Project Delivery Research
BRIDGES & STRUCTURES
Precast Systems for Rapid Construction of Bridges – Experimental Verification
Funding: $200,000
Technical Monitor: Jugesh Kapur, Bridge Design Engineer
Principal Investigators: John Stanton /Mark Eberhardt, University of Washington
Research Manager: Kim Willoughby
Bridge construction can dramatically increase traffic delays and congestion, particularly in urban areas with heavy traffic volumes. Traffic disruption could be reduced significantly if reinforced concrete columns and crossbeams could be precast offsite, and then rapidly assembled together at the bridge site. Such systems have been used successfully to construct bridges in states with low seismic activity (e.g., Texas), but the systems used in those states are not suitable for the level of seismicity in Western Washington.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This project will experimentally verify that precast systems can be constructed that will pass Washington State's rigorous seismic standards.
CONSTRUCTION
Performance Based Contracting
Funding: $50,000
Technical Monitor: Kevin Dayton, State Construction Engineer
Principal Investigator: Ahmed M. Abdel Aziz, Ph.D., University of Washington
Research Manager: Kathy Lindquist
WSDOT has used various incentives in paving contracts for many years but there is no evidence as to whether they influence the quality or outcomes of the project. This assessment of performance based contracting will examine the bidding process, impacts to contractors and agency personnel and project outcomes.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will assist WSDOT in determining whether to increase or decrease the use of performance incentives in WSDOT contracts.
Improving the Project Scoping Process
Funding: $50,000
Technical Monitor: Mark Gabel, Program Manager, Cost Risk & Estimating Management
Principal Investigator: Ken Casavant, Eric Jessup, and Jonathan Yoder, Washington State University
Research Manager: Kathy Lindquist
Project scoping is the process used to identify the workload, schedule and budget of transportation projects. On larger, more complex construction projects, the scoping process can be expensive and time consuming. It is also difficult to predict future circumstances on larger projects so project delivery be complicated by change orders, costs increases and project delays.
What We Hope to Accomplish: The research will help identify ways to redesign the transportation project scoping process to produce more predictable results for the project funding and delivery phases.
PAVEMENTS
Rapid Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Construction and Long-Term Performance
Funding: $80,000
Technical Monitor: Linda Pierce, State Pavement Engineer
Principal Investigator: Joe Mahoney, University of Washington
Research Manager: Kim Willoughby
Rehabilitation of pavements in high traffc/urban areas requires concrete mixtures that can achieve necessary strengths for opening in 24-48 hours. These mixtures must be durable, yet must also be able to be placed by normal construction crews using conventional equipment. Guidelines must be developed for specifying and achieving robust, durable concrete mixtures that reach necessary early strengths. The mixtures should also match or exceed the long-term performance characteristics of existing WSDOT concrete.
What We Hope to Accomplish: The research will enable WSDOT to make the best choice of concrete mixes for upcoming projects in the Puget Sound urban area.
Evaluation of Dowel Bar Retrofit for Long-Term Life
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Funding: $80,000
Technical Monitor: Jeff Uhlmeyer, Pavement Design Engineer
Principal Investigator: Joe Mahoney, University of Washington
Research Manager: Kim Willoughby
For more than 10 years, WSDOT has been rehabilitating its aged concrete pavements by retrofitting the transverse joints with dowel bars. WSDOT has found that this procedure is a cost-effective option for rehabilitating concrete pavements, however, there are many unknown design aspects. For example, what pavements are most appropriate for dowel bar retrofit? What is the long-term performance (extension of pavement life)? Once a pavement has been dowel bar retrofitted, what is the most likely method of failure?
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will develop a complete design package for dowel bar retrofit projects that would include the proper selection of suitable candidates for rehabilitation and a prediction of expected pavement life extension as a result of the retrofit.
Development of Bituminous Surface Treatment Protocols
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Funding: $50,000
Technical Monitor: Linda Pierce, State Pavement Engineer
Principal Investigator: Joe Mahoney, University of Washington
Research Manager: Kim Willoughby
Dwindling budgets for the pavement preservation program are necessitating that we look at an increase in the use of pavement preservation techniques that are less costly. There is a significant annualized cost difference in bituminous surface treatment (BST), ($2,500/lane mile/year assuming six-year life and $15,000/lane mile cost) versus hot mix asphalt (HMA) ($10,000/lane mile/year assuming 15-year life and $150,000/lane mile cost).
What We Hope to Accomplish: We want to optimize the use of rehabilitation funding by revisiting the appropriateness of the current BST protocols in light of the improved construction practices and materials since these criteria were set. Choices for the rehabilitation strategy can then be optimized for the climate and traffic using the best combination of asphalt binder and aggregate.
DESIGN
Cost-Effective Safety Improvements for Two-Lane Rural Roads
Funding: $75,000
Technical Monitor: Dave Olson, Design Safety Manager
Principal Investigator: Ida van Schalkwyk, University of Arizona
Research Manager: Rhonda Brooks
Two-lane rural roads in Washington State account for less than one-quarter of the total yearly miles traveled, but account for 56% of the fatal and disabling accidents each year.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will identify accident trends and differentiate roadway and driver collision causes in order to identify low-cost solutions.
