Kentucky Transportation Center Research Articles

Snow and Ice Removal Route Optimization in Kentucky

This research describes a geographic information system-based methodology developed for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to improve the efficiency of Kentucky’s snow and ice removal program. The state’s program uses a system of snowplow routes that must factor in the location and attributes of trucks, facilities, materials, and roadways. Although functionally effective, the program had never been evaluated for efficiency. Researchers at the Kentucky Transportation Center used ArcGIS to assess the performance of KYTC’s current snowplow routing procedures and identify strategies for optimizing them. The research established optimized routings for four counties located in two of the state’s highway districts. Esri’s Network Analyst and the vehicle routing problem toolset were used for this process. Early models were county-based, meaning that trucks were assigned to routes within counties based on truck type and route priority. These early models achieved some optimization but it was limited and routes were overly complex. In subsequent models, researchers devised more optimal results by modeling routes at the multi-county or district level. These successful models eliminate nine snowplow trucks across four counties, resulting in savings of US$225,000 per year. In addition to cost savings, optimizing the routing system can improve efficiency, increase safety, and reduce the amount of time needed to treat roadways. This report documents the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from this research. Specific examples are provided to demonstrate the advantages of route optimization. Subsequent research will expand upon the four successful counties and attempt to optimize snow and ice removal throughout the state.

Assessing Transportation Assets for Vulnerability to Extreme Weather and Other Natural Hazards

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) at the University of Kentucky developed and performed an assessment of the vulnerability of the state’s national highway system (NHS) to extreme weather events and natural hazards. The assessment was designed as a hybrid process that 1) gathered and analyzed existing and available quantitative data on natural hazards, including meteorological hazards and geological hazards; 2) executed a series of workshops at KYTC districts throughout the state to elicit local expert knowledge on transportation system vulnerabilities; and 3) incorporated all data into a single vulnerability assessment. The workshops involved several facilitated exercises, including map-based discussions and keypad exercises to identify vulnerabilities along highway segments. Data from the mapping and keypad exercises were gathered in a geographic information system (GIS) and combined with the other hazard data to identify vulnerabilities for each highway segment. FHWA’s Vulnerability Assessment Scoring Tool (VAST) was used to process all the data into a single and ultimate assessment. Results from this analysis include a district-level prioritized ranking of NHS segments based on their vulnerability to extreme weather and natural hazard events. Additionally, a district vulnerability assessment report for each district highlighted the most vulnerable assets in the district and discussed their vulnerabilities in detail. This research is intended to aid KYTC in identifying at-risk infrastructure and direct the implementation of preparedness and resilience measures, thus helping to protect the integrity of the transportation system and the sound investment of taxpayer dollars.

Response to Commentaries on “Exploring the Social Roots of Smart Growth Policy Adoption by Cities”*

Social Science QuarterlyVolume 89, Issue 5 p. 1387-1390 Response to Commentaries on “Exploring the Social Roots of Smart Growth Policy Adoption by Cities”† Lenahan O'Connell, Lenahan O'Connell University of KentuckySearch for more papers by this author Lenahan O'Connell, Lenahan O'Connell University of KentuckySearch for more papers by this author First published: 30 September 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2008.00585.xCitations: 1 † *Direct correspondence to Lenahan O'Connell, Kentucky Transportation Center, 176 Raymond Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506 〈[email protected]〉. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume89, Issue5December 2008Pages 1387-1390 RelatedInformation

Associate Editor Changes

With this issue of the Journal of Bridge Engineering we would like to formally welcome nine new associate editors to the Journal. Dr. Anil K. Agrawal (Fig. 1) is a professor of civil engineering at the City College of the City University of New York. He received his Ph.D. degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Irvine, in August 1997 and joined the City College of New York in September 1998. He has published more than 40 journal papers and more than 100 conference papers and is currently a member of the executive committee of The U.S. Panel of the International Association of Structural Control and Health Monitoring, an executive committee member of the Northeast Region of the Advanced National Seismic System ANSS-NE , secretary of the ASCE Committee on Structural Control, and associate editor of the Journal of Structural Engineering. His areas of interest include earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, structural control, smart materials and systems, dynamical behavior of structures subject to blasts/explosive loads, structural health monitoring, bridge management systems, and asset management of physical infrastructures. Dr. Issam E. Harik (Fig. 2) is the Raymond-Blythe Professor of Civil Engineering and program manager of the Structures and Coatings Section at the Kentucky Transportation Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. He received his Ph.D. degree from Wayne State University in 1982 and joined the University of Kentucky the same year. His research interests are in the areas of fiber-reinforced polymer composite components and structures, seismic analysis and retrofit of bridges, vessel impact on bridges, and homeland security and hazard management of highway structures. He currently serves as a member of 11 soci-

Kentucky Transportation Center tests soluble salt levels on bridges

Kentucky Transportation Center tests soluble salt levels on bridges

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Statewide System for Lessons Learned

A system for collecting, archiving, and disseminating lessons learned is a critical component of experienced-based processes, such as the design and construction of roadway and bridges. The construction section of the Kentucky Transportation Center developed a centralized, web-based lessons learned system for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Other state transportation agencies have recognized the importance of formally documenting lessons learned that result from postconstruction and con-structability reviews. The cabinet believes it is critical to expand its efforts of capturing lessons learned on all projects and to make that information available to current and future project participants anywhere and at any time. Thus a web-based lessons learned system that can receive text and any form of multimedia data was developed for cabinet personnel, designers, contractors, and other project participants. The project also ( a) developed a process for maintaining the lessons learned system that includes the role of a gatekeeper to ensure the quality and accuracy of the submitted and stored lessons and ( b) addressed implementation of the system into the cabinet’s project development process.

