Oregon State University
Torsional Safety of Highway Traffic Signal and Signage Support Structures
PI: Andre Barbosa (OSU), andre.barbosa@oregonstate.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015-12/15/2016
Status: Completed
Project Information
Final Technical Report
The goal of this research is to study the load transfer of axially loaded drilled shafts in torsion and to evaluate existing methods used to design drilled shaft under torsional loading. This work will provide necessary data for tuning the design methods as the torsional capacity of these shafts will be evaluated, including torsional load transfer. Existing design procedures will be investigated, as will some of the newer approaches that have been developed but not yet validated.
An Examination of the Impact of Increasing Commercial Parking Utilization on Cyclist Safety in Urban Environments
PI: David S. Hurwitz (OSU), david.hurwitz@oregonstate.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015-12/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Information
Final Technical Report
The overarching goal of this project is to improve both cyclist safety and commercial parking utilization in urban environments. To support this goal, this project will test the impacts of different striping, signage, and infrastructure on cyclist behavior around commercial vehicle (truck) loading zones and will determine the implications for cyclist safety.
Mitigation of Lane Departure Crashes in the Pacific Northwest through Coordinated Outreach
PI: David Hurwitz (OSU), david.hurwitz@oregonstate.edu
Co-PI: Linda Boyle (UW), Leila Hajibabai (WSU), Billy Connor (UAF), Ahmed Abdel-Rahim (UI)
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
Project Information
Final Technical Report
Approximately 60 percent of fatalities on our nation’s roadways are the result of lane departure crashes. In some cases, the vehicle crossed the centerline and was involved in a head-on crash or opposite direction sideswipe. In others, the vehicle left the roadway to roll over or impact one or more natural or man-made objects, such as trees, utility poles, bridge walls, embankments, or guardrails. A variety of transportation engineering solutions have been proposed to mitigate the occurrence of lane departure crashes including but not limited to: the safety edge, nighttime visibility, rumble strips, retroreflectivity, and pavement lane markings. While these strategies have shown varying degrees of promise in particular contexts, they do no immediately address all of the causal factors inherent in road users (motor vehicle and all-terrain vehicle operators) such as fatigue, operating under the influence, distraction driving, etc. Read More
Cost-Effective Bridge Safety Inspections Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
PI: Dan Gillins (OSU), dan.gillins@oregonstate.edu
Co-Investigators: Chris Parrish (OSU)
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
The objective of this research is to evaluate how well UAV technology can be used to perform visual bridge inspections. Since the FHWA requires biennial bridge inspections, evaluating this exciting and emerging technology will provide helpful information to every region in the United States. To accomplish this objective, necessary goals are to: 1) investigate existing UAV technology, including available platforms, sensors, flight controllers, and mission planning tools; 2) review FHWA requirements for performing bridge inspections per 23 CFR Part 650; 3), acquire UAV-based imagery and video for 1-3 representative bridges; Read More
Fault Tree Analysis for Accident Prevention in Transportation Infrastructure Projects
PI: Hyun Woo Lee (OSU), hw.chris.lee@oregonstate.edu
Co-Investigators: Ingrid Arocho (OSU)
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
The study will combine literature review and content analysis to develop a list of risk factors that lead to contribute to major accident types in transportation infrastructure projects. OSHA’s Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries will be the main source of data for the content analysis. OSHA requires construction companies to report any type of work-related accidents resulting in the hospitalization of three or more workers. Thus, this summary database contains valuable information regarding safety-related performance, which can be used as a basis for identification of accident types and risk factors. Read More
