Research News

Development of a Specification for Quality Acceptance of Chip Seals Using a Laser Texture Scanner

Chip seals are widely used in Washington state as a cost-effective pavement surfacing method. However, they can be subject to variations in performance and premature failures. This project developed a quality acceptance specification for chip seal construction that incorporates the use of a laser texture scanner to provide valuable, data-driven insights for quality control and performance assessment to enhance the quality and effectiveness of chip seals.

Washington State Rest Area Site Evaluation Study

Washington state has 42 safety rest areas. These rest areas differ in their capacity, facilities, and accessibility in each traffic direction. Some are located at the most traffic-dense corridors such as I-5 and I-90, whereas others are on less traffic-dense state routes. This project provided information on Washington rest area use and user experiences and evaluated the impacts of rest areas on traffic safety.

Ensuring Stream Stability with the Use of Organic Material in a Flume—Design Recommendation

Fish populations in the Pacific Northwest have declined as spawning grounds have disappeared because of river and stream barriers, often under-road culverts. This research investigated ways to incorporate different kinds of organic material inside a culvert that would both maintain the stream channel shape while also improving the ability of fish to successfully navigate those culverts during low water flow.

Equity Analysis of WSDOT’s Toll Program

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) uses tolling as a key mechanism for managing demand on I-405, SR 167, SR 99, SR 16, and SR 520 and for funding megaprojects on those facilities. Tolls impose an expense on roadway users, and imposition of these fees can raise concerns about equity. This project provided insight into the use of WSDOT’s toll facilities that is intended to serve as the basis for evaluating the equity implications of those toll facilities.

Maintenance of the Active Transportation Elements of Complete Streets

The need for maintenance of active transportation facilities is relatively new, and the development of consistent levels of service and treatment intervals for all aspects of these facilities is just emerging. This project explored the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining these facilities, with particular emphasis on lanes that serve bicyclists.

Automated Traffic Sign Recognition Using Computer Vision and Deep Learning

An up-to-date inventory of highway traffic signs is essential for roadway safety, infrastructure maintenance, and support of intelligent road systems. This study investigated an automated approach for detecting, recognizing, and assessing the condition of traffic signs based on computer vision and deep learning methodologies

Applications for Foamed Glass Lightweight Aggregate

Recycled and lightweight fill materials are increasingly used in construction because they can address challenging site conditions, accelerate project timelines, and reduce reliance on natural resources while contributing to an agency’s sustainability goals. This project investigated the use of one such material, foamed glass aggregate, for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

Impacts of Cascadia Subduction Zone M9 Earthquakes on Bridges in Washington State: Three-Dimensional Bridge Models

The performance of bridges during large-magnitude earthquakes generated by the Cascadia Subduction Zone is an essential feature of the resilience of communities along the U.S. West Coast because bridges will be needed for pre-tsunami evacuation, emergency response, and economic recovery. This project developed a three-dimensional, nonlinear model of a typical bridge and subjected it to sets of simulated magnitude 9.0 earthquake ground motions to investigate the performance of bridges with a variety of structural characteristics.

Simulation Environment to Optimize Public Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Plug-in electric vehicle registrations have increased rapidly in Washington state. While most charging can be done at home for low cost, long-distance travel requires fast chargers that can deliver a charge while drivers take a short break. This study developed a simulation model to recommend where electric vehicle fast charging stations would be most useful to help WSDOT staff prioritize investments in fast charging infrastructure.

Standard Test Procedures for Determining the Ice Melting Capacity of Deicers

Winter road maintenance often includes the use of deicing chemicals. However, many roadway deicing products are available, and their ice melting capacity can vary significantly. In addition, the processes that states use to procure and test deicing materials are subjective in measuring performance and are becoming increasingly burdensome for staff. The objective of this project was to provide transportation agencies with an objective, standardized, repeatable laboratory test procedure for measuring the ice melting capacity of deicers.

Washington State Transportation Center