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Many events in the transportation research community are on the horizon. Be sure to mark

your calendars for the following upcoming dates.

Around here, however, we Around here, however, we Around here, however, we

don’t look backwards for don’t look backwards for don’t look backwards for

very long. We keep mov-very long. We keep mov-very long. We keep mov-

ing forward, opening up ing forward, opening up ing forward, opening up

new doors and doing new new doors and doing new new doors and doing new

things, because we're things, because we're things, because we're

curious … and curiosity curious … and curiosity curious … and curiosity

keeps leading us down keeps leading us down keeps leading us down

new paths.new paths.new paths.

———Walt DisneyWalt DisneyWalt Disney

A goal without a plan is A goal without a plan is A goal without a plan is

just a wish.just a wish.just a wish.

———Antoine de SaintAntoine de SaintAntoine de Saint---

ExuperyExuperyExupery

Upcoming Research Events 1

Research Results

Presentations 2

ODOT Research Cycle 3

Peer Exchange Report 3

Website Enhancements 3

Flood-Warning System and

Flood-Inundation Mapping 4

2011 Annual Report 5

Selections for FY 2013 6

Final Reports Online 7

New Titles at the Library 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Save The Date! Upcoming Research Events

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S RESEARCH PROGRAM NEWSLETTER

2012 Volume 22012 Volume 22012 Volume 2

Literature Search Training

Date: August 2, 2012

Location: ODOT Library & via live webinar

This training session for ODOT staff will be

an excellent opportunity to learn how to con-

duct a literature search when proposing re-

search projects. What does the Research

Section mean when they say “do a lit search,”

and what are the expected outcomes? Find

out how to help the ODOT Library staff help

you. Learn some tricks to plow through piles

of information—determine what is important

to your project. There is no fee to attend, but

registration is required. Additional infor-

mation will be coming soon.

———————

Transportation Research Board

(TRB) State Visit

Date: September 20, 2012

Location: ODOT Central Office

Each year, TRB sends staff members to the

state DOTs in a mutually-beneficial effort to

find out what unique or noteworthy activities

are taking place, and to get suggestions for

providing support to these groups. The visit is

an opportunity to share current and emerging

issues and suggestions to TRB, and to learn

about TRB’s role. This year, our two guests

are Christine Gerencher, TRB Aviation and

Environment Senior Program Officer, and Dr.

Andrew Lemer, TRB Cooperative Research

Programs, most involved in Asset Manage-

ment, Economics and Executive Management

projects. The format will include informal

group and one-on-one discussions with

ODOT staff, and an afternoon session for

researchers with active ODOT projects.

Seating is limited, so please contact the Re-

search Section if you are interested in partici-

pating.

———————

Research Summit 2012

Date: September 28, 2012

Location: ODOT Central Office

Open to the entire transportation research

community, the summit includes an overview

of the ODOT research program, including

highlights of program financials, project types,

and a presentation of ODOT’s Strategic Re-

search Plan 2012-2014 with an expanded dis-

cussion on ODOT’s research focus areas. For

those already familiar with the process, signifi-

cant and interesting program and administra-

tion changes will also be touched on. An in-

formal meet and chat session with ODOT

Subject Matter Experts and FHWA staff will

provide researchers with an excellent net-

working opportunity. There is no fee to at-

tend, but registration is required. Additional

information will be coming soon.

The Office of Statewide Planning & Research in coordination with the Ohio LTAP Center are pleased to offer three up-

coming research results presentations. There are two ways to participate in a research results presentation: (1) in person

or (2) via a live webinar. There is no fee to participate; however, registration is required. To register, please visit the LTAP

site at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Quality/LTAP.

