Small Projects
Torsional Safety of Highway Traffic Signal and Signage Support Structures
University: Oregon State University, Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016)
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.
Developing a clustering-based empirical Bayes analysis method for hotspot identification
University: Small Projects Year 4 (2015-2016), University of Washington
PI: Yinhai Wang (UW), yinhai@uw.edu
Dates: 12/16/2015 – 12/15/2016
Status: Completed
Project Information
Final Technical Report
The identification of sites with promise, also known as crash hotspots or hazardous locations, is the first step in the overall safety management process. One widely applied approach to this task is the popular empirical Bayes (EB) method. The EB method is described and recommended in Highway Safety Manual (2010) for roadway safety management. The EB method can correct for regression-to-the mean bias and refine the predicted mean of an entity.
Evaluation of the Social Cost of Modal Diversion: A Multi-Modal Safety Analysis
University: Small Projects Year 3 (2014-2015), Washington State University
PI: Jeremy Sage (WSU), jlsage@wsu.edu
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
Project Information
Final Technical Report
Infrastructure investment by public agencies routinely has a multi-faceted objective. Often, considerable components of these objectives may be viewed as attributable to the goal of increasing the social welfare of the residents of the region and users of the transportation system. Transportation factors related to social welfare or social costs may typically be viewed in terms of pollution, congestion, and safety. The realization of social cost savings or benefits (performance) is largely dependent upon the response functions (how the user responds to a change in the transportation system) of users. Response functions are largely an insight to the economic conditions experienced by the user. This project will develop a reliable and implementable performance evaluation of safety projects that is readily implementable by effected jurisdictions. To achieve this evaluation, the project will draw from literature and implement tactics from several research lines, primarily that of the transportation infrastructure investment, social cost, and modal choice literature. Read More
Determination of Creep Compliance and Indirect Tensile Strength for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG)
University: Small Projects Year 3 (2014-2015), Washington State University
PI: Balasingam Muhunthan (WSU), muhuntha@wsu.edu
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
Pavement condition greatly affects the safety of driver. For instance, the rutting in wheelpath creates hydroplaning which can leads to loss of control of vehicles. The roughness, e.g. potholes, can pose safety hazards to the driver. Therefore, improving the pavement condition by designing cost-effective long-lasting pavement is of paramount importance. The adoptions of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) align well with this goal, when compared to traditional empirical pavement design.
Safe Main Street Highways (SMSH)
University: Small Projects Year 3 (2014-2015), University of Washington
PI: Anne Vernez Moudon (UW), moudon@uw.edu
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
Increases in non-motorized travel also raise important safety issues, as pedestrians and bicyclists constitute the most vulnerable road users. Therefore, tools to identify locations with a high risk of collisions between motor-vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists are essential to insure that gains in mobility, air quality, and health are not accompanied by higher rates of injuries and fatalities in vulnerable road users. Read More
