2008-2010 Projects
Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $75,166
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: C. Armando Duarte, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigator: Imad Al-Qadi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
This study aims to investi gate near surface failure and cracking mechanisms of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements, using recently emerged numerical techniques. Researchers are developing a multi-scale, digital HMA pavement model that will allow distress predictions with simplified user inputs. Integrating these models into the design process will help to develop long-lasting and cost-effective flexible pavements.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $69,566
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Rahim Benekohal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
There is very little study in shockwave propagation in work zone bottlenecks. This study investigated shockwave and queue formation in congested work zones where traffic flow breaks down, and validated the theory using field data. The theoretical aspect of this research is to look at the shockwave formation and propagation in work zone bottlenecks. The real-time application of results requires integration of communication, computing, and vehicle sensing techniques into online queue management strategies. This study combined advanced and applied research to address the issue of work zone congestion. The findings will help practicing engineers design and operate work zones in safer and more efficient ways.
TRID Database: http://trid.trb.org/view/1105157
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/7/15
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $100,000
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Srinivas Peeta, Purdue University
Co-Principal Investigator: Xuesong Zhou, University of Utah
Summary of Research
Most existing traffic information provision and control systems are deployed and maintained by public agencies, and are built on centralized management architectures. To maximize the value of emerging mobile probe data from private sector vendors, the research aimed to exploit innovative data collection, traffic management, and road pricing/crediting mechanisms to encourage mutually beneficial information-sharing under successful public-private partnerships. Innovative Internet-connected GPS navigation-enabled traffic flow management mechanisms were developed and evaluated to balance the network traffic load by fully integrating various traffic information provision and pricing/crediting strategies.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/6/15
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $74,575
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Ilinca Stanciulescu, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigator: Imad Al-Qadi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
The research focused on the development of nonlinear finite element frictional contact models. The tire-road interfacial behavior was investigated. Models for contact simulations with coefficient of friction dependent on the sliding velocity were developed and implemented in a mortal contact formulation framework. These models were then used to accurately determine the contact tractions distribution on the road surface. As part of the research, parametric studies were performed that will help determine the ideal combination of mechanical and tribological properties of tire and pavement leading to shorter breaking distances and a safer driving environment.
TRID Database: http://trid.trb.org/view/1106005
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/1/12
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $50,000
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Samuel Labi, Purdue University
Co-Principal Investigator: Kumares Sinha, Purdue University
Summary of Research
This project aimed to study the feasibility of dynamic congestion pricing (DCP), which allows toll prices to increase or decrease in response to traffic conditions. This could provide a sustainable approach to reducing traffic congestion and generating highway revenue. Researchers conducted numerical experiments to determine the technical and economic feasibility of dynamic pricing, and identify and threats or opportunities that might arise during its implementation.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $72,001
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Prem Goel, Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Rabi Mishalani, Ohio State University
Summary of Research
The primary objective of this study was to develop a set of empirically derived statistical relationships aimed at quantifying the impacts of market shares and capacity distributions across passenger transport modes on energy consumption and the environment for the purpose of assessing and validating the accuracy of "mechanistic" transportation model systems and their ability to capture these impacts. Such empirical relationships are too gross to be able to support the development of detailed policy design and evaluation, but validated and accurate mechanistic transportation model systems based on these empirical models are expected to provide better answers to policy questions. A secondary objective was to use the developed empirical relationships to arrive at some indications of potentially effective policies, and to bracket the type of results that could be achieved by certain policies before any detailed analysis or evaluation are carried out.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $84,113
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Mark McCord, Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Prem Goel, Ohio State University
Summary of Research
State Departments of Transportation (DOT) commit substantial resources to collecting data used to estimate annual average daily traffic (AADT) on an ongoing basis. This data is traditionally collected from "on the road" sensors that can disrupt traffic and expose traffic crews to danger. A method has been developed to combine information in existing air photos with traditional ground-based traffic counts to produce AADT estimates that are more accurate than those presently produced. In this project, investigators worked with the Ohio DOT to transform this method into an operational system that can be used on a routine basis by state DOTs. Researchers also investigated the potential of extending this method to the estimation of classified AADT for trucks and cars separately.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $68,603
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Coifman, Ohio State University
Summary of Research
This continuing project consisted of two complementary thrusts: more effective use of existing infrastructure and investigation of less expensive alternatives for vehicle classification. The first builds on preceding work to extend classification coverage to single loop detectors and non-invasive detectors that emulate single loop detectors. The second initiative examined alternatives to conventional classification systems. One promising alternative is the use of LIDAR to monitor passing vehicles. Such an installation could be permanent or temporary, and would cost significantly less than a comparable in-pavement system. These two thrusts are combined because the most labor intensive component of each is the collection of ground truth classification data.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $37,800
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: J. Riley Edwards, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigators: Christopher Barkan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Narendra Ahuja, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
The objecti ve of this project is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of railroad track inspecti on by applying machine vision, an advanced visual sensing technology. This is being accomplished by recording images of track from a moving vehicle using digital video and imaging technology, and using advanced machine vision algorithms to detect broken or defective track components. The results will be communicated to railroad infrastructure management to enable safer and more efficient maintenance and operation.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/7/1
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $50,000
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Srinivas Peeta, Purdue University
Summary of Research
Decreased demand, rising fuel costs, increased competition, and operational inefficiencies are threatening the viability of many small- to medium-sized less-than-truckload (LTL) trucking firms. This project developed models for carrier-carrier collaboration in the LTL industry, which will leverage existing transportation infrastructure and advances in information and communication technologies (ICT).
