Advancing road resilience and safety with new technologies in pavement and automation
10/28/2024
Illinois Center for Transportation is advancing innovation with three new transportation projects led by ICT faculty.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Microsimulation Model Development and Validation
Alireza Talebpour, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering assistant professor and ICT’s mobility autonomy lead, is leading the development and validation of a microsimulation model to assess the performance of advanced driver-assistance systems in mixed-traffic conditions, where automated and human-driven vehicles coexist.
Sponsored by George Washington University and FHWA, the project aims to address the unique challenges posed by integrating connected and automated vehicles into current transportation systems. As CAVs gain market share the model will evaluate the impact of varying CAV adoption rates on traffic flow, road capacity and safety.
Running from February 2024 to February 2027, the research will identify how advanced driver-assistance technologies influence headways, travel speeds and driving behaviors. The project will provide insights into managing mixed-traffic conditions and help refine existing traffic models to reflect the distinct driving patterns of automated and human-driven vehicles.
The outcomes will guide transportation agencies in adapting infrastructure and policies for safer and more efficient autonomous vehicle integration over time.
Amount of Bituminous Surface Lost Each Year
Ramez Hajj, CEE assistant professor and ICT’s asphalt materials lead, is conducting research to better understand the degradation of bituminous pavement surfaces, particularly in cold climates where winter maintenance, such as snowplowing, takes a heavy toll.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, this project will quantify how factors like climate, traffic and winter maintenance affect the rate of surface loss, especially in safety-critical areas such as rumble strips and recessed pavement markings.
Scheduled from August 2024 to November 2026, the study will include field measurements in multiple regions of Minnesota, covering roads with varying traffic levels.
The research will help MnDOT improve asset management strategies by identifying the specific impacts of each factor on surface wear, enabling the department to optimize construction, maintenance and operations efforts.
Quantifying the Benefits of Using Geotextiles and Geogrids in Pavement Layers
Erol Tutumluer, CEE Abel Bliss Professor and ICT’s transportation geotechnics lead, is exploring the benefits of geotextiles and geogrids in improving the performance of unbound pavement layers.
Sponsored by MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, this project — running from August 2024 to June 2026 — will produce a design guide for road designers, offering recommendations on when and how to use geotextiles and geogrids based on factors like soil type, pavement structure and traffic conditions.
The guide will also highlight the cost-effectiveness and performance benefits of these materials, helping transportation agencies reduce maintenance costs and improve road durability.
The study will include a review of current practices, product evaluations and recommendations to update MnDOT’s manuals with the latest best practices.