When

Thursday, November 12, 2009 – Friday, November 13, 2009

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Where

Keck Center The National Academies 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia 20001 202-334-2003

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Supported by U.S. DOT Research Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)

Many elements of the U.S. surface transportation infrastructure are in deteriorating condition. Facilities are aging, and some are stressed more heavily than ever expected. Traffic volumes have exceeded forecasts, trucks and rail cars are heavier and operate in greater numbers than ever before, and control systems have outlived their functional lives. The burdens of preservation and rehabilitation are growing at a time when revenues from user fees are rising only slowly, and the costs of energy and materials are increasing rapidly.

Because major failures are rare, transportation infrastructure preservation is easily overlooked. But infrastructure components require regular monitoring and management; continuing, fact-driven reinvestment to maintain condition and assure performance, safety, and security; development and application of effective and efficient materials, technologies and tools to meet cost-effectiveness and sustainability goals; and targeted capacity expansion. This conference will bring public and private infrastructure owners and managers together with researchers to discuss infrastructure preservation problems, needs, and achievements, and to identify priority opportunities for both basic and applied research. The conference will encompass a broad range of topics focused on aspects of surface transportation infrastructure preservation. Presentations and posters are invited in these and related areas:

a.      Infrastructure condition assessment, including technologies for intelligent structure health monitoring, remote, automated sensing and reporting, and advanced models of infrastructure deterioration processes.

b.      New materials and methods for preservation, restoration, and construction of transportation infrastructure.

c.       Methods to identify and secure critical transportation infrastructure components.

d.      Strategies for rapid repair and rehabilitation, including contracting, new materials, incentives, and project management.

e.      Methods to estimate costs and benefits of infrastructure preservation and models of deterioration processes.

¹ For TRB Sponsors only (including State DOTs). You must be a Sponsor prior to conference registration. To see if your organization is a TRB Sponsor, you may view a listing of all TRB Sponsors.² Full time students, age 35 or under.  Must present Student ID onsite.

Refunds will be issued, less a $50 cancellation fee, for all cancellations received in writing three weeks prior to the conference start date. No refunds will be issued thereafter.

Click here to register and learn more about the event. (PDF of Final Program for the conference below, courtesy of TRB)

This webinar will explore the findings of Transportation Research Board Special Report 298: Driving and the Built Environment:  Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions.  This congressionally mandated study examines the relationship between land development patterns and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the United States to assess whether petroleum use, and by extension greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, could be reduced by changes in the design of development patterns.   The study estimates the contributions that changes in residential and mixed-use development patterns and transit investments could make in reducing VMT by 2030 and 2050, and the impact this could have in meeting future transportation-related GHG reduction goals.

Commissioned papers used by the committee to help develop Special Report 298 are available online.  A four page summary of and a press release on the report is also available online.

Image Courtesy: TRB - Click the image to access the report

The committee chair, José A. Gómez-Ibáñez, Derek C. Bok Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy of Harvard University, will present the study findings.   The report estimates the contributions that changes in residential and mixed-use development patterns and transit investments could make in reducing VMT by 2030 and 2050, and the impact this could have in meeting future transportation-related GHG reduction goals.

Questions from the audience will be addressed by Dr. Gómez-Ibáñez and two committee members who also contributed to the report:

• Dr. Marlon Boarnet, University of California, Irvine
• Mr. Andrew Cotugno, Portland METRO

Questions may be posed any time during the webinar, and will be answered at the end of the session.
Registration:  There is no fee to join this webinar. Space is limited, so we encourage participants to register 24 hours prior to the start of the webinar.

For questions about using this software, including webinar audio or visual complications, please contact Reggie Gillum at rgillum@nas.edu or 202-334-2382.

