative cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and a qualitative analysis. The CBA considers factors such as passenger wait and trip times, capital costs, and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs which can be monetized without overly onerous assumptions. The CBA is presented in 2010 dollars and is useful as a reference to evaluate potential investments in a similar CBTC application. The qualitative analysis considers additional factors which are not easily monetized. KW - Automatic train control KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Capital costs KW - Communications based train control – cbtc KW - Operating costs KW - Signaling KW - Travel time UR - http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/CBTC_before-after_cost_effectiveness_study_-_Report_FTA-TX-26-7005_2010_01_-_101025_final_draft1_%283%29.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1135976 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01366344 AU - Pessaro, Brian AU - Van Nostrand, Caleb AU - National Bus Rapid Transit Institute AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - An Evaluation of the Cleveland HealthLine Mechanical Guide Wheel PY - 2011/03 SP - 22p AB - Vehicles on the Cleveland HealthLine Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system are equipped with a mechanical docking arm and guide wheel to assist with precision docking at the stations. This report documents the evaluation of the guide wheel in 4 areas: how close to the platform the vehicles were able to dock; how fast the vehicles were able to dock; how much money was spent on damages related to docking; and how well the guide wheels are regarded by the HealthLine drivers. The evaluation compared the performance of the HealthLine to the EmX BRT in Eugene, Oregon. The EmX uses the same model vehicle as the HealthLine but does not come equipped with a docking arm and guide wheel. KW - Advanced vehicle control systems KW - Bus rapid transit KW - Guided buses KW - Wheels UR - http://www.nbrti.org/docs/pdf/Cleveland_Mechanical_Guide_Wheel_Evaluation_508%20Format.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1134415 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361230 AU - Horton, Suzanne M AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Public Education and Enforcement Research Study - Macomb, Illinois, Analysis PY - 2011/03 SP - 44p AB - The Public Education and Enforcement Research Study (PEERS) was a collaborative effort between the Federal Railroad Administration, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and local communities in the State of Illinois. This project was designed to promote safety at highway-rail grade crossings. The role of the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center was to monitor and evaluate highway-rail grade crossings in Illinois communities using video data collection, while the communities conducted education and enforcement campaigns. The effectiveness of the programs was determined by counting the number of motorists and pedestrians that violated the crossing warning devices during three project phases. In 2006, results from one community, Arlington Heights, were published. This report focuses on the effectiveness of the PEERS programs in Macomb, IL, and compares the results to Arlington Heights. In Arlington Heights, overall violations were reduced nearly 31 percent, and the most risky pedestrian violations were reduced 76 percent. In Macomb, there were few pedestrian violations, but overall violations still increased slightly during the study. The variations in the effectiveness of the education and enforcement campaigns were accounted for by the differences in the communities and the way in which the program was implemented. KW - Alternatives analysis KW - Arlington Heights (Illinois) KW - Data collection KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Illinois KW - Macomb (Illinois) KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian violations KW - Railroad grade crossings KW - Railroad safety KW - Safety education KW - Safety programs UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/101 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37927/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-09-09.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126930 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01361138 AU - Voas, Robert B AU - Lacey, John C AU - Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Alcohol and Highway Safety: A Review of the State of Knowledge PY - 2011/03//Final Draft Report SP - 368p AB - This sixth volume in NHTSA’s series of reviews on the state of knowledge in alcohol and highway safety covers research reported after the 2001 publication up to 2006. Specifically, it includes articles published between 2000 and 2006, as well as additional reports published in early 2007. As has been the practice in previous issues of this report, articles from earlier periods are included to provide sufficient background for more recent findings. Thus, this volume is a compilation of information from a 5-year span of alcohol and highway safety reports and research findings. KW - Alcohol use KW - Drunk drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Highway safety KW - Prevention KW - Research reports KW - Safety programs UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811374.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1127195 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01360960 AU - Hallmark, Shauna AU - McDonald, Tom AU - Sperry, Bob AU - Vencil, Evan AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Midwest Transportation Consortium AU - Iowa Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Evaluation of Safety Edge Benefits in Iowa PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 88p AB - Pavement edge drop-off can be a serious safety concern when a vehicle leaves the paved roadway surface and encounters a significant vertical elevation difference between the paved roadway and the adjacent unpaved shoulder. Edge drop-offs are potential safety hazards because significant vertical differences between surfaces can reduce vehicle stability and affect the driver’s ability to control a vehicle when inadvertently leaving the paved driving area. In addition, scrubbing between the pavement edge and tire can result in loss of control. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed the Safety Edge, based on research results that indicated a sloped pavement edge surface could be more easily traversed by a vehicle leaving its lane and attempting to remount the pavement edge. The Safety Edge is a design feature that creates about a 30 degree fillet along the outside edge of the paved section of a roadway. This report summarizes the extent of run-off-road (ROR) crashes resulting from pavement edge drop-off, includes information about the effectiveness of the Safety Edge, and describes types of equipment that are commercially available to place the Safety Edge during hot-mix asphalt (HMA) paving. It also describes the marketing and outreach activities that the research team undertook to inform agencies and encourage use of the Safety Edge in Iowa, primarily through open houses, equipment loans, technical assistance, and trouble-shooting. The team also monitored work to evaluate application of the Safety Edge on both HMA and Portland cement concrete (PCC) projects. With encouragement from the FHWA, the team and the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) worked to develop Safety Edge design standards and specifications for PCC projects. This report also provides estimates for the additional materials to apply the Safety Edge to both HMA and PCC projects. Finally, this report covers lessons learned and includes conclusions and recommendations. KW - Design standards KW - Hazard mitigation KW - Highway safety KW - Iowa KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement edge KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Safety edge (Pavement safety feature) UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/reports/safety_edge_benefits_w_cvr.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1126985 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01359623 AU - Wiliszowski, C AU - Fell, J AU - Tippetts, S AU - Bedford Research AU - Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - An Evaluation of Intensive Supervision Programs for Serious DWI Offenders PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 118p AB - Intensive Supervision Programs (ISPs) for offenders convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) vary considerably around the United States. There are State “systems” that provide standard guidelines to counties and local communities in the State, and there are numerous local county and community programs that appear promising in reducing DWI recidivism. The authors prepared case studies for two State programs (Nebraska and Wisconsin), four individual area ISPs (“Staggered Sentencing for Multiple DWI Convicted Offenders” in Minnesota; “Serious Offender Program” in Nevada; “DWI Enforcement Program” in New York; and “DUII Intensive Supervision Program” (DISP) in Oregon) and two rural programs (“24/7 Sobriety Project” in South Dakota; and “DUI Supervised Probation Program” in Wyoming). These ISPs revealed certain common features: 1. Screening and assessment of offenders for the extent of their alcohol/substance abuse problem; 2. Close monitoring and supervision of the offenders; 3. Encouragement by officials to complete the program requirements successfully; 4. Jail for noncompliance. The authors evaluated three of the programs. The Minnesota Staggered Sentencing Program appeared to be successful in reducing offender recidivism, even given the small sample size of program offenders (n=200). Compared to a similar matched group of DWI offenders, the staggered sentencing offenders had a significant 30.6% lower recidivism rate (p=.017) up to 4 years post-offense. The program prevented an estimated 15 to 23 re-arrests for DWI due to its effectiveness. The Westchester County program appeared to be effective in the short term (18.1% lower recidivism in 5 years post-offense [p<.001]) but not in the long term (only 5.4% [p=.171] lower recidivism in 15 years post-offense). This program resulted in an estimated 78 fewer re-arrests for DWI in the first 5 years. The Oregon DISP intervention group had 54.1% lower recidivism up to 8 years post index offense than both of the stratified matched-sample comparison groups, adjusting for the demographic covariates (Wald=51.50; p>.001). The program prevented 67 re-arrests for DWI in the first 8 years. The benefit/cost of ISPs appears to be very good for the prevention of rearrests. Preventing re-arrest for DWI for multiple offenders saves thousands of dollars in sanctions (jail time) and rehabilitation. KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Drunk drivers KW - DUI Intensive Supervision Program (DISP) KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Highway safety KW - Probation KW - Recidivists KW - Repeat offenders KW - Traffic law enforcement UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811446.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1125332 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01359039 AU - Englert, Burkhard AU - Lam, Shui F AU - Steinhoff, Peter AU - California State University, Long Beach AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Impact of Truck Repositioning on Congestion and Pollution in the LA Basin PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 55p AB - The use of inland ports is increasing, partly as a result of traffic congestion near ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach. Repositioning routes, where trucks must be driven to inland ports for pick up and delivery, are examined to assess their impact on air pollution and traffic congestion in the Southern California region. Most drivers moving containers to and from the ports are employees or contractors of trucking companies and they reposition their trucks to and from the yards of the companies. Different repositioning and container distribution scenarios are modeled and analyzed for their impact on pollution. Findings show that inland ports such as Victorville have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in the immediate area of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They may also cause a dramatic increase in pollution and congestion in the region as a whole. To avoid such negative impacts, establishment of such ports must be done in cooperation and collaboration with trucking and warehouse companies. KW - Air pollution KW - Diesel engine exhaust gases KW - Port of Long Beach KW - Port of Los Angeles KW - River ports KW - Southern California KW - Truck drivers KW - Truck facilities KW - Truck terminals KW - Truck traffic KW - Trucks KW - Vehicle miles of travel KW - Warehouses UR - http://www.metrans.org/sites/default/files/research-project/Englert_final_report_1026_0_0.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1123404 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01358995 AU - Voas, Robert B AU - Lacey, John C AU - Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Alcohol and Highway Safety 2006: A Review of the State of Knowledge PY - 2011/03//Final Draft Report SP - 368p AB - This sixth volume in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s series of reviews on the state of knowledge in alcohol and highway safety covers research reported after the 2001 publication up to 2006. Specifically, it includes articles published between 2000 and 2006, as well as additional reports published in early 2007. As has been the practice in previous issues of this report, articles from earlier periods are included to provide sufficient background for more recent findings. Thus, this volume is a compilation of information from a 5-year span of alcohol and highway safety reports and research findings. This volume is organized under the standard six headings used in previous reviews: Introduction and Methods; Overview of the Alcohol-Crash Problem; Alcohol Effects on People; Drinking Drivers, Pedestrians, and Pedalcyclists; Dealing with the Alcohol-Crash Problem; and Summary and Conclusions. The review suggests that although public attention to impaired driving has declined since its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, government support for traffic safety research and safety demonstration programs has continued to increase. However, this support is not commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. There is considerable room for revising and strengthening current State and community efforts to reduce impaired driving. Progress in understanding the drinking-and-driving problem, combined with development of new technologies, is offering opportunities to resume the decline of alcohol-related crashes nationwide, which stagnated in 1995. KW - Alcohol effects KW - Alcohol use KW - Cyclists KW - Drunk drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Highway safety KW - Intoxication KW - Literature reviews KW - Pedestrians KW - Research KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic safety UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811374.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1124162 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01357968 AU - Green, Paul E AU - Kostyniuk, Lidia P AU - Gordon, Timothy J AU - Reed, Matthew P AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Independent Review: Statistical Analyses of Relationship between Vehicle Curb Weight, Track Width, Wheelbase and Fatality Rates PY - 2011/03//Special Report SP - 84p AB - NHTSA selected the vehicle footprint (the measure of a vehicle’s wheelbase multiplied by its average track width) as the attribute upon which to base the CAFE standards for model year 2012-2016 passenger cars and light trucks. These standards are likely to result in weight reductions in new light duty vehicles. As part of its regulatory analysis, the government would like to estimate the effect of the new CAFE standards on safety in terms of crash injuries and fatalities. A number of fairly comprehensive statistical papers have been published analyzing associations between fatality/injury rates and vehicle weight, track width, and wheelbase. Many of the papers arrive at conclusions that are inconsistent. This report is a review of papers analyzing associations between crash/fatality outcome and vehicle weight and size. The various studies are based on different data sources, model assumptions, and methodologies. The authors of these studies represent a mix of those in government, research institutes, and academia, and have a broad range of professional backgrounds and philosophies. The goal of this report is to provide an independent review of the papers and to critically assess the methods and conclusions presented. The review is independent in the sense that it was conducted by a third party without any interest in the reported outcome. This review focuses on issues such as multicollinearity, data sources, the use of logistic regression, and induced exposure methods. Comments and suggestions are also made with regard to methods used in the various papers. KW - Corporate average fuel economy KW - Crash injuries KW - Fatalities KW - Statistical analysis KW - Track width KW - Vehicle safety KW - Vehicle size KW - Vehicle weight KW - Wheel base UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/85162 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1122789 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01355179 AU - Kay, Gary G AU - Logan, Barry K AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - Drugged Driving Expert Panel Report: A Consensus Protocol for Assessing the Potential of Drugs to Impair Driving PY - 2011/03 SP - 28p AB - In November 2008 and again in March 2009, an expert panel was convened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with the goal of determining whether a list could be developed to indicate which medications or classes of medications may pose a hazard to driving. There was particular interest in having the panel develop a list of “safe” medications that do not impair driving. The value of the list would be to better inform patients and physicians regarding the likely effects of a drug on driving. This information could lead to better-informed prescribing practices and to more rational selection of medications by patients. The panel was composed of an international group of behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and traffic safety professionals to provide a broad-based perspective on the issue. Discussions included prescription (Rx) medications as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medications and illicit drugs. Although illicit drugs are best known for their impairing effects, Rx and OTC medications are also known to be capable of producing impairment and many are frequently encountered in impaired driver populations. The panel agreed that one of the barriers to categorizing drugs with respect to driving impairment risk is the lack of a common, standardized protocol for assessing the impairing potential of drugs. The panel recognized the need for a structured, standardized protocol for assessing the driving impairment risk of drugs that would lead to better classification of drugs in terms of driving impairment risk. The approach could be useful in providing more meaningful precautions for users and prescribers regarding the impact of drugs on driving. This report provides the background for the project and assembly of the expert panel, a description of the proposed protocol, and offers examples of how the protocol could be useful in evaluating a drug. KW - Drug effects KW - Drugs KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Expert panels KW - Highway safety KW - Impaired drivers KW - Medication UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811438.