Transportation Intelligence

Volume 4 Number 2

April 2006

Traffic Operations

Structures

Pavements

Safety

Administration

Urban

Planning

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Administration
The Age of Public Infrastructure in Canada
This study looks at the average age of the four main components of public infrastructure in Canada: roads and highways, sewer systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and bridges. This study covers the 1963 to 2003 period for the three levels of government. (Statistics Canada Analysis in Brief, January 2006, 105 p.)

Safety
Countermeasures that Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices
This publication is a reference guide to assist Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) members in selecting effective, science-based traffic safety countermeasures for major highway safety problem areas. (Governors' Highway Safety Association Report, 2005, 187 p.)

Urban
Cost of Urban Congestion in Canada - Summary
The Cost of Urban Congestion in Canada study is the first systematic analysis of the cost of urban traffic congestion in Canada. It examined the cost of urban congestion for Canada’s nine largest urban areas. Transport Canada commissioned the study in 2002 as a long-term project to better understand the nature and extent of congestion in Canada, and to develop a consistent approach to estimating related costs. The study reviewed data and situations where congestion occurs daily because demand exceeds the cities’ capacity to move people. It also served to examine costs due to travel delay, additional fuel consumed, and additional greenhouse gases produced. (Transport Canada Report,March 22, 2006, 24 p.)

Traffic Operations

Work Zone Public Information and Outreach Strategies
This document is meant to help transportation agencies plan and implement effective public information and outreach campaigns for work zones. The focus of this document is not on project selection and design, but on the travel impacts of a work zone – such as lane closings, new traffic patterns, and traffic delay – and available travel alternatives (e.g., different routes and travel modes). This document provides information and strategies for developing public information and outreach campaigns for specific work zones, rather than general work zone education and safety campaigns. It is primarily designed for personnel in transportation agencies responsible for planning and operating highway work zones and those responsible for public relations and public information. It will also be of interest to transportation policy makers, work zone contractors, consultants, public relations firms, and emergency responders. (FHWA Report HOP-05-067, November 2005, 72 p.)

Development of an intelligent sign management system
This document summarizes the work undertaken for the Development of an Intelligent Sign Management System (ISMS). The purpose of the project was to research and define an intelligent sign management methodology that allows the generation of location-specific messages based on multiple traffic condition criteria and knowledge of current operation strategies. The goal is to provide the foundations for significant advancement in current freeway traffic management practices. (Transport Canada report TP 14495E, November 2005, 140 p.)

Whether Weather Matters to Traffic Demand, Traffic Safety, and Traffic Flow
This report describes the impacts of inclement weather identified through the literature and through prior research conducted by the Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE). The finds of recently completed research conducted to quantify the impact of weather on traffic flow are specifically highlighted. (Iowa State University Center for Transportation Research and Education Final Report, August 2005, 19 p.)

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Structures

Simplified Shear Design of Structural Concrete Members
A bridge-mounted welded aluminum sign support structure suffered a fatigue failure on Interstate Route 77, just south of Cleveland, OH. Bridge-type sign structures typically have a high enough natural frequency that wind induced vibrations are not a major design concern. For that reason an investigation was undertaken to arrive at an explanation of the fatigue failure. This investigation involved a combination of finite element analysis, field testing under actual truck loading, and laboratory fatigue testing of remnants of the actual failed structure. (National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 549, 2006, 64 p.)

Inspection and Maintenance of Bridge Stay Cable Systems
This report identifies and explains various inspection and maintenance techniques for bridge stay cable systems. It discusses both short- and long-term approaches. The report provides information on methods for inspections and assessments, including nondestructive testing and evaluation procedures; repair and retrofit; methods for control of cable vibrations, including rain–wind vibrations; stay cable fatigue and failure; effectiveness of various inspection and repair methods; limitations of available technologies; and trends and recommendations for future study. (National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 353, 2006, 215 p.)