(Source: Transportation Research Board E-Newsletter)

TRB News

2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting: Meeting Registration and Hotel Reservations Now Open

The registration and hotel reservations processes are now open for the TRB 89th Annual Meeting, January 10-14, 2010. Registration is required for all Annual Meeting attendees, including those who register to attend any workshop or take advantage of services provided onsite such as the Employment Opportunities room. [More]

TRB Webinar: Asphalt Emulsions: Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Applications

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday October 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT that will explore the ability of asphalt emulsion technology to provide a low-temperature, low-energy, and volatile organic compound-free solution for constructing, maintaining, and rehabilitating pavement. Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

2009 Transportation Policy and Finance Summit

Washington, D.C.
TRB is cosponsoring the 2009 Transportation Policy and Finance Summit on December 13-15, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The summit is designed to explore potential solutions to the transportation funding challenges faced by all levels of government and the private sector. [More]

Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, and Bicyclists
Jerusalem, Israel

TRB is cosponsoring conference on Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, and Bicyclists on May 30 – June 2, 2010, in Jerusalem, Israel. The conference will explore scientific information, best practices, and policies from different countries designed to improve the safety of vulnerable road users.  Interested individuals or groups are encouraged to submit abstracts to be considered for presentation at the conference by October 31, 2009. [More]

Transit IDEA Project Proposal Solicitation
TRB’s Transit IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program has issued a request for proposals for start-up funding for promising, but unproven, innovations in transit. The Federal Transit Administration sponsors the Transit IDEA Program, which promotes innovation beyond the scope of traditional research programs in the area of transit. The program’s goal is to seek out and support new transportation solutions that are unlikely to be funded through traditional programs. Proposals are encouraged in one of the program’s high-priority focus areas-improving transit safety or security, increasing transit ridership, improving transit capital or operating efficiencies, and protecting the environment or promoting energy independence.  Instructions for preparing IDEA proposals and the proposal submission form are available online. Questions about preparing Transit IDEA proposals should be addressed to Harvey Berlin at HBerlin@nas.edu or (202) 334-2441. To be considered during the current award cycle, proposals must be submitted by October 1, 2009. [More]

Comprehensive Analysis Framework for Safety Investment Decisions
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive analysis framework for safety investment decisions across engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical services that are transferable across federal, state, and local governments. Proposals are due October 28, 2009. [More]

Methodologies to Estimate the Economic Impacts of Disruptions to the Goods Movement System
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to develop and apply one or more conceptual methodologies for identifying and estimating short- and long-term economic impacts due to disruptions to the goods movement system. Proposals are due October 30, 2009. [More]

FY 2010 Airport Cooperative Research Program Synthesis Topics Sought
TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) is soliciting ideas for candidate topics for the fiscal year 2010 ACRP Synthesis Program. The ACRP Synthesis Program initiates approximately seven synthesis studies annually that address concerns of airport operators. A synthesis report is a relatively short document that summarizes existing practice in a specific technical area, typically based on a literature review and a survey of relevant organizations. Potential synthesis topics may be submitted by anyone at any time; however, the closing date for consideration of synthesis topics for FY 2010 is October 30, 2009. [More]

Renewable Energy Guide for Highway Maintenance Facilities
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to identify best practices for the planning, design, and operation of new and retrofitted highway maintenance facilities that are sustainable and energy efficient over their service lives through the use of energy capture technologies. Proposals are due November 5, 2009. [More]

Recent Publications

Precision Estimates of AASHTO T 242
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 142: Precision Estimates of AASHTO T 242 examines precision estimates for AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) T 242, “Frictional Properties of Paved Surfaces Using a Full-Scale Tire.” [More]

Marine Transportation and Port Operations 2009
TRB’s Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2100 includes the 2009 Thomas B. Deen Distinguished Lecture by Geraldine Knatz, which explores the evolution of U.S. seaports and the environmental initiatives enabling them to modernize and expand. This TRR also includes 10 additional papers that examine the impacts of climate change at U.S. ports, container terminal berth planning, the Lean Enterprise for improving seaport operations, performance indicators for roll-on/roll-off terminals, truck turn time at marine terminals, marine container terminal gate congestion modeling, modeling collision risks in port fairways, operational development of U.S. Pacific Coast marine highways, inland waterway transportation performance assessment, and simulation-based network maintenance planning and scheduling for the U.S. inland waterway system. [More]