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1119369 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354222 AU - Lownes, Nicholas AU - Garrick, Norman AU - Jackson, Eric AU - Johnston, Robert AU - Bolella, Garrett AU - Osei-Asamoah, Abigail AU - Yannes, Craig AU - Center for Transportation and Livable Systems AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Public Transit Design for Smart Growth: Using Choice Experiments to Quantify Tradeoffs, Values and Funding Implications PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 98p AB - Studying public perception of public transportation and the environment in which it operates is crucial to understanding the symbiotic relationship between transportation and the built environment. This report documents research completed to quantify the value of public transit using choice experiments in the form of stated preference surveys. The study was implemented in two phases; a pilot study and a full scale implementation. The general study methodology for each phase uses choice experimentation administered in the form of a stated preference survey. The choice experiments used in both studies place respondents into personalized hypothetical scenarios and examine their preferences for new transit service and the environment in which it operates. The survey instrument developed investigates public response in a hypothetical bond referendum, a realistic funding context in today’s transportation funding environment. Data obtained were used to develop preference models by fitting them with logit models, which are used to identify tradeoffs users make between various transit service attributes and built environment attributes. KW - Bonds KW - Built environment KW - Choice models KW - Financing KW - Logits KW - Public transit KW - Smart growth KW - Stated preferences KW - Surveys UR - http://www.ctls.uconn.edu/pdf/CTLS_08-04_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118983 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354221 AU - Chrysochoou, Maria AU - Garrick, Norman AU - Segerson, Kathleen AU - Bagtzoglou, Amvrossios AU - Dahal, Geeta AU - Brown, Kweku AU - Granda-Carvajal, Catalina AU - Center for Transportation and Livable Systems AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Reversing Urban Sprawl: A Reclaimability Index Approach for Reviving Downtown Brownfields PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 121p AB - A key step to promoting urban revitalization is the reclamation of abandoned or underutilized contaminated sites, also known as brownfields. Effective brownfield redevelopment approaches require environmental, socioeconomic and urban planning dimensions to be integrated into policies. The most common approach to incorporate such dimensions is to evaluate specific redevelopment projects for a single site and decision support tools have been developed for that purpose. In this study, the authors present a decision support tool to prioritize brownfield redevelopment options based on their location characteristics as a basis for developing redevelopment priorities. This tool incorporates and aggregates location-specific variables into three indices: socioeconomic, smart growth and environmental. Its application to the city of New Haven, Connecticut as a case study demonstrates a general prioritization scheme that can be used by urban planners and public agencies to develop strategic plans for brownfield redevelopment, incorporating funding and local considerations. KW - Brownfields KW - Case studies KW - City planning KW - Decision support systems KW - Environmental policy KW - Financing KW - New Haven (Connecticut) KW - Redevelopment KW - Smart growth KW - Socioeconomic factors KW - Strategic planning KW - Urban sprawl UR - http://www.ctls.uconn.edu/pdf/CTLS_08-03_Final_Report.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118982 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354133 AU - Cross, Stephen A AU - Gibbe, Robel AU - Aryal, Nirajan AU - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater AU - Oklahoma Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of a Flexible Pavement Database for Local Calibration of the MEPDG, Part 2 Evaluation of ODOT SMA Mixtures PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 90p AB - There has been some reluctance on the part of some in Oklahoma to use SMA mixtures. There are several factors that could be involved in the slow acceptance of SMA mixtures in Oklahoma. These factors are 1) the extra expense associated with the higher binder contents and better quality aggregates required, 2) a lack of data indicating that SMA mixtures perform substantially better than conventional Superpave mixtures and 3) a lack guidance on thickness design benefits, including appropriate input parameters for the MEPDG. The objectives this study are to evaluate the performance of SMA mixes compared to S-4 mixes and to determine the performance benefits. Testing included Hamburg Rut Tests and dynamic modulus testing. Hamburg rut testing indicated that SMA resists permanent deformation better than ODOT S-4 mixes made with the same source and grade of asphalt cement. Both measured and predicted dynamic modulus of SMA was less than ODOT S-4 mixes. The Asphalt Institutes fatigue equation indicated longer fatigue life for SMA compared to S-4 mixes. MEPDG prediction models contradict these findings. KW - Calibration KW - Databases KW - Dynamic modulus of elasticity KW - Flexible pavements KW - Hamburg tests KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Oklahoma KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement performance KW - Rutting KW - Stone matrix asphalt UR - http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/spr-rip/library/reports/rad_spr2-i2209-fy2010-rpt-final-pt2-trdp-cross.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42400/42425/FY10_2209_Cross_FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1117042 ER - TY - SER AN - 01354125 JO - Civil Engineering Studies, Illinois Center for Transportation Series PB - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Murphy, Timothy R AU - Taccola, Lisa J AU - Murphyao, Amanda AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Proceedings of the Material Quality Testing Risk Assessment and Multi-State Peer Exchange PY - 2011/03//Research Report IS - 11-079 SP - 94p AB - The primary objectives of this study were to compare the practices of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with those of other state and federal agencies to share advice, best practices, and lessons learned, and to plan for the best possible Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QC / QA) and risk assessment procedures as IDOT moves forward in today’s changing business climate. This report outlines the incentives behind this research project, documents relevant literature related to QC / QA, summarizes the discussions of the Peer Exchange, and provides recommendations for IDOT based on a synthesis of the foregoing research items. KW - Best practices KW - Illinois Department of Transportation KW - Lessons learned KW - Materials KW - Peer exchange KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - State departments of transportation UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45841 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1116769 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01354115 AU - Singh, Dharamveer AU - Zaman, Musharraf M AU - White, Luther AU - University of Oklahoma, Norman AU - Oklahoma Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Modeling of 85th Percentile Speed for Rural Highways for Enhanced Traffic Safety PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 109p AB - Traffic operation on two-lane rural highways and setting posted speed limits are some of the difficult tasks faced by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other transportation agencies. The present study was undertaken to develop artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict 85th percentile speed (V85) of two-lane rural highways in Oklahoma. Several input parameters, namely, roadway characteristics, traffic conditions, and accident experience were considered in developing the ANN models. Physical characteristics of road include, surface width (SW), shoulder type (ST), and shoulder width (SHW). Traffic parameters cover average daily traffic (ADT), posted speed (PS), and V85. Pavement condition includes skid number (SN), and international roughness index (IRI). The location collision rate, statewide collision rate (overall, fatal, and injury), and percentage unsafe speed drivers (USD) were covered in the accident data. Data from a total of 241 two-lane rural highway sites were collected and used in developing the ANN models. The following four different ANN models were developed: Model 1 includes Posted Speed but does not include Accident Data; Model 2 includes neither Posted Speed nor Accident Data; Model 3 includes both Posted Speed and Accident Data; and Model 4 does not include Posted Speed but includes Accident Data. Model 1 included physical characteristics of road, and traffic parameters including PS, while Model 2 covered all the parameters included in Model 1 except PS. Similarly, Model 3 considered accident data with all the parameters included in Model 1. Model 4 used all the parameters included in Model 3 excluding PS. The developed models provided an overall accuracy of more than 90%. For example, Model 1 and Model 2 developed without accident data gave an overall accuracy of 97%, and 91.5%, respectively. Similarly, Model 3 and Model 4 developed using accident data resulted in an overall accuracy of 97.5%, and 94.1%, respectively. It was found that inclusion of accident data improves the performance of the model only marginally. The present study was pursued with the goal that ANN models for V85 would provide a cost effective alternative for estimating site-specific V85 of two-lane rural highways in Oklahoma. Also, the developed models are expected to be useful for prediction of V85 when roadway characteristics and/or traffic operational factors change. KW - 85th percentile speed KW - Crash data KW - Highway operations KW - Neural networks KW - Oklahoma KW - Rural highways KW - Speed limits KW - Traffic crashes KW - Traffic safety KW - Two lane highways UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42400/42427/FY10_2211_Zaman_FinalReport.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1117036 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353960 AU - Barbeau, Sean AU - Georggi, Nevine Labib AU - Winters, Philip AU - University of South Florida, Tampa AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Department of Transportation TI - Dynamic Travel Information Personalized and Delivered to Your Cell Phone PY - 2011/03//Final Addendum SP - 23p AB - The policy of the Florida Department of Transportation is to use the Florida Advance Traveler Information System as the primary method to disseminate timely and important travel information to the public so that the public can make informed decisions regarding their travel plans. Travelers can subscribe to alerts for specific road segments, reasons for the alert, and days of week. However, well-defined 'push' alerts can also subject the user to a high number of text messages or emails. Researchers found that a single subscription to 2 highways in Tampa Bay resulted in 6851 emails and many more text messages, sent to a single user, with an average of more than 16 emails per Friday, over 1.4 years. These messages also may be irrelevant to the user based on his real-time location (e.g., not outside the coverage area) and next intended destination. In addition, alerts received while the traveler is driving increase the risks of distracted driving. Overwhelming the travelers with irrelevant information will likely decrease its value and, therefore, its ability to influence travel behavior. If such systems automatically 'pull' the information and deliver it intelligently at pertinent time and place, the usefulness of the information would have an impact on the user's travel behavior; and that is the premise of this research. With this information, people can make more informed decisions about their travel options such as seeking an alternate route, changing a departure time or changing mode. KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Cellular telephones KW - Electronic mail KW - Florida KW - Information dissemination KW - Real time information KW - Text messaging KW - Travel behavior UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/77804-Addendum.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118846 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01353563 AU - Resource Systems Group, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Summary Report: Workshops on Integrating Climate Change with Transportation Planning, October & November 2010 PY - 2011/03//Summary Report SP - 17p AB - The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of five workshops on addressing climate change in the State and metropolitan transportation planning processes that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored in 2010. This report also provides an assessment of the workshop results and suggestions for further FHWA activity related to supporting consideration of climate change in transportation planning. The workshops allowed for five State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to receive expert technical assistance focused on integrating climate change considerations (both greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts) into their planning process. KW - Climate change KW - Greenhouse gases KW - Metropolitan planning organizations KW - State departments of transportation KW - Transportation planning KW - Workshops UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate/workshops/workshops.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1118324 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01350107 AU - Cotton, Ben AU - Fine, Alisa AU - Poe, Carson AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Livability: Case Studies of Select Transportation Agencies PY - 2011/03 SP - 46p AB - This report synthesizes the findings from four case studies that assess how select organizations (the City of Boulder, Colorado’s Transportation Division, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the University of Oregon and the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, and the Southern California Association of Governments) are developing and applying GIS tools to support livability goals from a transportation point of view. The report identifies important trends and factors that encourage the use of these tools and provides examples of additional tools beyond those referenced in the case studies. Finally, it describes successes and challenges experienced in developing and utilizing the tools as well as factors that transportation organizations might consider as they engage in similar efforts. While livability can be conceptualized in different ways, this report uses the definition that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have promoted. According to the partnership, livability involves providing transportation and housing choices, economic competitiveness, quality of life, and enhancing the unique characteristics of communities and neighborhoods by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods. The livability principles of particular relevance to transportation, and thus examined most closely in this report, include promoting transportation choices and enhancing communities and neighborhoods. KW - Case studies KW - Communities KW - Geographic information systems KW - Mode choice KW - Neighborhoods KW - Quality of life UR - http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/documents/Livability_Report_030811.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1113104 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349715 AU - Wang, Fei AU - University of Southern California, Los Angeles AU - METRANS Transportation Center AU - California State University, Long Beach AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Microscopic Model of Road Capacity for Highway Systems in Port Based Metropolitan Areas PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 17p AB - Microscopic modeling is used to assess highway traffic mobility during lane blockage situation. A test microscopic model using ARENA software is developed. The impact of container trucks on highway traffic capacity and risk of accident during lane blockage is modeled. The test model simulates a 3000 feet distance on a two lane highway, while the passing lane is blocked at 2500 feet distance from the beginning. Merging sign and taper zone was used to guide traffic on the passing lane to merge to driving lane. The cargo truck traffic ratio is adjusted to assess the effect of cargo trucks on the road mobility. The road mobility is assessed using the throughput ratio (total number of vehicles exited the system/ total number of vehicles entered the system). The risk of collision is assessed using the number of un-successful merging attempts at the taper end. Traffic throughput and risk of collision is simulated as a function of traffic density, cargo truck percentage as well as number of merging signs placed onsite. Increasing traffic density significantly reduces the road throughput, while increasing the risk of collision moderately. Increasing cargo truck percentage reduces road throughput, while increasing the risk of collision. Increasing the number of merging signs increases the traffic throughput and reduces the risk of collision up to a threshold. Under the traffic condition studied, this threshold is two merging signs. KW - Arena (Computer program) KW - Highway capacity KW - Lane closure KW - Merging traffic KW - Microsimulation KW - Traffic models KW - Traffic signs KW - Truck traffic KW - Variable message signs UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42500/42534/METRANS_Project_09-11_Microscopic_Model_of_Road_Capacity_for_Highway_Systems_in_Port_Based_Metropolitan_Areas.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1111797 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349467 AU - Fell, James C AU - Tippetts, A Scott AU - Langston, Elizabeth A AU - Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - An Evaluation of the Three Georgia DUI Courts PY - 2011/03//Evaluation SP - 63p AB - In the spring of 2002, Georgia embarked on an exploratory demonstration program, establishing three driving-under-the- influence (DUI) courts funded as part of a cooperative agreement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with additional funding from the Department of Justice. Following the model of drug courts, three Georgia DUI courts (established in Chatham, Clarke, and Hall counties) were designed to address the underlying alcohol problems of repeat DUI offenders through continuous and frequent judicially supervised treatment, periodic alcohol and other drug testing, the use of graduated sanctions, and other appropriate rehabilitative services. A team comprised of a judge, court personnel, probation officials, and treatment providers met regularly to assess offender progress, and offenders met biweekly with the judge to report their progress. As of May 2006, 1,053 offenders were referred to the three Georgia DUI courts. Of these, 301 (29%) graduated from the program, 532 (51%) were active participants in the DUI courts, and 220 (21%) were either not in compliance or had been removed from the program. The overall retention rate was 79 percent over an approximate 4-year period. There is some evidence that the Georgia DUI court program has successfully encouraged lifestyle changes for the participating offenders and may be a viable alternative to traditional sanctioning. An impact evaluation showed that after 4 years of exposure, the DUI court graduates and terminated offenders combined (intent-to-treat group) showed a recidivism rate of 15 percent compared to 24 percent for a group of matched offenders from three similar counties in Georgia (contemporary group) and a 35 percent rate for matched offenders from the same counties as the DUI court who would have been eligible for the DUI court had it been in existence (retrospective group). Offenders who graduated from the DUI courts experienced a 9 percent recidivism rate while offenders who were terminated from the DUI courts for various reasons had a recidivism rate of 26 percent. The intent-to-treat group (DUI court graduates combined with the DUI court terminated offenders) had significantly lower recidivism rates: 38 percent lower than the contemporary group and 65 percent lower than the retrospective group. It is estimated that the DUI courts prevented between 47 and 112 repeat arrests during a 4-year period due to the reduced recidivism associated with them. KW - Arrests KW - Countermeasures KW - Courts KW - Drunk drivers KW - Drunk driving KW - Georgia KW - Highway safety KW - Recidivists KW - Repeat offenders KW - Sanctions KW - Treatment programs UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811450.