Research
Center for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
Research in Progess:
WO-004: Jonathan Run Acid Rock Discharge Mitigation Strategies
& Implementation Activities
Principal Investigator: Ronald Neufeld
Objective: The overall mission of this project and associated set
of objectives is to understand, document and create improvements
to Jonathan Run so that it may be restored as a trout fishery.
WO-005: A Rational Approach for Rock Slope Designs in PA
Principal Investigator: J.S. Lin
Co-Principal Investigator: Luis Vallejo
Objective: This study is aimed at building a coherent framework
that is easily implemented for consistent and reliable designs of
rock slopes located in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) District 11-0. The framework implemented will contain
the following features and capabilities:
- The incorporation of local geological characteristics that are
relevant to the assessment of rock slope stability; and
- Guidance on the proper application of the Colorado Rockfall
Simulation Program (CRSP) in reliably predicting slope performance.
WO-006: Repair Method of Prestressed Girder Bridges
Principal Investigator: Kent Harries
Objective: Since prestressed concrete bridges are showing signs
of damage and distress, this research reviews current practices
and repairs, recommends best practices in concert with PennDOT,
and identifies candidate structures for future demonstration projects.
WO-007: Freeway Ramp Management
Principal Investigator: Radisav Vidic
Co-Principal Investigator: Mark Magalotti
Objective: Because limited funding is available to add capacity
to urban freeway systems in Pennsylvania, traffic management solutions
are needed to reduce congestion. One cost-effective type of traffic
management solution is the use of ramp management. Since ramp metering
was introduced many years ago advances have been made in traffic
control and surveillance systems that makes ramp management a traffic
congestion management tool that can be used in conjunction with
the traffic management centers that have been put in operation in
Pennsylvania. Ramp management includes four potential strategies
for the operation of freeway ramps; they include ramp metering,
ramp closure, special use treatments, and ramp terminal treatments.
The objective of this research will be to the best practices available
in ramp management that maybe used in Pennsylvania and to evaluate
the feasibility and potentially design the concept of a ramp metering
demonstration project in Penndot District 11-0.
WO-008: Sensing Technology for Damage Assessment of Sign Supports
and Cantilever Poles
Principal Investigator: Piervincenzo Rizzo
Objective: The objective of this work is to develop and deploy a
robust and low-cost sensing technology to assess the structural
soundness of sign supports, cantilever poles, and variable message
sign (VMS) supports. An analytical model will be initially developed
to correlate stress-crack severity and/or location to their structural
integrity and residual lifetime. Thus, the sensing technology, by
detecting location and size of any defect, will provide a mean for
PennDOT to predict the residual lifetime and to establish the need
for replacement or retrofit. The proposed activities will include
efforts in the following areas: finite element modeling, nondestructive
evaluation (NDE), structural health monitoring (SHM), fatigue life
prediction, and sensor technology development. The project will
quantify the dynamic characteristics of in-service structures analytically,
and will investigate the effect on the residual structures’
life of stress-cracks located at critical elements. An effective
NDE/SHM system will be proposed and developed. Fatigue tests will
be performed at the Watkins-Haggart laboratories to validate the
analytical model and the NDE/SHM approach. Simultaneously, the system
will be tested in the field at locations determined by PennDOT to
obtain actual field condition information. The impact of this work
on the transportation industry lies on the implementation of a cost-effective
strategy that will prevent structural failures that may lead to
catastrophic collapses. In addition, the early detection of damage
will allow stopping further damage propagation and will prolong
the structure’s lifetime by taking appropriate remedial actions
such as repair or retrofit.
WO-009: Impacts of Vanpooling in Pennsylvania and Southwestern
Pennsylvania and Future Opportunities
Principal Investigator: Melissa Bilec
Co-Principal Investigator: Sabina Deitrick
Objective: The objective of this work is to analyze the current
conditions for vanpooling in Pennsylvania with an emphasis on Southwestern
Pennsylvania, review the current programs of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Commission and other vanpooling operations, and develop a model
for an expansion of vanpooling programs. In addition, we will assess
the vanpooling options today and what new options can be developed
under different funding and agency scenarios.
