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MPC
Webinar ArchivesRecordings- The transportation experiences of people with disabilities have improved since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Despite progress, many aspects of the current transportation system still limit people with disabilities from traveling safely and efficiently. Moreover, transportation planning and design efforts consistently lack representation of people with disabilities.
This research seeks to address this disconnect via semi-structured interviews with 37 stakeholders. Among those, 28 are people with disabilities or are caretakers/advocates and nine are government officials whose work intersects with the supply of infrastructure regulated under the ADA. One objective is to understand how attributes of transportation infrastructure impact the daily mobility of people with disabilities. A second is to understand how the implementation and management of transportation assets impact the accessibility of travel for people with disabilities.
- This webinar is based on MPC project 597, Bacteria Removal from Stormwater Runoff Using Steel Byproduct Filters. This project addresses the fact that stormwater runoff is the one of the most common forms of non-point source pollution, which can degrade surface water quality. Fecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been recognized as major contaminants that prevent the potable and non-potable reuse of stormwater runoff. This project aims at developing a low-cost media filtration technology using recycled steel byproducts to remove E. coli from stormwater. Recycled steel byproducts including steel chips and steel slag were evaluated in this study.
- This webinar is based on MPC project 575, Characterization of the Plant-Based Bio-Asphalt Binder and Bio-Additives. Asphalt binder used for pavement construction is obtained mainly by the distillation of crude oil in refineries. The scarcity of natural resources, environmental concerns and emerging needs for sustainable materials have spurred the development and use of materials and processes that are renewable and environmentally friendly. In response to this need, initiatives have been taken to develop a new generation of bio-based construction materials as a result of continuous innovation in the use of agricultural products, byproducts, and biomass as a material feedstock. Therefore, the development and evaluation of innovative plant-based asphalt binders and additives, such as cellulose, will help to increase the use of bio-materials to maximize the sustainability of the ground transportation system.
- Unraveling the impact of COVID-19 on the spatio-temporal mobility patterns of microtransit is part of MPC project 608, The Impact of Mobility as a Service Mode on Transit Access. Mobility as a service as a transit access mode is also referred to as microtransit. Using the microtransit pilot project launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, we applied big data techniques to model the spatio-temporal pattern of microtransit activities. This work is significant as the research period has experienced the impact of COVID-19, and it represents the first of its kind to offer insights into how COVID-19 altered travel behavior. The workflow developed in this research is broadly generalizable and valuable for understanding the unique spatio-temporal patterns of microtransit. The framework can also help transit agencies with performance evaluation, regional transport strategies, and optimal vehicle dispatching.
- This webinar is based on MPC project 638, Analysis of ABC Bridge Column-to-Footing Joints with Recessed Splice Sleeve Connectors. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) has been implemented in bridge construction because it provides advantages for commuters in urban areas. Prefabrication of bridge structural components is a highly effective method and is one of the ABC methods of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems proposed by the Federal Highway Administration. There is a need to develop ABC column-to-footing joints for bridges located in moderate- and high-seismic regions. The main goal of the research is to show using advanced analysis methods that such joints constructed with precast elements perform in a satisfactory manner similar to monolithic cast-in-place joints. A second goal of the research is to develop guidelines for the seismic design of these joints.
- This webinar is based on MPC project 588, Hybrid Bridge Bents Using Post-tensioned Precast Columns for Accelerated Bridge Construction in High Seismic Regions. Seismic resilience of bridges improves safety and livability of communities. Successful completion of the project will ensure that the proposed method of constructing bridges will improve seismic resilience of bridges for strong earthquakes thus preserving the existing transportation system. The project investigates a bridge bent with self-centering precast concrete columns for Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) in high seismic regions.
- This research considers a two-stage planning problem where a fleet of snowplow trucks is first divided among a set of independent regions and then each region designs routes for efficient snow removal. In the first stage, we run routing heuristics to optimize the plowing routes with the goal of minimizing total travel time. Compared with the original routes operated by UDOT, the proposed routes reduce total travel time by 5.04% on average across all regions. In the second stage, we design a custom branch-and-bound algorithm to allocate trucks such that the maximum turnaround time across all regions is minimized. The resulting allocation reduces the turnaround time by more than 20% compared with the original allocation.
- This webinar is focused on research on the mechanical bar splice, also known as bar coupler, is an alternative to the traditional lap splicing to connect bars in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Even though mechanical bar splices can be used as new precast column connections to accelerate bridge construction (ABC), the use of bar couplers in the plastic hinge region of bridge columns is prohibited in current U.S. codes. Recent studies at South Dakota State University (SDSU) attacked both problems by testing more than 160 bar couplers and eight half-scale bridge columns.
- This webinar provided highlights from two recent MPC projects:
MPC-579 – Where the Sidewalk Ends leverages advances in remote sensing to bridge the data and research gap on pedestrian infrastructure in cities.
MPC-615 – A LiDAR-Based Approach to Quantitatively Assessing Streetscapes investigates objective methods to extract streetscape features with three different classes of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) processed with 3D volumetric pixels (voxels).
- Over 97% of U.S. airports are not equipped with control towers. As a result, these airports need an alternative solution to monitor their airport-level aircraft operations, including departures, arrivals, and touch-and-goes. The current research project uses computer vision techniques to develop a machine vision system capable of detecting, counting, and identifying aircraft operations at general aviation non-towered airports.