Research Results Presentations

Validating the Performance of

Vehicle Classification Stations

Presenter: Dr. Benjamin Coifman, The Ohio State University

Date: May 24, 2012

Time: 1:00-2:30 PM(ET)

Project Summary:

Vehicle classification data are used in many transportation applications, in-cluding: pavement design, environmen-tal impact studies, traffic control, and traffic safety. Typical of most developed countries, every state in the US main-tains a network of vehicle classification stations to explicitly sort vehicles into several classes based on observable features, e.g., length, number of axels, axle spacing, etc. Various technologies are used for this automated classifica-tion from a combination of loop detec-tors, piezoelectric sensors or pneumat-ic sensors; and length-based classifica-tion from dual loop detectors. Each sensor technology has its own strengths and weaknesses regarding costs, accuracy, performance, and ease

of use.

As noted in FHWA’s Traffic Moni-toring Guide, the quality of data collect-ed depends on the operating agency to periodically calibrate, test, and validate the performance of classification sen-sors. However, such performance mon-itoring has been prohibitively labor in-tensive because the only option has been to manually validate, e.g., classify-ing a sample by hand. Furthermore, the manual classifications are prone to hu-man error and conventional aggregation periods allow classification errors to

cancel one another.

To address these challenges, re-search was initiated to examine three interrelated facets of vehicle classifica-tion and classification performance

monitoring:

Manual evaluation of the performance of vehicle classification station on a

per-vehicle basis.

Development of a portable LiDAR based vehicle classification system

that can be rapidly deployed.

Utilize the LiDAR based system to

automate the manual validation.

The objectives of this research were to:

Use manual data reduction from con-current video to evaluate how well ODOT classification stations sort

vehicles into the 13 FHWA classes.

Identify any chronic problems in the classification performance so that ODOT can ensure accurate vehicle

classification.

Evaluate the axle based classification tree for the studied locations to see

if any improvements can be realized.

Investigate and develop non-labor intensive means to conduct these evaluations, to allow for on-going

calibrations of classification stations.

———————

Development of Geotechnical

Data Schema in Transportation

Presenter: Dr. Marc Hoit, North Carolina State University

Date: June 22, 2012

Time: 1:00-2:30 PM(ET)

Project Summary:

A number of state and federal agencies are developing geotechnical databases which may be queried for information used for planning, design, and construc-tion of new projects or the mainte-nance of existing projects. Unfortunate-ly through the lack of standard data definition for geotechnical data, there exists significant difficulty in archiving, reusing, and sharing data. This problem has been exacerbated with the depend-ence on computer software, most of

which default to AGS as the standard for design, construction, and mainte-nance of new and existing infrastruc-ture projects. Some commonality ex-ists in the definition of data through the use of standards such as ASTM, AASH-TO, ANSI, BS and others. However, some state DOTs, federal agencies, and software vendors may have adopted variations of these standards. In order to collect, view, and share geotechnical data there is a great need to establish a geotechnical data dictionary from which a national standard XML data inter-change format schema can be estab-

lished.

To accomplish such a daunting task, the collaboration of geotechnical experts and stakeholders is essential. Specialists contributing to this effort include representatives from: Associa-tion of Geotechnical and Geoenviron-mental Specialists in the United King-dom (AGS), Consortium of Organiza-tions for Strong-Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS), Construction In-dustry Research and Information Asso-ciation (CIRIA), Federal Highway Ad-ministration (FHWA), US Environmen-tal Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Geological Survey, and 13 state DOTs. Financial support for this pooled fund study was provided by FHWA and the following state DOTs: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indi-ana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri,

North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The result of this research is a data interchange for geotechnical and geo-environmental transportation related data (DIGGS). DIGGS is an interna-tional data transfer standard. Included in the initial schema are a data diction-ary and an XML exchange format that allows web-based sharing of geotech-nical data including borehole, soil test-ing, site information, geo-environmental testing, and more. DIGGS is accessible

online at http://www.diggsml.com.

———————

(continued)

Page 2

2012 VOLUME 2

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d Available now is the report which summarizes

ODOT’s fourth Research Peer Exchange, held in

September, 2011.

Included in the report are observations and recommendations for ODOT’s program, with a focus on local outreach. Representatives from Iowa Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Iowa and Minne-sota County Engineers, and FHWA shared their experiences from their respective programs, and their inputs about Ohio’s program. Also included in the report is a summary of findings from a focus

group for Ohio locals held during the exchange.