Context-Sensitive Construction in Kentucky

The development of a new initiative for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to involve resident engineers and contractors in the project development process, especially for environmentally sensitive projects, is summarized. To meet the demands of human and natural environmental issues on transportation projects, many departments of transportation are embracing the tenets of context-sensitive design for their projects. Some have begun to expand this involvement to all participants in the project development process and are calling this initiative "context-sensitive solutions." The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet believes that it is critical to involve its resident engineers and contractors in the process to ensure success on environmentally sensitive projects. In the planning and design stages of project development, the commitments that are made are not always carried into the construction stage and implemented. Context-sensitive construction is the integration of the concepts of context-sensitive design into the construction process and adherence to all commitments made during the earlier stages of project development. The Kentucky Transportation Center and the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Kentucky developed a training program to introduce the concepts of context-sensitive solutions for the construction phase of a project to industry and cabinet personnel, and that program is described.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Moves Its Bridge Painting into the 21st Century

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is rapidly evolving its bridge-painting operations to address the diverse challenges of the 21st century. At the forefront of this effort is the KYTC Paint Team, a multi-disciplinary task force of KYTC personnel representing the KYTC divisions involved in paint activities as well as researchers from the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) at the University of Kentucky. Key features of the Paint Team are its close interagency cooperation within KYTC on all facets of bridge painting and the total integration of KTC researchers’ work in Paint Team activities, including laboratory work and field testing. The Paint Team works to achieve incremental improvements on all painting projects. Current Paint Team goals to advance KYTC painting operations include enhancing environmental and worker safety compliance on all projects; improving contractor quality and KYTC field inspections; employing cost-effective bridge-painting options to better address project needs; testing and developing promising new coatings and related technologies; improving project delivery; sharing information with peer groups; and committing to context sensitivity on all bridge-painting projects. This innovative approach has enabled the KYTC to successfully progress and to grow its activities in a field that is beset with technical and regulatory impediments. It is a model that can be used to address highway issues and is amenable for adoption by other transportation agencies.

Kentucky Contract Time Determination System

The results of research funded by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) to develop a new method for determining of construction contract time for its highway construction contracts are reported. The current system in Kentucky was analyzed to determine how a new system could provide better-estimated durations. Current methods of other departments of transportation were analyzed to provide insight for a new system. It was predetermined that a computer system was best suited; however, the development of the system needed input from KyTC engineers with construction experience. A task force of the study advisory committee worked with Kentucky Transportation Center research engineers to develop the basis for the new contract time determination system, called the Kentucky Contract Time Determination System (KY-CTDS). The KY-CTDS program was developed to provide a conceptual estimating tool for prediction of construction contract time for the Kentucky Department of Highways. It makes use of predetermined project classifications and lists major activities that are believed to control the project schedule. Production rates and activity relationships have also been determined and are embedded in the program. Experienced KyTC engineers can make final adjustments using the model. This program uses Microsoft Project 98 and Microsoft Excel, version 7.0, software and operates on a personal computer. It outputs a graphical bar chart schedule to be used only for estimation of contract time for bidding purposes. Program output should also help in resolving construction disputes. The program is not suitable for detailed scheduling of construction operations.

Evaluation of Pavement Edge Drains and Their Effect on Pavement Performance

Research was conducted on pavement edge drains between 1991 and 1995 in Kentucky by the Kentucky Transportation Center. The study was initiated in an attempt to determine the effectiveness of these systems in improving pavement performance. Each edge drain system was evaluated on the basis of construction, maintenance, and performance of the edge drain backfill and geotextile and the lateral effectiveness of pavement edge drains across the pavement structure determined, to verify that pavement edge drains improve pavement performance and to determine their cost effectiveness. The initial findings indicate that if the edge drains are properly installed, edge drain systems in most cases will add significant life to pavement structure.

Evaluation of Pavement Edge Drains and Their Effect on Pavement Performance

Research was conducted on pavement edge drains between 1991 and 1995 in Kentucky by the Kentucky Transportation Center. The study was initiated in an attempt to determine the effectiveness of these systems in improving pavement performance. Each edge drain system was evaluated on the basis of construction, maintenance, and performance of the edge drain backfill and geotextile and the lateral effectiveness of pavement edge drains across the pavement structure determined, to verify that pavement edge drains improve pavement performance and to determine their cost effectiveness. The initial findings indicate that if the edge drains are properly installed, edge drain systems in most cases will add significant life to pavement structure.