University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Transportation Corridor Resiliency in the Face of a Changing Climate
PI: Keith Cunningham (UAF), kwcunningham@alaska.edu
Co PIs: Michael Olson (OSU), Ben Leshchinsky (OSU), Joseph Wartman (UW)
AMOUNT & MATCH: $160,000 from PacTrans; $165,000 Match
PERFORMANCE PERIOD: 12/15/2016 – 1/31/2018
STATUS: Completed
CATEGORIES: UAVs, Technology, Resilience, Safety
RESEARCH PROJECT HOT SHEET: 
UTC PROJECT DOCUMENTATION:
FINAL PROJECT REPORT: Read More
Safety Evaluation of Statewide Off-Highway Vehicle Use in Alaska
PI: Nathan Belz (UAF), npbelz@alaska.edu
AMOUNT & MATCH: $60,000 from PacTrans; $90,000 Match
PERFORMANCE PERIOD: 12/15/2016 – 1/31/2018
STATUS: Completed
CATEGORIES: Safety, Rural Communities, Alternative Transportation
RESEARCH PROJECT HOT SHEET:
UTC PROJECT DOCUMENTATION:
FINAL PROJECT REPORT: Read More
Mixed Use Safety on Rural Facilities in the Pacific Northwest
PI: Nathan Belz (UAF), npbelz@alaska.edu
Co-Investigators: Billy Connor (UAF), Byron Bluehorse (UAF), Kevin Chang (UI), Ahmed Abdel-Rahim (UI), Mostafa Hegazi (UI)
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
In the United States, formalized facilities and roadway crossings for non-traditional and non-motorized modes do not exist which jeopardizes the safety of these users in many cases. These factors create a pervasive and systemic nationwide safety issue. This research will address the issues associated with providing safe accommodation, limiting the improper use of public rights-of-way, and maintaining mobility, and provide future guidelines for design, education, and enforcement for mixed-use rural facilities. The goal of this project is to: improve safety and minimize the dangers for all transportation mode types while traveling in mixed-use environments on rural facilities through the development and use of engineering and education safety measures. Read More
Unmanned Aircraft System Assessments of Landslide Safety for Transportation Corridors
PI: Keith Cunningham (UAF), kwcunningham@alaska.edu
Co-Investigators: Michael Olsen (OSU), Joseph Wartman (UW)
Dates: 01/16/2015 – 06/15/2016
Status: Completed
UTC Project Sheet
Final Technical Report
The proposed research addresses Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PACTRANS) research priority of using new data-driven technologies to improve the safety of transportation systems in the Northwest United States. Landslides pose significant threats to the safety of motorists throughout the mountainous terrain of the Pacific Northwest The research will advance landslide safety assessment for transportation corridors by capitalizing on recent advances in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and new low-cost Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry techniques. The resulting improved hazard assessment techniques will facilitate cost-effective evaluation of landslide safety across the broadly distributed transportation networks of the Pacific Northwest. Read More
Encouraging Young Civil Engineers: Support for the UAF College of Engineering and Mines Steel Bridge Team Competition Steel Bridge
PI: Leroy Hulsey (UAF), jlhulsey@alaska.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 6/30/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-43-UAF-Hulsey
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) has a long and successful history competing in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Steel Bridge Competition. In this competition, university students design and construct a small steel bridge that meets criteria established by the competition committee. Students learn to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to an actual design project which they then construct. Not only do students learn application of structural design, but they learn constructability issues, scheduling, estimating and costing principles, and personnel management. Many of these students work for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) after graduation. Dr. Leroy Hulsey is the team faculty adviser. Funds will provide materials for the competition.