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108057 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01349374 AU - Gertler, Judith AU - DiFiore, Amanda AU - QinetiQ North America, Technology Solutions Group AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Work Schedules and Sleep Patterns of Railroad Train and Engine Service Employees in Passenger Operations PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 88p AB - This report presents the results of a study designed to characterize the work/rest schedules and sleep patterns of U.S. railroad train and engine service (T&E) personnel in passenger service and to examine the relationship between these schedules and fatigue. The methodology was a survey of a random sample of U.S. railroad passenger service T&E personnel who completed a background survey and kept a daily log for 2 weeks. Two-thirds work a “straight thru” schedule, and the remainder is divided between split and extra board assignments. Those with straight thru assignments had the longest workdays, and those with split assignments the shortest. Extrapolation of survey data to 30 days indicated that if new hours of service statutory provisions applicable to T&E personnel in freight service also applied to this group, nearly 20 percent would violate limitations on consecutive days of work. All three work schedule groups obtain similar amounts of daily sleep, but their sleep strategies differ. The split assignment group tends to nap during interim release. The Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool model predicted a small proportion of work time at low effectiveness (high fatigue) levels. Self-ratings of alertness found declines from the start to end of work for straight thru and extra board workers but not those on split assignments. KW - Alertness KW - Conductors (Trains) KW - Fatigue (Physiological condition) KW - Hours of labor KW - Locomotive engineers KW - Passenger trains KW - Railroad commuter service KW - Railroad safety KW - Self evaluation KW - Shifts KW - Sleep KW - Surveys KW - Work schedules (Personnel) UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/103 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1108832 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345018 AU - DeLaurentis, Dan AU - Peeta, Srinivas AU - NEXTRANS AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - System Methods for Uncovering Economic, Technological, and Policy Enablers of an "On-Demand Air Service" Regional Passenger Transportation Solution PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 50p AB - On-Demand Air Service (ODAS) is an emerging potential new mode of transportation, which commonly utilizes the Very Light Jet (VLJ) class of aircraft (maximum occupancy of 6 persons and range around 1000 nm). The mature and often stressed hub-and-spoke system of the commercial airlines and capacity constraints on the major hub airports; combined with a steady rise in air transportation demand over long term, has resulted in an increase in average trip time for random origin-destination pairs. Unlike scheduled air service (operated by today’s airlines), ODAS will be similar to a taxi service in that it would be: 1) available for use when a customer needs it, 2) accessible at more locations (e.g. local airports) closer to where people live and work, and 3) operate from point-to-point (no stops). The development of widely available, affordable ODAS in a regional setting could have profound effects on regional economies, demographics, land use, quality of life, and shifts in business activity. The objectives of the research are the following: (1) Establish a framework that can study different service models (characterized by different aircraft performance, network topologies and price models) for an ODAS in the larger context of a Regional Transportation System (RTS). (2) Extract the following aggregate properties for the RTS that can help the decision-makers to understand the effect of ODAS on the existing infrastructure: a) Changes in overall network mobility b) Fraction of the total demand that may potentially shift to ODAS c) Effect on ground transport near ODAS service points d)Effect on air transportation by the changes in demand (3) Present case studies that compare different service models for the ODAS in order to prove the effectiveness of the framework. KW - Air taxi service KW - Demand KW - Economic impacts KW - On-demand air service (ODAS) KW - Passenger aircraft KW - Passenger transportation KW - Policy KW - Regional transportation KW - Technology KW - Travel time UR - http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/nextrans/assets/pdfs/Year 2 Final Reports/Final Report 039.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105815 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01345016 AU - Fogarty, Nadine AU - Austin, Mason AU - Center for Transit-Oriented Development AU - Federal Transit Administration TI - Rails to Real Estate: Development Patterns along Three New Transit Lines PY - 2011/03 SP - 80p AB - This report evaluates real estate development patterns along three recently built light rail transit lines in the United States, in an effort to provide insights and guidance for local planning practitioners and others interested in fostering transit-oriented development (TOD). The three transit lines are the Hiawatha Line in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region in Minnesota, the Southeast Corridor in the Denver region in Colorado, and the Blue Line in the Charlotte region in North Carolina. Recent development is evaluated in the context of land use and demographic characteristics of the corridors at the beginning of the period studied, and in light of interviews with local planning and transit practitioners. The report finds that all three transit lines experienced a considerable amount of development, and that proximity to existing employment centers and downtowns appear to be important factors influencing the location of development. Nevertheless, all three corridors offer significant remaining areas of development opportunity. Investments in neighborhood infrastructure and amenities will be important for unlocking the potential for development, especially in areas where land use patterns were previously automobile dependent. Public sector “value capture” strategies should acknowledge the uneven nature of development patterns near transit and the need for strategic investments. KW - Blue Line (Charlotte, North Carolina) KW - Charlotte (North Carolina) KW - Denver Metropolitan Area KW - Hiawatha Line KW - Land use KW - Light rail transit KW - Rail transit stations KW - Real estate development KW - Southeast Corridor Project KW - Transit oriented development KW - Transportation planning KW - Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota) KW - Value capture UR - http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/CTODR2RFinal20110321.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105468 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344893 AU - Jeong, D Y AU - Carolan, M E AU - Perlman, A B AU - Tang, Y H AU - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center AU - Federal Railroad Administration TI - Deformation Behavior of Welded Steel Sandwich Panels under Quasi-Static Loading PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 71p AB - This report describes engineering studies that were conducted to examine the deformation behavior of flat, welded steel sandwich panels under two quasi-static loading conditions: (1) uniaxial compression; and (2) bending with an indenter. Testing and analysis are conducted to study the force-displacement response of sandwich structures with different core geometries: (1) pipe or tubular cores with outer diameters equal to 2, 3, and 5 in; (2) a 2-inch square diamond core; and (3) a double corrugated core called an X-core with a 5-inch core height. Deformation and local collapse modes of sandwich panels under these loading conditions are also studied. Moreover, the work described in this report represents basic research to investigate the concept of applying welded steel sandwich structures as a means to offer protection to railroad tank cars—especially those carrying hazardous materials—in the event of an accident. KW - Bending KW - Compression KW - Continuous welded rail KW - Deformation KW - Hazardous materials KW - Railroad tracks KW - Railroad traffic KW - Railroad transportation KW - Sandwich panels KW - Static loads KW - Tank cars KW - Weldments UR - http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/102 UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37928/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-10-08.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105253 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344719 AU - Smith, Megan AU - University of Oregon, Eugene AU - Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Increasing Capacity In Rural Communities: Planning for Alternative Transportation PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 22p AB - This technology transfer proposal linked service learning with rural multimodal transportation planning through a collaborative partnership between University of Oregon (UO) experiential learning programs and three rural Oregon communities. As this planning and technical support to rural communities occurred, lessons learned were gathered and will support future service-learning projects focused on transportation planning. The primary products for this project are the: (1) Completion of multimodal transportation planning projects that increase rural community capacity; and (2) a website with resources for communities, faculty and students. Three further outcomes were: (1) Increased capacity for transportation planning in rural communities; (2) Increased capacity in existing transportation planning professionals working in rural communities; and (3) Increased capacity in young planning professional and graduate students. This project was led by the Community Service Center (CSC) at the UO and engaged two programs of the CSC. Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE), founded in 1994, is a field based service learning program, affiliated with the UO’s Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM). Each year RARE places 20 graduate level participants in rural Oregon communities where they live for 11 months while working for local agencies on planning and community development projects. Community Planning Workshop (CPW) is an experiential learning program also affiliated with PPPM. Established in 1977, CPW is campus-based, with teams of graduate students working on projects for public and non-profit organizations. KW - Bicycle travel KW - Communities KW - Community development KW - Education and training methods KW - Graduate students KW - Multimodal transportation KW - Oregon KW - Rural areas KW - Rural transit KW - Technology transfer KW - Transportation planning KW - Walking KW - Websites (Information retrieval) KW - Workshops UR - http://otrec.us/project/175 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106561 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01344042 AU - Rajagopal, Arudi AU - Infrastructure Management and Engineering, Incorporated AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Rubblization Projects in Ohio PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 79p AB - This study was initiated to systematically analyze the performance characteristics of Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) completed rubblization and roll (R/R) projects and to develop guidelines regarding improved specifications. The study was conducted in three parts, namely, (i) performance evaluation of Ohio’s R/R projects, (ii) overview of national perspective, and (iii) field demonstration of pavement breakers. The performance data obtained in terms of Pavement Condition Rating (PCR) were processed to objectively analyze the effectiveness of rubblization on the functional condition of the constructed pavements. The Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data were collected and analyzed to compare the structural conditions of the R/R pavements. Data were collected from other state DOTs to register the performance of their R/R pavements and to learn of their experience with R/R projects. Finally, a 1-day field demonstration of rubblization was conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of pavement breakers operating in Ohio to rubblize under identical conditions. This task was of particular value to verify the compliance of pavement breakers with ODOT specification 320. The study led to the following primary conclusions: (1) R/R is an effective concrete and composite pavement rehabilitation technique. Results show an overall improvement in pavement performance. (2) The performance period of surface layer of R/R pavements is estimated to be 11.7 years. (3) The application of preventive maintenance (PM) treatment, depending on the type used in Ohio, extends the performance period of the constructed pavement, thereby implying consecutive application of PM treatments will result in R/R pavements achieving or exceeding a design life of 20 years. (4) Rubblization contributes to significant changes in structural condition; the process transforms the rigid concrete layer into a flexible base. (5) Lately, there are several variants of the Multi-Head Breaker (MHB). ODOT should change the equipment specification to allow other variants of MHBs. (6) There are no adequate data available to relate fragment size to performance. However, based on the data from the demonstration study, it is inferred that ODOT should change the fragment specification to allow up to 12” fragments. (7) ODOT’s quality control/quality assurance procedure requires digging a test pit at the beginning of the project to investigate the size and shape of fragments. This procedure is not consistently applied in all projects. ODOT would benefit by adopting a more stringent QC/QA procedure. (8) It is important to revise ODOT’s policy regarding the criteria for the selection of candidate projects for rubblization and validate the threshold value established. KW - Comminution KW - Composite pavements KW - Concrete pavements KW - Multi-head breakers KW - Ohio KW - Pavement breakers KW - Pavement performance KW - Preventive maintenance KW - Quality assurance KW - Quality control KW - Rehabilitation (Maintenance) KW - Service life KW - Specifications UR - http://worldcat.org/arcviewer/5/OHI/2011/08/15/H1313424105481/viewer/file1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1106483 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343611 AU - Edil, Tuncer AU - Tinjum, James AU - Ebrahimi, Ali AU - National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) AU - Wisconsin Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Reconstruction of Railroads and Highways with In-Situ Reclamation Materials PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 108p AB - The resilient modulus and plastic deformation of recycled roadway materials with and without fly ash stabilization were characterized using a large-scale model experiment (LSME). Stabilization of recycled pavement materials (RPM) and road surface gravel (RSG) with 10% by weight of Class C fly ash increased the summary resilient modulus (SRM) two to five times. Moreover, the SRM increased with layer thickness in the LSME. The RPM and RSG exhibited the rate of plastic deformation three to four times higher than the Class 5 base. Stabilized RPM and RSG had the lowest plastic deformation. The moduli obtained from the LSME were used to develop an equivalency-based design for the recycled materials with and without fly ash. Stabilization of the recycled materials by cementitious fly ash reduced the required thickness of a pavement base course up to 30% in accordance with AASHTO 1993 design guide. The SRM and plastic deformation from LSME tests were incorporated in the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) to predict the lifetime expectancy of the recycled materials in a pavement alone and with fly ash stabilization. The results showed that stabilization of recycled materials with fly ash increases the lifetime of pavements constructed with 0.3-m-thick alternative recycled materials from 17 to 21 years. A testing protocol and guidelines for testing fouled railway ballast was developed due to the lack of consistent and systematic testing guidelines in the literature and in rail engineering practice. The effect of fouling (internally generated mineral fouling, external coal fouling due to surface spillage, and clay fouling due to subgrade intrusion) on the permanent (plastic) deformation of ballast under traffic loading was studied using the developed testing protocol. Two main phases were distinguished in the development of plastic strain with loading cycles in fouled ballast: (1) initial compaction phase (ICP), where the plastic strain of ballast steadily increases to a certain point (N < 10,000) and (2) fouling impact phase (FIP), where the plastic strain and the rate of plastic strain of ballast increases due to the presence of fouling materials (or remains stable in the absence of fouling). A maintenance planning and scheduling software was developed incorporating the mechanistic based predictive model for railway substructure by limiting the surface deviation of the railway track. Maintenance planning for railway track based on deformation of substructure reveals the need for a mechanistic characterization of ballast. Based on the developed model and a given track condition, ballast with initial fouling of 5% requires four maintenance activities (i.e., tamping events) to level the track surface during six years of evaluation. Based on this model, fouling is expected to increase to 25% after six years. The fundamental mechanistic data generated provide a basis for assessing pavement or rail behavior for various scenarios of freight transport. KW - Ballast (Railroads) KW - Ballast fouling (Railroads) KW - Base course (Pavements) KW - Fly ash KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Modulus of resilience KW - Plastic deformation KW - Plastic strain KW - Railroad tracks KW - Reconstruction KW - Recycled materials KW - Service life KW - Stabilization (Materials) KW - Substructures KW - Tamping KW - Thickness UR - http://www.wistrans.org/cfire/documents/0204_CFIRE_FR.1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105718 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343473 AU - Nassiri, S AU - Vandenbossche, Julie M AU - University of Pittsburgh AU - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Establish Inputs for the New Rigid Component of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 106p AB - Each design input in the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (MEPDG) required for the design of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs) is introduced and discussed in this report. Best values for Pennsylvania conditions were established and recommended for each input by considering: 1-typical values suggested in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) publications and databases, 2-reccommendations in the MEPDG documentations based on nationwide data, and 3- laboratory/field tests performed in different tasks over the duration of three years for this study. KW - Concrete pavements KW - Input data KW - Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide KW - Pavement design KW - Pennsylvania KW - Recommendations KW - Rigid pavements UR - ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Extending%20Pavement%20Life/Establishing%20Appropriate%20Inputs%20MEPDG.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105473 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343278 AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Hershberger, Daniel AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents Codebook 2008 (Version February 1, 2011) PY - 2011/03//Special Report SP - 140p AB - This report provides documentation for the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute's (UMTRI’s) file of Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA), 2008, including distributions of the code values for each variable in the file. The 2008 BIFA file is a census of all buses involved in a fatal accident in the United States. The BIFA database provides coverage of buses recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. BIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the bus from the BIFA survey. KW - Buses KW - Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Transit buses KW - United States UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/83431 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105011 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343276 AU - Jarossi, Linda AU - Matteson, Anne AU - Woodrooffe, John AU - University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute AU - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration TI - Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents Factbook 2008 PY - 2011/03//Special Report SP - 100p AB - This document presents aggregate statistics on trucks involved in traffic accidents in 2008. The statistics are derived from the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) file, compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The TIFA database provides coverage of all medium and heavy trucks recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) file. TIFA combines vehicle, accident, and occupant records from FARS with information about the physical configuration and operating authority of the truck from the TIFA survey. KW - Crash records KW - Databases KW - Fatalities KW - Fatality Analysis Reporting System KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Medium trucks KW - Statistics KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - Truck configurations KW - Truck crashes KW - Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/84148 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1105033 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343237 AU - Wall, Richard AU - Johnson, Brian AU - Kyte, Michael AU - National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Failure Analysis of Network Based Accessible Pedestrian Signals in Closed-Loop Operation PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 25p AB - The potential failure modes of a network based accessible pedestrian system were analyzed to determine the limitations and benefits of closed-loop operation. The vulnerabilities of the system are accessed using the industry standard process know as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. This analysis reveals that because the closed-looped operation increases operational observability, there is only one failure mode that is not detectible. Investigation on reliability of hardware and software indicate that the probability of this particular event is extremely low. The three primary components of a distributed real-time control system are hardware, software, and communications. Environmental conditions are the predominant factors that determine hardware reliability. The system was tested for its ability to function in the presence of electrical transients specified the NEMA. All hardware components meet or exceed NEMA temperature requirements. Software errors are difficult to detect and difficult to predict. Best practices in development and testing can minimize the number of errors. Testing includes multiple years of both laboratory and field testing. KW - Accessible pedestrian signals KW - Feedback control KW - Pedestrian safety KW - Pedestrian vehicle interface KW - Traffic control devices KW - Traffic signal control systems KW - Warning devices for persons with disabilities UR - http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/niatt/research/Final_Reports/KLK719_N11-02.