Vanpooling offers a low cost alternative transportation option for
many commuters. Vanpools typically carry 7-15 passengers. Their
flexibility, convenience, relative cost advantage, and contribution
to reducing traffic congestion make van pooling programs increasingly
popular. Vanpooling is increasing today with fuel prices. The number
of vanpools in the country declined from 15,000 in 1980 to 8,500
in 1999 and now is well over 10,000 again.
This study will examine vanpooling options and promotion of vanpooling
by Pennsylvania and PennDOT. We will focus on Pennsylvania and on
Southwestern Pennsylvania and its 10 county region, with analyzing
vanpooling in the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) area,
but will also examine other parts of the state, including rural
areas.
WO-010: Deterioration of J Bar Reinforcement in Abutments and Piers
Principal Investigator: Kent Harries
Co-Principal Investigator: Melissa Bilec, Jason Monnell
Objective: The objective of this project is to determine the extent
and nature of deterioration and/or necking of J-bars in existing
abutment, pier, and retaining wall footings so that the condition
can be addressed using appropriate repair or rehabilitation methods.
WO-011: Assessment Strategies of Fire Damaged Bridges
Principal Investigator: Kent Harries
Objective: The objective of this research is to develop simple tools
to evaluate the effects of fire damage on the structural properties
and load capacity of steel bridge elements. This is very specialized
work. Based on discussions with PennDOT and Purdue University (Purdue)
and an existing relationship between PennDOT, Pitt and Purdue, several
tasks involved in this project are to be subcontracted to Purdue
University.
WO-012: Premature Deterioration of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements
Principal Investigator: Julie Vandenbossche
Objective: The majority of the jointed plain concrete pavements
(JPCP) constructed in Pennsylvania perform with little maintenance
throughout the intended design life. Many perform well beyond their
intended design life while carrying substantially more traffic than
what they were designed to carry. There are some pavements that
have exhibited early distress in the first five to ten years after
construction. The maintenance/repairs generated by this early deterioration
can generate substantial costs for a pavement type that is typically
considered to be relatively maintenance free. The objective of this
research effort is to help identify the cause of this premature
deterioration so that it can be prevented in future projects and
also provided guidance on how to address this deterioration once
it has developed.
WO-013: Establish Inputs for the New Rigid Component of the
M E Pavement Design Guide
Principal Investigator: Julie Vandenbossche
Objective: The three primary phases required for the adoption of
the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for
Rigid Pavements by PennDOT consist of the following: identify critical
inputs, identifying and meeting data needs, and verification/calibration/implementation
WO-014: Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Course Development
Principal Investigator: Radisav Vidic
Course Developers: Melissa Bilec, Amy Landis, Mark Magalotti
Objective: The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
at the University of Pittsburgh appreciates the opportunity to work
with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
(PSATS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Based on correspondence, we are prepared to develop the following
two courses: (1) Traffic Signal, How to Study, Install, and Maintain
them in Pennsylvania, and (2) Everyday Sustainability for use in
the PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).
WO-015: A Study of Highway Subsidence due to Longwall Mining
using data collected from I-79
Principal Investigator: Luis Vallejo
Co-Principal Investigator: J.S. Lin
Objective: This study is proposed to study the field measured highway
subsidence data collected by PennDOT under I-79 Highway resulting
from the longwall mining. The objectives are to determine which
of the existing models gives the best prediction, and to investigate
the possibility of modifying these models if necessary. The data
collected by District 12 on the subsidence taking place under I-79
highway will be used. The study framework implemented will contain
the following features:
- Collect and study the geological profiles and ground displacement
records obtained during the longwall mining of the Emerald Mine
and Cumberland Mine under I-79 Highway. The longwall mining will
cover the following panels: Emerald B3, Emerald B4, and Emerald
B5 and Cumberland LW 49, LW 50, LW 51, LW 52, and LW 53.
- Study the subsidence profiles created by the longwall panels
mentioned above.
- Comparison of the measured subsidence profiles with the ones
obtained using the Surface Deformation Prediction System (SDPS)
model developed by the Office of Surface Mining.
- Prediction of future subsidence as the panels mentioned above
advance in the years ahead.
