New Research
Title: Technical Support for Photometric Research
The following new research studies reported by the Federal Highway Administration are sponsored in whole or in part with federal highway funds. For further details on a particular study, please contact Bob Bryant, editor of Public Roads.
Objective: Support research in minimum retroreflectivity values for signs and pavement markings, use of ultraviolet headlights in combination with fluorescent traffic control devices, inter-laboratory comparisons of measurements of fluorescence, calibration of photocontrols for roadway lighting, evaluation of roadway lighting designs, field measurement procedures for traffic signals, and other devices and systems for improving nighttime visibility and guidance.
Contractor:
Last Resource
Expected Completion Date: May 1997
Estimated Cost: $49,634
Title: Collection and Presentation of Roadway Inventory Data
Objective: Investigate new techniques for collecting roadway inventory information, including curvature, grade side slopes, and roadside hazards. Techniques to be explored include vehicle-based collection, satellite images, and digital photography. This research is jointly funded with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 15-15.
Contractor: National Academy of Sciences
Expected Completion Date: June 2001
Estimated Cost: $205,600
Title: Driver Identification of Highway Hazards
Objectives: Determine which operational and geometric features and cues drivers use to identify hazards in the highway environment so the computerized prototype highway driver module can be correctly designed. This study is part of the driver characteristics portion of the Human Factors Highway Safety Research Program. Laboratory and field studies will be conducted to identify measures to aid drivers in detecting and responding to signals and hazards.
Contractor: Center for Applied Research
Expected Completion Date: November 1998
Estimated Cost: $546,999
Title: Long-Term Pavement Performance Studies North Central Region
Objectives: Provide to the LTPP North Central Regional Coordination Office technical non-personnel services in support of the development and conduct of LTPP studies.
Contractor: ERES Consultants
Expected Completion Date: July 2001
Estimated Cost: $7,500,000
Title: Unified Quantitative Methodology for Integration on Nondestructive Bridge Evaluation and Bridge Management Systems
Objectives: Establish relevant measures of damage for bridge components; identify the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) means to measure the physical indications of relevant damage; establish formal links between NDE indications and new, damage-based condition ratings; and develop a methodology for NDE-assisted bridge inspections to ensure complete and accurate determination of quantitative condition ratings for all bridge elements through a combined application of inspection methods.
Contractor: University of Colorado
Expected Completion Date: May 1999
Estimated Cost: $445,115
Title: Bridge Monitoring by Passive Smart Sensors
Objectives: Establish the optimum-use modes of "smart material" technology for passive bridge monitoring. Work includes a literature review, evaluation of a complete instrumentation package for field installation and possible-use modes for passive sensors under laboratory conditions, and analysis and documentation all findings.
Contractor: Strain Monitor Systems
Expected Completion Date: April 1998
Estimated Cost: $449,558
Title: Bridge Seismic Behavior of Micropile Systems
Objectives: Conduct model studies on micropiles to investigate their seismic behavior under axial and lateral loadings in selected types of engineering applications. Analytical parametric studies will also be done to simulate seismic behavior.
Contractor: Brooklyn Polytechnic University
Expected Completion Date: May 1998
Estimated Cost: $99,994