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104746 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343116 AU - Larco, Nico AU - University of Oregon, Eugene AU - Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Overlooked Density: Re-Thinking Transportation Options in Suburbia, Phase II PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 48p AB - Comprising over 9 million units in this country, suburban multifamily housing is a widespread and overlooked example of density located within walking distance to commercial development in suburbia. This report focuses on resident demographics, attitudes, and perceptions as they relate to mode choice in 14 suburban multifamily sites in Eugene, Oregon. Through site analysis and resident surveys, this study shows that site design and connectivity is a significant predictor of resident mode choice. Residents of more-connected developments walk and bike to their local commercial area for more than 40% of their trips, nearly twice the rate of residents of less-connected developments. The greater use of active transportation versus auto transport in well-connected developments has potential environmental benefits of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and gas consumption and the health benefits of increases in exercise and calorie burning, and the social benefits of increases in independence of elderly and youth populations. Quantifying the degree to which site design, and specifically connectivity, makes a difference in residents’ mode choice is a first step to increasing the amount of active transportation in these areas. The results of this research provide planners and designers a basis for reevaluating suburban multifamily site design and zoning codes. KW - Apartment buildings KW - Bicycling KW - Environmental impacts KW - Eugene (Oregon) KW - Mode choice KW - Public health KW - Social benefits KW - Street connectivity KW - Streets KW - Suburbs KW - Urban design KW - Walking UR - http://www.otrec.us/project/216 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104944 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343115 AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Domestic Scan of Work Zone Assessment, Data Collection and Performance Measurement Practices PY - 2011/03 SP - 2p AB - A 2010 Domestic Scan of best practices in work zone assessment, data collection, and performance measurement documented practices that are being employed to ensure safety and minimize congestion in work zones. The purpose of this brochure is to share information on practices found during the scan and provide the key findings, challenges, and recommendations from the scan. KW - Best practices KW - Brochures KW - Data collection KW - Performance measurement KW - Recommendations KW - Scanning study KW - Traffic congestion KW - United States KW - Work zone safety KW - Work zone traffic control KW - Work zones UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop11021/index.htm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104964 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01343103 AU - Graham, J L AU - Richard, K R AU - O'Laughlin, M K AU - Harwood, D W AU - MRIGlobal AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Safety Evaluation of the Safety Edge Treatment PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 100p AB - Between periods of maintenance, pavement-edge drop-offs can form along the edge of highways. When a driver runs off the roadway, such drop-offs can hinder reentry and may lead to driver overcorrection, loss of control, or overturning on the roadway or roadside. The safety edge is a treatment that is implemented in conjunction with pavement resurfacing and is intended to help minimize drop-off-related crashes. This report examines the safety effects, costs, and benefits of this low-cost treatment for two-lane and multilane rural highways. The safety research was conducted as an observational before-after evaluation of treated sites using the empirical Bayes method. The economic appraisal consisted of a benefit-cost analysis. The safety evaluation found that the safety edge treatment appears to have a small positive crash reduction effect. The best effectiveness measure for the safety edge treatment was a 5.7 percent reduction in total crashes on rural two-lane highways. However, this result was not statistically significant. The economic analysis showed that the treatment is very inexpensive and that its application is highly cost-effective for a broad range of conditions on two-lane highways. Inconsistent results were found for rural multilane highways due to a small data sample. KW - Before and after studies KW - Benefit cost analysis KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Dropoffs (Pavements) KW - Empirical Bayes method KW - Multilane highways KW - Ran off road crashes KW - Resurfacing KW - Rural highways KW - Safety edge (Pavement safety feature) KW - Safety evaluation KW - Two lane highways UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/11024/11024.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104943 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342272 AU - Hatami, Kianoosh AU - Miller, Gerald A AU - Esmaili, Danial AU - University of Oklahoma, Norman AU - Oklahoma Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Use of MSE Technology to Stabilize Highway Embankments and Slopes in Oklahoma PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 77p AB - Departments of transportation across the U.S. are faced with the persistent problem of landslides and slope failures along roads and highways. Repairs and maintenance work associated with these failures cost these agencies millions of dollars annually. Over the past few decades, Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) technology has been successfully used as a cost-effective solution for the construction and repair of slopes and retaining structures in transportation applications. Significant cost-savings in the re-construction and repair of highway slopes and embankments could be achieved by using locally available soils and reinforcing them with geosynthetics. However, locally available soils in many locations are of marginal quality and their shear strength and interaction with the geosynthetic reinforcement can be significantly dependent on their moisture content. As a result, the influence of soil moisture content and suction on the soil-reinforcement interaction needs to be properly accounted for in the design of reinforced soil slopes and embankments. Provisions related to the influence of soil suction on the shear strength of soil-reinforcement interfaces are currently lacking in the existing design guidelines for these structures. In this study, a moisture reduction factor was developed for the pullout resistance of a geotextile reinforcement material in an Oklahoma soil (termed here as Chickasha soil) that could be used for the design of reinforced soil structures with marginal soils. KW - Embankments KW - Geosynthetics KW - Geotextiles KW - Mechanically stabilized earth KW - Oklahoma KW - Reinforced soils KW - Slope stability KW - Slopes KW - Soil structure KW - Soil water UR - http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/spr-rip/library/reports/rad_spr2-i2214-fy2010-rpt-final-hatami.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104162 ER - TY - SER AN - 01342247 JO - Technote PB - Federal Highway Administration AU - Graybeal, Ben AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Ultra-High Performance Concrete PY - 2011/03 SP - 8p AB - Advances in the science of concrete materials have led to the development of a new class of cementitious composites, namely ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). The mechanical and durability properties of UHPC make it an ideal candidate for use in developing new solutions to pressing concerns about highway infrastructure deterioration, repair, and replacement. Since 2000, when UHPC became commercially available in the United States, a series of research projects has demonstrated the capabilities of the material. Three State transportation departments have deployed UHPC components within their infrastructure, and many more are actively considering the use of UHPC. This TechNote provides an introduction to UHPC and discusses practical considerations associated with it. KW - Durability KW - Highway maintenance KW - Highways KW - infrastructure projects KW - Mechanical properties KW - Ultra high performance concrete UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/11038/11038.pdf UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/11038/index.cfm UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104239 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342231 AU - Henault, John W AU - Connecticut Department of Transportation AU - Connecticut Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Enhancements to ConnDOT's Pavement Friction Testing Program PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 89p AB - This report documents the work performed and results obtained for research conducted to enhance ConnDOT's pavement friction testing program. The program was enhanced with the purchase in 2005 of a new Dynatest 1295 Pavement Friction Tester. Upgrades from the previous tester included the addition of a high-speed laser to measure pavement macrotexture, and a global positioning system to track coordinates. A Circular Texture Meter was purchased in 2006 to compare to the high-speed laser. In 2007, the new friction tester was upgraded to a dual-sided system, enabling testing in either wheelpath. Speed gradients for various ConnDOT pavement surfaces were determined, the macrotexture of asphalt pavement designs used in Connecticut were characterized, the use of the International Friction Index was evaluated, and the effects of roadway geometry on friction measurements were studied. Deliverables include new and upgraded equipment, recommendations, tentative guidelines for evaluating friction at high wet accident sites in Connecticut, a procedure for handling friction test requests, and a draft policy statement. KW - Connecticut KW - Connecticut Department of Transportation KW - Friction tests KW - Pavements KW - Surface course (Pavements) UR - http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/CT-2243-F-10-4.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104321 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342070 AU - McNeal, Heather AU - Hawkins, H Gene AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Creating a Systems Engineering Approach for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 98p AB - The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides basic principles for use of traffic control devices (TCDs). However, most TCDs are not explicitly required, and the decision to use a given TCD in a given situation is typically made by an engineer (or an individual working under engineering supervision) based on a variety of information including, but not limited to, the MUTCD. There are many other factors not addressed by the MUTCD that can lead to differences in the decision-making process. To assist engineers with evaluating these factors, this research developed a decision analysis process to assist engineers with making TCD decisions. The value of this research is the idea that the decision analysis process for TCDs can be modeled and analyzed using appropriate factors including need, impacts, influences, and cost. This process will contribute to more uniform decisions amongst all levels of experience in TCD decision-making. When applying this research, it is important to remember that it is not the intent of this process to remove engineering judgment. This is an important part of the process and should remain as such. KW - Decision making KW - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices KW - Systems engineering KW - Traffic control devices UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/476660-00009-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104631 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342069 AU - McCray, Talia M AU - Sanchez, Ana Julita Gomez AU - Chung, Myung Kyung AU - University of Texas, Austin AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Effect of Public Transit on Social Opportunities for Ethnic Minority Populations: Case Study of Huston-Tillotson University Students PY - 2011/03//Research Report SP - 159p AB - Travel time to destinations in the Austin area continues to rise during both peak and off-peak hours. With increased congestion and higher gas prices, some individuals are traveling more selectively and viewing public transit as a cost-saving alternative to the automobile. However, a substantial number of Austinites remain solely dependent on their automobiles for transportation. This study analyzes the travel patterns of students attending Huston-Tillotson University (HT), an Historical Black College and University (HBCU). This population does not utilize public transit, and is mostly car dependent. Reasons given include the need to be independent, the inefficiency of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus (travel time and routes), condition of bus stops, and the fear of crime while waiting for a bus. During the Spring of 2009, focus groups were held on HT’s campus, and surveys were distributed to the broader student body. From September 2009 – May 2010, an environmental analysis of the built environment surrounding 38 bus stops in three locations was performed using an established survey tool. The researchers determined that both studies were necessary to test whether an environmental analysis would support the findings of the focus groups and student surveys. Using GIS, a cluster analysis of bus stop environments, and cumulative distribution functions to explore bus travel time to reported destinations, the researchers found that the students’ perceptions were not always consistent with the environmental analysis. The cluster analysis revealed spatial differences when identifying negative attributes. However, none of the bus stop structures in the three areas were in very poor condition. The researchers suggest that a transit training program for HT students would be beneficial in improving ridership. KW - Built environment KW - Bus stops KW - Case studies KW - Cluster analysis KW - College students KW - Ethnic groups KW - Focus groups KW - Huston-Tillotson University KW - Minorities KW - Public transit KW - Ridership KW - Social impacts KW - Surveys KW - Transit safety KW - Travel patterns KW - Travel time UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161024-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104634 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01342064 AU - Baker, Richard T AU - Russ, Miranda AU - Goodin, Ginger AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Southwest Region University Transportation Center AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Relationship Between Income and Personal Vehicle Fuel Efficiency and Associated Equity Concerns for the Fuel Tax PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 35p AB - The fuel tax, which is assessed on the physical amount of fuel purchased by the consumer, is the primary means of funding roadway development at the state and national level. However, because it is assessed on a gallon basis, drivers of vehicles with a low fuel efficiency pay more per mile for use of the roadway than drivers of more fuel efficient vehicles. If there is a relationship between fuel efficiency and income, such that lower income drivers are more likely to drive a low fuel efficiency vehicle, then the equity of the fuel tax is in question. In this study, researchers analyzed over 350,000 vehicle registration records from around the State of Texas to determine if areas with a lower median income had a higher distribution of low fuel efficiency vehicles. Researchers found that vehicles registered in lower income areas tended to have lower average fuel efficiencies than vehicles registered in areas with mid-range and higher income. Lower income areas and rural areas were also more likely to have a higher percentage of class 35 vehicle registrations, usually larger light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, which tend to have lower fuel efficiency. KW - Equity (Justice) KW - Financing KW - Fuel consumption KW - Fuel efficiency KW - Fuel taxes KW - Highways KW - Income KW - Low income groups KW - Motor vehicles KW - Registrations KW - Rural areas KW - Texas UR - http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/161007-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104632 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341975 AU - Pucher, John AU - Buehler, Ralph AU - Rutgers University, New Brunswick AU - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Alexandria AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Analysis of Bicycling Trends and Policies in Large North American Cities: Lessons for New York PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 63p AB - This research report reviews trends in cycling levels, safety, and policies in large North American cities over the past two decades. The authors analyze aggregate national data as well as city-specific case study data for nine large cities (Chicago, Minneapolis, Montreal, New York, Portland San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington). The number of bike commuters in the USA rose by 64% from 1990 to 2009, and the bike share of commuters rose from 0.4% to 0.6%. Over the shorter period from 1996 to 2006, the number of bike commuters in Canada rose by 42%, and the bike share of commuters rose from 1.1% to 1.3%. From 1988 to 2008, cycling fatalities fell by 66% in Canada and by 21% in the USA; serious injuries fell by 40% in Canada and by 31% in the USA. Cycling rates have risen much faster in the nine case study cities than in their countries as a whole, at least doubling in all the cities since 1990. The case study cities have implemented a wide range of infrastructure and programs to promote cycling and increase cycling safety: expanded and improved bike lanes and paths, traffic calming, parking, bike-transit integration, bike sharing, training programs, and promotional events. The authors describe the specific accomplishments of the nine case study cities, focusing on each city's innovations and lessons for other cities trying to increase cycling. Although cycling has almost doubled in New York City since 1990, it lags far behind the other case study cities in almost every respect. It has the lowest bike share of commuters, the highest cyclist fatality and injury rate, and the lowest rate of cycling by women, children, and seniors. New York has built the most bikeways of any North American city since 2000 and has been especially innovative in its use of cycle tracks, buffered bike lanes, bike traffic signals, bike boxes, and sharrowed streets. Yet New York has almost completely failed in the important areas of bike-transit integration and cyclist rights and falls far short on bike parking and cycling training. Moreover, the refusal of New York's police to protect bike lanes from blockage by motor vehicles has compromised cyclist safety. New York has much to learn from the other case study cities, which have implemented a far more comprehensive, integrated package of mutually reinforcing policies to promote cycling. KW - Bicycle commuting KW - Bicycle lanes KW - Bicycle parking KW - Bicycle safety KW - Bicycle travel KW - Bicycle-transit integration KW - Bicycling KW - Bikeways KW - Canada KW - Case studies KW - Chicago (Illinois) KW - Cyclist training KW - Fatalities KW - Injuries KW - Large cities KW - Lessons learned KW - Minneapolis (Minnesota) KW - Montreal (Canada) KW - New York (New York) KW - Policy KW - Portland (Oregon) KW - San Francisco (California) KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Toronto (Canada) KW - Traffic calming KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States KW - Vancouver (Canada) KW - Vehicle sharing KW - Washington (District of Columbia) UR - http://www.utrc2.org/research/assets/176/Analysis-Bike-Final1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104384 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341974 AU - Flamm, Bradley AU - Agrawal, Asha Weinstein AU - San Jose State University AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - An Investigation into Constraints to Sustainable Vehicle Ownership: A Focus Group Study PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 78p AB - Though most Americans hold pro-environmental attitudes, an attitudes-behavior gap exists with respect to vehicle ownership. Significant constraints appear to prevent most people with environmental concerns from buying smaller, more fuel-efficient, less-polluting vehicles. But researchers have only a simplistic understanding of what those constraints are and how individuals describe and react to them. This study explored these barriers in depth through a series of focus group discussions with 36 residents of the Sacramento, California, metropolitan region who held pro-environmental attitudes. Analysis of the focus group conversations revealed that the features of vehicles currently on the market, family and work responsibilities, residential choices, and routines and preferences all constrained participants’ vehicle purchase choices to ones which, more often than not, poorly reflect their environmental attitudes. The group conversations also revealed serious misunderstandings about the environmental impacts of owning and using vehicles that make it difficult for many to accurately assess their alternatives. For some participants, environmental concerns are unlikely to influence future vehicle purchase decisions, even if constraints were removed altogether; other priorities have taken and will take precedence over the environmental impacts of their choices. But for many participants, strategies to remove or weaken the identified constraints to owning smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles could lead them to choose vehicles that would reduce their resource and energy consumption for personal transportation. Further research with a larger pool of subjects is needed to confirm whether the focus group findings apply to the larger population. KW - Attitudes KW - Automobile ownership KW - Behavior KW - Environmental impacts KW - Focus groups KW - Fuel consumption KW - Sacramento (California) KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Vehicle choice KW - Vehicle size UR - http://transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/research/publications/documents/2903_10-08.