- To mitigate crash severity and reduce crash rate, advanced technologies such as connected automated vehicles (CAVs) have shown great potentials in preventing human driving errors. Using real-time data collected via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication platforms, CAV technology can greatly support many types of in-vehicle safety applications, such as forward collision warning (FCW), intersection movement assist (IMA), blind-spot warning (BSW), lane changing warning (LCW), do not pass warning (DNPW), and control loss warning (CLW). The intent of this study is to develop a system that can integrate CAV data and traffic sensor information to concurrently address the need to improve urban arterial safety and mobility. Under the mixed traffic pattern of CAVs and human-driven vehicles (HVs), the system aims to achieve three primary objectives: proactively preventing rear-end collisions, reactively protecting side-street traffic from red-light-running vehicles, and effectively facilitating speed harmonization along local arterials.
- LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is a mature and efficient technology used by various transportation agencies for highway asset management and data collection purposes. While effective, there are some limitations in using LiDAR as a common engineering tool: the technology is relatively expensive; certain levels of expertise and training are required to use LiDAR scanners for data collection and processing results; and the technology may not be available to all units and individuals. Close-range photogrammetry is another emerging technology that could be considered as a potential alternative for LiDAR scanning devices. The technology is based on processing images and videos simply captured by off-the-shelf cameras or smartphones. Unlike LiDAR, close-range photogrammetry is very cost effective, simple, and easy to use. This project is an attempt to study the feasibility of using photogrammetry for highway asset management purposes within the state of Utah.
- Effectively capturing traffic volumes on a network scale is beneficial to Transportation Systems Management & Operations. Yet it is impractical to install sensors to cover a large road network. To address this issue, spatial prediction techniques are widely performed to estimate traffic volumes at sites without sensors. In retrospect, most relevant studies resort to machine learning methods and treat each prediction location independently during the training process, ignoring the potential spatial dependency among them. We present an innovative spatial prediction method of hourly traffic volume on a network scale using a combination of machine learning techniques and graph theory to account for the spatial dependency.
- Reinforced concrete bridge wall piers constructed using older codes perform inadequately during strong earthquakes. Deficiencies include short reinforcement lap splices, insufficient steel reinforcement ratios in the longitudinal and transverse direction, and inadequate seismic detailing. The research presented in this webinar will address seismic deficiencies found in older reinforced concrete bridge wall piers and discuss retrofit methods that are efficient, effective and offer great cost-savings in repairs and increase longevity.
- In a webinar held May 12, 2020, Dr. Pantelides discussed cost-effective and proven repair methods to bridge structures that have been severely damaged in cyclic tests simulating strong earthquakes. Both cast-in-place bridges and bridges constructed using Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems are considered. These repair methods comply with the Accelerated Bridge Construction initiatives set forth by the FHWA and DOTs. The repair is rapid and inexpensive compared to replacement and could be used to repair bridge structures after strong earthquakes to improve seismic resilience of the infrastructure.
- On Apr. 23, 2020, Dr. Sherry discussed the research findings of MPC-409, the measurement issues and fatigue management in the transportation industry. The purpose of this project was to establish a baseline for the evaluation of proposed fatigue mitigation efforts, utilizing a variety of measures of sleep and fatigue, to gather initial data for comparison to later studies. Results demonstrated that there was sufficient data to establish a baseline for evaluate existing work schedules using the fatigue models approved by the FRA. The results indicate that typical day-time schedules have the least risk of fatigue. Standard night shifts, from 11 pm to 6 am had the greatest risk of fatigue.
- In a webinar held Apr. 1, 2020, Dr. Patrick Sherry shares the research findings of MPC-532.
- This MPC webinar, held March 4, 2020, focused on the application of
airborne data collection methods in updating highway inventory.
- In a webinar held Nov. 22, 2019, Dr. Mostafa Tazarv, shares the research findings of MPC-501.
- This MPC webinar, held November 20, 2019, focused on the need to update the GSRS, a system that recommends safe descent speeds for trucks on steep downgrades. Discussion included changes in truck characteristics including aerodynamic designs, brake features and engine characteristics in the decades since the development of the GSRS.
- In a webinar held Nov. 7, 2019, Amanda Bordelon shares the research findings of MPC-492.
- In a webinar held Feb. 14, 2019, Allen Jones talks about the research methods and results of MPC-306.
- In a webinar held Dec. 17, 2018, Amanda Bordelon shares the research findings of MPC-419.
- In a webinar held Dec. 12, 2018, Junwon Seo shares the research findings of MPC-502.
- In a webinar held Dec. 11, 2018, Shiling Pei talks about the research methods and results of MPC-395.
- In a webinar held Nov. 29, 2018, Ahmad Ghadban shares the research findings of MPC-437.
- In a webinar held Feb. 14, 2018, David Sanbonmatsu shares the research findings of MPC-407.
- In a webinar held Jan. 16, 2018, Holly Lloyd shares the research findings of MPC-480.
- In a webinar held Oct. 28, 2016, Dr. Kam Ng shares findings that reveal the benefits of adoption and implementation of roller-integrated compaction technologies.
- In a webinar held Oct. 3, 2016, Dr. Rhonda Young talks about the research methods and results of MPC-386.
- In a webinar held Jan. 25, 2016, Dr. Chris Pantelides talks about the research methods and results of MPC-392.
- In a webinar held Dec. 17, 2015, Dr. Nadim Wehbe talks about the research methods and results of MPC-439.
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