Transportation Intelligence

Volume 3 Number 6

December 2005

Environment

Structures

Pavements

Safety

Planning

ITS

Feedback

Administration
Developing Transportation Agency Leaders
This synthesis report examines practices and innovative approaches that address the development of transportation leadership in today’s work environment. The report covers demographics, recruitment and retention, leadership training, and succession management. (NCHRP Synthesis 349, 2005, 61 p.)

Transportation Asset Management in Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand
The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of asset management experience, techniques, and processes in Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand. The U.S. team observed that asset management as an organizational culture and decisionmaking process is critical to transportation programs facing significant capital renewal and preservation needs and that successful programs require top-level commitment. (FHWA International Program Report FHWA-PL-05-019, November 2005, 160 p.)

Pavements
Life Cycle of Pavement Preservation Seal Coats
Analysis of the performance of surface treatments on Utah pavements indicates that Open Graded Surface Courses (OGSC) have an average life, based on skid resistance of almost 9 years and that Chip Seal Courses (CSC) have a significantly longer life. Traffic has the most significant effect on the performance of the treatment. Factors such as aggregate source and asphalt supplier were also investigated but lack of data prevented any significant conclusion. (Utah Department of Transportation Report UT-04.07, December 2004, 33 p.)

Planning
Handbook of Traffic Engineering Practices for Small Cities: Second Edition
The purpose of this handbook is to assist local officials in the application of Traffic Engineering practices within their community. This handbook is written in a question and answer format, answering key questions considered relevant to small city personnel. It will provide methods for developing the answers to other questions. It will also provide direction to other sources of information. (Kansas Department of Transportation Report, 2005, 174 p.)

Environment

Transportation in Québec within the context of climate change
Depending on the steps that are taken today, climate change will affect future transportation in different ways. The Ministère des Transports du Québec is in the process of preparing its operations and infrastructures to deal with these changes. This web site describes some of those activities. (Québec Ministère des Transports web site)

Engineering for Sustainable Development: Guiding Principles
This Guide is aimed primarily at Academic Staff in University Engineering Schools and Departments, who need or are considering how to embed the essence of engineering for sustainable development into their courses and teaching. Engineering students, teachers in Universities in related disciplines,with which engineers have to work; training managers in any engineering-related organisation, and individual practising engineers at all levels are also seen as important target readers. (UK Royal Academy of Engineering Report, September 2005, 52 p.)

Development and Implementation of Environmental Roadside Inventory
With the advance of global positioning technology (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS), the roadside and roadway maintenance staff at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) wanted to investigate their use in both roadside and roadway asset management. This research project included: 1) mapping of both native and invasive species of interest to establish baseline population parameters, 2) mapping of areas on the right of way for potential native vegetation establishment, and 3) mapping of roadway maintenance features for asset management. (Missouri Department of Transportation Report RI01-007, September 2005, 54 p.)

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Structures

Seismic retrofitting of rectangular bridge piers with CFRP
It has been observed during past seismic events that rebar splices at the bottom of bridge columns can produce collapse if not properly confined. Retrofitting techniques developed to face this problem are difficult to apply to rectangular columns with aspect ratio exceeding 2:1 because their efficiency relies on confinement. A research project has been initiated developing new concepts for retrofitting rectangular columns with inadequate lap splice detailing. (National Research Council of Canada Paper NRCC-48365, August 2005, 11 p.)

Detour Drainage Structure Design Procedure (5.51 MB)
In this research effort, literature surveys and reviews of the current methodologies employed by various state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) were conducted. Also, questionnaires were sent to different personnel involved in the design and construction of drainage structures for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and other state DOTs. Two detour drainage design approaches that use risk-cost analysis and risk factors analysis were developed and presented in this report. (Colorado Department of Transportation Report CDOT-DTD-R-2005-5, June 2005, 134 p.)

Preparation of Construction Specifications, Contract Documents, Field Testing, Educational Materials, and Course Offerings for Trenchless Construction
Trenchless technology offers methods by which underground utilities may be installed without damage to overlying pavement, if proper precautions are observed. Repeated improvements in technology, materials, and methods have advanced faster than the guidelines and specifications for use of the technology. In addition, training in the technology for designers, engineers, and inspectors has not kept pace with developments. (Missouri Department of Transportation Report RI02.003, October 2005, 55 p.)

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Pavements

Roadway Pavement Preservation 2005 (8.48 MB)
TRB Electronic Circular E-C078 contains papers written for the TRB First National Conference on Roadway Preservation held in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 31-November 1, 2005. The conference addressed all aspects of successfully implemented roadway pavement preservation activities, including management, engineering, economics, the establishment of strategic performance goals, and the implementation of routine maintenance, preventive maintenance, and minor rehabilitation activities. (Transportation Research Board E-Circular E-C078, November 2005, 244 p.)

Development of Rational Overlay Design Procedures for Flexible Pavements
This report presents the findings of a research study conducted to develop procedures for the design of structural HMA overlays over existing flexible pavements in Wisconsin. The recommended procedures are presented in a hierarchal approach to allow the user the flexibility of estimating the effective structural number of an in-place HMA pavement based on visual and/or nondestructive deflection testing data and to develop overlay thickness requirements based on the structural deficiency approach. (Wisconsin Highway Research Program Report WHRP 05-12, September 2005, 72 p.)

