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!