State Planning & Research (SP&R) Program - Part 2

The following planning and research projects comprise the ongoing short and long-term activities of investigation, data collection, analysis, development and presentation for the state planning and research program for FFY2010.

Item 2100 Transportation Research BoardHTML
Beginning with FFY08, this project will only cover travel expenses and time for ODOT personnel to attend the annual TRB meeting. The TRB subscription costs are covered under a pooled fund study.

Item 2102 Research Library ServicesHTML
Provide the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and customers with an information clearinghouse. The primary goals of this Technology Transfer Office are to provide a sound, progressive, flexible library available to ODOT and Oklahoma Transportation Centers university personnel statewide and to keep them informed of recent innovations in transportation technology, methodologies and programs as soon as information becomes available. Aligning with this is the goal of providing proficient systematic searches of all resources when needed and knowing where to reference the needed information. The Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) database will be accessed by ODOT and the Research In Progress (RIP) database will be maintained by ODOT respectively. Additional services are aimed at providing ODOT with editing and publishing capabilities to assist the Planning & Research Division in generating and distributing reports and publications. Langston University (the University) has developed the Transportation Center of Excellence to assist government entities and others in the transportation industry in the conduct of research and to provide technical assistance and training services in the resolution of transportation issues. Contract with the University to provide information, services and updates to ODOT and the state universities.

Item 2103 Research Day Technical Support ServicesHTML
To provide technical assistance in preparing for and organizing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) & Oklahoma Transportation Center (OTC) Transportation Research Day activities. This includes arranging logistics, sending invitations, and soliciting presenters, soliciting poster presentation presenters and generating the event agenda/itinerary. Other services include coordinating with OTC, OU, OSU and LU in setting up videotaping, still photography, reservations, catered lunch (if any), and other expenses such as coffee and refreshments. A Final Report will be submitted at the end of the agreement to include summaries of poster presentations, a list of attendees and a categorized list of brainstorming ideas. A survey of attendees will be conducted in an effort to produce results for new future Research Day ideas and/or activities. These services are funded under SP&R item number 2130. An April 8, 2009 modification to this agreement was generated that reassigned the original item number from 2130 to 2103. This modification will aid in tracking the progress of this project, as well as, records management.

Item 2115 Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP)HTML
The purpose of this project is to maintain LTPP test sites, markings and current status, report maintenance to Southern Region Corrdination Office (SRCO), assist SRCO with data gathering as necessary, act as general liaison between SRCO and the Department. Maintain working knowledge related to SHRP product implementation, act as general liaison between FHWA and the Department for product implementation activities.

Item 2120 Technical Assistance - Special StudiesHTML
Provide ongoing technical support, or special investigations, to the Department when a full-scale research project is not warranted or when a quick turnaround is required.

Item 2130 General Research ActivityHTML
This activity covers various research activities which are necessary for the operation of a research section but which cannot be accurately included in other projects. Examples of this type of activity include: attending quality task force meetings, writing work plans for emerging research projects which have not been assigned an item number when the work plan is written, reviewing research reports, meeting with university and private researchers regarding proposed projects, attending industry seminars, conferences, etc. This project also covers costs of various professional services contracts for research projects which fill needs of the Department, but were not foreseen when the SP&R work program was written, and therefore were not included as separate items. This may include special technical assistance on multiple projects, and providing matching funds for leveraging research program funds, such as OCAST/IDEA programs, for research significant to the Department.

Item 2156 Roadside Vegetation ManagementHTML
The purpose of this project is to provide ODOT with certified training related to Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM), consultation to ODOT field divisions, and development of manuals of practice for ODOT.

Item 2157 Herbicide Research ProgramHTML
The purpose of the project is to conduct field investigations which evaluate herbicide products, applications and equipment.

Item 2160 Oklahoma Transportation CenterHTML
The Oklahoma Transportation Center (OTC) is a research organization made up of researchers employed by the University of Oklahoma (OU), Oklahoma State University (OSU), and Langston University (LU). Research personnel in this organization have expertise and experience covering a wide range of transportation-related topics. The purpose of this item is to coordinate and contract research activities covering various topics on behalf of ODOT and to provide matching funds to the OTC.

