Institute for Transportation

About the research

The overall scope of the contract involves providing technical, engineering, publications, marketing, and professional support services, as needed, in a variety of transportation topics to support the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure (HIF) program. General areas of support cover bridges and other structures, construction and pavements, and oversight and management. 

Potential activities include, but are not limited to, policy/regulatory support and analysis, analysis of program delivery approaches, program evaluations, feasibility studies, white papers, development of technical manuals and reports, guidance, standards, analytical tools, including data visualizations applications and trade-off analysis, focus group meetings, meeting support, course development and delivery, workshops/seminars, case studies, handbooks, marketing and communication strategies/activities such as videos, technical briefs, articles, brochures, and outreach to industry.

This project supports several task orders. They include the following:

• Guide for Standardized Modular Orthotropic Steel Deck
• Developing Guidance Documents and Training Workshops to Support Enhancement of the State DOTs Transportation Asset Management Plans
• Advancing Bridge Load Rating: Best Practices and Model Frameworks
• Applying the Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) System Performance Requirements to Pavement and Bridge Conditions
• Load Rating Program Technical Support Services for Conducting Peer Exchange

About the research

This project describes a methodology to evaluate the benefits and costs of objectives- and performance-based traffic signal operations and maintenance. The methodology includes a quantitative component supported by a subjective analysis. The intent of the methodology is to describe advantages and disadvantages of using a performance-based traffic signal monitoring process, executed through the automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPM), when compared to the traditional approaches of monitoring and retiming traffic signals. The methodology is intended to validate the attainment of traffic signal program objectives and agency goals as articulated in a Traffic Signal Management Plan, Transportation System Management and Operations Plan, or other strategic planning document(s).

About the research

This project is a task order under the main Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-sponsored project, “Technical and Support Services for the FHWA Construction Management Team.”

Advanced survey and modeling technologies are a rapidly maturing set of technologies with the potential to enhance the design, construction, and management of public infrastructure. Advanced surveying techniques can include “traditional” survey equipment such as total stations and global positioning systems (GPS) but also can include advanced technologies such as terrestrial, mobile, and aerial LiDAR scanners. Advanced modeling technologies include the development of 3D engineered models. The information provided by these technologies has numerous uses for both designers and downstream users such as contractors, construction inspectors, and maintenance personnel.

The primary objective of this work is to develop products that are intended to increase awareness and understanding of advanced survey and modeling practices and the benefits of using them among transportation officials, private industry, and contractors. The objectives of this work more specifically are as follows:

1. Develop a national resource team (NRT) of up to 50 members who will provide technical guidance and assist in championing advanced survey and modeling technologies.
2. Develop and deliver 3 to 6 webinars that are 90 minutes in length to educate transportation officials, design professionals, contractors, maintenance personnel, and others on the considerations and benefits for utilizing advanced surveying and modeling technology.
3. Develop and deliver 1 to 3 virtual roundtable events and produce a 508-compliant report. The roundtables will be 2.5 hours long. The roundtables will present state of practice and implementation gap information to a diverse audience to help others develop the use of advanced surveying and modeling technology within their own organizations.
4. Develop and deliver 1 to 4 one-day workshops on using advanced practices for construction engineering and quality assurance, including demonstrations of workflows, specifications, equipment, problem solving, and best practices.
5. Develop and deliver 1 to 4 1.5-day peer exchanges on using advanced survey and modeling technologies, including demonstrations of workflows, specifications, equipment, problem solving, and best practices. A report will be developed that contains example guide documents, specifications, work flows, and lessons learned to help other states adopt the advanced practices for construction engineering.
6. Develop a document and PowerPoint presentation covering the business case for using advanced survey and modeling technology that can be used to market to DOT executives.
7. Support FHWA development of a draft national “Advanced Modeling Technologies/CIM” implementation plan in support of the MAP-21 requirements and that builds upon EDC-2/3, “BIM for Infrastructure,” and other ongoing efforts.

Below is a playlist of all CP Tech Center videos on real-time smoothness (RTS), the earlier two of which were developed as part of the above project:

About the research

This project is a task order under the main Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-sponsored project, “Technical and Support Services for the FHWA Construction Management Team.”

The Pavement Preservation Research Roadmap, originally developed between 2006 and 2008 as the Transportation System Preservation (TSP) Research, Development, and Implementation Roadmap and including both pavements and bridges, was updated under a contract with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Roadmap is intended for use by State, local, and Federal agencies and other interested parties in selecting and funding pavement preservation research.