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37800/37838/2903_10-08.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104385 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341967 AU - Margiotta, Richard AU - Snyder, Dena AU - Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - An Agency Guide on How to Establish Localized Congestion Mitigation Programs PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 63p AB - This document provides guidance to state and local transportation personnel who wish to develop a formal program for mitigating congestion using localized and low-cost bottleneck treatments. It presents several templates for developing a localized congestion mitigation program, including documenting alternative templates in use by state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations. FHWA’s Localized Bottleneck Reduction Initiative (LBR) program has researched over the last five years the causes, impacts, and mitigations available to combat localized recurring congestion; that is, congestion that is primarily “point specific” as to cause, location, duration, and repetitiveness. This guidance document is intended to aid agencies in establishing either ad-hoc or annualized programs that address localized congestion, much in the same way that an annualized safety-spot program would address localized safety issues. The main questions that this guidance helps an agency frame are: 1. Do we have a satisfactory agency methodology to specifically address localized congestion problems? 2. Within that program, do we have satisfactory justifications for project candidacy, selection, and solutions for said problems? 3. Are we executing these projects in a timely fashion and within budgets that are representative of the context of a “Localized Bottleneck Reduction” program? KW - Bottlenecks KW - Guidelines KW - Handbooks KW - Local government KW - Metropolitan planning organizations KW - State departments of transportation KW - Templates KW - Traffic congestion KW - Traffic mitigation UR - http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop11009/fhwahop11009.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104316 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341962 AU - Yen, Wen-Huei Phillip AU - Chen, Genda AU - Buckle, Ian AU - Allen, Tony AU - Alzamora, Daniel AU - Ger, Jeffrey AU - Arias, Juan G AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - University of Nevada, Reno AU - Washington State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Report on Transportation Infrastructure: Impact of the February 27, 2010, Offshore Maule Earthquake in Chile PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 218p AB - This report documents the findings and lessons learned from the February 27, 2010, M8.8 offshore Maule earthquake in Chile. Fewer than 0.15 percent of the bridges in Chile’s inventory, most built after 1995, collapsed or suffered damage that rendered them useless. Many spans of precast prestressed discontinuous girder bridges with continuous decks fell off their supports, probably due to significant in-plane rotation of the superstructure as a result of severe shaking. Lateral steel stoppers used to provide both vertical and lateral restraints on girders were largely unsuccessful due to their inadequate connection detail to cap beams and abutments. Reinforced concrete shear keys performed well as fuses limiting the transfer of excessive seismic loads from the superstructure to the foundation of bridges even though they could be optimized for maximum energy dissipation as part of the lateral restraint system at the bottom flange of girders. Vertical seismic bars were widely used to restrain the vertical motion of decks, and they also performed well. Bridge substructures (foundation, column, and cap beam) generally behaved satisfactorily except for two columns that suffered shear failure due to ground settlement and lateral spreading. All mechanically stabilized earth walls exceeded the expected performance. KW - Bridge substructures KW - Bridge superstructures KW - Damage (Bridges) KW - Earth walls KW - Earthquake resistant design KW - Girder bridges KW - Maule Earthquake (Chile), February 27, 2010 KW - Mechanically stabilized earth KW - Retaining walls KW - Shear keys KW - Structural connection UR - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/11030/11030.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104350 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341961 AU - Garvin, Michael AU - Molenaar, Keith AU - Navarro, Desiderio AU - Proctor, Gordon AU - American Trade Initiatives AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Key Performance Indicators in Public-Private Partnerships: A State-of-the-Practice Report PY - 2011/03 SP - 124p AB - This report provides a state-of-the-practice description of domestic and international practices for key performance indicators (KPIs) in public-private partnerships (PPPs). The report is based on a comprehensive literature review and eight case studies from Australia, British Columbia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The concept for this report came from an implementation strategy in "Public-Private Partnerships for Highway Infrastructure: Capitalizing on International Experience," as well as "Linking Transportation Performance and Accountability" and "Construction Management Practices in Canada and Europe." The report identifies how government-developed performance measures reflecting societal goals such as congestion management or environmental impact are translated through KPIs and included in project documents for designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining transportation facilities. The report shows that it is possible to align projects with these higher goals. The findings are applicable to agencies that wish to align overarching organizational and societal performance measures through KPIs not only to PPP projects, but also to conventionally bid projects. KW - Asset management KW - Australia KW - British Columbia KW - Case studies KW - Construction and maintenance KW - Design KW - Infrastructure KW - Literature reviews KW - Operations KW - Performance indicators KW - Performance measurement KW - Public private partnerships KW - State of the practice KW - Transportation, hydraulic and utility facilities KW - United Kingdom KW - United States UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl10029/pl10029.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104304 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341904 AU - Carlson, Paul J AU - Pike, Adam M AU - Miles, Jeffrey D AU - Ullman, Brooke R AU - Stevens, Roma AU - Borchardt, Darrell W AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices, Year 2 PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 114p AB - This project was established to provide a means of conducting small-scale research activities on an as-needed basis so that the results could be available within months of starting the specific research. This report summarizes the research activities that were conducted between September 2009 and August 2010. There were five primary activities and five secondary activities. The five primary activities were: studying the impact of using high brightness retroreflective sign sheeting in rural areas, synthesizing the technologies available to potentially automate no-passing zone markings, providing hurricane evacuation support for the Corpus Christi District, monitoring lead-free thermoplastic pavement marking test decks, and demonstrating daytime and nighttime operations of traffic signs supplemented with light emitting diodes. In addition, the researchers also provided support for specification revisions, performed prototype traffic control device evaluations, provided technical support for the Traffic Operations Division, and initiated a study on contrast pavement markings. KW - Contrast KW - Evacuation KW - Evaluation and assessment KW - Hurricanes KW - Light emitting diodes KW - No passing zones KW - Prototypes KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road markings KW - Sign sheeting KW - Specifications KW - Thermoplastic materials KW - Traffic control devices KW - Traffic signs UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1001-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38100/38150/9-1001-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104229 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341902 AU - Carlson, Paul AU - Miles, Jeff AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Nighttime Visibility of In-Service Pavement Markings, Pavement Markers, and Guardrail Delineation in Alaska (with and without Continuous Lighting) PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 32p AB - This research determined the visibility of in-service pavement markings along lighted and unlighted highway sections, and compared visibility of in-service pavement markings to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposed minimum retroreflectivity levels for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. In order to measure the visibility, researchers measured nighttime luminance in the field using a customized piece of data collection equipment consisting of an industrial quality hand truck, a regulated switching power supply, a global positioning system receiver, a light source, a laptop computer, and a charged couple device photometer. Researchers found that all of the pavement markings tested in this study would be in compliance with the FHWA proposal. Continuous roadway lighting provided better visibility of pavement markings at longer distances than unlit highways. Along dark rural highways, the visibility of the raised retroreflective pavement markers and guardrail delineation tabs were greater than the pavement markings. All data collected in this project were under dry weather conditions. KW - Alaska KW - Guardrails KW - Highway delineators KW - Night visibility KW - Raised road markings KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road markings KW - Rural highways KW - Street lighting UR - http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/fhwa_ak_rd_11_04.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104177 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341901 AU - Hunt, Victor J AU - Helmicki, Arthur J AU - Swanson, James A AU - Nair, Dinek AU - Ramani, Sathyanarayana AU - Zambre, Nirupama AU - University of Cincinnati AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of Degradation Rates for Various Bridge Types in the State of Ohio PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 81p AB - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) maintains a Bridge Management System (BMS) which is responsible for collecting and maintaining historical and longitudinal data by year for all the bridges in Ohio. The BMS aids ODOT in tracking, design, planning maintenance requests on bridges and funds allocation for maintenance. This project applied statistical analysis and modeling of the BMS data to provide insights to the rate of degradation and maintenance requirement of bridges under different environmental, location and other factors. Age resetting algorithms and Markov models were utilized in order to develop Operational Performance Indices (OPIs) forecasting for General Appraisal (GA), Wearing Surface (WS), Floor Condition (FC), and Protective Coating Systems (PCS). The results were validated against the actual values and the results were very positive. An understanding of the behavior of the existing bridges under the effect of different conditions and their future performance is essential for the BMS. Reliable bridge prediction and performance models facilitate inspection scheduling, cost analysis and budget optimization. KW - Algorithms KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge management systems KW - Budgeting KW - Cost analysis KW - Deterioration by environmental action KW - Inspection KW - Maintenance management KW - Markov chains KW - Mathematical models KW - Ohio KW - Protective coating KW - Scheduling KW - Statistical analysis KW - Structural deterioration and defects UR - http://worldcat.org/oclc/739668228/viewonline UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104129 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341869 AU - Pava, Juan D AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Performance Monitoring of Mechanistically-Designed Pavements: 2010 Data Collection PY - 2011/03//Interim Report SP - 332p AB - In order to verify its mechanistic pavement design procedures and review and update the life-cycle cost models used in the pavement selection process, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) conducted pavement performance monitoring. IDOT’s Bureau of Materials and Physical Research (BMPR) initially conducted performance monitoring on mechanistically-designed pavement contracts in the 1990s. In 2000, this effort was halted as BMPR experienced staffing shortages. BMPR resumed monitoring the performance of mechanistically-designed pavements in 2010. Pavement performance monitoring involves tracking distresses as they occur over time, and identifying the maintenance and rehabilitation activities that are performed on the contract. A total of 105 contracts were monitored: 55 full-depth hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements, 24 jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP), and 26 continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). Contracts were broken into sections depending on the number of lanes on the project and the number of different cross-sectional elements (i.e. thickness, joint spacing, etc.). Distress data, weighted average rut depth, weighted average ride quality, and weighted average traffic values are provided for each section. Historical patching quantities are also presented. Also, graphs of patching quantities and overlays are presented as a function of age for full-depth HMA pavements, JPCP, and CRCP. KW - Average daily traffic KW - Concrete pavements KW - Continuously reinforced concrete pavements KW - Data collection KW - Full-depth asphalt pavements KW - Illinois KW - Jointed plain concrete pavements KW - Mechanistic design KW - Overlays (Pavements) KW - Patching KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement distress KW - Pavement performance KW - Ride quality KW - Rut depth KW - Rutting UR - http://www.dot.state.il.us/materials/research/pdf/prr159.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1104011 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341256 AU - Jones, Jeffrey C AU - Knopp, Martin C AU - Fitzpatrick, Kay AU - Doctor, Mark A AU - Howard, Charles E AU - Laragan, Gregory M AU - Rosenow, James A AU - Struve, Brooke A AU - Thrasher, Barton A AU - Young, Elizabeth G AU - American Trade Initiatives AU - Federal Highway Administration AU - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AU - National Cooperative Highway Research Program TI - Freeway Geometric Design for Active Traffic Management in Europe PY - 2011/03 SP - 96p AB - Continued growth in travel on congested urban freeway corridors exceeds the ability of agencies to provide sufficient solutions and alternatives based on traditional roadway expansion and improvement projects. Several countries are implementing managed motorway concepts to improve motorway capacity without acquiring more land and building large-scale infrastructure projects. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain to examine the use of innovative geometric design practices and techniques to improve the operational performance of congested freeway facilities without compromising safety. Managed motorways are a combination of active or dynamically managed operational regimes, specific designs of infrastructure, and technology solutions. The concept uses a range of traffic management measures to actively monitor the motorway and dynamically control speeds, add capacity, and inform road users of conditions on the network with the objective to optimize traffic and safety performance. Examples include shoulder running, variable mandatory speed limits, lane control signals, and driver information using variable message signs. Managed motorways increase journey reliability and throughput of a motorway by speed management and increase capacity by shoulder running. KW - Active traffic management KW - Driver information systems KW - England KW - Europe KW - Freeway management systems KW - Freeway operations KW - Freeways KW - Geometric design KW - Germany KW - Highway capacity KW - Highway traffic control KW - Lane control KW - Netherlands KW - Road shoulders KW - Spain KW - Speed management KW - Study tours KW - Traffic congestion KW - Urban areas KW - Variable message signs KW - Variable speed limits UR - http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl11004/pl11004.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42200/42241/FHWA-PL-11-004.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103170 ER - TY - SER AN - 01341254 JO - Civil Engineering Studies, Illinois Center for Transportation Series PB - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Medina, Juan C AU - Benekohal, Rahim F AU - Hajbabaie, Ali AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Evaluation of Sensys Wireless Vehicle Detection System: Results from Adverse Weather Conditions PY - 2011/03 IS - 11-081 SP - 33p AB - The performance of the Sensys wireless vehicle detection system was evaluated under adverse weather conditions (winter and rain) at a signalized intersection and in close proximity to the railroad tracks at a grade crossing. At the intersection stop bar zones, the overall frequency of false calls due to vehicles in the adjacent lanes ranged from 7.7% to 15.4% per lane in the winter data and between 2.6% and 6.2% in the rain data. In addition, the frequency of multiple activations due to a single vehicle (flickering false calls) ranged from 4.2% to 7.2% in the winter data and from 5% to 7.7% in the rain data. There were only seven stuck-on calls, two missed calls, and no dropped calls. At the intersection advance zones, frequency of missed vehicles traveling between the lanes ranged between 0.4% and 5.4% in the winter condition, and between 0.8% and 9.7% in the rain condition. A low percentage of vehicles traveling inside the marked lane (0%-1.2% per lane) were missed. False calls ranged on average from 1% to 4%. No stuck-on calls or dropped calls were found at the advance zones. At the railroad grade crossing, the trains generated multiple activations in the Sensys detectors as they passed the crossing. After they departed, the sensors terminated the activations except in a few cases, where the calls remained stuck-on for periods of time. In addition, false calls were the most common type of detection error, which represented 56% to 60% of the total number of calls in the left-turn lane, and 13% to 14% in the through lane. Most of the false calls in the left-turn lane were caused by vehicles traveling in the opposing direction. KW - Magnetometer detectors KW - Railroad grade crossings KW - Rain KW - Signalized intersections KW - Snow KW - Vehicle detectors KW - Weather conditions KW - Winter KW - Wireless traffic sensors UR - https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/45842/FHWA-ICT-11-081.pdf?sequence=2 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103171 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341162 AU - Lenkeit, J F AU - Hagoski, B K AU - Bakker, A J AU - Dynamic Research, Incorporated AU - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration TI - A Study of Motorcycle Rider Braking Control Behavior PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 222p AB - This document reports a study wherein a motorcycle riding simulator was used to study how non-expert motorcycle riders use conventional brakes in emergency braking situations. Sport-touring and Cruiser motorcycle configurations were used. Sixty-eight rider-subjects, divided into those who typically ride Cruisers, and those who primarily ride Sport motorcycles, were exposed to traffic situations requiring a range of braking from normal slowing to emergency braking. Braking behavior data were obtained from recordings of rider control inputs, motorcycle response, and interactions with other vehicles. Rider characteristic data were obtained from questionnaires. Data from these sources were analyzed to investigate possible relationships between rider characteristics, braking behavior and event outcome. Emergency braking behavior was analyzed based on two scenarios involving an opposing vehicle moving rapidly into the rider-subject’s lane, requiring rider-subjects to brake in order to avoid collision. There were no cases where the rider-subject used only the rear brake, though some riders used only the front brake. Analyses of event outcome indicated that a rider’s initial braking, with respect to both timing and magnitude, is important in determining the event outcome. Linear and logistic regression analyses produced generally poor correlation between individual rider factors and braking behavior or event outcome. KW - Braking KW - Driver characteristics KW - Driving simulators KW - Linear regression analysis KW - Logistic regression analysis KW - Motorcycle driving KW - Motorcyclists UR - http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NVS/Crash%20Avoidance/Technical%20Publications/2011/811448.