Abstract:
Future reauthorizations of the federal transportation bill will require a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the freight benefits of proposed freight system projects. To prioritize public investments in freight systems and to insure consideration of the contribution of freight to the overall system performance, states and regions need an improved method to analyze freight benefits associated with proposed highway and truck intermodal improvements that would lead to enhanced trade and sustainable economic growth, improved safety and environmental quality, and goods delivery in Washington State. This project develops a process to address this need by building on previous and ongoing research by some project team members with the goal of developing an agency-friendly, datasupported framework to prioritize public investments for freight systems in Washington and Oregon. The project integrates two ongoing WSDOT funded efforts: one to create methods to calculate the value of truck and truck-intermodal infrastructure projects and the other to collect truck probe data from commercial GPS devices to create a statewide Freight Performance Measures (FPM) program. This integration informs the development of a framework that allows public agencies to quantify freight investment benefits in specific areas such as major freight corridors and across borders.

Authors:
Sage, J., Casavant, K., Goodchild, A.V., McCormack, E.D., Wang, Z., McMullen, S, Holder, D.

Keywords:
Freight, benefit-cost analysis, economic impact, reliability, travel time

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Abstract:
This research focused on developing reliability-based seismic retrofit assessment procedures for highway bridge columns. Fragility curves were developed to assess the relative performance of various retrofit methods considering several limit states. Analytical fragility curves are developed from scaled earthquake records and structural response models. A simplified, single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structural model was assumed to reasonably represent the structural response of the bridge columns for this research. The structural configuration, geometry, and properties of the bridge columns came from Washington State Department of Transportation standard bridge designs. Scaled earthquake data were used to calculate the displacement history during the prescribed earthquakes, and structural displacement, ductility and dissipated energy, were determined to calculate damage indices (DI). Various retrofit methods were selected from the literature. For the retrofitted cases, different degrees of increase in mass, stiffness, damping, and ductility were taken from the literature, over those of the un-retrofitted structure.

Authors:
Fridley,K. J., Ma,Z.

Keywords:
WSDOT, reliability, fragility, bridge columns, seismic retrofit

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Abstract:
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as carpool lanes and diamond lanes, are designated for use by carpoolers, transit riders, ride sharers and motorcyclists that meet the occupancy requirement. By restricting access, the HOV lanes benefit users by allowing them to travel the freeway system at a faster speed, thus saving time, and experiencing greater time reliability in comparison to motorists on general purpose (GP) lanes. To accurately evaluate the system's effectiveness, a state policy requires an annual HOV system report to document system performance, examining the HOV lanes' person-carrying capability, travel time savings, and trip reliability benefits in comparison to adjacent GP lanes. HOV lane violation rates are also evaluated. This report describes the results of an extensive monitoring effort of HOV lane use and performance in the Puget Sound area in 2002. It presents an analysis of data collected to describe the number of people and vehicles that use HOV lanes, the reliability of the HOV lanes, the travel time savings in comparison to GP lanes, violation rates and public perceptions. This information is intended to serve as reliable input for transportation decision makers and planners in evaluating the impact and adequacy of the existing HOV lane system in the Puget sound area, and in planning for other HOV facilities. This is volume 1 of a two-volume set. Volume 2 provides an overview of major trends in HOV lane performance by comparing data presented in the 2000 HOV Performance Report.

Authors:
Nee,J., Ishimaru,J. M., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
analysis, benefit, benefits, carpool, data, facilities, freeway, GP lanes, high occupancy, high occupancy vehicle, HOV, HOV facilities, HOV lanes, HOV performance, monitoring, occupancy, performance, performance monitoring, planning, policy, public, reliability, research, speed, transit, transportation, travel time, violation, volume

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External Links: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/584.2.pdf http://wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/500/584.2.htm