Item 2184 Creation of an ODOT Specification for Patching or Overlay of Bridge DecksHTML
This project builds upon the work done under a previous research project on patching materials (SP&R Item Number 2174, "Patching Materials for PCC Pavements") where commonly used patching materials were evaluated with regard to their performance. This project will consider patching materials identified as demonstrating good performance under the previous project, materials identified by ODOT Maintenance personnel for showing good field performance, and other (new) materials recommended by ODOT personnel. The materials will be tested for chemical, electric and permeability compatibility with existing deck material, drying shrinkage, thermal expansion, creep and modulus of elasticity. Those showing superior will be identified, along with patching procedures, which have proven to produce patches with good performance in the field. Information gathered under this project will be used to write a specification (or modify existing specifications) for patching and overlaying bridge decks.

Item 2188 Vegetative Rehabilitation of Highway Cut SlopesHTML
The purpose of this project is to develop improved vegetation specifications to be used on relatively steep slopes. Areas of moderate to severe erosion are occurring on highway rights of way in Eastern Oklahoma. Silt resulting from this erosion is filling ditch bottoms causing drainage problems. The answer to these recurring problems is to vegetate the erosive areas so that the soil remains on the slope and out of the drainage system. This is intended to be a five-year research project during which time, soil amendments, plant species, planting methods, planting dates, planting rates, mulches, mulch rates and application methods which demonstrate the most success will be identified. These will then be incorporated into improved vegetation specifications

Item 2194 Degradation in Selected Tributaries of Washita River in Oklahoma for Transportation PlanningHTML
To research ODOT files and digital flowline data for the preparation of longitudinal profiles of flowline for the Salt Fork Creek, Wildhorse Creek and Rush Creek tributaries of the Washita River in Oklahoma. Culverts and bridge structures will be located along these creeks, as well as, other pertinent information to obtain degradation criteria for replacement or rehabilitation. Digital data will include ArcGIS and Excel files.

Item 2196 Stability and Permeability of Proposed Aggregate Bases in OklahomaHTML
Assess the permeability of unbound aggregates that are widely used as pavement bases in Oklahoma. Laboratory results will be used to develop statistical models. Field samples will be tested for comparison. The models will be available to the pavement designers to facilitate implementation of the new AASHTO 2002 pavement design guide.

Item 2199 Optimizing Concrete Mix Designs to Produce Cost Effective Paving Mixes HTML
Determine best methods of manipulating aggregate gradations in order to optimize the designs of concrete mix which are cost effective.

Item 2200 Instrumented Pavement ConstructionHTML
Conduct instrumented pavement research to collect and analyze mechanistic-empirical pavement design data on I-35 in McClain County, Oklahoma in an accelerated manner. Field Division 3 will construct an 800 flexible pavement test section. The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) will purchase equipment and install pavement monitoring instrumentation of test section. The University of Oklahoma (OU) will conduct monitoring and modeling of the test section over a five year period.

Item 2207 Validation and Refinement of Chemical Stabilization Procedures for Pavement Subgrade Soils in OklahomaHTML
The goal of this research project is to assist the state in validating and improving the recommendations of OHD L-50 Soil Stabilization Mix Design Procedure. The proposed research will primarily focus on AASHTO Soil Group Classifications falling under the fine-grained soil category (i.e. A-4 to A-7). It is expected that the results of testing on fine-grained soils may be intuitively extended to address variability found in fines of the A-2 soil class. Granular soils in the A-1 category and fine sandy soils of the A-3 category are not included in this proposal. In addition to the exclusions mentioned above, soils containing appreciable levels of sulfate will be excluded as these soils are not recommended for stabilization using calcium-based chemical additives. Note: a current research project at OU, funded through OTC, is focused on determining threshold levels of soluble sulfates that cause adverse behavior in chemically treated Oklahoma soils. Soils used in the currently proposed research will be subjected to soluble sulfate testing and current research on sulfate soils will help to guide the selection of suitable soil candidates for the proposed research.

Item 2208 Development and Implementation of a Mechanistic and Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for Rigid PavementsHTML
To utilize representative materials, construction methods and weather values and realistic material inputs that are typical of those used in ODOT to improve the MEPDG in an effort to improve the economy, durability and performance of rigid pavements in Oklahoma. Furthermore, results from this research study will produce several new tools that will assist ODOT to design and specify a high quality and economical concrete pavement.

Item 2209 Development of a Flexible Pavement Database for Local Calibration of MEPDGHTML
To develop a flexible pavement database and to populate this database with data required for calibration of the new Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) design criteria. Results from this project are expected to provide pavement design professionals with appropriate tools and a better understanding of how the new MEPDG will allow for optimization of materials, evaluate and incorporate new materials into designs, and evaluate the impacts of anticipated heavier loads and new axle configurations on pavement performance in Oklahoma.