This report will be heavily referenced in the development of ODOT’s Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL), the structure of which is outlined

in the report.

View the report online:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/Documents/2011OHPeerExchange

Report_ORIL.pdf

A new Training and Technology Transfer page is soon to launch

on ODOT’s Research website. This page will serve as a portal,

with all training aids in one place—workshops, results presenta-

tions, safety tips, and links to the Research manual, the LTAP

Center, and the Transportation Library. Also included will be a

simple form for submitting requests for classes and website

additions.

The Research homepage is also getting a new SharePoint-

based calendar for all ODOT Research activities. This interac-

tive feature will allow the Research staff to post and update

events as they are announced, and will let you easily view them

in multiple formats.

Recently added elements include a mailing list sign-up

form, so you can conveniently be included on notifications from

the Research Section, as well as update your contact infor-

mation. There are also new “scroll arrows” to click for cycling

through the announcements; look for the green arrows like

those seen at the left.

Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking

County, Ohio

Presenters: Chad Ostheimer, United States Geological Survey; Thomas Adams & James Noel, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin-istration, National Weather Service

Date: June 28, 2012

Time: 1:00-2:30 PM(ET)

Project Summary:

See the following page for an article by

USGS about this project.

ODOT Research Cycle at a Glance

August: Research solicits problem statements

and works with sponsoring offices

October: Problem statements due, evaluated,

forwarded to SCR; OPREP/Student Study solicitation

November: SCR discusses recommendations for

RFP prioritization; Research and sponsoring offices

develop problem statements; OPREP/Student Study

solicitation closes and white papers/problem state-

ments

December: RFP/OPREP/Student Studies sub-

mitted to executive leadership for approval and

prioritization

January: RFP solicitation; OPREP/Student Study

selections announced

March: RFP solicitation closes; Research prepares

proposals for SME review

April: Research reviews SME recommendations,

submits selection to executive leadership

May: Strategic Research selections announced;

proposal modifications and contract negotiations

begin; work program submitted to executive leader-

ship then FHWA

July: Fiscal year begins; projects begin

Page 3

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Licking County, Ohio, has experi-

enced numerous floods with most

flood damage occurring along the

Licking River, North Fork Licking Riv-

er, South Fork Licking River, and Rac-

coon Creek in the central and south-

central areas of the county. In addition

to causing damages to villages and

cities, flooding has resulted in the oc-

casional closure of Interstate Route70

(I-70) near the Village of Buckeye Lake

and the interchange of I-70 and State

Route 79 (SR-79). Closure of I-70

results not only in traffic congestion

and a loss of commerce but also in

safety issues. The safety issues arise in

part because commercial truck traffic

is detoured into the nearby communi-

ties on State routes that may lack the

carrying capacity and intersection

turning clearance to safely pass the

increased traffic flow.

Discussions between the U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS), the Ohio

Department of Transportation

(ODOT), and other interested par-

ties* identified the need for a compre-

hensive flood-warning system in cen-

tral and south-central Licking County.

The National Weather Service (NWS)

provided input on the number and

locations of additional stream and lake

-level gages that would be needed to

improve the NWS’ ability to develop

flood-stage forecasts.

The flood-warning system

will consist of

ten USGS stream gages (six current

and four new)

one upgraded lake-level gage

seven NWS flood-stage forecast

sites (two existing and five new)

four sets of map libraries consisting

of flood-inundation boundaries for a

range of stages for selected reaches

along the Licking River, South Fork

Licking River, North Fork Licking

River, and Raccoon Creek

dynamic advanced flood warning

notification for the South Fork Lick-

ing River in the area of Buckeye

Lake and the I-70/SR-79 inter-

change.

Flood-inundation boundaries

will be estimated for the study by

means of steady-state hydraulic mod-

els. In addition, an unsteady-state hy-

draulic model will be developed for

the South Fork Licking River from

near Hebron to Kirkersville. The un-

steady-state model combined with

NWS rainfall-runoff forecasts will be

used to provide advanced flood warn-

ing in the area of Buckeye Lake and

the I-70/SR-79 interchange.