Abstract:
This report documents the development of data collection methodologies that can be used to cost effectively measure truck movements along specific roadway corridors selected by the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB.) The intent of this study was to design and test methodologies that could be used to measure the performance of freight mobility roadway improvement projects against benchmarks, or selected standards, which would be used both as part of the project selection process and to report on speed and volume improvements that resulted from completed FMSIB projects. One technology tested was Commercial Vehicle Information System and Networks (CVISN) electronic truck transponders, which are mounted on the windshields of approximately 20,000 trucks traveling in Washington. These transponders are used at weigh stations across the state to improve the efficiency of truck regulatory compliance checks. By using software to link the transponder reads from sites anywhere in the state, the transponder-equipped trucks could become a travel time probe fleet. The second technology tested involved global positioning systems (GPS) placed in volunteer trucks recruited for this project to collect specific truck movement data at 5-second intervals. With GPS data it was possible to understand when and where the monitored trucks experienced congestion. By aggregating this information over time, it was possible to generate performance statistics related to the reliability of truck trips, and even examine changes in route choice for trips between high volume origin/destination pairs. The study found that both data collection technologies could be useful; however, the key to both technologies is whether enough instrumented vehicles pass over the roadways for which data are required. This basic condition significantly affects whether the transponder and GPS technologies will be effective at collecting the data required for any given FMSIB benchmark project . The report also recommends the traffic data that should be collected for a benchmark program and the potential costs of using either data collection technology.

Authors:
McCormack,E. D., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
freight movement reliability, truck monitoring, development, data, data collection, methodology, cost, truck, roadway, corridors, freight, freight mobility, mobility, design, performance, speed, volume, commercial vehicle, networks, trucks, Washington, software, travel time, probe, global positioning, global positioning systems, positioning, systems, GPS, congestion, statistics, reliability, condition, traffic, traffic data, program, costs

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Abstract:
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known are carpool lanes and diamond lanes, are designated for use by carpoolers, transit riders, ridesharers, and motorcyclists that meet the occupancy requirement. By restricting access, the HOV lanes benefit users by allowing them to travel the freeway system at a faster speed, thus saving time and experiencing greater travel time reliability in comparison to motorists on general purpose (GP) lanes. To accurately evaluate the system's effectiveness, a state policy requires an annual HOV system report to document system performance, examining the HOV lanes' person-carrying capability, travel time savings, and trip reliability benefits in comparison to adjacent GP lanes, as well as the lanes' violation rates.This report describes the results of an extensive monitoring effort of HOV lane use and performance in the Puget Sound area in 2000. It presents an analysis of data collected to describe the number of people and vehicles that use those lanes, the reliability of the HOV lanes, travel time savings in comparison to general purpose lanes, violation rates, and public perceptions. This information is intended to serve as reliable input for transportation decision makers and planners in evaluating the impact and adequacy of the existing HOV lane system in the Puget Sound area and in planning of other HOV facilities.Descriptions of the tool set and methodology for analyzing HOV facility usage and performance in terms of vehicle and person throughput, travel time, and speed reliability measures are provided in a separate report, Evaluation Tools for HOV Lanes Performance Monitoring.

Authors:
Nee,J., Ishimaru,J. M., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
high occupancy vehicle, HOV, throughput, speed, reliability, travel time

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External Links: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/506.1.pdf http://wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/500/506.1.htm

Abstract:
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known are carpool lanes and diamond lanes, are designated for use by carpoolers, transit riders, ridesharers, and motorcyclists that meet the occupancy requirement. By restricting access, the HOV lanes benefit users by allowing them to travel the freeway system at a faster speed, thus saving time and experiencing greater travel time reliability in comparison to motorists on general purpose (GP) lanes. To accurately evaluate the system's effectiveness, a state policy requires an annual HOV system report to document system performance, examining the HOV lanes' person-carrying capability, travel time savings, and trip reliability benefits in comparison to adjacent GP lanes, as well as the lanes' violation rates.This report describes the results of an extensive monitoring effort of HOV lane use and performance in the Puget Sound area in 2000. It presents an analysis of data collected to describe the number of people and vehicles that use those lanes, the reliability of the HOV lanes, travel time savings in comparison to general purpose lanes, violation rates, and public perceptions. This information is intended to serve as reliable input for transportation decision makers and planners in evaluating the impact and adequacy of the existing HOV lane system in the Puget Sound area and in planning of other HOV facilities.Descriptions of the tool set and methodology for analyzing HOV facility usage and performance in terms of vehicle and person throughput, travel time, and speed reliability measures are provided in a separate report, Evaluation Tools for HOV Lanes Performance Monitoring.

