The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

New ICT-IDOT reports

7/18/2026 McCall Macomber

Illinois Center for Transportation is pleased to announce the publication of reports from the following Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored projects, in order of publication.

R27-225 Strength and Serviceability of Damaged Steel Girders
Larry Fahnestock, Ahmed Elbanna and James LaFave, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Spencer Koehler, Illinois Department of Transportation

Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Bridges crossing over lanes of traffic (overpasses) are frequently struck from below, so agencies must assess the damage and determine if any action is required.

This project focused on better understanding the strength of damaged steel girders after being struck by vehicles. The researchers developed guidelines for inspection and evaluation of steel girders as well as diagnostic software to categorize damage and recommend required action.

The developed guidelines and software will help reduce construction costs for repair, rehabilitation, and replacement as well as improve life-cycle costs and traffic congestion.

R27-194: Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Load Distribution in Steel Bridge Superstructures (Vol. III)
Larry Fahnestock and James LaFave, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mark Shaffer, Illinois Department of Transportation

Provided by Larry Fahnestock. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate students Sunny Zhou and Gaoyu Liu install strain gauges on X-shaped cross frames at Mattis Avenue Bridge over I-57 in Champaign, Illinois, on Nov. 9, 2020. The bridge over I-57 has integral abutments — where the girders are encased in concrete at the ends — whereas the bridge over I-74 has expansion bearings at the ends that allow movement.
Provided by Larry Fahnestock. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate students Sunny Zhou and Gaoyu Liu install strain gauges on X-shaped cross frames at Mattis Avenue Bridge over I-57 in Champaign, Illinois, on Nov. 9, 2020. The bridge over I-57 has integral abutments — where the girders are encased in concrete at the ends — whereas the bridge over I-74 has expansion bearings at the ends that allow movement.

Bridges carry various loads, which are distributed throughout the structure, such as the weight of different bridge components, moving elements like cars or trucks, and elemental ones like the temperature and wind. As a bridge ages, its distribution of these loads may shift although the load amount remains the same.

The goal of this project was to seek how load distributions change over the course of a bridge’s lifespan. Researchers investigated demands, load distribution, and static and dynamic responses of composite steel skewed I-girder bridge superstructures during construction and after bridges are in service. This report documented the live load and thermal behavior of two bridges through long-term field monitoring and numerical parametric studies.

The research will allow IDOT to see how bridges can be better designed for long-term effects, leading to longer-lasting, more cost-effective bridges that require fewer replacements.

R27-249: Evaluating the Benefits of Implementing Mobile Road Weather Information Sensors (Phase II)
Khaled El-Rayes and Ernest-John Ignacio, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Keith Donovan, Illinois Department of Transportation

Illinois Department of Transportation uses approximately 60 road weather information systems throughout the state. Mobile systems are expected to better measure real-time roadway conditions in the winter.
Illinois Department of Transportation uses approximately 60 road weather information systems throughout the state. Mobile systems are expected to better measure real-time roadway conditions in the winter.

Road weather information systems measure and communicate weather and pavement data to help provide detailed information about roadway conditions. Mobile systems — which can be fixed to vehicles such as snowplows or trucks — are expected to further improve data collection and decision-making during the winter.

Researchers conducted a pilot study of mobile road weather information systems and the maintenance decision support system to determine their benefits, costs and implementation challenges.

Effective implementation of these systems is expected to improve the efficiency of winter maintenance techniques and equipment, provide safer roads and benefit the environment by reducing the use of deicing chemicals.

R27-SP76: In-Service Evaluation of Temporary Sign Support Systems against Wind Load
Yanfeng Ouyang, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Juan Pava, Illinois Department of Transportation

Lightweight temporary work zone signs may consist of fabric, roll-up and portable signs.
Lightweight temporary work zone signs may consist of fabric, roll-up and portable signs.

IDOT and industry partners have worked together for over five years in the transition to the use of MASH-compliant temporary traffic control devices. As a result of a sunset date established in 2019, the use of MASH-compliant temporary sign supports in work zones is increasing. Industry, however, is uncertain about the in-field performance and potential safety concerns associated with sign stability, particularly due to wind loads.

Researchers evaluated the rigidity, stability and feasibility of temporary signs stands’ use for construction as well as quantified the impacts of wind. IDOT will use the findings to determine which temporary sign support systems will be allowed, ensuring there are no unintended risks associated with in-service performance or increased worker exposure associated with sign deployment and maintenance.

R27-264: Development of a Pavement Friction Management Program
Yanfeng Ouyang and Ramez Hajj, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Priscilla Tobias, Arora and Associates, PC
Hao Wang, Rutgers University
John Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation

Pavement friction is critical for helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles and is a critical part of highway safety.

Friction between pavement and vehicles is a key part to highway safety, allowing drivers to change directions safely as well as reducing skidding or hydroplaning.

The aim of this project was to help IDOT develop a statewide pavement friction management program. Researchers helped the agency develop a tool to track areas where friction treatments are needed as well as identify effective treatments.

Better addressing and tracking roadway friction will help IDOT effectively identify areas of concern, determine the best treatment and execute long-term plans to maintain and replace friction treatments statewide, contributing to safe travel for road users.

R27-194: Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Load Distribution in Steel Bridge Superstructures (Vol. II)
Larry Fahnestock and James LaFave, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mark Shaffer, Illinois Department of Transportation

Provided by Larry Fahnestock. Sunny Zhou and Jared Motley, UIUC graduate and undergraduate students, respectively, install strain gauges on a girder at Mattis Avenue Bridge over I-57 in Champaign, Illinois, on Dec. 1, 2020. Construction of the Mattis Avenue bridges over I-57 and I-74 is estimated to be complete by August 2021.
Provided by Larry Fahnestock. Sunny Zhou and Jared Motley, Illinois graduate and undergraduate students, respectively, install strain gauges on a girder at Mattis Avenue Bridge over I-57 in Champaign, Illinois, on Dec. 1, 2020.

This project investigates demands, load distribution, and static and dynamic responses of composite steel skewed I-girder bridge superstructures during construction and after bridges are in service. 

This report documented field monitoring of two skewed two-span continuous bridges in Champaign, Illinois. Researchers aimed to establish an understanding of load distribution in skewed steel I-girder bridges and to potentially refine their analysis and design procedures.

They collected data from the instrumented bridges during construction, during concrete deck placement and after each bridge was in service as well as conducted a 3D finite element analysis to evaluate effects of bridge geometry, especially skew and abutment type, on skewed steel I-girder bridge superstructure response.