Small Projects
Identifying High-Risk Built Environments for Severe Bicycling Injuries
University: Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016), University of Washington
PI: Qing Shen (UW), qs@u.washington.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Information
Final Technical Report
The rise of eco-friendly lifestyles has contributed to the increasing popularity of bicycling in the US. However, cyclist crash injuries remain as a serious public health problem. While the number of deaths in traffic crashes has declined significantly over the past four decades (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2012a), the number of injured cyclists increased from 45,000 in 2001 to 49,000 in 2012. The percentage of cyclist fatalities among total traffic deaths increased from 1.7% to 2.2% in the same period (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2012b). Thus, it is important to understand what factors are associated with cyclist injuries, especially severe injuries. Read More
Analysis of Roadway Safety under the Alternative Project Delivery Systems
University: Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016), University of Washington
PI: Ahmed Abdel Aziz (UW), amaziz@uw.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
Project Information
Final Technical Report
In the United States, most highway projects were developed using the traditional design‐bidbuild delivery system. Following to regular conditions assessment, maintenance of a road is performed based on the availability of funds and the priorities established for road maintenance. With the scarcity of maintenance funds, serviceability of roads is impacted, which affects road safety. Read More
Aerodynamic Effects on Two-Lane Rural Highway Safety
University: Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016), University of Idaho
PI: Tao Xing (UI), xing@uidaho.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Information
Final Technical Report
The goal of this project is to use advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and wind tunnel experimental measurements to study the effects of aerodynamics on two-lane rural highway safety in the United States. The project will focus on the changes of forces and moments in three dimensions during the crossing and overtaking process between cars and trucks under various environmental wind conditions, especially cross-wind. Read More
Spatial Analysis of Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Data
University: Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016), University of Idaho
PI: Mike Lowry (UI), mlowry@uidaho.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Information
Final Technical Report
This project will create best-practice recommendations for collecting bicycle and pedestrian count data that state DOTs and their community partners can use when deciding where to locate permanent counters or how to spatially distribute volunteer manual counters. Read More
Development of a Laboratory Procedure for Measuring the Effectiveness of Dust Control Palliatives
University: Oregon State University, Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016)
PI: David L. Barnes (UAF), dlbarnes@alaska.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Information
Final Technical Report
Dust control in many rural communities is becoming a priority. Since we have started research on controlling dust in rural regions we have truly engaged rural communities. Rural residents are seeing how controlling dust can reduce the negative environmental impact and improve their and their community’s quality of life. This research has been a collaborative effort with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF), the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), and the dust control palliative industry. Read More