Authors:
Nee,J., Ishimaru,J. M., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
high occupancy vehicle, HOV, throughput, speed, reliability, travel time

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External Links: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/506.2.pdf http://wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/500/506.2.htm

Abstract:
This white paper is one of a series that identifies opportunities to improve the operation and management of our nation\\\'s transportation system. The summary notes that current congestion as evident in the growing peak period and the unpredictable nature of delay is a major source of frustration among travelers. No single strategy is sufficient to achieve acceptable reliability in a system that is consistently at or near capacity. Recognizing that new construction has serious drawbacks transportation agencies are improving roadway operations successfully by using advanced travel management systems incident management systems traveler information and lane management techniques.

Authors:
Lomax, T., Turner, S., Hallenbeck, M., Boon, C., Margiotta, R.

Keywords:
Congestion, , reliability, operations, management

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Abstract:
This report describes the evaluation approach and the process for acquiring data, performing analysis, and presenting output with a new analytical tool set for measuring HOV facility usage and performance in the central Puget Sound region. Specifically, the tool set includes the programs CDR (Compact disc Data Retrieval), CDR Auto, CDR Analyst, and associated utilities designed to produce graphical output. A description of the available analysis tools is provided.Because data collection and analysis procedures for many of the existing measures, such as average car occupancy (ACO), speed, and travel time (using Baseline and HOVTT methods), as well as HOV violations and a public opinion survey, were documented extensively in the previous HOV evaluation and monitoring reports, they are not covered in this report. For related information, please refer to the previous documents, as well as to the project's Web site at . For performance results of the HOV facility, please refer to the annual HOV lane performance monitoring report.

Authors:
Nee,J., Ishimaru,J. M., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
high occupancy vehicle, HOV, throughput, speed, reliability, travel time

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Abstract:
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as carpool lanes and diamond lanes, are designated for use by carpoolers, transit riders, ridesharers, and motorcycles that meet the occupancy requirement. By restricting access, the HOV lanes benefit users by allowing them to travel the freeway system at a faster speed, thus saving time and experiencing greater travel time reliability in comparison to motorists on general purpose (GP) lanes. To accurately evaluate the system's effectiveness, a state policy requires an annual HOV system report to document system performance, examining the HOV lanes' person-carrying capability, travel time savings, and trip reliability benefits in comparison to adjacent GP lanes, as well as the lanes' violation rates.This report describes the results of an extensive monitoring effort of HOV lane use and performance in the Puget Sound area in 1998. It presents an analysis of data collected to describe the number of people and vehicles that use those lanes, the reliability of the HOV lanes, travel time savings in comparison to general purpose lanes, violation rates, and public perceptions. This information is intended to serve as reliable input for transportation decision makers and planners in evaluating the impact and adequacy of the existing HOV lane system in the Puget Sound area and in planning for other HOV facilities.Descriptions of the tool set and methodology for analyzing HOV facility usage and performance in terms of vehicle and person throughput, travel time, and speed and reliability measures are provided in a separate report titled Evaluation Tools for HOV Lanes Performance Monitoring. Other relevant supplemental information, such as historical quarterly occupancy and probe vehicle speed data, is available from the HOV report Web site at .

Authors:
Brown,W. W., Nee,J., Ishimaru,J. M., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
high occupancy vehicle, HOV, throughput, speed, reliability, travel time, research

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Abstract:
The Seattle Wide-area Information for Travelers (SWIFT) Operational Test was intended to evaluate the performance of a large-scale, urban Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) deployment in the Seattle area. With the majority the SWIFT system completed by June 30,1996, the SWIFT Field Operational Test (FOT) evaluation was conducted from July 1, 1996, through September 20, 1997. The unique features of the SWIFT ATIS included the provision of information for multiple transportation modes, the delivery of this information using three different devices, and the use of FM sideband as the primary communications medium. This report details the findings for the SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study based on the evaluation objectives that were identified in the SWIFT Evaluation Plan (1995). The primary objectives of the SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study were to assess the following: Importance of traveler information in travel planning, Usefulness of SWIFT traveler information in travel planning, Minimum set of user services and device features required to provide viable product and services, User perceptions of SWIFT device usefulness, Willingness-to-pay for different services. User perceptions of changes in travel convenience and efficiency, User perceptions of changes in traffic congestion, air quality, energy consumption, and safety. ,

Authors:
Trombly, J., Wetherby, B., Dixson, A.