Item 2210 Calcium-Based Stabilizer Induced Heave in Oklahoma Sulfate-Bearing SoilsHTML
To reveal the physical, mineralogical, electrical and chemical characteristics of Oklahoma soils that is vulnerable to adverse sulfate reactions due to calciumbased stabilizers and to develop a methodology for assessing this threat. To evaluate ODOTs current method of soil-sulfate testing to determine the most accurate and repeatable soil sulfate test methodology possible.

Item 2211 Modeling of 85^TH Percentile Speed for Rural Highways for Enhanced Traffic SafetyHTML
To develop a Neural Network (NN) model based on appropriate pavement, traffic and environmental data such as pavement width, type and width of shoulder, topography, weather, roadside development, and accident experience as an effective tool for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) in determining the 85th percentile speed on twolane rural highways in Oklahoma. With this research, the model is expected to be useful in enhancing traffic safety and reducing accidents and fatalities resulting from improper posting of speed limits on rural highways in the state of Oklahoma.

Item 2212 Roadway Weather Information System and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) CoordinationHTML
To develop an intelligent winter weather vehicle monitoring system that integrates automatic vehicle location (AVL) information from relevant vehicles with information regarding where and which chemicals have been recently applied. This information will also be integrated with weather sensor data from ODOT pavement and bridge sensors as well as other weather information including data from the Oklahoma Mesonet. This information will allow for improved monitoring of road conditions across the state and improved coordination and deployment of relevant vehicles. By maximizing the application of winter weather techniques (including the application of chemicals) to areas in which conditions pose the highest risk of accidents, traveler safety can be improved while at the same time, the destructive impacts of these techniques can be applied less frequently to pavement and bridges in areas in which conditions pose a lower risk.

Item 2213 Quantifying the Costs and Benefits of Pavement Retexturing as a Pavement Preservation ToolHTML
To build on research done in Australia and New Zealand (Austroads 2005) by conducting a long-term study of various methods to restore pavement skid resistance by retexturing the existing surface with either a surface treatment, chemical treatment, or a mechanical process and furnish ODOT with the technical engineering data for each treatment coupled with an economic analysis of the costs and benefits associated with each treatment. This will furnish ODOT pavement managers the required information to make rational engineering decisions based on physical and financial data for the use of potential pavement preservation tools, evaluated under the same conditions over the same period by an impartial investigator. Researchers expect to produce a guidebook for use by ODOT pavement managers that represents a pavement preservation toolbox of available tools to restore both skid resistance and pavement macrotexture. The cost index and life cycle cost analyses will furnish ODOT personnel with the financial information to enable them to make an informed business decision as to the value added by each alternative in the trial. This project will produce a product that potentially can achieve an immediate impact on the safety of Oklahoma roads and highways.

Item 2214 Use of MSE Technology to Stabilize Highway Embankments and Slopes in OklahomaHTML
To determine a moisture reduction factor (MRF) to account for the influence of soil moisture content on pullout resistance of soil-geotextile interfaces in reinforced soil. This study will be part of a long-term research that is aimed at developing a better understanding of the mechanics of unsaturated soil-reinforcement interfaces involving marginal soils. The outcome of this study will help to develop reliable procedures to account for the loss of soil-reinforcement interface strength due to wetting, in order to achieve a safer design and disseminate them into the current state of practice.

Item 2215 Tube Suction Test for Evaluating Durability of Cementitiously Stabilized SoilsHTML
Changes in climatic conditions, namely freeze-thaw and wet-dry, have been recognized by pavement engineers as a major factor in poor pavement performance. Strength and stability of subgrade soil, which supports the pavement structure, is a key factor in pavement performance. A more time-efficient, inexpensive and non-abrasive method, called Tube Suction Test (TST), will be used in the proposed study to evaluate durability of selected stabilized soils that are frequently encountered in Oklahoma. A test protocol for the assessment of durability using the TST will be developed in this study and verified by comparing results with the current test methods, namely wet-dry (ASTM D 559), freeze-thaw (ASTMD560), vacuum saturation (ASTM C 593), and unconfined compressive strength. The results from this study will be useful in modifying the current ODOT procedure, Soil Stabilization Mix Design Procedure (OHD L-50), for the selection of additive percent. Assessment of durability using the TST will be time-efficient, non-abrasive, and inexpensive, making it attractive to design engineers and industry.

