The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

New ICT-IDOT projects

10/19/2022 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.

R27-250: Using Advanced Binder Rheological Parameters to Predict Cracking Potential of Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixtures with Modified Binders
Imad Al-Qadi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kelly Morse and Brian Hill, Illinois Department of Transportation

Asphalt binder is an adhesive that holds aggregates, such as gravel or crushed stone, in pavement together. As asphalt binder ages, it becomes more prone to cracking, affecting the life span of the pavement.
Asphalt binder is an adhesive that holds aggregates, such as gravel or crushed stone, in pavement together. As asphalt binder ages, it becomes more prone to cracking, affecting the life span of the pavement.

This project seeks to improve the asphalt binder used in hot-mix asphalt pavements to increase the performance and durability of pavements constructed in Illinois. Researchers will attempt to answer industry concerns with new testing parameters and tie the binder testing protocol developed in ICT-IDOT project R27-196-HS with mixture performance measures.

This research will assist in the implementation of a draft special provision for softener-modified binder. Improved pavement performance and durability will allow drivers in Illinois to experience less maintenance activities and fewer construction projects.

The project will conclude February 2025.

R27-251: Optimum Traffic Signal Condition Assessment and Strategic Maintenance Planning
Ryan Fries and Yan Qi, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Ken Davis and Kyle Armstrong, Illinois Department of Transportation

Over 300,000 traffic signals help control intersections throughout the U.S., according to the Federal Highway Administration. Traffic signals typically consist of three components: a system that coordinates the timing of the traffic signals, equipment such as steel poles, and devices that communicate with sensors that detect vehicles and the system that controls traffic.
Over 300,000 traffic signals help control intersections throughout the U.S., according to the Federal Highway Administration. Traffic signals typically consist of three components: a system that coordinates the timing of the traffic signals, equipment such as steel poles, and devices that communicate with sensors that detect vehicles and the system that controls traffic.

This project aims to collect the latest information for maintaining all components of traffic signals and identify when those components should be replaced. Researchers will develop procedures for determining the conditions of existing traffic signal components, establish standards for minimum acceptable conditions and determine the proper procedures for maintaining components.

Providing clearer guidance to local and district agencies on when components of traffic signals should be replaced will lead to more efficient use of funds and help ensure signalized intersections are maintained with up-to-date technology when necessary to move traffic safely and efficiently.

The project will end August 2024.

R27-252: Impact of Commercial Electric Vehicles on Flexible Pavement Performance
Angeli Jayme, Imad Al-Qadi and Uthman Mohamed Ali, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jamie Hernandez-Urrea, Marquette University
John Senger, Illinois Department of Transportation

Cars aren’t the only vehicles that can be powered by electricity. Commercial vehicles like semitrucks can also be electrified but come with their own set of challenges such as requiring heavier battery packs to accommodate for their size.
Cars aren’t the only vehicles that can be powered by electricity. Commercial vehicles like semitrucks can also be electrified but come with their own set of challenges such as requiring heavier battery packs to accommodate for their size.

This project aims to better understand how electric commercial vehicles like semitrucks will affect asphalt pavements. Electric semitrucks will carry additional weight from large battery packs and will have increased capacity for torque and potentially different weight distributions.

Researchers will get a head start on the weight distributions and torque capabilities of these new vehicles and will conduct large-scale testing and computer modeling to determine the effects on the pavement. This project will help IDOT become ready for the electrification of the commercial fleet, helping save time and money once electric commercial vehicles are in operation.

The project will end February 2025.

R27-254: Development of Equipment Rental Schedule for Illinois
Zheyong Bian and Sasha Dong, University of Houston
Ziteng Wang, Northern Illinois University
Mark Neale and Tim Peters, Illinois Department of Transportation

During highway construction, contractors may need to perform “extra” work not considered during the design phase to successfully complete a project. When this takes place, the contractor is paid for their labor, material and equipment costs per hour. Contractors receive reimbursement for owned equipment per EquipmentWatch’s subscription-based <em>Rental Rate Blue Book</em>. Local agencies can seek reimbursement using Illinois Department of Transportation’s Schedule of Average Annual Equipment Ownership Expense for MFT, which may not accurately reflect the true cost of owning and operating equipment.
During highway construction, contractors may need to perform “extra” work not considered during the design phase to successfully complete a project. When this takes place, the contractor is paid for their labor, material and equipment costs per hour. Contractors receive reimbursement for owned equipment per EquipmentWatch’s subscription-based Rental Rate Blue Book. Local agencies can seek reimbursement using IDOT’s Schedule of Average Annual Equipment Ownership Expense for MFT, which may not accurately reflect the true cost of owning and operating equipment.

During highway construction, the contractor is paid via measured-in-place quantities for various pay item work per terms of their contract with IDOT. Additional work not shown on the design plans is sometimes necessary to successfully complete the project. When this takes place, the contractor is paid for their labor, material and equipment costs per hour. Contractor-owned equipment reimbursement is currently reimbursed via Federal Highway Administration’s hourly rate for the specific equipment used per EquipmentWatch’s Rental Rate Blue Book, which is accessible only through a subscription.

This project will develop and implement a web-based rate schedule that is user-friendly and accurately reflects ownership and operating costs for various categories of heavy, medium, and light construction equipment typically used on road and bridge construction projects. The project will better ensure that rates provided for contractor-owned equipment reimbursement accurately reflect the true ownership and operating costs of said equipment in Illinois as well as provide small businesses with a way to do business with IDOT without incurring a large cost for service.

The project will end August 2024.

R27-255: Illinois Department of Transportation’s Seeding Standards and Best Management Practices
Jeffrey Matthews and Rabin Bhattarai, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Scott Marlow and Stephanie Dobbs, Illinois Department of Transportation

IDOT aims to increase the use of native grass in its right-of-way areas, as native vegetation is adapted to the local climate, including summer drought, and supports greater biodiversity, including wildlife and insect pollinators.
IDOT aims to increase the use of native grass in its right-of-way areas, as native vegetation is adapted to the local climate, including summer drought, and supports greater biodiversity, including wildlife and insect pollinators.

IDOT maintains nearly 16,000 miles of roadway and adjacent right-of-way, a significant amount of which is vegetated. Much of this vegetation is non-native turfgrass, which is planted to stabilize soils and to increase safety for vehicles that leave the roadway.

This project will determine the long-term outcomes of vegetation in IDOT’s right-of-way. Researchers will combine a survey of previous right-of-way plantings in Illinois with field trails of planting mixtures to determine cost-effective seeding mixtures and planting recommendations for revegetation of the right-of-way in various environmental settings.

Providing this knowledge will help guide new recommendations to enhance seeding success and minimize the spread of invasive plants in right-of-way areas.

The project will conclude May 2025.