Transportation Intelligence

Volume 4 Number 5

October 2006

Traffic Operations

Maintenance

Administration

Safety

Pedestrian Safety

Pavements

Feedback

Structures
Field Guide for the Acceptance of Hot Mix and Bridge Deck Waterproofing
This Field Guide has been prepared to provide procedural guidelines to administer contract requirements on Ministry of Transportation projects in Ontario. The purpose of the Guide is to uniformly implement, across the Province, the acceptance procedures for Hot Mix and Bridge Deck Waterproofing. The guide outlines the required sampling, testing and recommended acceptance procedures, in accordance with the applicable Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications (OPSS) and current Ministry Special Provisions. (MTO Materials Engineering and Research Office - Bituminous Section, June 2006, 125 p.)

Pavements
Hot Mix Asphalt: LC Method of Mix Design
This guide presents the mix design method that was developed by the Ministère des Transports du Québec's Laboratoire des chaussées. It describes how performance is affected by the different properties of pavement mixtures and how granulometry can be optimized for improved performance. It also summarizes the volumetric properties and provides a practical examination of mix design. (Québec Ministère des Transports report, 2006, 102 p.) (This item can be requested from the TIS.)

Administration
Review of commercial municipal infrastructure asset management systems
This paper provides a review of municipal infrastructure asset management systems currently available, and discusses the evaluation process of a number of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software systems. The key features, capabilities, and limitations of the evaluated software are presented. The main objective of the paper is to provide infrastructure asset managers with an objective review of existing systems and technologies, and to identify a number of considerations that need to be addressed in the process of selecting asset management systems. (National Research Council of Canada paper NRCC-45610, January 2006, 16 p.)

Safety
Alberta Traffic Safety Guide to Accomodate Aging Drivers
The purpose of this Guide is to present a comprehensive list of traffic safety practices that benefit the aging driver. The practices suggested in this Guide have been developed to accommodate the visual, cognitive and motor changes that are incurred with the natural aging process. The implementation of the enhancements in this guide is left to the discretion of road agencies. (Alberta Motor Association Foundation for Traffic Safety Report, July 2006, 208 p.)

Traffic Operations

Impacts of Weather on Rural Highway Operations
The primary objective of this study is to establish the correlation if any, empirically between rural highway operations, specifically volume, capacity or travel speed, and weather events. The following are the overall objectives of this study: research the documented studies on the impacts of severe weather events on highway operations; examine the correlation between severe weather events and highway operations; quantify the impacts of severe weather events on traffic volume and capacity on rural highways; and quantify the impacts of severe weather events on traffic speed on rural highways. (Montana State University Western Transportation Institute Report, June 2006, 93 p.)

Integration of Emergency and Weather Elements into Transportation Management Centers
The Transportation Management Center (TMC) Integration study documents how weather and emergency information and systems are being integrated into transportation operations now and the potential for applying practical, effective concepts and methods of integration in the future. (US Federal Highway Adminitration Report FHWA-HOP-06-090, February 2006, 105 p.)

Alternate Route Handbook
This report describes and defines what alternate route traffic routes are and how traffic and highway agencies can implement them. The need for, planning, and execution of alternate routes with stakeholder agencies is addressed. Highway and traffic agencies, public safety agencies, and State, county and local municipalities are the target audience. (US Federal Highway Administration Report FHWA-HOP-06-092, May 2006, 89 p.)

Identification of Traffic Control Devices for Mobile and Short-Duration Work Operations
This report documents and summarizes the study “Identification of Traffic Control Devices for Mobile and Short Duration Work Operations,” for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The objective of this research project is to study mobile and short duration work zone safety with particular attention to the identification of work zone safety devices, information systems for the reduction of safety and congestion, and implementation of innovative techniques to reduce delays and crashes due to work zones. (University Transportation Research Center Report FHWA-NJ-2006-006, July 2006, 97 p.)

Using Archived AVL-APC Data to Improve Transit Performance and Management
This report explores the effective collection and use of archived automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger counter (APC) data to improve the performance and management of transit systems. Spreadsheet files are available on the web that provide prototype analyses of long and short passenger waiting time using AVL data and passenger crowding using APC data. (TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 113, 2006, 94 p.)

Development of a Roadway Weather Severity Index
The purpose of this study is to research and develop a weather severity index that would be appropriate for roadways. The desired attributes of the index are as follows: the index would directly correlate with winter maintenance costs; the index would correlate with the relative hazards of driving conditions experienced by motorists, including snow, blowing snow, ice, frost, rain, fog and wind; the index would use data that is already available, such as through the National Weather Service (NWS) or RWIS stations; the index would be easy to use and interpret. (Montana State University Western Transportation Institute Report, August 2005, 76 p.)

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Maintenance

Local Roads Maintenance Workers' Manual
This manual describes best maintenance practices for Iowa's local roads and streets, from the center line to shoulders, ditches and drainage, with chapters on public relations, bridge maintenance, and snow and ice control. Each chapter contains safety tips, information (as appropriate) on managing quality control, and a list of references for further information. (Iowa Highway Research Board Report TR-514, June 2006, 152 p.)

Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Inspection Manual: 2005 Edition
This manual provides specific information for the inspection of both highway and rail transit tunnels. Although several components are similar in both types of tunnels, a few elements are specific to either highway or rail transit tunnels and are defined accordingly. (US Federal Highway Administration manual FHWA-IF-05-002, 2005, 112 p.)

Highway and Rail Transit Tunnel Maintenance and Rehabilitation Manual: 2004 Edition
This manual is an update to the version issued in May, 2003. It provides specific information for the maintenance and rehabilitation of both highway and rail transit tunnels. Although several components are similar in both types of tunnels, a few elements are specific to either highway or rail transits tunnels, and are defined accordingly. (US Federal Highway Administration manual, 2004, 108 p.)

Problem Solving - Documentation of Liquid De-icing Agents Utilized During the Winter of 2005-2006
During the winter of 2005-2006, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), Bureau of Maintenance and Operations experimented with several liquid de-icing products designed to pre-wet granular materials. This experimentation was undertaken in an effort to determine which liquid de-icer would be the most suitable replacement for the calcium chloride (LiquiDow) product previously used by the Department. (Maine Department of Transportation Report 06-06, 2006, 34 p.)

Synthesis of Information on Anti-icing and Pre-wetting for Winter Highway Maintenance Practices in North America
Through this project, the authors synthesized information obtained from a literature review and agency surveys on the advantages and disadvantages of anti-icing and pre-wetting for winter highway maintenance. Concerns discussed include: driver safety, human health, environmental stewardship, corrosion, costs, etc. (Montana State University Western Transportation Institute Report, 19 August 2005, 97 p.)

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Administration

New Tools for New Times: A Sourcebook for the Financing, Funding and Delivery of Urban Infrastructure
New Tools for New Times is a one stop shop for information on both traditional and innovative infrastructure financing, funding and delivery tools. The report also assesses the applicability of the tools to various types of urban infrastructure and the role of governments in advancing their use in Canada. (Canada West Foundation Report, September 2006, 171 p.)

Highway Finance: States' Expanding Use of Tolling Illustrates Diverse Challenges and Strategies
To provide the robust growth that many transportation advocates believe is required to meet the nation’s mobility needs, state and local decision makers in virtually all states are seeking alternative funding approaches. Tolling provides a set of approaches that are increasingly receiving closer attention and consideration. This report examines tolling from a number of perspectives, namely: (1) the promise of tolling to enhance mobility and finance highway transportation, (2) the extent to which tolling is being used and the reasons states are using or not using this approach, (3) the challenges states face in implementing tolling, and (4) strategies that can be used to help states address tolling challenges. (US Government Accountability Office Report GAO-06-554, June 2006, 70 p.)

Maintenance Management 2006: Presentations from the 11th AASHTO-TRB Maintenance Management Conference
This circular contains papers presented at the 11th AASHTO–TRB Maintenance Management Conference held in Charleston, South Carolina, July 16-20, 2006. The report includes papers on outsourcing, pavements, roadside, winter operations, bridges, maintenance management systems, quality assurance, equipment, work force development, traffic services, and safety. (TRB's Transportation Research Circular E-C098, July 2006, 248 p.)

Statewide Travel Forecasting Models
This report examines statewide travel forecasting models designed to address planning needs and provide forecasts for statewide transportation, including passenger vehicle and freight movements. The report includes five case studies, two that focus on passenger components, two on freight components, and one on both passenger and freight. (TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 358, 2006, 125 p.)

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Safety

Evaluation of Advance Warning Signal Installation - Phase I Final Report
A new advance warning signal design was tested on an approach to a high-speed signalized intersection (HSSI) in Salt Lake County to study the effects of the design on motorist behavior. The new design utilized an overhead dynamic blank-out sign and flashers. A state-of-the-art Digital Wave RadarTM evaluation system was installed at the study site to collect continuous data of vehicle speeds and RLR events by a non-intrusive method. Crash data were collected from the jurisdiction responsible for the study site. Data were collected prior to, immediately after, and eight months after installation of the system. (Utah Department of Transportation Report UT-06.11, June 2006, 246 p.)

Edge Delineations
In 2001, the Motor Accident Commission (MAC) sponsored a trial of a comparatively inexpensive form of audio tactile raised pavement marker as a fatigue driving countermeasure on the Dukes Highway east of Keith, South Australia. MAC has asked the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) to comment on the relevance of this treatment including its compliance with road design rules, its cost effectiveness when compared to other treatments and any safety issue with their use. (Australian Centre for Automotive Safety Research Report CASR025, August 2006, 28 p.)

Determining Major Causes of Highway Work Zone Accidents in Kansas Final Report
The primary objective of this research was to investigate the characteristics of fatal crashes and risk factors to these crashes in the work zones so that effective countermeasures could be developed and implemented in the near future. The objective was accomplished using a four-step approach: i) literature review on previous work zone crash studies; ii) crash data collection from the KDOT accident database and the original accident reports; iii) examination of the work zone fatal crashes using statistical analysis methods to determine unique crash characteristics and risk factors in the work zones, and; iv) recommendations for improvements on work zone safety. (Kansas Department of Transportation Report K-TRAN: KU-05-1, June 2006, 168 p.)