Predicted flood stage is an

abstract concept that is meaningful

only when understood in terms of

areas that will be inundated by flood

waters. By using stream gage

data along with hydraulic mod-

eling and digital elevation data,

a library of flood-inundation

boundaries will be predeter-

mined for a series of flood

stages. The libraries of flood-

inundation boundaries can then

be used in combination with

NWS-predicted flood stages

and digital orthophotographs

to help officials visualize areas

expected to flood. The addi-

tional streamflow data and the

ability for ODOT emergency

management officials to receive

flood predictions and real-time

flood conditions will contribute

to efforts to assess flood con-

ditions and take appropriate

steps to protect life and prop-

erty and hopefully mitigate

highway-closure-related im-

pacts.

Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation

Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

Location of study area and flood-warning system elements.

2012 VOLUME 2

$110,827

$517,254 $25,000

$132,016

$894,823

$223,856

$239,890 $25,000

$204,141 $10,000

$575,771 $7,000

$0

3 projects

19 projects

4 projects

3 projects

12 projects

13 projects7 projects2 projects

3 projects

2 projects

6 projects1 project

2 projects

02

46

8 10 12 14 16 18 20

$0$200,000

$400,000$600,000

$800,000$1,000,000

Traffic

Structures

Safety

Roadway

Planning

Pavement

Materials

Maintenance

Hydraulics

Geotechnical

Environmental

Construction

Aerial

FY2011 Funding Number of Projects

Strategic Research$1,307,424 85%

Student Studies$78,770 5%

OPREP$159,393 10%

Past Budget

$10,338,865

69%

FY2011 Budget

$2,619,078

18%

Future Budget

$1,977,338

13%

State Job No.

Problem Statement

Project Title

148050 02-15 Instrumentation of the US Grant Bridge for Monitoring of Fabrication, Erection, In-Service Behavior, and to Support Management, Maintenance, and Inspection

134141 04-B Operation & Maintenance of a Statewide Crest-Stage Stream Gauging Network in Ohio 426354 04-14 Instrumentation of the Maumee River Crossing 134258 06-01 Development of Degradation Rates for Various Ohio Bridge Types 134267 06-16 Forces on Wingwalls from Thermal Expansion of Skewed Semi-Integral Bridges 134280 06-08 Forensic Investigation of AC and PCC Pavements with Extended Service Life

Page 5

Researchers and Project Team Members:

Contact Research to have your project highlighted in one of the next volumes of Moving Forward.

——————————————

*Interested parties included the Village of Granville, Granville Township, Denison

University, City of Newark, Licking County, South Licking Watershed Conservancy

District (SLWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Muskingum

Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), Ohio Department of Natural Resources

(ODNR), and the Wilmington National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office and

co-located Ohio River Forecast Center (OHRFC).

Example of a map library of flood-inundation boundaries near the intersection of State Routes 79 and

40. Cooler colors (blue and green) indicate areas inundated at lower stages, warmer colors (yellow,

orange, and red) indicate areas inundated at higher stages.

Research Agency:

U.S. Geological

Survey

Researchers: Chad

Ostheimer, Scott Jackson

ODOT Sub-ject Matter

Experts:

Bill Krouse, Julie Gwinn

ODOT State Job Number:

134517

Project Duration:

24 months

Total Project Funding:

$236,000

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In the ongoing effort to increase transparency and

predictability in the program, ODOT’s Research Section has compiled its first Annual Report for the state fiscal year 2011. The report is an over-view of the program’s activities and budget for all projects active in the fiscal year, distinguishing new, ongoing, and pooled fund projects. It also highlights how projects and funds were allocated among ODOT program offices, as well as con-

tracted researchers.

The Research Section has been streamlin-ing its data collection systems so that reports with increasing detail will be easier to generate in the future. Expect to see the 2012 Annual Report re-leased later this year, with more specific project information, as well as year-over-year budgetary

data.

