Jan 15, 2016
Research Advisory Committee Annual Meeting
FHWA Briefing
Michael TrentacosteAssociated Administrator
Research, Development, & TechnologyDirector, Turner Fairbank Highway
Research Center
July 27, 2010
Agenda:
• Update on FHWA Topics• RAC Member Questions• Every Day Counts Initiative
• Accelerated Project Delivery• Technologies & Innovations
EVERY DAY COUNTS TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
WHY? How long does it take to deploy
innovation in the transportation industry?• Change a business practice• Replace a design system• Replace a construction process…2 YEARS?
5 YEARS?
20+ YEARS?
10 YEARS?
WHAT ARE THE INNOVATIONS?
Warm Mix Asphalt
Precast Bridge Elements
Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil
Safety Edge
Adaptive Traffic Control Technology
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Allows a reduction in asphalt mixture production & placement temperatures
Benefits: Provides better compactionReduce worker fatigueReduces fossil fuel consumptionReduces CO2 & other emissionsLonger paving seasonAllows for longer hauling distancesBenefits with High RAP
Warm Mix Asphalt
WARM MIX ASPHALT
Various technologies are used, which allows the plant mix to be produced and compacted at lower temperatures…
Typical production temperature reduction 30 to 75ºF
WMA Technologies:• Foaming Processes• Wax-like Additives• Chemical Additives• Hybrids
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Prefabricated bridge elements and systems manufactured on-site or off-site, under controlled conditions, and brought to the job location ready to install
Benefits: Minimizes traffic & community impactImproves construction zone safetyImproves bridge designs
constructabilityIncreases quality &
lowers life-cycle costs
Prefabricated Bridge Elements & Systems
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Fast, cost-effective bridge support method using alternating layers of compacted fill and sheets of geotextile reinforcement to provide bridge support.
Benefits: Eliminates approach slab or construction
joint at the bridge-to-road interfaceReduced construction time (complete in10 days)25 - 60 % less cost depending on standard of
constructionLess dependent on weather conditionsFlexible design – easily modified for unforeseen
site conditionsEasier to maintain because of fewer partsBuilt with common equipment and materials
Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Pavement edge beveled at a 30º angle which allows drivers a more controlled re-entry back onto the roadway after a tire drop-off, if the adjacent graded material settles or erodes
Benefits: Reduces crashes due to edge
drop-off and uncontrolled recoveryMinimal cost (less than 1% on
2-lane highway)Consolidated asphalt edge reduces
edge raveling, increases durability
Safety Edge
Drop-off mitigation immediatelyafter construction
THE SAFETY EDGE
Re-grade to Pavement Level
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
ACS-Lite measures traffic flow and adjusts signal timing to promote smooth flow of traffic along arterial streets
Benefits: ACS-Lite improves travel
time reliability, reduces congestion, smoothes traffic flowIncreases long-term viability
of traffic signal operationsWidely deployable & uses
existing control equipment
Adaptive Traffic Control Technology
TRAFFIC DEMAND, TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY
Thank You!