Item 2216 Auto-Collision Avoidance System at IntersectionsHTML
To reduce collisions at intersections by designing a prototype system that will provide real-time forewarning to drivers who are in danger of a collision as they approach an intersection. This system assists existing passive intersection control devices by implementing better methods for attracting all approaching drivers attention. The warning system will gather the attention of approaching motorists in a timely fashion, so they will have time to react to the impending danger. This innovative system provides better effectiveness in reducing collisions compared to the existing intersection control devices, because it makes the intersection active and aware of its surroundings and enables it to convey this knowledge to approaching drivers in real-time. Reduction in traffic accidents will be effective in alleviating property damage and loss of life and health due to these collisions at intersections.

Item 2217 Development of Best Practices Program for a Collaboration of Minority TruckersHTML
The ODOT Regulatory Services Office has an efficient certification program, however, they cannot require the large prime contractors to utilize small minority subcontractors when it is not cost effective. This proposed research will focus on assisting the DBE Certification program to evaluate, develop design processes and training, while eliminating constructional challenges DBE firms face. Research will reveal, if by pooling resources, DBE truckers can achieve an effective economic scale by operating together more efficiently at a lower costs than they could individually which will eventually make their bids more attractive to prime contractors. Langston University will aid in the development of a collaborative venture of minority truckers that will address both availability and capacity shortcomings which will enhance DBE participation in ODOT contracts. Ultimately the research findings can be duplicated and used for other DBE transportation related businesses. These services are funded under SP&R item number 2130. An April 8, 2009 modification to this agreement was generated that reassigned the original item number from 2130 to 2217. This modification will aid in tracking the progress of this project, as well as, records management. This project is scheduled to end on March 31, 2010.

Item 2218 QCQA Testing Differences Between Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA)HTML
ODOT Materials Division has conducted preliminary inquiries into QC/QA testing for WMA. Some respondents indicate that WMA can be tested exactly the same as hot mix asphalt (HMA) for the same results. Other data shows that lab-molded and other volumetric properties are significantly different for WMA. The objectives of this study are to develop testing protocols for the different WMA additives for mix design and QC/QA procedures. For mix design, testing protocols need to be developed for rut testing and moisture sensitivity testing. For QC/QA, protocols need to be developed for lab-molded void properties and asphalt content. To meet the objectives, equivalent compaction temperatures and/or compactive efforts need to be established for WMA additives. Once this is established, the effect of WMA additives on lab-molded volumetric results from Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) samples (QC/QA properties) and mix design results (moisture sensitivity and rutting) could be determined. If properties/results differ significantly from those obtained from the same conventional HMA mix, standard testing protocol(s) using the SGC would be developed that would provide test results consistent with conventional HMA test results. Test protocols could be dependent upon the specific WMA technology. The proposed research is essential in formulating the design requirements necessary to write new QC/QA specifications and mix design tests that will produce quality WMA, allowing full implementation of this new technology. At the conclusion of the study the Principal Investigator would provide an assessment of the test results and describe which additives would require a separate testing protocol and which would not. Draft specifications would be prepared, where applicable.

Item 2219 Evaluation of the Effectiveness of ODOTs Cable Barrier ProgramHTML
Oklahoma has been using cable barrier systems for several years as a method of reducing or eliminating cross-over crashes. At present, Oklahoma uses several types of cable barrier systems. They differ in the types of support posts, types of support post bases, heights of cables, types of cables and types of cable anchorage, as well as, the placement of the system. As more median cable barrier systems are installed, there is a need to study their effectiveness in reducing crossover accidents and the cost-effectiveness of the various cable barrier systems. This study would include all crashes related to the systems being hit, types of systems, system placement, initial cost per mile, repair cost analysis related to manufacture type, and an analysis of prevented accidents since the installation. This research program will help identify successful designs, placement and implementation practices. The Principal Investigator provide an assessment of the results of the study in the final report which will include expected benefits and action needed for the improved success of the cable barrier program.

Item 2220 Development of ODOT Guidelines for Use of Geogrids in Aggregate BasesHTML
The objective of this study is to help ODOT develop materials specifications and guidelines for the acceptance and use of geogrids for aggregate base reinforcement. ODOT's current geogrid specifications are very limited and exclusive of many new types of geogrids that could be equally effective for base reinforcement applications at lower costs. Currently, ODOT engineers are unsure of minimum material properties that are necessary to ensure that a geogrid will perform adequately in base reinforcement applications in the field. Oklahoma is continually faced with the responsibility of roadway maintenance which requires addressing recurring problems involving excessive deformations and pavement failure where roadway subgrades can often be weak and problematic due to their soil type and climatic factors. It is known that using geogrids to reinforce aggregate bases and/or subgrades can result in considerable cost-savings and improved performance provided that the reinforcement material is installed properly. Cost savings due to subgrade or aggregate base reinforcement can result from reducing the amount of required aggregates for the same level of desired performance (e.g. maximum allowable rutting depth), or through increased performance and service life and therefore, reduced repair and maintenance costs. The focus of this study is to address current shortcomings of the AASHTO and FHWA guidelines with respect to the influences of junction mechanical properties and type of geogrids on their performance in reinforced bases. The goal of this study is to help make the new ODOT specifications more generic, consistent and cost-effective by including a wider variety of commercially available products than what is currently included in their specifications. Results of the study will help ODOT engineers to revise their specifications manual and make them inclusive of new products and hence, more consistent and cost-effective.