View the report online:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/Documents/2011_annual_report.pdf

Page 6

ODOT’s Research Section is pleased to announce the selection of researchers for the FY 2013 strategic research plan

projects. A total of 60 proposals were received. Those selected for funding are below:

Researcher Selections for FY 2013,

Special RFP 2012

Strategic Research Studies 2013

PS No. Project Agency Researcher

2013-01 Evaluation of GPS/AVL Systems for Snow & Ice Operations

Resource Management Ohio University Chris Bartone

2013-02 Procedures for Waste Management from Street Sweeping and

Storm Water Systems

The Ohio State

University Harold Walker

2013-03 Analysis of Non-Destructive Testing Methods of Post Tensioned

Bridge Members URS Corporation Todd Bergstrom

2013-05 Structures Research Services Ohio University Eric Steinberg

2013-06 Designing a Research Implementation Process and Criteria for

Performance Measures Project Withdrawn

2013-07 Evaluation of Traffic Flow Analysis and Road User Cost Tools

Applied to Work Zones

Cleveland State

University Jacqueline Jenkins

2013-08 Creation of a Customer Relations Development System Applied Engineering

Management

Kelley Klaver

Pecheux

2013-09 Evaluation of Infrared Asphalt Heaters for Winter Pothole Patching RFP to be Revised & Reposted

2013-10 Evaluation and Analysis of Liquid Deicers for Winter Maintenance Montana State

University Xianming Shi

2013-11 Analysis of Aggregate Pier Systems for Stabilization of Subgrade

Settlement TBD – Still Under Consideration

2013-12 Evaluation of the Viking-Cives TowPlow for Winter Maintenance University of Akron Bill Schneider

2013-13 Development of an Automated System for QC/QA of Asphalt and

Aggregate Materials University of Akron Ala Abbas

2013-14 Evaluation of Renewable Energy

Alternatives for Highway Maintenance Facilities

University of

Cincinnati Hazem Elzarka

2013-15 Assessment of ODOT’s Conduit Service Life Prediction

Methodology

E.L. Robinson

Engineering of Ohio John Hurd

2013-16 Comparison and Testing of Various Noise Wall Materials Ohio University Deborah McAvoy

2013-17 Establishing a Data Driven Return on Investment Formula for

Transportation Training RFP to be Revised & Reposted

2013-18 Effectiveness of Asphalt Rejuvenators in Extending New Asphalt

Pavement Life

Applied Research

Associates

Harold Von

Quintus

2013-19 Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Salt Neutralizers for Washing

Snow and Ice Equipment University of Akron Chelsea Monty

2013-20 Evaluation of Ohio Work Zone Speed Zones Process Texas A&M University Melisa Finley

Page 7 2012 VOLUME 2

All projects are subject to the availably of funding, contract negotiations, and the Federal Highway Administration’s approv-

al of ODOT’s FY 2013 Research, Development and Technology Transfer Program [SP&R2(47)]. Please note that a re-

posting of RFP # 2013-09 and 2013-17 will be coming soon. The solicitation for FY 2014 student study problem state-

ments and OPREP white papers will be coming in October 2012. RFPs for FY 2014 strategic research plan projects will be

coming in January 2013. For additional information, please visit the Research Section RFP site at:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/RFP/Pages/default.aspx

Final Reports Online

All final reports for ODOT research projects completed since 2000 and funded by the SP&R

Part 2 program are available on the Research website. Recently posted reports include:

Materials

A Comparison of Optical Gradation Devices to Current Test Methods, January 2007, by Arudi

Rajagopal, Infrastructure Management and Engineering (SJN: 134330) link

Pavements

Verification of Rut Depth Collected with the INO Laser Rut Measurement System (LRMS), July 2010, by

Shad M. Sargand, Ohio University (SJN: 134515) link

Structures

Instrumentation of the Maumee River Crossing, December 2003, by Arthur Helmicki and Victor Hunt,

University of Cincinnati; and Douglas Nims, University of Toledo (SJN: 426354) link

Quantification of Cracks in Concrete Bridge Decks in Ohio District 3, February 2011, by Anil Patnaik,

University of Akron (SJN: 134564) link

Traffic

GPS-Based Hosuehold Interview Survey for the Cincinnati Ohio Region, October 2009, by Laurie