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103120 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01341161 AU - Polzin, Steven AU - Reich, Steven AU - Davis, Janet AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Exploration of Transit's Sustainability Competitiveness PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 90p AB - With growing interest in climate change and greater anticipation of energy cost increases, being sustainable has implications for the financial efficiency of transit agencies and on the image and appeal that transit has to offer current and prospective customers. Being more resource efficient can help the agency financially, increase its ridership and public support, and increase its contribution to broader national goals of moving toward a more sustainable transportation system. Collectively, these considerations provide strong motivation for transit to strive toward greater sustainability and articulate its contributions toward a more sustainable transportation system to the public and policy makers. Towards that end, this research initiative explores select aspects of public transit’s sustainability. The data regarding the fuel efficiency of public transit bus travel has been explored in detail, with results that may be surprising to many. First, the message from the data is confusing, as different sources show significantly different results. Closer scrutiny suggests that the actual performance of transit bus may be poorer than often reported and far poorer than commonly perceived. Based on national averages, transit bus use is not a more fuel efficient way to travel than auto, on average. (This does not apply to the marginal user who chooses to occupy available transit capacity.) When adjusted for context differences, bus and personal light vehicle modes appear to be virtually identical in terms of BTUs per passenger mile. Finally, transit may contribute to energy efficiency if, working with effective urban design, it attracts people to live in well-planned communities and to adopt travel habits that are less reliant on private vehicles. Transportation planning professionals are still learning how urban design can contribute to effective urban transit and greater overall energy efficiency. KW - Bus transit KW - Energy efficiency KW - Fuel efficiency KW - Public transit KW - Sustainable development KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Transit buses KW - Transportation planning KW - Urban design UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BDK85_977-16_rpt.pdf UR - http://www.nctr.usf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/77925.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1103117 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340902 AU - Long, Suzanna AU - Qin, Ruwen AU - Gosavi, Abhijit AU - Wu, C H AU - Ryan, Tom AU - Noll, Casey AU - Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla AU - Missouri Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Life Expectancy Evaluation and Development of a Replacement Schedule for LED Traffic Signals PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 75p AB - This research details a field study of light-emitting diode (LED) traffic signals in Missouri and develops a replacement schedule based on key findings. Rates of degradation were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results of this research will provide a methodology for engineering managers in state departments of transportation and local communities in identifying best practices and replacement standards for LED traffic signal technology. KW - Best practices KW - Field studies KW - Light emitting diodes KW - Maintenance practices KW - Missouri KW - Parts of traffic signals KW - Replacement KW - Service life KW - Traffic signal hardware UR - http://library.modot.mo.gov/RDT/reports/TRyy1001/or11015.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38000/38000/or11015.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102879 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340833 AU - Kim, Hwan Yong AU - Wunneburger, Douglas AU - Huang, Jun AU - Morgan, Curtis AU - Neuman, Michael AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Texas Urban Triangle: Pilot Study to Implement a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for Sustainable Mobility PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 46p AB - This project addressed sustainable transportation in the Texas Urban Triangle (TUT) by conducting a pilot project at the county scale. The project tested and developed the multi-attribute Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) developed in 2009 under a previous UTCM project (TRID Online Accession #01324956), in order to determine the most suitable locations for transportation infrastructure networks, including high-speed rail. The research team selected a key county in the Austin-San Antonio segment of the Interstate 35 corridor. The project mapped, using the eight different strategic economic, social, and environmental factors in the model, the most and least suitable locations for the new transportation infrastructure. It is expected that the outputs of the model be used by TUT metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), metropolitan visioning groups, high-speed rail providers, and similar entities. KW - Decision support systems KW - Land use planning KW - Location KW - Mobility KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Texas Triangle megaregion KW - Transportation infrastructure KW - Transportation networks KW - Transportation planning UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Neuman_10-18-57.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37958/Neuman_10-18-57.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102842 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340831 AU - Sebesta, Stephen AU - Scullion, Tom AU - Estakhri, Cindy AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Field and Laboratory Investigations for Full Depth Reclamation Projects PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 106p AB - Full-depth reclamation (FDR) offers a timely, cost-effective solution to restore a pavement’s condition. However, FDR represents only one technique in the engineer’s toolkit available for addressing deteriorating pavement conditions. The purpose of this project is to provide guidance on determining whether a pavement is a candidate for FDR and, if so, what design, construction, and inspection processes will maximize the performance of the completed reclamation. This report presents initial recommendations for selecting a candidate FDR project and developing design options (including field sampling and lab design protocols). Along with a literature review, these recommendations are illustrated by application on several projects in the Texas Department of Transportation's Austin and Dallas Districts. KW - Decision making KW - Field tests KW - Full-depth reclamation KW - Guidelines KW - Laboratory tests KW - Pavement design KW - Pavement maintenance UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6271-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37923/0-6271-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102781 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340830 AU - Higgins, Laura AU - Warner, Jeff AU - Morgan, Curtis AU - Dunham, Philip AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Examining Long-Distance Express Buses as an Extension of and Feeder to Passenger Rail Systems PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 86p AB - One of the mobility challenges facing Texas and other high-population states in the coming years is the rising travel demand along major intercity travel corridors. Increased passenger rail service may help to absorb some of the travel demand from crowded highway and air travel corridors, but service is cost-prohibitive to develop over very long distances. This project explored the potential of using express intercity bus service as an alternative to and an extension of passenger rail service, thus providing a similar type of higher-speed, limited-stop service over long distances with lower development costs than rail. KW - Development costs KW - Express buses KW - Feeder services KW - Intercity transportation KW - Mobility KW - Passenger rail KW - Texas KW - Travel demand UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Higgins_10-44-53.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102785 ER - TY - SER AN - 01340828 JO - Civil Engineering Studies, Illinois Center for Transportation Series PB - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Ansari, Farhad AU - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign AU - Illinois Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Field Implementation and Evaluation of the Simple Cost-Effective Scour Sensor PY - 2011/03 IS - 11-080 SP - 35p AB - Bridge scour, the erosion of stream bed materials around the bridge foundation, endangers many of the bridges that cross over water. Over the years, a number of scour sensors have been developed to determine the extent of scour, especially following major floods. Many of these systems are either too complicated, expensive, or not efficient. However, it is important to ascertain the safety of bridges after major floods in an expeditious manner. Therefore, in a previous Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) study (R27-35), researchers developed a simple and highly accurate scour sensor. That initial study encompassed laboratory proof of concept tests and small scale field trials. The objective of the research outlined in this report is to implement the scour sensor in a multi-span scour critical bridge. The scope of the project included selection of the bridge; design and fabrication of the field sensors; installation of the sensors, interrogation unit, multiplexer, and remote computer for real time data acquisition; installation of a wireless internet system for remote desktop monitoring of scour; development of software for automated calibration and user-friendly remote data acquisition; and archiving of scour history for the bridge. This report includes background information about scour in bridges and existing scour monitoring technologies. Additionally, a short summary of ICT’s earlier study to develop and experiment with the simple scour sensor concept is provided for the sake of continuity. The primary sections of the report encompass the implementation of the new scour sensing technology in a multi-span bridge in northern Illinois. This work introduces a simple concept with the potential to provide means for rapid and widespread installation of scour sensors in scour critical bridges. KW - Bridge foundations KW - Field tests KW - Illinois KW - Monitoring KW - Remote sensing KW - Scour KW - Sensors UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45845 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102847 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340820 AU - Morgan, Curtis AU - Warner, Jeffery AU - Huang, Jun (Jade) AU - Barkley, Rebecca AU - Loftus-Otway, Lisa AU - Hutson, Nathan AU - Ross, Alejandra Cruz AU - Niven, Rachel AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Abandoned Rail Corridors in Texas: A Policy and Infrastructure Evaluation PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 280p AB - The use of existing and abandoned railroad rights-of-way has been a proven method of acquiring linear corridors for the construction of roadways since the formation of the Texas Highway Department. Either paralleling existing rail lines or re-using corridors first used by railroad companies exhibited tremendous wisdom since the railroads had dictated development patterns throughout the state in the half-century prior to the road building era. The long period of railroad system consolidation since the end of World War II has resulted in the loss of many abandoned rail corridors that could now be extremely valuable if put to use either as new transportation corridors (roadway, transit, etc.) or multiuse recreational trails (hiking, biking, skating, etc.). This project evaluated the current Texas Administrative Code statutes governing the Texas Department of Transportation acquisition and use of abandoned rail corridors, suggested changes to these existing statutes, characterized the abandoned rail lines in the state, and identified potential uses of existing and prospective abandoned corridors in Texas. KW - Abandonment KW - Corridor preservation KW - Highway planning KW - Policy KW - Property acquisition KW - Railroad corridors KW - Right of way (Land) KW - State laws KW - Texas KW - Trails UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6268-1.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37924/0-6268-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102782 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340814 AU - Saginor, Jesse AU - Dumbaugh, Eric AU - Ellis, David AU - Xu, Minjie AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Leveraging Land Development Returns to Finance Transportation Infrastructure Improvements PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 73p AB - The United States faces a crisis in transportation finance. Increasing fuel prices coupled with increasing demand for fuel-efficient cars is driving down fuel consumption, and the associated fuel tax revenues. At the same time, the demand for new transportation infrastructure currently outpaces construction, driving up prices for asphalt, concrete, and steel. This combination of declining revenues and higher costs is causing financing shortfalls for new transportation infrastructure and the maintenance of existing infrastructure. As one effort to bridge this gap, Texas House Bill 3588 authorized the creation of Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs), which have the ability to apply tax-increment finance (TIF) to capture land development returns associated with land development improvements. This research identified the magnitude of property value increases associated with transportation infrastructure improvements, the assessment levels and investment horizon needed to recapture the costs of transportation infrastructure improvements, and how these revenue streams may be further leveraged to support local and regional investments in transportation infrastructure. Using a quasi-experimental design, property values in areas that recently underwent significant transportation infrastructure improvements were compared against nearby control groups. The relative property value increases determine the relative margin of benefit from which TIF revenues may be drawn against the transportation infrastructure capital costs. This study will be used to enhance ongoing efforts at the state level, including a forthcoming professional training course as well as an academic course on public-private partnerships and funding. The course will be offered within Texas A&M University’s Master of Science in Land Development Program and will be offered as a course in Texas A&M’s interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning, developed with University Transportation Center for Mobility™ funding (see Transportation Research Board TRID Accession #01124562 and #01324966 and http://archone.tamu.edu/laup/Programs/CTP_Overview.html). KW - Curricula KW - Education and training KW - Financing KW - Improvements KW - Infrastructure KW - Property values KW - Public private partnerships KW - Real estate development KW - Texas KW - Transportation infrastructure KW - Value capture UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Saginor_09-13-12.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102841 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340654 AU - Barbeau, Sean J AU - Georggi, Nevine Labib AU - Winters, Philip L AU - National Center for Transit Research AU - Florida Department of Transportation AU - Department of Transportation TI - Dynamic Travel Information Personalized and Delivered to Your Cell Phone PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 90p AB - The policy of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is to use “the Florida Advance Traveler Information System as the primary method to disseminate timely and important travel information to the public so that the public can make informed decisions regarding their travel plans.” Travelers can subscribe to alerts for specific road segments, reasons for the alert, and days of week. However, well-defined “push” alerts can also subject the user to a high number of text messages or emails. Researchers found that a single subscription to 2 highways in Tampa Bay resulted in 6851 emails and many more text messages, sent to a single user, with an average of more than 16 emails per Friday, over 1.4 years. These messages also may be irrelevant to the user based on his real-time location (e.g., not outside the coverage area) and next intended destination. In addition, alerts received while the traveler is driving increase the risks of distracted driving. Overwhelming the travelers with irrelevant information will likely decrease its value and, therefore, its ability to influence travel behavior. If such systems automatically “pull” the information and deliver it intelligently at pertinent time and place, the usefulness of the information would have an impact on the user’s travel behavior; and that is the premise of this research. With this information, people can make more informed decisions about their travel options such as seeking an alternate route, changing a departure time or changing mode. This project explored the development of technology that delivers dynamic, personalized traffic alerts only when the alert is relevant to the user’s real-time location or predicted next destination and departure time. This system also sought to incorporate real-time transit information based on nearest transit stop. The approach was to use TRAC-IT, a software architecture supporting simultaneous travel behavior data collection and real-time location-based services for Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled mobile phones, as the basis for developing several software applications to deliver predictive messaging. A Fast GPS Clustering algorithm was developed to identify Points-of-Interest (POIs) that users frequently visit. The Trip Segmentation algorithm developed by the research team separates raw GPS data into trips from POI to another. Destination and Departure Time Predictions module uses history of POIs and trip information to predict the user’s next destination and time of departure to deliver timely pre-trip information. Path Prediction estimates the actual path a user will take to their next destination and identifies any active incidents they may encounter. Finally, real-time transit information from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and real-time traffic incidents from the FL511 Application Programming Interface (API) were integrated with TRAC-IT to demonstrate the feasibility of personalized services using data from real-world traveler information systems. A prototype mobile application for the Android (Google, Inc.) platform was also implemented to demonstrate a method of delivering traffic alerts to a cell phone only when the user is traveling below a threshold speed. The message can also be delivered in audio format using the Android Text-to-Speech API so the traveler is not required to read while driving. Using predictive technology and based on real-time and historical travel patterns, this prototype demonstrated that providing personalized traveler information that has the potential to affect trip-making decisions is indeed feasible. Additional research needs were identified before full-scale deployment. Given the current capabilities of cell phones and expectation of more advancement in the industry, this promising software can potentially offer the traveling public the means of adapting to current traffic or weather situations and foster more use of public transportation. KW - Advanced traveler information systems KW - Cellular telephones KW - Electronic mail KW - Global Positioning System KW - Information dissemination KW - Personalized traveler information KW - Prototypes KW - Real time information KW - Text messaging KW - TRAC-IT KW - Travel behavior KW - Traveler information and communication systems UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BDK85_977-14_add.pdf UR - http://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_PTO/FDOT_BDK85_977-14_rpt.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/38000/38400/38459/77804.