WO-016: Market Analysis of Construction Materials with Recommendations
for the Future of the Industry
Principal Investigator: Melissa Bilec
Co-Principal Investigator: Joe Marriott
Objective: The objective of this work is to perform a market analysis
and forecast for key commodities used in the highway and bridge
construction industries including oil/asphalt, cement/concrete,
steel, aggregates, and chemicals. This forecast will provide a basis
for recommendations on future commodity use, new technologies, environmental
issues, and construction practices and/or substitution commodities
for PennDOT to consider for future development.
WO-017: Biodiesel Fuel Feasibility Study
Principal Investigator: Amy Landis
Co-Principal Investigator: Melissa Bilec
Objective: The objective of this work order is to advise PennDOT
during their District 8 pilot fleet transition to biodiesel. The
University will provide information and recommendations on best
practices for current biodiesel (B5) implementation, and for other
possibilities for biodiesel implementation including additional
biodiesel formulations (eg., B20, B100 and the relationship between
manufacturers’ recommendations and warranties). The University
will also provide recommendations with respect to measures to be
taken to meet 2010 federal emissions requirements. The analysis
will include information on economic impacts and environmental impacts,
along with evaluating performance, for the pilot study and statewide
implications. Collaboration with other state agencies (i.e. DEP)
is anticipated.
WO-018: Remote Sensing Bridge Scour
Principal Investigator: Marlin Mickle
Co-Principal Investigator: Peter Hawrylak
Objective: Bridges over waterways such as streams and rivers have
foundation structures that extend down into the stream or river
beds. These structures are surrounded by aluvial soil and other
materials that protect the bridge foundations. During flood events
the stream flow velocities are such that there is a tendency for
the aluvial soils to wash away. This process is termed scouring.
PennDOT has been looking for a real time solution to detect this
scouring without success over the last few years. During flooding,
they can send a crew to check the bridges, but it is difficult to
see below the surface of the water to determine if scouring has
taken place to a level where the bridge needs to be closed. The
objective is the development of a sensor and sensor system that
can be used to produce a visual indication to an inspector in the
vicinity of the bridge that scouring has taken place and possibly
to what level. Through relatively straightforward communications
channels, the system could be enhanced so that the reporting mechanism
is directed to a central facility from numerous remote locations.
WO-020: Tree Canopied Highway VS. Clear Highway Corridors
Principal Investigator: Radisav Vidic
Co-Principal Investigator: Mark Magalotti
Objective: In the current economic climate, states all around the
country are seeing budgets tighten and assets continually re-allocated.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is no exception
and is constantly being asked to do more with less. This is particularly
true of PennDOT highway maintenance forces which must care for each
and every state-owned roadway in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s variable weather and predominantly rural landscape
further add to the enormity of this task. As a result of these factors,
maintenance efforts must be carefully and thoughtfully considered.
This is especially true of the policy towards maintenance of trees
and tree canopies within highway rights-of-way. Any policy developed
must be safe for all road-users, cost effective, and balance environmental
and aesthetic impacts and considerations.
The objective of this research project will be to design and establish
a framework for study to ultimately determine how highway corridors
with or without tree canopies in Western Pennsylvania compare relative
to safety, costs to maintain through trimming or clear cutting in
the right-of-way on planned cycles, maintenance of the road and
roadside vegetation, and cost to maintain during the winter. Broad-based
best practices for tree and canopy trimming within the highway right-of-way
will be developed as part of this research effort. Implementation
of these trimming best practices will be performed under future
phases of the research project as funding allows.
Developing Project Ideas:
WO-019: Effectiveness of Epoxy-Coated Reinforcing Steel Following
16 to 32 Years in
Principal Investigator: Kent Harries
WO-021: Structural Evaluation of Slab Rehabilitation by the Method
of Hydrodemolition and Latex Modified Overlay
Principal Investigator: Kent Harries
Co-Principal Investigators: Julie Vandenbossche and Piervincenzo
Rizzo
WO-022: Traffic Calming Inventory and Update in Pennsylvania
Principal Investigator: Radisav Vidic
Co-Principal Investigator: Mark Magalotti
WO-023: Best Practice to Incorporate Transit, Pedestrian and
Bicycle Design Features into the Planning and Design Process for
Highway and Bridge Projects in Pennsylvania
Principal Investigator: Radisav Vidic
Co-Principal Investigator: Mark Magalotti
WO-024: Bio-lubricant Study for District 2
Principal Investigator: Amy Landis