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $80,824
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Rabi Mishalani, Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Prem Goel, Ohio State University
Summary of Research
Infrastructure systems consist of spatially extensive sets of interconnected facilities with long life spans, which are usually constructed through public, private, or joint endeavors for public or commercial use. In response to the development in infrastructure inspection technologies, the question of optimizing condition sampling for a single facility was recently addressed. This project involved addressing the extension of the single facility level problem to the system and network levels, whereby the uncertainty due to condition sampling is captured and related decision variables are included in the inspection maintenance and rehabilitation decision-making process. In doing so, both statistical and network modeling treatments are necessary. As such, the actual definition of the network becomes essential and, therefore, was investigated as a part of this project.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/1/12
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $40,000
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Samuel Labi, Purdue University, West Lafayette
Co-Principal Investigator: Kumares Sinha, Purdue University
Summary of Research
Researchers worked to develop an evaluation and decision support framework for highway agencies to decide on public-private (PPP) adoption for a given project, and where PPP is recommended for adoption, the type of PPP that would yield minimum possible costs or maximum possible benefits to the agency. The research will help agencies seeking innovative ways to reduce the costs associated with infrastructure maintenance and renewal, without lowering the standards of safety, mobility, or convenience for travelers.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $444,599
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Informational Video: Campus Transit Lab Video
Principal Investigator: Rabi Mishalani, Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigators: Prem Goel, Ohio State University
Mark McCord, Ohio State University
Summary of Research
Through a joint effort from various OSU entities and private sector partner, Clever Devices, Inc., the information system aboard the Campus Area Bus Service (CABS), has been replaced with an advanced, commercial-grade system as part of the development of the Campus Transit Lab (CTL). The information technologies include advanced automatic vehicle location (AVL), automatic passenger count (APC) sensors, and a passenger information system. Activities included in the second year of this continuing project were: (i) development of an operations simulation tool, estimation and integration of simulation components using CTL-generated data, and use of the simulation to investigate various data collection and transit operations research questions; (ii) examination of operations and service planning research questions based on CTL-generated data; (iii) analysis of passenger perceptions collected via surveys; (iv) further exploration of ideas to exploit the CTL for educational activities at OSU; and (v) continued work with CABS and Clever Devices, Inc. on system implementation and operational analysis.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/3/1
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $50,000
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Daniel DeLaurentis, Purdue University
Co-Principal Investigator: Srinivas Peeta, Purdue University
Summary of Research
This project pursued an integrated, systems-oriented search for innovative solutions to regional passenger mobility, embodied in the idea of a commercial "On-demand air service" (ODAS). Our hypothesis is that if ODAS can deliver levels of speed and flexibility in door-to-door transportation not available via commercial airline service or other modes then it would in turn generate significant economic benefits in the Midwest for moderate investment. Research was conducted to explore what are the multimodal resources (air and ground), transportation policies, and economic variables likely to enhance "doorstep-to-destination" mobility for citizens seeking personal and business trips.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $46,200
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: William Buttlar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigator: Glaucio Paulino, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
Low-temperature cracking of hot-mix asphalt (HMA)pavements continues to be a leading cause of premature pavement deterioration in cold regions. This study aims to deliver a user-friendly, computati onally efficient program that can be used to analyze and design against thermal cracking in asphalt pavements. This new tool will help prevent unnecessary infrastructure damage in cold regions around the world.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/8/14
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $66,189
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Rahim Benekohal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary of Research
Traffic signal coordination in congested networks is complex and requires in-depth understanding of traffic flow characteristics. This research aimed to advance the basic understanding of optimizing traffic flow in congested networks. Oversaturated conditions in these networks can cause queue spillbacks that affect adjacent lanes or nearby intersections. Researchers developed a traffic signal coordination methodology for a network of oversaturated intersections, based on the concept of queue minimization.
Traffic signal timing optimization when done properly, could significantly improve network performance by reducing delay, increasing network throughput, reducing number of stops, or increasing average speed in the network. The optimization can become complex due to large solution space caused by many combinations of different parameters that affect traffic operation. In this study three different methods are used to find near-optimal signal timing parameters in transportation networks. The methods are: Genetic Algorithms (GA), Evolution Strategies (ES), and Approximate Dynamic Programming (ADP). Each method is introduced, the signal timings associated with them are explained and some important measures of performance of the networks are determined and compared. One small network with 9 intersections and one medium network with 20 intersections were used for evaluating the optimizations methods. Three general cases (Cases 1, 2, 3) are discussed in this report. For the small symmetric network, three levels of traffic loading are used (no overload, 10% overload and 20% overload). For the medium network (modified Springfield IL downtown network), two levels of entry volumes are used (750 and 1000 vehicle per hour per lane).
TRID Database: http://trid.trb.org/view/1105241
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/1/12
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $50,065
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Jon Fricker, Purdue University
Summary of Research
This project focused on minimizing the adverse impacts of bypasses on communities. Researchers developed statistical models to predict regional economic impacts, as well as the individual decision-making processes of affected landowners. These models can potentially reduce the subjective element of the sometimes-controversial issue of bypasses, and may help to promote partnerships between local community organizations and the private sector.
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Research Information
Start Date: 2009/1/12
Status: Completed
Total Dollars: $24,966
Source Organization: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Principal Investigator: Peter T. Savolainen, Wayne State University
Summary of Research
This study used data collected by the Michigan Intelligent Transportation Systems (MITS) Center to evaluate freeway operations in metro Detroit. Researchers identified factors that affect the incident response and clearance times of Freeway Courtesy Patrol (FCP) vehicles, potentially improving freeway operations and safety. Researchers also examined what incident-related factors lead to secondary crashes to determine if dynamic message sign (DMS) alerts have a significant impact on down-stream traffic flow.
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