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102695 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340465 AU - Lindquist, Peter S AU - University of Toledo AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - A Data Library Management System for Midwest FreightView and its Data Repository PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 8p AB - Midwest FreightView (MWFV) and its associated data repository is part of a large multifaceted effort to promote regional economic development throughout the Great Lakes system. The main objective for the system is to promote sustainable maritime transportation in the region by serving as an information clearinghouse for public policy decision making and for drawing the link between maritime freight movements and economic impacts throughout the region. In an effort to maintain consistency over time within the MWFV system this project was devoted to the development of a set of formalized data library functions that include a complete set of user guides, technical manuals, and training modules for using the system, a detailed inventory of data repository contents, and complete documentation of repository contents according to national metadata standards. In addition, the project established a formally-defined directory structure for data storage, backup and security protocols, and the development of formal procedures for any updates, additions, or edits to the repository contents. KW - Computer program documentation KW - Data storage KW - Database management systems KW - Databases KW - Economic development KW - Economic impacts KW - Freight transportation KW - Great Lakes Region KW - Metadata KW - Midwest FreightView KW - Sustainable transportation KW - Water transportation UR - http://www.utoledo.edu/research/ututc/docs/UTC_Data_Library_Final_Report_.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37800/37826/UTC_Data_Library_Final_Report_.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102658 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340436 AU - Taylor, Peter AU - Tikalsky, Paul AU - Hanson, Shannon AU - Ghosh, Pratanu AU - Iowa State University, Ames AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of Performance Properties of Ternary Mixtures: Laboratory Study on Concrete PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 228p AB - This research project is a comprehensive study of how supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can be used to improve the performance of concrete mixtures. This report summarizes the findings of the Laboratory Study on Concrete phase of this work. The earlier “paste and mortar phase” of this work considered several sources of each type of SCM (fly ash, slag, and silica fume) so that the material variability issues could be addressed. Several different sources of portland cement and blended cement were also used in the experimental program. This phase of the research used an experimental matrix of 48 different mortar and concrete mixtures, which were identified in the earlier work as potential ternary mixtures that could benefit department of transportation (DOT) goals for long-lasting transportation bridges and pavements. This report contains test results from durability testing on mortar and concrete containing ternary cementitious materials and standard coarse and fine aggregates. Limited testing was also conducted on select mixtures for performance in hot and cold climates, to determine the potential to design ternary mixtures in adverse conditions. KW - Admixtures KW - Concrete KW - Fly ash KW - Laboratory studies KW - Portland cement KW - Silica fume KW - Slag KW - Supplementary cementing materials KW - Ternary cements UR - http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/reports/ternary_mixtures_lab_study_w_cvr.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101041 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340403 AU - Porter, J David AU - Kim, David S AU - Magana, Mario E AU - Oregon State University, Corvallis AU - Oregon Department of Transportation AU - Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Wireless Data Collection System for Real-Time Arterial Travel Time Estimates PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 149p AB - This project pursued several objectives conducive to the implementation and testing of a Bluetooth (BT) based system to collect travel time data, including the deployment of a BT-based travel time data collection system to perform comprehensive testing on all the components. Two different BT-based travel time data collection systems were installed. The first system, composed of two DCUs, was installed on a corridor located in Salem, OR. Extensive testing was done on this system, including the collection of travel time samples. A second system composed of five DCUs was installed along 99W in the city of Tigard, OR. Very limited data collection was done on 99W due to the lack of network connectivity. Six different antenna types were characterized using the two DCU BT-based travel time data collection system. The result of the antenna characterization tests showed that vertically polarized antennas with gains between 9 and 12 dBi are good candidates to support a BT-based travel time data collection system. Antennas with circular polarization do not seem to improve the performance, despite the lack of control regarding the orientation of BT-enabled devices in most applications. Travel time samples were also collected with this system. The results indicate that a trade-off exist between the number of samples obtained and the accuracy of these travel time samples. This trade-off is most likely the result of differences in road coverage areas provided by the different antenna types. KW - Arterial highways KW - Bluetooth technology KW - Data collection KW - Real time information KW - Travel time KW - Wireless communication systems UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/36000/36200/36204/WirelessData.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101267 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340391 AU - Prinzo, O Veronika AU - Campbell, Alan AU - Hendrix, Alfred M AU - Hendrix, Ruby AU - Federal Aviation Administration AU - Captain Alan Campbell AU - HCS Consulting Services AU - Federal Aviation Administration TI - U.S. Airline Transport Pilot International Flight Language Experiences, Report 6: Native English-Speaking Controllers Communicating With Non-Native English-Speaking Pilots PY - 2011/03 SP - 36p AB - In 1998, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a heightened interest in the role of language in airline accidents. Member states agreed to take steps to ensure air traffic control personnel and flight crews involved in flight operations where the use of the English language is required were proficient in conducting and comprehending radiotelephony communications in English. Since then, ICAO developed its English language requirements and urged its members to document their English Language Proficiency (ELP) test implementation plans by March 8, 2008. This report is a compilation of written responses and comments by a group of 48 U.S. pilots of their difficulties in international operations. There were 12 international U.S. pilots from American, Continental, Delta, and United Airlines. In this report, the pilots’ responses to questions 54-59 and their comments from discussions of those questions with 2 interviewers are presented as a compiled narrative. The authors derived 5 recommendations from these interviews. (1) Research is needed to determine the optimal speech rate for ATC messages. (2) ATC messages must be delivered using standard ICAO terms and phraseology. (3) Graphic and text representations of taxi clearances, route clearances, and route modifications should be made available to pilots on the flight deck as stand-alone messages. (4) Research is needed to identify how controllers communicate nonstandard situations (e.g., maneuvering around thunderstorms, traffic conflicts, delays). (5) Research is needed to determine the extent to which the absence of party-line information has on situational awareness and safety prior to takeoff and landing as pilots attempt to discern the intentions (and potential threat) of other pilots (especially those less proficient in English). KW - Air traffic control KW - Air traffic controllers KW - Air transportation crashes KW - Airline pilots KW - Aviation safety KW - Communication KW - English language KW - International Civil Aviation Organization KW - Language KW - Limited English proficiency KW - Radio telephone UR - http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201104.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100695 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01340333 AU - Guo, Zhan AU - Agrawal, Asha Weinstein AU - Dill, Jennifer AU - Quirk, Megan AU - Reese, Melissa AU - San Jose State University AU - California Department of Transportation AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - The Intersection of Urban Form and Mileage Fees: Findings from the Oregon Road User Fee Pilot Program PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 68p AB - This report analyzes data from the 2006-2007 Oregon Road User Fee Pilot Program to assess if and how urban form variables correlate with travel behavior changes that participants made in response to the mileage fee program. The study tested the impact of two fee structures, a variable charge and a flat rate, on seven types of vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and finds that charging a noticeably higher fee for driving in congested conditions can successfully motivate households to reduce their VMT in those times and places where congestion is most a problem. Households in both traditional (mixed use, dense, transit-accessible) and suburban (single-use, low density) neighborhoods will likely reduce their peak-hour and overall travel under a charging scheme that charges a high-rate for peak-hour travel, though households in the traditional neighborhoods will do so more.It also finds that a mileage fee program that charges a high rate during the peak hour is likely to strengthen the underlying influence of urban form on travel behavior. KW - Fees KW - Fuel prices KW - Gasoline KW - Land use KW - Mileage-based user fees KW - Oregon KW - Pricing KW - Transportation policy KW - Travel behavior KW - User charges KW - Vehicle miles of travel UR - http://transweb.sjsu.edu/PDFs/research/2909_10-04.pdf UR - http://www.transweb.sjsu.edu/PDFs/research/2909_10-04.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100303 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339707 AU - Lindquist, Eric AU - University Transportation Center for Mobility AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Transportation Planning, Policy and Climate Change: Making the Long-Term Connection PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 62p AB - Climate change and variability will have significant impacts on the future mobility of the population in this country. Previous research has found that the transportation sector is not considering adaptation as a solution to these potential impacts. Further, results from a current Southwest Region University Transportation Center (SWUTC) project — Climate Change/Variability Science and Adaptive Strategies for State and Regional Transportation Decision Making — suggest that state and regional transportation planners are not integrating climate change science into their decision and planning processes. This runs counterintuitive to the traditional long-range focus of the planning process. There are several reasons for this situation, including uncertainty in regard to climate science, lack of resources, other problems that require short-term attention, a lack of understanding of the problem, and the desire to avoid the issue as too political. This University Transportation Center for Mobility (UTCM) project develops a greater understanding of decision and policy processes in regard to climate change and adaptation. Coastal areas in particular are seen as vulnerable to climate change and variability, and thus comprise the regional focus of this study. From a temporal perspective the interest is in adaptation to abrupt climate change (discrete climate events such as hurricane or storms) as well as longer-term incremental changes traditionally associated with global warming. KW - Climate change KW - Coastal areas KW - Coasts KW - Decision making KW - Global warming KW - Mobility KW - Transportation planning KW - Transportation policy UR - http://utcm.tamu.edu/publications/final_reports/Lindquist_07-03.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37800/37827/Lindquist_07-03.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102473 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339694 AU - Gebre-Egziabher, Demoz AU - Xing, Zhiqiang AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Analysis of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Concept of Operations in ITS Applications PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 43p AB - The work described in this report is about developing a framework for the design of concept of operations (CONOP), which use small uninhabited aerial systems (SUAS) to support of intelligent transportation system (ITS) application of highway and transportation infrastructure monitoring. In these envisioned applications, these vehicles will be used for tasks such as remote collection of traffic data or inspection of roads and bridges. As such, a risk that has to be managed for these applications is that of vehicle-infrastructure collision. Various solutions to ensure safe separation between the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the object being inspected have been proposed. However, most, if not all, of these solutions rely on a multi-sensor approach, which combines digital maps of the infrastructure being inspected with an integrated Global Position System (GPS)/Inertial navigator. While ``turn key" solutions for such multi-sensor systems exist, the performance specifications provided by their manufacturers does not provide sufficient information to allow precisely quantifying or bounding the collision risk. Furthermore, size, weight and power (or SWAP) constraints posed by these small aerial vehicles limits the use of redundant hardware and/or software as a risk mitigation strategy. The purpose of the work reported here was to develop a framework for the design of CONOPs, which take these SUAS limitations into account. The method outlined shows, in part, how these vehicle/infrastructure collision risks can be estimated or conservatively bounded. KW - Bridges KW - Crashes KW - Data collection KW - Digital maps KW - Drone aircraft KW - Global Positioning System KW - Highways KW - Inertial navigation systems KW - Inspection KW - Intelligent transportation systems KW - Remote sensing KW - Risk assessment KW - Risk management KW - Traffic surveillance UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1512 UR - http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1512 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102461 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339676 AU - Bligh, Roger P AU - Menges, Wanda L AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - MASH Test 3-11 on the Texas T101 Bridge Rail PY - 2011/03//Test Report SP - 90p AB - The Texas T101 bridge rail is widely used in the state of Texas. Previous testing demonstrated its ability to contain and redirect passenger cars and a 20,000-lb school bus. Based on this testing, the Federal Highway Administration accepted the T101 bridge rail as an NCHRP Report 350 TL-3 barrier. However, its impact performance with pickup trucks was never evaluated. Under research project 0-5526, Impact Performance of Roadside Safety Appurtenances, researchers conducted a performance assessment of Texas roadside safety devices to help evaluate the impact of adopting the new AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) guidelines on current hardware. Testing and evaluation of the T101 bridge rail was recommended as a high priority. This recommendation was based primarily on the absence of pickup truck testing on the system, and concerns that the 27-inch rail height may not be compatible with pickup trucks and SUVs under design impact conditions. The T101 bridge rail did not meet MASH evaluation criteria for test 3-11. The vehicle overturned after losing contact with the barrier. If continued use of the T101 bridge rail is desired, it is recommended that an in-service performance evaluation be conducted. Alternatively, a new barrier system that satisfies the same key design criteria as the T101 bridge rail can be developed and tested under future research. KW - AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware KW - Bridge railings KW - Height KW - Impact tests KW - Pickup trucks KW - Sport utility vehicles KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1002-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102396 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339674 AU - Goodin, Ginger AU - Burris, Mark AU - Lomax, Timothy AU - Geiselbrecht, Tina AU - Brydia, Robert AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Operational Performance Management of Priced Facilities PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 98p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation and its agency partners have implemented various forms of lane management and pricing over the past three decades, including HOV lanes, managed lanes, and toll roads. As more of these complex transportation facilities are planned and constructed throughout the state, there is a need to understand how these facilities may operate over time. Ideally, the long-term operations should be based on metrics that are agreed upon in advance. By defining what metrics can most effectively measure the performance of a facility and outlining what thresholds trigger a change in operation, policy-makers and the public can anticipate and appreciate how a facility’s operation may change over time. This understanding allows the facility operators to focus on the tasks of efficiently operating a smooth transportation network rather than focusing on how to get the necessary changes made in a timely manner. This study provides a framework in which operating decisions for priced facilities can be made and can guide the changes in operational strategies for a facility over time. The research process was initiated with a literature review and targeted interviews of toll and managed lane operators to assess the state of the practice in performance measurement for pricing and other operational changes. The research team then developed guiding principles for identification, selection, and communication of performance measures and targets. A conceptual framework was formulated and data collection infrastructure needs were also documented. The conceptual framework was then developed into a more detailed version in a web-based format. This report documents the research findings and results and provides guidance on the use of the web-based framework tool. In addition, several outreach products were developed under this study to assist agencies in communication of performance management principles for proactive management of priced facilities. KW - High occupancy toll lanes KW - High occupancy vehicle lanes KW - Highway operations KW - Managed lanes KW - Metrics (Quantitative assessment) KW - Performance measurement KW - Road pricing KW - State of the practice KW - Strategic planning KW - Toll roads UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6396-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102390 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339670 AU - Bligh, Roger P AU - Abu-Odeh, Akram Y AU - Menges, Wanda L AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - MASH Test 3-10 on 31-Inch W-Beam Guardrail with Standard Offset Blocks PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 76p AB - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiated a review of their guardrail standards based on the outcome of recent crash test results and a Federal Highway Administration technical memorandum pertaining to guardrail height. TxDOT expressed interest in the use of a generic 31-inch tall guardrail to provide enhanced containment capacity for light trucks. However, some concerns were expressed regarding the increased size of the blockout used in the Midwest Guardrail System (MGS). Consequently, TxDOT requested an evaluation of a 31-inch tall guardrail system that incorporates conventional 8-inch deep offset blocks. The test reported herein corresponds to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) test 3-10. This is primarily a severity test that assesses risk of injury to the vehicle occupants. This test was considered to be the more critical of the two tests due to the potential for increased vehicle-post interaction resulting from decreasing the depth of the offset blocks from 12 in. to 8 in. The 31-inch W-beam guardrail with standard offset blocks met all required MASH performance criteria for test 3-10. KW - AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware KW - Design KW - Guardrails KW - Height KW - Impact tests KW - Injury risk prediction KW - W beams UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1002-4.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102389 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339668 AU - Williams, William F AU - Bligh, Roger P AU - Menges, Wanda L AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - MASH Test 3-11 of the TxDOT Single Slope Bridge Rail (Type SSTR) on Pan-Formed Bridge Deck PY - 2011/03//Test Report SP - 64p AB - The objective of this crash test was to determine whether the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Single Slope Traffic Rail (Type SSTR) would perform acceptably on a pan-formed deck when tested according to the guidelines set forth in the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). The crash test performed was MASH test 3-11 involving a 2270P vehicle (5000-lb pickup truck) impacting the critical impact point (CIP) of the bridge rail at an impact speed and angle of 62 mi/h and 25 degrees, respectively. This report presents the details of the TxDOT Type SSTR on pan-formed bridge deck, description of the crash test performed, an assessment of the test results, and the implementation plan. The TxDOT Type SSTR bridge rail on pan-formed deck performed acceptably for MASH test 3-11. KW - AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware KW - Bridge decks KW - Bridge railings KW - Impact angle KW - Impact speed KW - Impact tests KW - Pickup trucks KW - Texas UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1002-3.