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Pavements

Mix Design Development for Pervious Concrete in Cold Weather Climates
Portland cement pervious concrete (PCPC) is being used more frequently due to its benefits in reducing the quantity of runoff water, improving water quality, enhancing pavement skid resistance during storm events by rapid drainage of water, and reducing pavement noise. In the United States, PCPC typically has high porosity and low strength, which has resulted in the limited use of pervious concrete, especially in hard wet freeze environments (e.g., the Midwestern and Northeastern United States and other parts of the world). Improving the strength and freeze-thaw durability of pervious concrete will allow an increase in its use in these regions. The objective of this research is to develop a PCPC mix that not only has sufficient porosity for stormwater infiltration, but also desirable strength and freeze-thaw durability. (Iowa State University Center for Transportation Research and Education Report 2006-01, February 2006, 85 p.)

Guidelines for the Surface Preparation/Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete and Asphaltic Pavements Prior to an Asphaltic Concrete Overlay
Frost frequently forms on roads and bridges during winters when the pavement temperature is at or below 273 K and below the dew-point temperature. Accurate forecasts of frost onset times, frost intensity, and frost disappearance help roadway maintenance personnel decide when, where, and how much frost-suppression chemicals should be used. (Wisconsin Department of Transportation Research Report WHRP 05-10, July 2005, 110 p.)

SHRP II Web Site
TRB recently inaugurated the new Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP II) website—www.TRB.org/SHRPII. SHRP II is a targeted, short-term, results-oriented program of strategic highway research designed to advance highway performance and safety for U.S. highway users. The website will be a primary source of information on SHRP II projects and products that will be developed beginning this summer and continuing until 2011. (Strategic Highway Research Program)

Truck/Pavement/Economic Modeling & In-Situ Field Data Analysis Application Volume 1: Influence of Drainage on Selection of Base
The primary objective of this study was to investigate how base materials should be properly selected for specific types of pavement, not only considering the performance of individual layers but also how they interact in the total pavement structure. Base types considered in this study included granular (GB), lean concrete (LCB), asphalt treated (ATB), cement treated (CTB), and permeable asphalt treated (PATB) bases as constructed under both asphalt concrete (AC) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements.(Ohio Department of Transportation Report FHWA/OH-2006/3A, January 2006, 64 p.)

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Safety

Crash Records Systems
This document examines crash records systems practices and programs as applied to highway and traffic safety. The report covers crash data collection, crash processing and management, and data linkages for reporting and analysis. While no single comprehensive system examples are identified in the report, many examples of one or more successful components were found to address the needs of three groups of stakeholders—data collectors, data managers, and data users. The report also contains information about lessons learned from examples of successful systems, addressing the needs and concerns of stakeholders. (World Bank and Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works, and Water Management Report, September 2005)

Incorporating Safety into Long-Range Transportation Planning
This report examines where and how safety can be effectively addressed and integrated into long-range transportation planning at the state and metropolitan levels. The report includes guidance for practitioners in identifying and evaluating alternative ways to incorporate and integrate safety considerations in long-range statewide and metropolitan transportation planning and decision-making processes. (National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 546, 2006, 179 p.)

Impact of Edge Lines on Safety of Rural Two-Lane Highways
This research project was initiated in the effort of compliance with the updated version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD Millennium Edition, 2000) in the subject of edge line implementation in Louisiana. The objective of this study is to investigate if the marking of edge lines on rural narrow two-lane highways would result in any negative effect on drivers’ behavior that in turn may debase highway safety. (Louisiana Transportation Research Center Report 414, October 2005, 115 p.)

How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
The purpose of this guide is to present an overview and framework for state and local agencies to develop and implement a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan tailored to their specific problems and needs. This guide is primarily a reference for improving pedestrian safety through street redesign and the use of engineering countermeasures as well as other safety-related treatments and programs that involve the whole community. This guide can be used by engineers, planners, traffic safety and enforcement professionals, public health and injury prevention professionals, and decision-makers who have the responsibility of improving pedestrian safety at the state or local level. (FHWA Report HWA-SA-05-12, February 2006, 159 p.)

The Older Driver Comes of Age
As the senior citizen population increases, activities around the country are addressing transportation and mobility challenges. Aging is a fact of life. However, the number of seniors in the United States will reach an apex over the next 20 years. The transportation community is looking at safety improvements in a number of areas that address some of the challenges facing the Nation-including highway and vehicle design. (Public Roads, January/February 2006.)