Keywords:
Acceptance, air quality, analysis, Assessment, ATIS, availability, bus, computer, congestion, congestion information, Consumer, data, data collection, Energy, environmental, evaluation, group, impact, impacts, improvement, incident, interviews, Miscellaneous Library, objectives, performance, planning, portable computer, quality, reliability, safety, seattle, Study, SWIFT, System, systems, traffic, traffic congestion, transit, transportation, travel, traveler information, urban

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Abstract:
The 1974-79 study of the maintenance problems of the drawspan mechanism of the Evergreen Point Bridge across Lake Washington is reported. The approach was to predict the life of elements by Miner\\\\\\\'s hypothesis. For this the strains at critical points and the wind vector were measured over two sessions. These results were correlated with long term wind data to provide the number of cycles in a year at various stress levels. The fatigue capacity of anchor rods was determined by the Prot test on six specimens. The resulting S-N curve compared to the field measurements to determine the expected life of the rods from the Miner criterion. The methods developed provide useable maintenance procedures for the prevention of fatigue failure of critical structural elements.

Authors:
Brown, C.B.

Keywords:
Bridge, data, developed, fatigue, maintenance, methods, reliability, strains, stresses, Washington, wind

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Abstract:
This report includes a full year of field data and a synthesis of all data. These include 422 hourly events of which 351 occurred in the 1977-78 season. This use of Miner\\\\\\\'s hypothesis is justified in this report.

Authors:
Brown, C.B.

Keywords:
Annual, bridge, data, fatigue, maintenance, reliability, season, wind

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Abstract:
This report reviews the second year of work on the Washington State Highway Commission Department of Highways project Central Avalanche Hazard Forecasting (WSDH Agreement Y-1700) to test the feasibility and effectiveness of central avalanche forecasting for the Cascade Mountain passes and adjacent area. The possibilities and techniques for improving both mountain weather and related avalanche forecasts for use by WSDH during winter operation in the mountain passes were further explored, and, secondarily, the usefulness of an area wide forecasting service to other cooperating agencies. This report defines and significant changes from the first year of operation in collection, assimilation or transmission of snow, weather and avalanche data by the Forecasting Office, and details modifications of the data network itself, especially new instrumentation and telemetry equipment . Weather and avalanche forecasting accuracy and reliability are assessed by comparing daily weather and avalanche forecasts with file d data. The conceptual framework and analytical methods used by forecasters to deduce current and probable future avalanche activity from the available data network input and current and extrapolated meteorological data are presented. A general preliminary guide to forecasting methodology for the Washington Cascades is defined and discussed.

Authors:
LaChapplle, E.R., Moore, M.B., Reanier, F.W., Sackett, E.M.

Keywords:
Agencies, avalanche, avalanche forecasting, snow, weather, data, effectiveness, equipment, forecasting, framework, hazard, highway, Highways, methodology, methods, project, reliability, review, Washington, Washington state, winter

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Abstract:
This report reflects a year of calms with little addition to the data base. Pressure transducers were placed and an analytical scheme is reported. This scheme was subsequently used in the final work.

Authors:
Brown, C.B.

Keywords:
Annual, base, bridge, data, fatigue, maintenance, pressure, reliability, wind

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Abstract:
This report reflects a year of data gathering together with the completion of analysis programs. These include the initial tape conversion, data rejection and selection, fast Fourier transform coefficient computation. Complete statistics of measurements are given.

Authors:
Brown, C.

Keywords:
Analysis, Annual, bridge, data, fatigue, maintenance, program, reliability, statistics, wind

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Abstract:
This report completely describes the instrumentation on the drawspan of this Evergreen Point Bridge. The design and construction of the data recording system, with the complete calibration of the measurement and collection system is given. Initial data collection and preliminary analysis is set out. The analysis was subsequently abandoned, the data was retained.

Authors:
Brown, C.B.

Keywords:
Analysis, Annual, bridge, calibration, construction, data, data collection, design, fatigue, maintenance, reliability, System, wind

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