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1102397 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339097 AU - National Center for Statistics and Analysis TI - Traffic Safety Facts 2009 Data: School Transportation-Related Crashes PY - 2011/03 SP - 4p AB - Since 2000 there were 371,104 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those, 1,245 (0.34%) were classified as school transportation-related. Since 2000, 1,386 people have died in school transportation-related crashes—an average of 139 fatalities per year. Occupants of school transportation vehicles accounted for 8% of the fatalities, and nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) accounted for 20% of the fatalities. Most of the people who lost their lives in these crashes (72%) were occupants of other vehicles involved. Since 2000, 130 school-age pedestrians (younger than 19) have died in school transportation-related crashes. Over two-thirds (67%) were struck by school buses, 6% by vehicles functioning as school buses, and 27% by other vehicles involved in the crashes. There were 56 (43%) school-age pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes between the ages of 5 and 7. Additional statistics on the 2000-2009 school transportation-related crashes are provided in this traffic safety fact sheet. KW - Fatalities KW - Pedestrians KW - School buses KW - School children KW - School transportation KW - Statistics KW - Traffic crashes KW - Trend (Statistics) KW - United States KW - Vehicle occupants UR - http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811396.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101645 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01339093 AU - Kreminski, Rick AU - Hirsch, Arthur H AU - Boand, Jane AU - Colorado State University, Pueblo AU - Colorado Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Assessment of Colorado Department of Transportation Rest Areas for Sustainability Improvements and Highway Corridors and Facilities for Alternative Energy Source Use PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 198p AB - The research project focused on two sustainability based elements associated with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance operations, namely rest areas and right-of-way (ROW) utilization. For the first element, a sustainability assessment was performed on selected rest areas in the areas of sustainable design and operations. Assessment criteria and scoring criteria developed by the Colorado State University-Pueblo Team focused on the following areas: existing site conditions, materials recycling and reuse, existing environment, air quality, water quality/usage, energy, and public/motorist/trucking outreach and services. Rest area carbon footprints were calculated and carbon reduction strategies developed primarily for long term idling trucks. Cost-effective sustainable recommendations were provided that focused on efficient use and consumption of natural resources. A second element of the study evaluated the potential use of CDOT ROW for alternative energy applications, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower sources. Total potential for energy production was calculated for CDOT Regions. Cost-effective strategies were developed and identified to CDOT Highway Maintenance Managers to reduce rest area operational costs while conserving finite natural resources. Initial cost analysis indicates that reduced operational costs can be realized by implementing water conservation practices (waterless urinals, water harvesting, irrigation, energy conservation and alternative energy practices, and re-use and recycling of solid waste and landscaping transition toward xeriscape practices). Project steps for the second element of the study, evaluation of CDOT ROW for alternative energy applications, included researching and preparing geographic information system (GIS)-based mapping of alternative energy resources in Colorado; overlaying ROW mapping to identify areas of low, moderate or high potential for alternative energy production within ROW; and applying criteria to estimate the net energy produced under technology, safety and site constraints. The total potential for energy production was calculated for CDOT Regions and the State, and suitable areas of ROW for alternative energy production were identified. Legal and policy influences on the ability of CDOT to use produced energy for its own purposes and/or for sale to outside users were also evaluated. KW - Alternate fuels KW - Biomass fuels KW - Colorado KW - Cost effectiveness KW - Energy KW - Energy conservation KW - Energy resources KW - Geothermal resources KW - Highway corridors KW - Highway facilities KW - Hydroelectric power generation KW - Maintenance practices KW - Recycling KW - Right of way (Land) KW - Roadside rest areas KW - Solar energy KW - Sustainable development KW - Water conservation KW - Wind power generation UR - http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/research/pdfs/2011/restareas/at_download/file UR - http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/research/pdfs/2011/restareas/view UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101702 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01338809 AU - Geroliminis, Nikolas AU - Srivastava, Anupam AU - Michalopoulos, Panos AU - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities AU - Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute AU - Research and Innovative Technology Administration TI - Development of the Next Generation Stratified Ramp Metering Algorithm Based on Freeway Density PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 94p AB - A new coordinated, traffic-responsive ramp metering algorithm has been designed for Minnesota’s freeways based on density measurements, rather than flows. This is motivated in view of recent research indicating that the critical value of density at which capacity is observed is less sensitive and more stable than the value of capacity, thereby resulting in more effective control. Firstly, the authors develop a methodology to estimate densities with space and time based on data from loop detectors. The methodology is based on solving a flow conservation differential equation (using LWR theory) with intermediate (internal) freeway mainline boundaries, which is faster and more accurate from previous research using only external boundaries. To capture the capacity drop phenomenon into the first-order model the authors utilize a fundamental diagram with two values of capacity and provide a memory-based methodology to choose the appropriate value in the numerical solution of the problem. Secondly, with respect to ramp metering, the main goals of the algorithm are to delay the onset of the breakdown and to accelerate system recovery when ramp metering is unable due to the violation of maximum allowable ramp waiting time. The effectiveness of the new control strategy is being assessed by comparison with the currently deployed version of the Stratified Zone Algorithm (SZM) through microscopic simulation of a real 12-mile, 17 ramp freeway section. Simulations show a decrease in the delays of mainline and ramp traffic, an 8% improvement in the overall delays and avoidance of the maximum ramp delay violations. KW - Algorithms KW - Freeways KW - Microsimulation KW - Minnesota KW - Ramp metering KW - Traffic delays KW - Traffic density UR - http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1510 UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1101250 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01338177 AU - Dotson, Jennifer AU - Blair, Adam AU - Ithaca Carshare AU - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority AU - New York State Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Carsharing in a Small City: Ithaca Carshare's First Two Years PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 29p AB - Ithaca Carshare launched service in June 2008 as the first independent carsharing organization in New York State, offering an affordable and reliable transportation option to the residents of the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County. During the first two years of operation, Ithaca Carshare registered over 800 drivers who collectively made 14,126 trips totaling nearly 250,000 miles. Ithaca Carshare vehicles are scattered throughout Ithaca, where they are proximate to registered drivers. Usage is best during spring and fall seasons, when the academic institutions are in session. The majority of Ithaca Carshare members are between the ages of 20 and 34, and many are affiliated with either Ithaca College or Cornell University. The organization serves members across a variety of income brackets, indicating the affordability of carsharing services. KW - Access KW - Affordability KW - Ithaca (New York) KW - Ithaca Carshare KW - Mobility KW - Small cities KW - Vehicle miles of travel KW - Vehicle sharing UR - https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/trans-r-and-d-repository/C-06-33%20Ithaca%20Carshare%20Final%20Report%20NYSERDA%20Agreement%209821.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/36000/36900/36946/C-06-33_Ithaca_Carshare_Final_Report.pdf UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37900/37993/C-06-33_Ithaca_Carshare_Final_Report_NYSERDA_Agreement_9821.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100686 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01338004 AU - Buth, C Eugene AU - Brackin, Michael S AU - Williams, William F AU - Fry, Gary T AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Collision Loads on Bridge Piers: Phase 2. Report of Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions PY - 2011/03//Technical/Test Report SP - 100p AB - An instrumented, simulated bridge pier was constructed, and two full-scale collisions with an 80,000-lb van-type tractor-trailer were performed on it. The trailer was ballasted with bags of sand on pallets. The simulated pier was 36 in. in diameter and was supported in the longitudinal direction by two load cells. Force-versus-time data were obtained from the load cells. Recommendations for possible revisions to the "AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications" are given. KW - AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications KW - Bridge abutments KW - Bridge design KW - Bridge piers KW - Heavy duty trucks KW - Impact tests KW - Load and resistance factor design KW - Load cells KW - Prototype tests KW - Tractor trailer combinations UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-4973-2.zip UR - http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/36000/36100/36133/9-4973-2.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100641 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01338000 AU - Zhang, Yunlong AU - Ge, Hancheng AU - Pike, Adam AU - Carlson, Paul AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Development of Field Performance Evaluation Tools and Program for Pavement Marking Materials: Technical Report PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 114p AB - Historically the prequalification or selection of pavement marking materials (PMMs) is mainly based on product specifications and lab testing, which do not correlate well with the field performance of the products. On the other hand, there is no consensus on recommended procedure to design a test deck and conduct a field performance test. The objective of this project is to investigate field evaluation plans and procedures and develop field performance-based evaluation procedures for PMMs. Field decks are designed incorporating regular long lines, long line in the travel lane, and transverse lines for accelerated testing, while also considering different installation procedures. Three different test field deck sites are selected across the state considering area climate, roadway surface type, and traffic condition. Carefully selected PMM products are installed and monitored for their field performance over time. The relationships between transverse and longitudinal test decks are evaluated with correlation analysis. Analysis results indicate that the points on transverse lines have high correlation with the corresponding five or seven longitudinal long lines in the travel lane when retroreflectivity values of all products on a test deck are averaged. For individual products, the correlations between transverse line locations and corresponding long lines in the travel lane exist, albeit at a lower level. A tracking database is developed and can record and interactively query all relevant data, track individual jobs and products, and graphically display performance changes over time. KW - Accelerated tests KW - Climate KW - Field tests KW - Retroreflectivity KW - Road marking materials KW - Traffic characteristics KW - Types of pavements UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5548-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100659 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01337863 AU - Abbas, Ala R AU - Ali, Ayman AU - University of Akron AU - Ohio Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Mechanical Properties of Warm Mix Asphalt Prepared Using Foamed Asphalt Binders PY - 2011/03//Final Report SP - 148p AB - Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is a name given to a group of technologies that have the common purpose of reducing the viscosity of the asphalt binders. This reduction in viscosity offers the advantage of producing asphalt-aggregate mixtures at lower mixing and compaction temperatures, and subsequently reducing energy consumption and pollutant emissions during asphalt mix production and placement. WMA technologies reduce the asphalt binders’ viscosity through the addition of organic or chemical additives or by introducing cool water into the heated molten asphalt under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, resulting in so-called foamed asphalt binder. The latter has received increased attention in Ohio since it does not require the use of costly additives. In spite of the above-mentioned advantages of WMA mixtures, many concerns have been raised regarding the susceptibility of this material to moisture-induced damage and permanent deformation due to the reduced mixing and compaction temperatures used during WMA production. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a laboratory procedure to produce WMA mixtures prepared using foamed asphalt binders (WMA-FA), and to evaluate their performance in comparison to conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA). Two aggregates (natural gravel and crushed limestone) and two asphalt binders (PG 64-22 and PG 70-22M) were used in this study. A laboratory scale asphalt binder foaming device called WLB10 was used to foam the asphalt binders. The aggregate gradation met Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Construction and Material Specifications (C&MS) requirements for Item 441 Type 1 Surface Course subjected to medium traffic. The resistance of WMA-FA and HMA mixtures to moisture-induced damage was measured using AASHTO T 283, and the resistance to permanent deformation was measured using the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) and the Simple Performance Test (SPT). Based on the experimental test results and the subsequent analyses findings, the following conclusions were made: (1) WMA-FA mixtures are more workable and easily compacted than HMA mixtures even though they are produced at lower mixing and compaction temperatures. (2) WMA-FA mixtures are slightly more susceptible to moisture damage than HMA mixtures. However, the difference is statistically insignificant. Therefore, if designed properly, both mixtures are expected to meet ODOT’s minimum tensile strength ratio (TSR) requirement for the proposed traffic level. (3) WMA-FA mixtures, especially those prepared using natural gravel and unmodified asphalt binders, are more prone to rutting than the corresponding HMA mixtures. However, the effect of the aggregate and binder types was found to be more significant than the mix type. This result suggests that using appropriate aggregate and binder types can help in overcoming any adverse effects that WMA-FA have on the mixture performance. KW - AASHTO T 283 KW - Asphalt Pavement Analyzer KW - Bituminous binders KW - Crushed limestone KW - Foamed asphalt KW - Gravel KW - Laboratory tests KW - Mechanical properties KW - Moisture damage KW - Rutting KW - Simple performance tests KW - Tensile strength ratio KW - Viscosity KW - Warm mix paving mixtures UR - http://worldcat.org/oclc/722368008/viewonline UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100613 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01337859 AU - Sun, Dazhi AU - Ravoola, Pranay AU - Faruqi, M A AU - Ullman, Brooke R AU - Trout, Nada D AU - Texas A&M University, Kingsville AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Assessment of Need and Feasibility of Truck-Mounted Changeable Message Signs (CMS) for Scheduled and Unscheduled Operations: Technical Report PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 88p AB - The goal of this project was to develop implementation guidance that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) can use to make better decisions regarding the use of truck mounted changeable message signs (TMCMS) during scheduled and unscheduled operations. The objectives of the project were as follows: 1. Perform a nationwide survey with practitioners to determine the state-of-the-practice with regard to TMCMS and to identify what issues or hazards scheduled and unscheduled operations crews are encountering with regard to the motoring public; 2. Develop messages and application alternatives through the use of text or symbol combinations to address specific scenarios; 3. Conduct human factors comprehension studies; 4. Conduct field studies to determine the most promising message and application alternatives; and 5. Develop guidelines to address the issues of design and application for the use of TMCMS. This project identified the types of messages/information that could be displayed on TMCMS for different situations, and also developed specific guidance for TxDOT on the use of TMCMS during scheduled and unscheduled operations. KW - Comprehension KW - Design KW - Field studies KW - Guidelines KW - Hazards KW - Highway operations KW - Messages (Communications) KW - Truck mounted variable message signs KW - Utilization UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6167-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1100626 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01335447 AU - Hard, Edwin N AU - Bochner, Brian S AU - Li, Yingfeng AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Delivery of Pilot Workshop on Preserving and Enhancing the Functionality of Highways in Texas PY - 2011/03//Implementation Report SP - 40p AB - This report summarizes the delivery and results of a one-day pilot workshop conducted at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Waco District office in August 2010. This workshop was based on material developed for research project 0-6208, “Preserving the Functionality/Asset Value of the State Highway System.” This report includes the organization of the workshop, lists the topics covered, describes feedback and suggestions received, and identifies refinements and other changes that are suggested for future deliveries of this workshop. Key areas covered in the workshop included: An overview of highway functionality; Functionality in planning and land development; Operational functionality; Right of Way and functionality; and Safety and functionality. KW - Access control (Transportation) KW - Asset management KW - Highway operations KW - Highway planning KW - Highway safety KW - Highways KW - Right of way (Land) KW - Texas KW - Workshops UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-6208-01-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1098935 ER - TY - RPRT AN - 01335445 AU - Chaudhary, Nadeem A AU - Chu, Chi-Leung AU - Texas Transportation Institute AU - Texas Department of Transportation AU - Federal Highway Administration TI - Implementation Report on PASSER V-07 Training Workshops PY - 2011/03//Technical Report SP - 12p AB - The objective of this project was to conduct one pilot workshop and five regular workshops to teach the effective use of the enhanced PASSER V-07 arterial signal timing optimization software. PASSER V-07 and materials for conducting a one-day training workshop were developed in Texas Department of Transportation research project 0-5424, Analytical Enhancements to PASSER V for Arterial and Access Management. This report describes the findings of this implementation project. KW - Arterial highways KW - Implementation KW - Optimization KW - PASSER V (Computer program) KW - Signalized intersections KW - Traffic signal timing KW - Training KW - Workshops UR - http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5424-01-1.pdf UR - https://trid.trb.org/view/1098933 ER -