The topic of pavement preservation was divided into six umbrella topic areas: Asset Management, Pavement Management, and Preservation; Treatment Design; Materials; Treatment Application; Performance; and Benefits. A seventh category, Synthesis Needs, contains needs statements for benchmarks of current practices that may fall under any of the six umbrella topic areas. Research and synthesis ideas were generated through a series of conference calls with stakeholders representing State and local agencies, academia, industry, consultants, and the FHWA.

Abbreviated research needs statements were developed for 37 research ideas and 9 syntheses and prioritized using online surveys (OMB Control Number 2125-0628). The final version of the Roadmap is presented as a table with a column for each umbrella topic and the research needs for each topic listed in order of priority.

About the research

This project is a task order under the main Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-sponsored project, “Technical and Support Services for the FHWA Construction Management Team.”

The objective of research is to produce four independent 1.5-hour long, web-based training courses that focus on the how-to of constructing quality concrete pavement preservation techniques. The specific topics to be included in the four courses are: full-depth patching, partial-depth patching, dowel bar retrofitting, cross-stitching, and diamond grinding.

The production of these courses will draw upon project team experiences with construction techniques applicable to these technologies, as well as with developing effective WBT. The team will produce training that meets the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Highway Institute (NHI) learning standards and meets NHI Electronic Learning Management System (LMS) requirements. Materials prepared by the project team for the WBT will follow the requirements of NHI’s Style and General Standards Guide.

The team will develop new content, including a video of the techniques, worker interviews, and animations that will enhance adult learning. The team will draw from existing resources, including recently published materials such as second edition of The Concrete Pavement Preservation Guide (FHWA Publication No. FHWA-HIF-14-014), which was prepared by the National CP Tech Center. The guide covers full- and partial-depth repair, dowel bar retrofit, cross stitching and diamond grinding, including some aspects of construction.

About the research

This project is a task order under the main Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-sponsored project, “Technical and Support Services for the FHWA Construction Management Team.”

The objective of research is to produce a series of tech briefs that focus upon the capabilities of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technologies, as well as the coordinating and delivering of webinars covering the developed content. The project also includes support for the Every Day Counts 5 (EDC-5) Summits and development of an implementation plan. These combined efforts will advance the state of the practice with respect to the use of UAS technologies.

UAS technologies are not necessarily new as they have existed for well over 150 years as militaries sought to attack adversaries without putting their own forces at risk. Certainly, some of the earliest unmanned aerial vehicles are uncontrolled balloons carrying ordinates. Even more, hobbyists have been flying UAS for well over 40 years. Recently, the availability and ease of use of UAS has seen a rapid growth as computing and sensing technologies have made them safer and easier to operate. Such availability has opened the door to leveraging these technologies for the construction, management, and operation of infrastructure. The potential for UAS is exciting and creates opportunities to “see” local, regional, and global transportation systems from a perspective never before possible.

Unmanned Aerial Systems for Emergency Management of Flooding Webinar

Webinar held on April 29, 2018 featuring Dr. Robin Murphy, Raytheon Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University and Director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue. The webinar covers using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for emergency response efforts, particularly focusing upon flooding events. The webinar highlights lessons learned and best practices from past efforts, including examples from the response efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina (‘05), Harvey (‘17), and Michael (‘18).

Unmanned Aerial Systems for Construction Applications Webinar

Webinar held on July 10, 2019, featuring Paul Rogers, Principal at North Carolina based KPR Engineering, and Basil Yap, Program Manager for the NCDOT Aviation Division’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program. This presentation focused upon using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for construction applications. Topics included QA/QC, construction progress monitoring, and UAS platform needs specific to each use. Rogers and Yap also discuss collaboration between state agencies and private consultants based upon North Carolina’s past experience.

The Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Land Surveying Webinar

Webinar held on December 5, 2019, featuring Paul Wheeler, UAS Program Manager at the Utah Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, will present on using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for land surveying. Topics will include surveying tools, rotorcraft versus fixed-wing UAS, GPS equipment, ground control points, flight planning, photogrammetry point cloud versus LiDAR point cloud, and QA/QC.

Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection Webinar

Webinar held on Dec. 12, 2019, featuring David Cheyne and Brian Merrill of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. This presentation focused upon using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for bridge inspection. Topics include advantages of UAS for bridge inspections, which type of bridge inspection will benefit, UAS platforms and sensors, FAA regulations regarding UAS for bridge inspections, and UAS limitations.