ENVIRONMENT
Highway Stormwater Research
Funding: $150,000
Technical Monitor: Mike Stephens, Water Quality and Hazardous Material Manager
Principal Investigator: Michael Barber/David Yonge, Washington State University
Research Manager: Rhonda Brooks
Existing studies reveal that the Average Daily Traffic (ADT)/pollutant loading relationship is a lot less straightforward than was once originally accepted. While there is some agreement that there is no reliable linear ADT/pollutant loading relationship, it is still used as threshold criteria in determining the requirements for highway stormwater treatment facilities.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will refine thresholds/criterion for highways and receiving waters to delineate which highways would be most appropriate candidates for enhanced treatment of dissolved metals removal.
Effects of Pile Driving on Species
Funding: $150,000
Technical Monitor: Marion Carey, Wildlife Biologist
Principal Investigator: Tom Carlson, Battelle Memorial Institute
Research Manager: Rhonda Brooks
Impact driving of large steel piles generates underwater sound and energy effects that may adversely affect salmonids, other fish species, marine mammals and diving sea birds. Very little information exists to help WSDOT and regulatory agencies accurately predict impact levels and to determine methods to avoid or reduce impacts.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will build upon previous research and develop a more realistic assessment of sound and energy impacts so that an effective mitigation measure can be developed.
Culvert Testing for Fish Passage at the Skookumchuck Test Bed
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Funding: $200,000
Technical Monitor: Paul Wagner. Biology Branch Manager
Principal Investigator: Alex Horner Devine, University of Washington
Research Manager: Rhonda Brooks
WSDOT estimates that it has over 1,200 barrier culverts located throughout the state that will require repair or retrofit in the future. A “one of a kind” test bed for research to find effective culverts for fish passage was developed through a partnership with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Alaska, Oregon, California and FHWA. Research testing that began in the 03-05 biennium will continue with a focus on testing existing and new culvert retrofit designs that enable juvenile fish passage through culverts. This research compliments work conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute and Washington State University.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will help define cost effective retrofit designs for thousands of culverts that exist under highways and roads so that juvenile salmonids can survive their migration journeys.
Operations Research
SECURITY
Prioritization of Transportation Security Projects
Funding: $60,000
Technical Monitor: Aaron Butters, Programming Manager
Principal Investigator: Ken Casavant, Washington State University
Research Manager: Rhonda Brooks
Currently, there are no good methods to estimate the costs of societal or operating improvements to the transportation system for security purposes. Consequently there is no decision or prioritization process that allows these projects to compete effectively for funding against other important projects. Transportation system security is fast becoming an issue that all states must contend with; therefore a method to determine whether operational enhancements are a priority for security purposes must be examined.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will help improve WSDOT’s ability to prioritize funding for projects that address transportation system security.
TRAFFIC
Continuing Recurring/Non-Recurring Congestion Research
Funding: $150,000
Technical Monitor: Ted Trepanier, State Traffic Engineer
Principal Investigator: Mark Hallenbeck
Research Manager: Doug Brodin
Previous WSDOT research efforts have explored the relative causes of urban congestion. That is, how much congestion is simply the result of too much traffic, and how much is due to incidents of various kinds? Knowledge of the causes of congestion is needed to identify and prioritize funding for the most effective improvements. For example, is expansion of incident response capabilities more effective at improving travel time reliability than modifying the ramp metering system?
What We Hope to Accomplish: The objective of this research project is to further refine the development of the data sets and analytical tools that allow WSDOT to understand the relative importance of different causes of congestion so that informed funding decisions may be made.
HOV Lane Use/Conversion to HOT Lanes
Funding: $75,000
Technical Monitor: David Forte, Systems Planning Manager
Principal Investigator: Carter Burgess, Inc.
Research Manager: Doug Brodin
WSDOT is proposing to convert an underutilized High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane to a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane on SR 167. Other states have successfully implemented HOT Lanes. This research will explore best practices and examine design standards and mid point access issues that have been used by other states.
What We Hope to Accomplish: WSDOT will gain valuable knowledge from the experience of other States in the design and operational aspects of deploying HOT lanes in the Puget Sound region.
MAINTENANCE
Long-Term Corrosion Impacts from Highway Snow and Ice Control Chemicals
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Funding: $150,000
Technical Monitor: Rico Baroga, Maintenance Policy Manager
Principal Investigator: Xianming Shi, Western Transportation Institute
Research Manager: Kim Willoughby
Several different types of snow and ice control chemicals are available to WSDOT maintenance for use in improving the safety of roads under winter conditions. While the short-term operational costs (i.e. labor, equipment, material costs) of using different chemicals (i.e. salt, corrosion-inhibited magnesium chloride) are fairly easy to identify, there is a lack of information regarding the long-term costs of corrosion. Corrosion impacts to motor vehicles, bridge structures, and steel rebar in pavements and bridge decks are of particular concern. The added benefits (improved mobility) and saved costs (societal costs of reduced accidents) from using snow and ice control chemicals should also be factored into the overall long-term costs.