Guidelines for the Application of Removable Rumble Strips
This work was initiated to assess the viability of removable rumble strips as replacements for asphalt rumble strips, particularly in short term highway work zones. The two rumble strips tested were the Orange Rumble Strip from Advanced Traffic Markings and the Rumbler from Swarco in black. (Kansas Department of Transportation Report KTRAN: KU-02-30, August 2006, 102 p.)

Centerline Rumble Strips Cut Accident Rates
Centerline rumble strips can reduce rural, two-lane, undivided-road accident rates by 25% or more. Centerline rumble strips cut crossover, sideswipe, and head-on collisions on undivided two-lane roads, according to several pieces of research. (Better Roads, September 2006, pp. 30-31.)

Human Factors Literature Reviews on Intersections, Speed Management, Pedestrians and Bicyclists, and Visibility
This report summarizes the development and content of a compendium and summary of human factors research supporting the Integrated Program for the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model and Safety Research project. It is intended for use by both human factors and nonhuman factors participants (i.e., engineers, designers, program managers) in addressing general safety areas, including driver behavior at intersections, and in developing tools and procedures for intersection design. (US Federal Highway Administration Report FHWA-HRT-06-034, July 2006, 289 p.)

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Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Design
In the 2005-2006 academic year, the Traffic Safety Center hosted on separate occasions pedestrian safety expert Charles V. Zegeer, and two leaders in safety assessment methods for road designs, Jake Kononov and Bryan Allery. This issue presents reports on their presentations and their findings (University of California at Berkeley Traffic Safety Center newsletter, Summer 2006)

Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings
This product, which can be referred to as TCRP Report 112 or NCHRP Report 562, examines selected engineering treatments to improve safety for pedestrians crossing high-volume and high-speed roadways at unsignalized locations. The report presents the edited final report and Appendix A. TCRP Web-Only Document 30/NCHRP Web-Only Document 91 (Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings: Appendices B to O) contains the remaining appendixes of the contractor’s final report. (see http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=6676 for appendices) (TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 112, 2006, 111 p.)

Evaluation of Safety, Design, and Operation of Shared-Use Paths - Final Report
Shared-path planners and designers face a serious challenge in determining how wide paths should be and whether the various modes of travel should be separated from each other. This document describes the development of a new method to analyze the quality of service provided by shared paths of various widths and the accommodation of various travel-mode splits. Another product of this research is report FHWA-HRT-05-138, Shared-Use Path Level of Service Calculator - A User's Guide. (US Federal Highway Administration Report FHWA-HRT-05-137, July 2006, 161 p.)(This item can be requested from the TIS.)

Selecting the Most Effective ITS Application for Pedestrian Safety in Florida
This report summarizes a research project conducted for the Florida Department of Transportation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. The purpose of the research project was to identify those Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications that are applicable to pedestrians and determine which of these would be expected to prove most beneficial to pedestrians in Florida. (Florida Department of Transportation Report, 14 p.)

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Pavements

Investigation of the Low-Temperature Fracture Properties of Three MnROAD Asphalt Mixtures
In this research effort, field cores were taken from cells 33, 34 and 35 at the MnROAD facility to determine the fracture properties of the field mixtures, to compare them with the laboratory-prepared mixtures analyzed in a previous study, and to evaluate the effect of aging at different depths in the asphalt layer. (Minnesota Department of Transportation Report MN/RC-2006-15, May 2006, 74 p.)

Asphalt Emulsion Technology
This report includes four papers designed to serve as an overview of the chemistry, production, quality assurance testing, and application of bituminous emulsions. The papers were produced following a technical session at the 2005 TRB 84th Annual Meeting on bituminous emulsions. They include: Overview of Asphalt Emulsions (James,A); Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturing Today and Tomorrow (Baumgardner,GL); Emulsion Test Methods: Do We Need Them? (Kadrmas,A); and Overview of Asphalt Emulsion Applications in North America (Simpson,PL). (TRB’s Transportation Research Circular E-C102, August 2006, 58 p.)

Synthesis of Current Practice on the Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Porous Friction Courses
This report summarizes the current state of the practice related to mixture design methods (proposed by different U.S. and international agencies and institutions), construction, maintenance, and performance of surface courses using Open Graded Friction Courses (OGFC) and Porous Asphalt (PA) identified from a worldwide literature review. In addition, the report presents a synthesis of the relevant aspects related to the current practice and application of Porous Friction Courses (PFC) in Texas based on the interviews conducted with selected TxDOT districts.
. (Texas Transportation Institute Report FHWA/TX-06/0-5262-1, July 2006, 86 p.)

Development of an Asphalt Workability Index: Pilot Study (Free registration required to download)
A pilot study examined the feasibility of using laboratory produced mix compaction curves to indicate the relative workability (ease of compaction) of asphalt mixes in the field. Five mixes of different expected workabilities were used. A roller segment slab compactor was used as a surrogate for roller compaction in the field. (Austroads Technical Report AP-T59/06, August 2006, 27 p.)

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