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Administration

Transportation Planning Performance Measures
Oregon transportation plans, including the statewide Oregon Transportation Plan, and current regional transportation plans for some metropolitan areas, contain policy areas that are not adequately addressed by performance measures, including: balance and adaptability; economic vitality; safety and security; environmental justice; land use compatibility; and quality of life. This research focuses on performance measures that can also employ model forecast data for evaluating future plan alternatives. Appendices are in a separate electronic file, at : http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/Reports/PMAppendices.pdf. (Oregon Department of Transportation Report FHWA-OR-06-08, October 2005, 94 p.)

Design-Build: A Quality Process
TRB Circular E-C090 summarizes an all-day workshop that took place at the 2005 TRB 84th Annual Meeting. The workshop focused on achieving quality on design-build projects from the preparation of the request for proposals, to the actual design, to the use of incentives to achieve desired levels of quality, and to final construction. (TRB Transportation Research Circular E-C090, January 2006, 17 p.)

Maintenance and Operations of Transportation Facilities: 2005 Strategic Vision
This electronic circular explores the major trends that affect maintenance; cites current and emerging innovations in management systems, technology, and intelligent transportation systems; and examines some of the key maintenance challenges of this century. (TRB Transportation Research Circular E-C092, January 2006, 20 p.)

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Urban

Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities: An ITE Proposed Recommended Practice
This report advances the successful use of context sensitive solutions (CSS) in the planning and design of major urban thoroughfares for walkable communities. It provides guidance and demonstrates for practitioners how CSS concepts and principles may be applied in roadway improvement projects that are consistent with their physical settings. The report's chapters are focused on applying the principles of CSS in transportation planning and in the design of roadway improvement projects in places where community objectives support walkable communities-compact development, mixed land uses and support for pedestrians and bicyclists, whether it already exists or is a goal for the future. Many of the principles, concepts and design guidelines are directly applicable to urban thoroughfares in other contexts. (Institute of Transportation Engineers Proposed Recommended Practice, 2005, 221 p.)

Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices
The goal of this document is to help communities that have adopted smart growth policies and plans recognize the water benefits of those smart growth techniques and suggest ways to integrate those policies into stormwater planning and compliance. Taking credit for the work a community is already doing can be a low-cost and practical approach to meeting water quality goals and regulatory commitments. (US Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA 231-B-05-002, December 2005, 112 p.)

Parking Spaces/Community Places: Finding the Balance through Smart Growth Solutions
The report begins with a discussion of the demand for parking and a review of the costs of parking. The following sections detail innovative techniques and case studies explain how they have been used to solve parking problems in specific places. (US Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA 231-K-06-001, January 2006, 70 p.)

Elements Needed to Create High-Ridership Transit Systems: Interim Guidebook
This web-only examines types of actions, initiatives, and special projects that offer the potential to improve transit ridership and provides examples of their effective use and impacts. The report is designed to assist transit managers and their staff, policymakers, and key regional stakeholders by describing strategies that have proven successful at producing ridership increases. (Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 32, December 2005, 237 p.)

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Planning

Archived Data Management Systems: A Cross-Cutting Study
The ITS Joint Program Office, in conjunction with the US Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Highway Policy Information, has released a report that examines six archived data management systems (ADMS). The report explores ADMS design considerations, operational practices, benefits, and costs. (ITS Joint Program Office Report, December 2005, 52 p.)

Innovations in Statewide Planning: A Peer Exchange
This report summarizes a July 2005 peer exchange on innovations in statewide planning. (Transportation Research Board Circular E-C091, February 2006, 69 p.)

Integrating Sustainability into the Transportation Planning Process
This report summarizes a July 11-13, 2004, conference in Baltimore, Maryland, that examined whether and how sustainability objectives can be introduced into the planning process for surface transportation facilities and operations. The report explores issues associated with sustainability, the vision of a sustainable transportation system, the state of the practice, and strategies for integrating sustainability concepts into transportation planning. (TRB Conference Proceedings 37, 2005, 71 p.)

Assessing State Long-range Transportation Planning Initiatives in the Northeast for Climate and Energy Benefits
This report addresses the long-range transportation planning (LRTP) process presently being undertaken by state Departments of Transportation (DOTs). The purpose of the analysis is to evaluate how effective this process is in addressing other concerns of the states, namely their energy use and their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (US Department of Transportation Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting Report, December 2005, 127 p.)

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