Item 2221 Analysis of Aggregates and Binders Used for the ODOT Chip Seal ProgramHTML
Chip seals are widely used for preventative maintenance of pavements. While there has been extensive research on the various parts of the surface treatment, there is little research on how the various materials and methods are brought together. Hence, chip sealing continues to be considered an art rather than a rationally engineered composite system. In most cases ODOT maintenance engineers use empirical design based on trial and error. Additional technical information is needed that defines binder selection based on environment and local traffic conditions. This information must be integrated with locally available aggregate properties and thereby permit ODOT engineers to calculate appropriate emulsion/binder and aggregate application rates during chip seal placement based on local conditions. This information can then be used to revise ODOT chip seal specifications and update ODOT chip design methods. The largest benefit to the proposed research will be the identification of which combinations of chip seal binder and aggregate are successful in each ODOT division. This should eliminate or reduce premature failures due to incompatible binder/aggregate combinations. The major products of this project will be recommendations for revising ODOT chip seal specifications, fine-tuning division-specific chip seal design procedures, and training for ODOT maintenance engineers in each division. The results of the research will be made immediately available in a form that permits rapid implementation.

Item 2222 Performance of Ultra-Thin Whitetopping (UTW) in OklahomaHTML
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is in need of a long-life, cost effective means of repairing low to medium volume roadways. The use of Ultra Thin Whitetopping (UTW) has been used around the country in varying levels of success as well as in Oklahoma, and has proven itself as a cost-effective and rapid means of repairing damaged asphalt pavement roads. Concrete overlays have been used over hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements and intersections as a method to restore ride quality. The depth of the overlay depends on the traffic demands, expected bond between the overlay and the HMA and the condition of the HMA pavement. The objective of this project is to determine the performance and cost-efficiency of UTW projects within Oklahoma and provide recommendations for their future use. The development of an effective UTW guidelines and best practices document would provide ODOT with an option for repairing low to medium volume HMA roadways with a long lasting repair. This in turn would provide ODOT with a lower life cycle cost for their pavements and would allow the state dollars to be extended to other needs. This research will provide a review of UTW projects in Oklahoma and their current performance. Guidelines will also be provided over the best practices established from Oklahoma and national experiences.

Item 2223 Test Methods for Use of Recycled Asphalt Pavement in Asphalt MixesHTML
Although ODOT has adopted use of RAP in asphalt pavements, some field divisions are concerned about the quality of aggregates in some RAPs. Such concerns arise partly from the use of aggregates in original pavements from quarries that might not meet current ODOT specifications. Also, there are questions on possible influence of the Abson Recovery method, which is commonly used by ODOT, on the Performance Grade of recovered binders. To help address such questions and concerns, the proposed study will compare the physical and mechanical properties of recovered aggregates with those of the virgin aggregates from the same source to examine potential statistical differences. This study will also evaluate the influence of the Abson Recovery method on the Performance Grade of recovered binders, and demonstrate if an alternate recovery method is better. The objective of this study is to generate laboratory data on recovered and virgin aggregates and binders that will help address the aforementioned concerns on the use of RAP in asphalt pavements. Specifically, it will compare (1) the physical and mechanical properties of aggregates recovered from different RAP sources with those of their virgin counterparts. Statistical variations of these properties between recovered and virgin aggregates will be evaluated; (2) Examine the influence of the Abson Recovery method on the Performance Grade of binders recovered from different RAP sources. Statistical variations in rheological properties of recovered and virgin binders will be evaluated. (3) Establish whether ODOT needs to revise its current practice of PG grading of recovered binders. The results from this study will be very useful in revising specifications for use of RAP in asphalt pavements and are expected to be useful for ODOT in devising better management plan for the usage of RAP in HMA.

Item 2700 Experimental Product and Evaluation ProgramHTML
This project was established to provide ODOT with a means of providing for the (experimental) use, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of products for highway and bridge construction where the products do not meet current ODOT standards and specifications.