New ICT-IDOT reports, projects

Illinois Center for Transportation is pleased to announce the publication of reports for the following Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored projects:

“R27-180: High-volume Fly Ash Concrete for Pavements Findings: Volume 1”
High-volume fly ash concrete is potentially more cost-effective and durable than conventional concrete, but its early-age properties can present challenges when constructing concrete pavements. Researchers provide guidelines for HVFAC mix design and testing protocols to assist with its implementation.

“R27-180: Early-age Properties of High-volume Fly Ash Concrete Mixes for Pavement: Volume 2”
Here researchers review HVFAC properties and ways to characterize fly ash as well as develop a digital foam index test to increase operator and laboratory reliability. It also discusses field implementation of the wireless maturity method to determine strength development, as well as noncontact ultrasound measurements to determine setting time and saw-cutting time.

“R27-180: Concrete Pavement Mixtures with High Supplementary Cementitious Materials Content: Volume 3”
Researchers compare the performance of concrete mixtures containing 0, 20 and 40 percent fly ash.

“R27-193-3: Evaluation of Geosynthetics Use in Pavement Foundation Layers and Their Effects on Design Methods”
Here researchers examine IDOT’s use of geosynthetics — synthetic materials used to strengthen soils — in pavements to keep the agency’s practices cutting edge.

“R27-195: Best Practice Operation of Reversible Express Lanes for the Kennedy Expressway”
Reversible lanes in Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway are used to significantly reduce traffic congestion. Here researchers use data and statistical analysis to seek the optimum time to begin reversing the lanes.

“R27-198: Development of Guidelines for Implementation of Horizontal Directional Drilling”
This study provides IDOT with proposed guidance documents and metrics on horizontal directional drilling that will allow the agency to evaluate a proposed location for HDD installation and assist with design, permitting, construction, inspection and quality assurance.

“R27-202: Roadway Lighting’s Effect on Pedestrian Safety at Intersection and Midblock Crosswalks”
Researchers seek to improve pedestrian safety at intersections and midblock crosswalks by investigating nine lighting designs at three light levels.

“R27-207: Technical and Financial Feasibility Study for Installation of Solar Panels at IDOT-owned Facilities”
To prepare for a greener future, this project explores the possibility of obtaining and installing solar panels in open lands in Illinois. Researchers also develop a tool to identify potential sites for solar panels such as maintenance yards and rest stops.

“R27-SP45: Literature Review and Data Analysis on the Impacts of Prolonged Events on Transit System Ridership”
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many areas of our lives — including our transit systems. This project examines transit ridership recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as previous epidemics, natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

“R27-SP46: Evaluation of Illinois Bridge Deterioration Models”
The goal of this project is to evaluate IDOT’s models for bridge deterioration, which influence decisions for bridge maintenance, repair and rehabilitation.

 

ICT is also excited to announce the start of the following IDOT-sponsored projects:

“R27-234: Effectiveness of Geosynthetics in Soil/Aggregate Stabilization — Evaluation Using Bender Element Sensor Technology”
Geosynthetics — synthetic materials used to strengthen soils — can make pavements more stable and decrease erosion. Here researchers will use bender-element sensors — which estimate pavement stiffness — to evaluate the effectiveness of geosynthetics products in order to develop design guidelines.

“R27-238: Developing Deterioration Curves for Bridge Elements”
The aim of this project is to develop reliable deterioration curves — models that predict the probability of failure — to assist IDOT with making bridge maintenance, rehabilitation and repair decisions.

“R27-239: Development of Commercial Vehicle Emission Inventory and Analysis”
Here researchers investigate commercial vehicles’ effects on greenhouse gas emissions and air toxicity to assist IDOT with combating vehicle emissions.

“R27-240: Development of Potential Strategies for Unmarked and Low Traffic Volume Roadways in Illinois”
Here researchers seek to develop a strategy to categorize unmarked — roads not marked by interstate, U.S. or state signs — or low-volume roadways to better prioritize them for maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation treatments.

“R27-241: Advancing Air Mobility in Illinois”
This project aims to identify advanced air mobility technologies for Illinois in order to develop its mobility and economy. Researchers will leverage existing resources and assist IDOT with developing policies for this technology.

“R27-242: Economical Impact of Full Closure for Accelerated Bridge Construction and Conventional Staged Construction”
The goal of this project is to develop a tool to estimate costs for conventional and accelerated bridge construction — which has a low construction time but a high initial cost — to allow engineers to choose the best-possible construction method.

“R27-244: Improved Geotechnical Site Characterization Using Measurement While Drilling”
Here researchers seek to develop guidance for IDOT on measurement while drilling — a technique that uses measurement tools to provide real-time subsurface information — which will allow for safer and more cost-effective drilling practices.

“R27-SP49: Optimal Approach for Addressing Reinforcement Corrosion for Concrete Bridge Decks in Illinois”
Corrosion in concrete bridge decks can shorten a bridge’s intended life span. The aim of this project is to develop an optimum way to address corrosion in Illinois’ concrete bridges.

“R27-SP50: Review of Methodologies to Assess Bridge Safety during and after Floods”
Flooding can lead to scouring — a leading cause of bridge failure — around bridges. Researchers evaluate current inspection methods after flooding to best monitor bridge safety before and after flooding.

“R27-SP51-HS: Effectiveness and External Noise of Transverse Rumble Strip Designs”
Here researchers seek the optimal design of transverse rumble strips — roadway patches within the travel lane that warn drivers when to slow down — in order to reduce noise while maintaining safe roadways.