Wargelin, Abt SRBI (SJN:134421) link

Nighttime Visibility of 3M AWP and 3M 380WR ES Durable Tape under Dry, Wet, and Rainy

Conditions, Februrary 2011, by Ala R. Abbas, University of Akron

(SJN: 134563) link

GP

S-B

ase

d S

urv

ey

Rut Depth Collection

Nighttime Visibility of Tapes Quantification of Cracks Maumee River Crossing

Strategic Research Studies, Special RFP 2012

PS No. Project Agency Researcher

2012-28 Evaluation of Support Inspection Program Mistras Group Richard Gostautas

In addition, 2 proposals were received for the following special RFP issued late for FY 2012:

Op

tical G

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ati

on

Research Staff

Cynthia Gerst, Program Manager ............................................ 614-466-1975

Vicky Fout, Implementation & T2 ............................................. 614-387-2710

Zona Kahkonen Keppler, Library Administrator ................ 614-466-2882

Jill Martindale, Funding & District Research.......................... 614-644-8173

Ruth Monks, Library Assistant ................................................. 614-466-7680

Kelly Nye, Contracts .................................................................. 614-644-8135

Adam Woodyard, Intern ........................................................... 614-387-1267

We wish the best of luck to Jeff Mixter in his new role at OCLC!

1980 West Broad Street Columbus, OH 43223

Phone: 614-644-8135 Fax: 614-995-7047

research@dot.state.oh.us

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/research

He who does not look

ahead, remains behind.

(Spanish Proverb)

RESEARCH

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

New Titles at the Library

The Transportation Library at ODOT is

constantly adding new materials. These

are just a few of the titles added in April:

Business

Leaders Start to Finish : a Road Map for

Developing Top Performers. Danvers,

MA: ASTD Press, 2012.

Collaborate or Perish! Reaching across

Boundaries in a Networked World.

New York: Corwin Business, 2012.

Computers

Microsoft Access 2010 Step by Step.

Sebastopol, CA: Microsoft Press, 2010.

Access 2010 Bible. Indianapolis: Wiley,

2010.

Concrete

Self-Curing Admixture Performance

Report. Final Report. Salem, OR: Ore-

gon Department of Transportation,

2012. link

Best Practice Guide for Overlaying

Concrete. Wokingham, Berkshire,

United Kingdom: Transport Research

Laboratory, 2008.

Evaluation of the Safety Edge Applica-

tion in Oregon. Final Report. Salem,

OR: Oregon Department of Transpor-

tation, 2012. link

Environmental

Evaluation Potential Effects of Widening

US 64 on the Black Bear Population of

Alligator River National Refuge, Dare

County, North Carolina. Raleigh, NC:

North Carolina Department of Trans-

portation, 2012.

Lighting

American Standard of Practice for Tun-

nel Lighting. New York : ANSI, 2011.

SAE

Surface Vehicle Recommended Prac-

tice. Warrendale, PA: SAE Internation-

al, 2012.

Structures

Strength and Durability of Near-Surface

Mounted CFRP Bars for Shear

Strengthening Reinforced Concrete

Bridge Girders plus Appendices. Final

Report. Salem, OR: Oregon Depart-

ment of Transportation, 2012. link

Nondestructive Testing Methods for

Civil Infrastructure. New York: ASCE,

1995.

Predicting Camber, Detection, and

Prestress Losses in Prestressed Con-

crete Members. Raleigh, NC: North

Carolina Department of Transporta-

tion, 2012.

Tire-Pavement Noise

On-Board Sound Intensity Tire-

Pavement Noise Study in North Caroli-

na. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina De-

partment of Transportation, 2012. link

Traffic

Development of Traffic Data Input Re-

sources for the Mechanistic Empirical

Pavement Design Process. Raleigh, NC:

North Carolina Department of Trans-

portation, 2012.

ODOT Library open to the public

Hours: M—F; 7:30am—4:30pm Closed state holidays

(614) 466-2882

Catalog: http://library.ohio.gov/