What We Hope to Accomplish: Additional information is needed so the Maintenance Program can make the best choices on selecting snow and ice chemicals that will be cost-effective in the short-term as well as the long-term from an asset management perspective. This is important so WSDOT does not make a choice that will save money today only to cost more money in the future.
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Investigate Statewide Roadway Data Archives
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Funding: $180,000
Technical Monitor: Ted Trepanier, State Traffic Engineer
Principal Investigator: Mark Hallenbeck
Research Manager: Doug Brodin
WSDOT has a number of data sources that describe traffic volume, roadway performance, and travel delays for state roadways. This data needs to be widely available in order to facilitate a wide variety of analysis related to road system performance, homeland security and emergency preparedness. This research will identify the data sources, examine data storage and access capabilities and identify new sources of data that may be useful. By bringing together the various data providers and users, the research will develop options for meeting WSDOT’s technical data needs.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research will produce recommendations to improve WSDOT’s ability to collect, store and access data so that roadway and system analyses can be conducted. Additionally, the research will recommend a prototype data archive that will include a cost estimate for implementation.
Information and Finance Research
FINANCE
Implementing JTC Focused Long-Term Transportation Financing Study
Funding: $30,000
Technical Monitor: Amy Arnis, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Programming
Principal Investigator: TBD
Research Manager: Kathy Lindquist
The WSDOT research project will follow the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) research project, Focused Long-Term Transportation Financing Study, which is examining current and possible future sources of transportation financing and will be completed in January 2007.
What we hope to accomplish: This research will explore WSDOT's role and suggested approaches to implement the recommendations of the JTC study of existing and future transportation revenue resources.
Multimodal Transportation Research
PEDESTRIAN
Pedestrian Safety Treatments
Funding: $150,000
Technical Monitor: Paula Reeves, Local Planning Liaison, Highways and Local Programs Division
Research Manager: Tom Hanson
Principal Investigator: Mark Hallenbeck, University of Washington
Pedestrian safety treatments and countermeasures need to be monitored, tested and analyzed for effectiveness on various types of roadways to ensure the best investment of limited safety resources. Additional research is needed to examine how pedestrians and motorists react to specific pedestrian safety treatments, so that the most effective safety treatments can be implemented by WSDOT and guidance can be provided to cities and counties. New video image detection techniques will be used to accurately measure both pedestrian and vehicle behaviors.
What We Hope to Accomplish: WSDOT, cities and counties will gain a better understanding of how pedestrians and motorists react in specific conditions so that facilities can be designed to improve pedestrian safety.
Identification and Analysis of Pedestrian Risk Locations (Phase 2)
Funding: $60,000
Technical Monitor: Paula Reeves, Local Planning Liaison, Highways and Local Programs Division
Research Manager: Tom Hanson
Principal Investigator: Anne Vernez-Moudon, University of Washington
The prevention of pedestrian accidents is a paramount concern to WSDOT. This is because pedestrian accidents, once they occur, often result in the highest severity level (14% of all fatalities). WSDOT has been successful in developing models of risk and this research will build on that success. The proposed models will be used to determine the causal factors of pedestrian accidents and to identify locations with high probability of accidents and possible corrective actions.
What We Hope to Accomplish: The first phase of this research found a statistically significant relationship between transit stops and pedestrian accidents. The second phase will complete the project by developing a tool to identify and analyze high-risk locations, causal factors and possible corrective actions for pedestrians and ensure WSDOT is investing in pedestrian improvements that will have the greatest impact.
FREIGHT
Development of a Washington State Freight Data System
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Funding: $75,000
Technical Monitor: Barb Ivanov, Director, Office of Freight Policy and Strategy
Principal Investigator: Ken Casavant/Eric Jessup, Washington State University
Research Manager: Doug Brodin
Although some national data exists to understand and provide context for freight systems that support international trade through Washington gateways, very little data exists to inform decision makers about the economic impact, system bottlenecks, and supply chains flowing through freight systems that support Washington State producers and distributors. Washington State University’s Strategic Freight Transportation Analysis (SFTA) studies provide important origin and destination carrier information on mainline long-haul routes. WSDOT completed the first statewide shipper and carrier survey in August 2004.
What We Hope to Accomplish: This research project will create a blueprint for the WSDOT to collect timely freight data and maximize efficiency of the state’s freight system. It will identify missing pieces of the state’s freight data system, and propose tools that may be used to fill in data gaps.
For more information about these projects contact:
- Construction and Materials, Bridges and Structures, and Maintenance
Kim Willoughby 360.705.7978
- Planning, Transportation Finance, Information Technology
Kathy Lindquist 360.705.7976
- Environment, Design and Safety, Security
Rhonda Brooks 360.705.7945
- Operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Mobility, Freight
Doug Brodin 360.705.7972
- Ferries, Bicycle, Pedestrian, Rail, Public Transportation
Tom Hanson 360.705.7975