Small Projects
Improving Performance, Knowledge, and Methods to Provide Quality Service and Products
University: Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014), University of Alaska, Fairbanks
PI: Bill Conner (UAF), bgconnor@alaska.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 6/30/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-27-UAF-Connor
The “Strategic Plan” of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) establishes “Excellence” as one of the department’s core values, and defines it as “Personal and department commitment to continually improve individual, team, and organizational knowledge, performance, and methods to provide quality service and products”. The extent to which this core value is exercised in practice is a function of the interpretation of this definition and inherent commitment, which are reflected in organizational culture. Read More
Evaluation of Precut Thermal Cracks for an Asphalt Concrete Pavement in Interior Alaska
University: Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014), University of Alaska, Fairbanks
PI: Jenny Liu (UAF), jliu6@alaska.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-39-UAF-Liu
Many states are faced with the challenges of aging and degrading roadway pavements, and low temperature cracking is one of the most prevalent pavement distresses found in Alaska and in cold areas of other northern states. This requires significant repair efforts to maintain an acceptable pavement condition. The low temperature cracks are extensive enough that a significant portion of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Maintenance and Operations budget is allocated to sealing and the associated work required to repair low temperature cracking. Until new technology may someday eliminate cracking, significant funds will continue to be spent on crack sealing and repair. Read More
Performance of Depressed Medians on Divided Highways in Alaska
University: Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014), University of Alaska, Fairbanks
PI: Guhlam Bham (UAF), ghbham@uaa.alaska.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-33-UAF-Bham
The population of Alaska especially the city of Anchorage is steadily increasing. As a result, traffic volumes are higher and demands to add lanes to existing highways is increasing in order to relieve congestion. In Alaska, an expressway or freeway is a high-speed (≥ 50 mph), multilane, divided highway with partial access control. These divided highways typically utilize wide medians. These medians are considered an option to be replace with narrow medians in order to provide additional through lanes to cater to the needs of higher traffic volume and keep traffic congestion to a minimum. Read More
Evaluate H2RI Wicking Fabric for Pavement Applications
University: Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014), University of Alaska, Fairbanks
PI: Bill Connor (UAF), bgconnor@alaska.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 10/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-26-UAF-Zhang-Connor
H2Ri wicking fabric is a new geotextile manufactured by TenCate Geosynthetics. It contains both a high modulus polypropylene yarn for reinforcement and a nylon wicking yarn which can absorb and transport water for drainage under unsaturated conditions. Therefore, H2Ri is a dual functional geosynthetic product, which can serve as reinforcement and provide drainage. When properly designed, it has the potential to dehydrate the subgrade and base course and consequently improve the performance of pavements. Read More
Assessment of Lube Oil Management and Self-Cleaning Oil Filter Feasibility in WSF (WA State Ferries) Vessels
University: Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014), Washington State University
PI: Liv Haselbach (WSU), haselbach@wsu.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-44-WSU-Haselbach
Lube oil management aboard vessels is a critical component of maintaining the life of a vessel engine. Lube oil and the associated filters are expensive as is the maintenance and associated downtime. Disposal of filters as a hazardous waste and handling of lube oil presents an environmental risk and additional costs. Preventive and predictive management of lube oil can reduce lube oil maintenance costs and environmental risk, making the operation of Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessels more sustainable and cost effective. To gain these benefits WSF needs to consider both the economic and the environmental impacts of the self-cleaning oil filters alternative. Read More