About the research

The goal of this Cooperative Agreement project was to help bring the latest concrete pavement innovations, knowledge, and technologies to state highway agencies (SHAs) in support of the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AID-PT) program goals. The purpose of the AID-PT program is to document, demonstrate, and deploy innovative pavement technologies, including their applications, performance, and benefits.

With the guidance of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Concrete Pavement Technology (CP Tech) Center delivered products and technical support to SHAs so that they might be better equipped to manage their investments in concrete pavements. The objectives of this project were to advance the following:

• Sustainability aspects of concrete pavements and materials
• Preservation and maintenance techniques for concrete pavements
• Long-life concrete pavements
• Innovative concrete materials
• New technologies and advancements in concrete pavement placement

The CP Tech Center provided nationwide open houses or showcases and workshops, presentations, and webinars in the five advancement areas to an average of 4,500 individuals representing associations, industry, academia, and SHAs each year. In addition to the technology transfer through these activities, the Center developed and delivered a number of resource webpages and a wide array of publications, which are also available online. Links to these are provided below.

• Concrete Overlays Research Initiatives
• Concrete Recycling Resources
• Geotextiles Resources
• Pavement Preservation Resources

About the research

This project is a task order under the main Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-sponsored project, “Technical and Support Services for the FHWA Construction Management Team.”

BIM for Infrastructure (previously known as Civil Integrated Management or CIM) encompasses many innovative engineering technologies, which are making their way into the mainstream of infrastructure management and project delivery. These technologies revolve around the use of automation and enhanced processes for gathering, analyzing and managing digital data for tasks and decision-making throughout the lifecycle of an asset. Collected data are represented by the implementation of modeling, sensing and data management technologies, like 3D/xD models, intelligent compaction, e-Construction, Lidar, and many others and produce significant amounts of electronic data. Incorporation of the data into the transportation projects has proven to be very challenging particularly due to implementation of BIM for Infrastructure. FHWA has strategic initiatives to implement BIM for Infrastructure to include all these aspects which was defined as the collection, organization, managed accessibility, and use of accurate data and information throughout the life cycle of a transportation asset. The concept and practices of BIM support improvements in how agencies can accomplish with planning, environmental assessment, surveying, construction, maintenance, asset management, and risk assessment. This research will support the FHWA’s ability to provide strategic support needed for the deployment of BIM for Infrastructure in the United States transportation industry.

About the research

Real-time smoothness (RTS) technology is arguably one of the most impactful technologies for concrete pavement construction quality control resulting from the Second Strategic Highway Research (SHRP2) Program. Contractors participating in equipment loans through the SHRP2 Solutions Implementation Assistance Program have quickly realized the benefits of RTS for improving smoothness for as-constructed concrete pavement in order to achieve smoothness specification requirements while maximizing incentives and minimizing disincentives and corrective actions.

Over the course of implementing this technology through equipment loans and workshops, it has become apparent that additional guidance for specifying and achieving concrete pavement smoothness is needed. Many agencies struggle to understand what a reasonable specification looks like with respect to smoothness limits and incentive/disincentive levels. And frequently they do not fully understand the impacts of design factors (curvature, grade and super-elevation changes, leave-outs, etc.) and prescriptive requirements for materials, mixtures, and construction equipment, on the contractor’s ability to achieve the smoothness requirements. Likewise, many contractors do not fully understand the impacts various construction factors such as the concrete mixture, paving equipment, and paving crew, have on smoothness. They often do not understand the importance of continually checking smoothness to adjust operations to ensure the smoothness requirements for the final product are achieved.

The purpose of this project is to continue implementing RTS technology through field trials, while also using what has been learned to-date to generate guide specifications and develop best practices for concrete pavement smoothness.  In short, the objective is to provide guidelines on how to specify and build smooth concrete pavements. RTS equipment demonstrations should provide contractors and agencies with a working knowledge of RTS technologies as well as an improved understanding of how material non-uniformity and paving processes impact the initial smoothness and long-term performance of portland cement concrete pavements.

About the research

The main objective of this synthesis was to identify and summarize how agencies collect, analyze, and report different work-zone traffic-performance measures, which include exposure, mobility, and safety measures. The researchers also examined communicating performance to the public. This toolbox provides knowledge to help state departments of transportation (DOTs), as well as counties and cities, to better address reporting of work-zone performance.