Solicitation for Alkali-Silica Reactivity Research-Deadline: March 12, 2008

The Federal Highway Administration posted a Broad Agency Announcement for a systematic research and development program to eliminate/reduce the deteriorating effects of Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) in highway concrete structures. Although focused on highway structures, this research will explain the observed severe concrete deterioration from deicing chemicals and hence provide a better understanding of ASR mechanisms and in turn prevent or reduce the severity of ASR. For more information about this solicitation, go to http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/OAM/DTFH61%2D08%2DR%2D00010/Attachments.html. To read the synopsis go to: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/OAM/DTFH61%2D08%2DR%2D00010/listing.html.

NDE/NDT (Nondestructive Evaluation/Nondestructive Testing) for Highways and Bridges: Structural Materials Technology (SMT) 2008
The topical conference NDE/NDT for Highways and Bridges: Structural Materials Technology will be held in Marriott Oakland City Center, Oakland, California, 8-12 September 2008. See Call for Abstracts.

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Establishes New Office

Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters recently approved the creation of the new Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management effective October 1, 2007. [Read more]

In recent years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has advocated novel intersection designs that promote intersection safety, and also increase capacity, decrease congestion, and minimize the cost of new infrastructure. One of those novel designs is the diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The "Drivers' Evaluation of the Diverging Diamond Interchange" TechBrief discusses driver performance evaluation (in a laboratory simulator) of the diverging diamond interchange for the Missouri DOT design with two types of signs and markings and a comparable conventional diamond interchange. See http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07048/index.htm.

The Interchange Safety Analysis Tool (ISAT): User Manual describes the usage and operation of the spreadsheet-based Interchange Safety Analysis Tool, a user-friendly spreadsheet for assessing the safety effects of geometric design and traffic control features at an existing interchange and adjacent roadway network; new interchanges; and reconstruction of existing interchanges. ISAT provides crash estimates of various typical interchange configurations over an economic life specified by users, and adjusted by the Empirical Bayes  method. The crash prediction models and modification factors cover typical components of interchange systems in urban and rural areas. See http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07045/index.htm.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Intersection Safety Indices User Guide. The user guide is a companion to the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Intersection Safety Indices Final Report, and the guide details the steps in creating safety index values for pedestrian crossings and intersection approaches. The following are included in the model: type of intersection control (signal or stop sign), number of through lanes, 85th percentile vehicle speed, main street traffic volume, and area type. Practicioners will be able to prioritize and proactively address sites that are the most likely to be a safety concern. [Read more]

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Intersection Safety Indices Final Report

The primary objective of this study was to develop safety indices to proactively prioritize intersection crosswalks and intersection approaches for pedestrian and bicycle safety. The models in this study use easily collected, observable characteristics of an intersection to produce safety index values. Practitioners will be able to use these models on a small or large scale to determine where best to focus efforts to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Organizational and Expertise Directory

Looking for more information about Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center? Take a look at our new Organizational Directory, which provides up-to-date staffing information, phone numbers, email addresses, and position responsibilities.

Office of Research, Development, and Technology's Fiscal Year 2006 Research Project Status Summary

Over the past year, the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) researchers conducted 127 research projects in support of the Agency's strategic goals. Of the total number of projects, 44 were completed by fiscal year (FY) end, and 83 projects are ongoing. [Read More]

Use this lightweight material as fill. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) realized significant time and cost savings for a number of small and moderately sized roadway embankment projects. On the right, a worker moves the geofoam material on an Mn/DOT project without heavy machinery. [Read more]

Photo: Mn/DOT