The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

New ICT-IDOT reports

2/18/2024 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-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 was to determine the appropriate crack sealer for various types of cracks in bridge decks. Researchers created 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.

R27-241: Advancing Air Mobility in Illinois
Hani Mahmassani, Laurence Audenaerd and Breton Johnson, Northwestern University
William Viste, Illinois Department of Transportation

Advanced air mobility is an emerging transportation market that will enable the movement of people and cargo between locations previously inaccessible or underserved by traditional aviation.
Advanced air mobility is an emerging transportation market that will enable the movement of people and cargo between locations previously inaccessible or underserved by traditional aviation.

Advanced air mobility aims to take advantage of recent technological innovations, such as improvements in electric propulsion, to facilitate highly automated aircraft operations in the lower altitudes of the National Airspace System. 

The goal of this project was to enhance IDOT’s understanding of the prospects, challenges and impacts of advanced air mobility in Illinois as well as the opportunities it might provide for mobility and development.

This knowledge will lead to more effective use of public and private resources, enhanced safety and efficiency, increased transportation options for the traveling public and economic opportunities for both the advanced air mobility industry as well as the people and businesses served by it.

R27-238: Developing Deterioration Curves for Bridge Elements
Gongkang Fu, Illinois Institute of Technology
William Beisner, Illinois Department of Transportation

The state of Illinois has 26,873 bridges, which is the third most in the U.S., according to 2023 National Bridge Inventory Data.
The state of Illinois has 26,873 bridges, which is the third most in the U.S., according to 2023 National Bridge Inventory Data.

This project developed deterioration curves — which predict deterioration over time — based on element inspection data from Illinois’ bridge inventory. The deterioration curves will be the basis for IDOT’s Bridge Management System.

The deterioration curves will be used to forecast the condition of various bridge elements, such as the concrete deck or expansion joints, and will directly impact the quality of IDOT’s decision-making. They will allow IDOT to maximize the return on taxpayer investment by performing bridge maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation or replacement at the appropriate times.

R27-239: Development of Commercial Vehicle Emission Inventory and Analysis
Jane Lin, University of Illinois Chicago
Christopher Schmidt, Illinois Department of Transportation

Mobile emissions count as one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases in the world.
Mobile emissions count as one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases in the world.

This project compiled data on commercial vehicle emissions to better understand the linkage between heavy polluters and their make-up in the overall fleet.

The researchers provided policymakers with accurate data on which vehicle types produce the most emissions impact on the state so those vehicles can be targeted for retirement or other disincentives.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help curb climate change and ensure a healthy future for next generations.

R27-SP61: Wetland Mitigation Needs Assessment
Geoff Pociask, Illinois State Geological Survey
Kimberly Burkwald and Shawn Wilcockson, Illinois Department of Transportation

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

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

Photos by Alison Stodola and Rachel Vinsel. Threatened and endangered species, such as the monkeyface mussel and rainbow mussel (from left), are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act as well as the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act.
Photos by Alison Stodola and Rachel Vinsel. Threatened and endangered species, such as the monkeyface mussel and rainbow mussel (from left), 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 was to document the needs, gaps and inefficiencies in IDOT’s approach to mitigating impacts to endangered species through construction projects.

Researchers identified IDOT’s current process and construction program needs related to threatened and endangered species mitigation. They analyzed 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 developing 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.