The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

New ICT-IDOT projects

7/17/2023 McCall Macomber

Illinois Center for Transportation is pleased to announce the start of new Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored projects, from most recent start date.

R27-SP62: Concrete Bridge Deck Crack Sealing
Mohsen Issa, University of Illinois Chicago
Mark Shaffer, Illinois Department of Transportation

Cracks in concrete bridge decks occur due to various conditions, leading to the formation of different cracks. Common cracks in bridge decks include longitudinal and diagonal cracks.
Cracks in concrete bridge decks occur due to various conditions, leading to the formation of different cracks. Common cracks in bridge decks include longitudinal and diagonal cracks.

Concrete in a bridge deck is exposed to various conditions that make it prone to cracking such as loads from trucks, temperature variations and deicing chemicals.

The aim of this project is to determine the appropriate crack sealer for various types of cracks in bridge decks. Researchers will create a guide for bridge maintenance engineers to assist with selecting the optimum crack sealer for each crack type.

Effectively selecting crack sealers will allow engineers to seal cracks more cost-effectively as well as create more durable bridges.

The project will conclude March 2024.

R27-259: State Department of Transportation Support for Operationalizing Transit Signal Priority
Kouros Mohammadian, University of Illinois Chicago
Mohammad Miralinaghi, Illinois Institute of Technology
Alireza Talebpour, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Charles Abraham, Illinois Department of Transportation
Taqhi Mohammed, Pace Suburban Bus

Traffic signal priority tools aim to improve service and decrease delays for transit vehicles such as buses or streetcars. These tools detect transit vehicles and modify the timing of traffic signals accordingly.
Traffic signal priority tools aim to improve service and decrease delays for transit vehicles such as buses or streetcars. These tools detect transit vehicles and modify the timing of traffic signals accordingly.

Transit signal priority gives priority to transit vehicles at intersections with traffic signals to enhance the quality of transit service.

This project aims to explore potential obstacles and solutions for implementing transit signal priority in Illinois. Researchers will survey other state agencies’ transit signal priority practices and develop best practices for the state of Illinois aimed to increase collaboration between IDOT and transit agencies.

Successful implementation of transit signal priority projects will likely lead to improved schedule adherence and reduced travel times for transit vehicles.

The project will end June 2025.

R27-SP55: Development of Guidelines for Messages in Dynamic Messaging Signs to Improve Safety, Compliance, and Avoid Distraction
Yanfeng Ouyang, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sean Martschinke, Illinois Department of Transportation

In 2021, there were 1,341 fatal injuries on Illinois roads, a 12.2% increase from 2020, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
In 2021, there were 1,341 fatal injuries on Illinois roads, a 12.2% increase from 2020, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Dynamic message signs are primarily used to inform drivers of traffic impacts, road work, amber alerts and weather conditions. These signs are also used to promote safe driving habits and to help reduce fatal crashes on Illinois roads.

The aim of this project is to see if creative messaging that promotes save driving habits, such as pop culture references, can change a driver’s behavior and reduce crash frequency. Researchers will review the messaging practices of other transit agencies as well as survey drivers through a questionnaire and driving simulator.

Evaluating the effectiveness of creative messaging on dynamic message signs will allow IDOT to create messaging that has a positive and lasting impact on driver behavior.

The project will conclude February 2024.

R27-SP57: Investigating Statewide Alternative Fuel Technician Needs
Reggie Greenwood, Governors State University
Jack Cruikshank, Illinois Department of Transportation

IDOT supports transit agencies in 101 of 102 counties across Illinois through operational, capital and planning funding.
IDOT supports transit agencies in 101 of 102 counties across Illinois through operational, capital and planning funding.

A statewide lack of maintenance technicians has hindered efforts to maintain transit vehicles at the highest quality, leading to occasional outsourcing for vehicle maintenance.

The aim of this project is to work with transit agencies and other stakeholders to support maintenance technicians in Illinois. Researchers will work with educational institutions and workforce development organizations to determine how IDOT can support a system that recruits, trains, employs and retains maintenance technicians on a larger scale, especially for alternative fuel transit vehicles.

Better supporting maintenance technicians will reduce premature vehicle failures as well as save on short- and long-term maintenance and capital costs.

The project will end February 2024.

R27-SP56: Investigating the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Pavement Preservation Treatments
Imad Al-Qadi and Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
John Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement, where asphalt and aggregate from existing pavement are recycled into new pavement, has been increasing due to efforts to combat climate change.
The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement, where asphalt and aggregate from existing pavement are recycled into new pavement, has been increasing due to efforts to combat climate change.

Pavement preservation, an economically and environmentally friendly technique, allows pavements to last longer as well as improves ride quality.

The goal of this project is to explore the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in IDOT’s pavement preservation treatments. Researchers will survey agencies’ use of RAP in pavement preservation practices, evaluate its performance and cost-benefit, and determine its availability in Illinois.

Effectively using RAP in pavement preservation treatments will provide environmental benefits as well as potentially decrease construction costs.

The project will end October 2023.

R27-SP61: Illinois Department of Transportation Wetland and Stream Mitigation Needs Assessment — Phase I 
Geoff Pociask, Illinois State Geological Survey
Kim Burkwald and Shawn Wilcockson, Illinois Department of Transportation

Wetlands have valuable environmental benefits such as providing habitats for animals and plants, flood protection and erosion control, among other benefits.
Wetlands have valuable environmental benefits such as providing habitats for animals and plants, flood protection and erosion control, among other benefits.

In Illinois, construction projects are subject to both state and federal environmental compliance requirements. Any wetlands that are impacted by construction projects must be restored, created or enhanced elsewhere through a process called wetland mitigation.

This project aims to document the needs, gaps and inefficiencies in IDOT’s approach to wetland mitigation as well as develop potential solutions.

Developing IDOT policies and procedures for wetland mitigation banking will allow the agency to better plan for environmental mitigation as well as streamline construction projects.

The project will conclude February 2024.

R27-SP64: Endangered Species Mitigation Needs Assessment
Wendy Schelsky, Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
Kimberly Burkwald and Shawn Wilcockson, Illinois Department of Transportation

Threatened and endangered species, such as the short-eared owl shown above, are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act as well as the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act.
Threatened and endangered species, such as the short-eared owl shown above, are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act as well as the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act.

There is a lack of environmental planning and available tools in Illinois to identify costs associated with threatened and endangered species mitigation, leading to delays in construction projects.

The aim of this project is to document the needs, gaps and inefficiencies in IDOT’s approach to mitigating impacts to endangered species through construction projects.

Researchers will focus on identifying IDOT’s current process and construction program needs related to threatened and endangered species mitigation. They will analyze existing scientific data and literature in order to provide recommendations for improvement on evaluating impacts to threatened and endangered species and planning as well as develop cost estimates associated with mitigation.

Developing more consistent policies and tools across IDOT districts and projects will allow the agency to better plan for environmental mitigation as well as streamline construction projects.

The project will conclude February 2024.