Minnesota Taconite as a Microwave-Absorbing Road Aggregate Material for Deicing and Pothole Patching Applications
This report presents modeling of temperature profiles for application of microwaves to pothole patching and roadway deicing. Values of key parameters are estimated and presented for asphalt-aggregate composites containing varying magnetite content (compacted and with voids), ice, and water. This report summarizes the work the researchers were able to complete, including a large number of equations characterizing key parameters and an extensive list of references. (University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies Report CTS-05-10, August 2005, 26 p.)

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Safety

Advanced Notification Messages and Use of Sequential Portable Changeable Message Signs in Work Zone
In this report, researchers document the results of a laptop-based human factors study of alternative formats of presenting advance notice work zone information on portable changeable message signs (PCMSs) and a Texas Transportation Institute (TII) driving simulator study of the ability of motorists to capture and process information on two PCMSs used in sequence to convey information about upcoming traffic situations. (Texas Transportation Institute Report 0-4748-1, October 2005, 86 p.)

Centerline Rumble Strips on Rural, Two-Way, Undivided Highways
In the fall of 2003, the Utah Department of Transportation installed centerline rumble strips on various sections of highway US-6. The combination of a literature review, a public opinion survey and a state of the practice survey has revealed favorable results towards centerline rumble strips. Positive findings include: (a) several reports stating a significant reduction in cross-over related accidents, injuries and fatalities, (b) high benefit to cost ratios, (c) versatile installation conditions, and (d) public approval and acceptance of centerline rumble strips. However, negative aspects include: (a) after installation data is inadequate for statistical comparison, (b) noise pollution, (c) various maintenance issues, (d) motorcyclist and bicyclist safety concerns, (e) emergency vehicle operation efficiency, and (f) potential risk of drivers correcting into the oncoming lane. (Utah Department of Transportation Report Evaluation of Four Recent Traffic and Safety Initiatives - Volume III, June 2005, 131 p.)

Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations: Final Report and Recommended Guidelines
The purpose of this study was to determine whether marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations are safer than unmarked crosswalks under various traffic and roadway conditions. Another objective was to provide recommendations on how to provide safer crossings for pedestrians. This report is part of a larger study for FHWA titled "Evaluation of Pedestrian Facilities." (Federal Highway Administration Report FHWA-HRT-04-100, September 2005, 112 p.)(Request this item from the TIS.)

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Planning

Developing Guidelines for Roundabouts
Utah DOT has recently installed three roundabouts on its state highways, and requests are expected to grow. However, UDOT does not have specific guidelines or criteria to judge whether roundabouts would be appropriate for the requested sites. The intent of this project was to summarize the key issues concerning roundabouts and develop a preliminary draft of design guidelines and policies that could be used for the implementation of a roundabout instead of some other form of intersection. (Utah Department of Transportation Report Evaluation of Four Recent Traffic and Safety Initiatives - Volume I, October 2005, 96 p.)

High-Performance Infrastructure Guidelines: Best Practices for the Public Right-of-Way (13.6 MB)
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Design Trust for Public Space have released recommended guidelines incorporating best management practices into New York City’s right-of-way infrastructure capital program. According to the publication, the guidelines are written for the DDC, but they are also intended for use by planners, designers, engineers, public officials, and anyone else involved in constructing, operating, or maintaining the right-of-way. (New York City Dept. of Design and Construction/Design Trust for Public Space Report, October 2005, 230 p.)

Handbook of Traffic Engineering Practices for Low-Volume Rural Roads: Third Edition (6. 42 MB)
County and township roads carrying fewer than 400 vehicles per day are classified as low-volume rural roads (LVR). The main purpose of this LVR Handbook is to assist local government officials in providing traffic control and guidance for persons driving on LVR. The Handbook also includes background information on the characteristics of LVR. Through the use of this background information, local governments should be able to better understand the problems of LVR and their users, and can therefore provide a safer roadway. (Kansas Department of Transportation Report, 2005, 196 p.)

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ITS

Development of a Wireline Communications Design Guidebook for Intelligent Transportation Systems
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) engineers are responsible for the design, evaluation, and implementation of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) solutions across the entire state. This report details the development of a reference guidebook and training workshop for TxDOT engineers. The purpose of these materials is to: establish an understanding of wire line communication concepts and technologies; explain a process for assessing communication needs for ITS deployments; and create workshop materials for future training programs. (Texas Transportation Institute Report 0-4969-1, October 2005, 52 p.)

Assess Impacts and Benefits of Traffic Signal Priority for Busses
Although bus signal priority has proven to be an effective tool for reducing delays to buses, this technique is not always beneficial to the overall traffic network. The objective of this research is to assess the impacts of and the implementation issues associated with the use of bus signal priority in New Jersey and to assess the benefit and costs of signal priority. (New Jersey Department of Transportation Report FHWA-NJ-2004-13, October 2005, 112 p.)

Highway Congestion: Intelligent Transportation Systems' Promise for Managing Congestion Falls Short, and DOT Could Better Facilitate Their Strategic Use
Congress established an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) program in 1991, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) subsequently set an ITS deployment goal. In this report GAO (1) describes the federal role in deployment; (2) assesses DOT's ITS goal and measurement efforts; (3) identifies what ITS studies have found regarding the impacts of ITS deployment; and (4) identifies the barriers to ITS deployment and use. (United States Government Accountability Office Report GAO-05-943, September 2005, 69 p.)

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