Protocols for Collecting and Using Traffic Data in Bridge Design
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 132: Protocols for Collecting and Using Traffic Data in Bridge Design explores a set of protocols and methodologies for using available recent truck traffic data to develop and calibrate live load models for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) bridge design. [More]

Procedures Guide for Right-of-Way Cost Estimation and Cost Management
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 625: Procedures Guide for Right-of-Way Cost Estimation and Cost Management explores approaches for developing right-of-way (ROW) cost estimates. The report also examines ways to track and manage ROW cost during all phases of project development, including planning, programming, and preliminary and final design. [More]

Influence of Roadway Surface Discontinuities on Safety

TRB’s Transportation Research Circular E-C134: Influence of Roadway Surface Discontinuities on Safety is designed to help highway engineers evaluate roadway maintenance guidelines and priorities. The report addresses safety issues related to roadway roughness, holes, and bumps; the positive effects of road surface discontinuities; pavement edges; friction variations; water accumulations; surface contaminants; and small and large vehicles. [More]

Safety Data, Analysis, and Evaluation 2009, Volume 2

TRB’s Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2103 includes 13 papers that explore calibration of the Highway Safety Manual’s accident prediction model for a secondary road network, speed and safety, accident modification functions, elementary units of exposure, identifying crash hot spots, and safety of lane and shoulder width combinations on rural roads. This issue of the TRR also examines the effects of pavement marking retroreflectivity on traffic crash frequency, road data aggregation and sectioning for crash analysis, safety evaluation of curve delineation improvements, microsimulation to study a traffic signal incident reduction function, comparison of simulated freeway safety performance with observed crashes, traffic operation measures in the safety analysis of signalized intersections, and different parameterizations of the varying dispersion parameter as a function of segment length. [More]

Implementable Strategies for Shifting to Direct Usage-Based Charges for Transportation Funding
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 143: Implementable Strategies for Shifting to Direct Usage-Based Charges for Transportation Funding explores ways that direct charges to road users, based on vehicle-miles of travel (VMT), could be implemented within approximately the next 5 years. [More]

Federal Research News

Review of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
The Government Accountability Office has released a report that examines the responsibilities of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the efforts made by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide oversight to MPOs to improve transportation planning. [More]

The National Infrastructure Advisory Council Framework for Dealing with Disasters and Related Interdependencies: Final Report and Recommendations
The National Infrastructure Advisory Council has released a report that explores the United States’ ability to respond to and recover from a major disaster that results in a prolonged loss of infrastructure services expanding beyond a local area. Through the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, NIAC provides the President with advice on the security of the 18 critical infrastructure and key resource sectors and their information systems. [More]

University Research News

Horizontal Cracking Mechanism in CRCP
The Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas-Austin has released a report that explores the mechanism of horizontal cracking in continuously reinforced concrete pavement. [More]

Guide to the Economic Value of Texas Ports

The Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas-Austin has released a report that examines the local, regional, and national economic impacts of various Texas seaports. [More]

Evaluation of Smart Video for Transit Event Detection
The National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida has released a report that examines commercial video analytics systems used to fight crime and terrorism in transit environments. [More]

SORT Clearinghouse Newsletter: August 2009
The Institute of Transport Studies at Monash University, Australia, has released the latest issue of its bimonthly newsletter that highlights new additions to the Social Research in Transport (SORT) clearinghouse research database. [More]

International Research

The Effect of Milled Rumble Strips Versus Virtual Rumble Strips on Sleepy Drivers: A Driving Simulator Study
The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) has released a report that explores in-vehicle warning systems compared to modified infrastructure elements, such as rumble strips, to determine the most effective way to alert sleepy drivers. The report is written in English. [More]

In The Know

Transportation Biofuels in the United States
The Minnesota Project has released a report that examines the status of major developments in the biofuels industry. [More]

Hearing on Hazardous Materials Safety in the United States
On Thursday, September 10, 2009, the U.S. House of Representative Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing to explore concerns with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s oversight and management of hazardous materials safety in the United States. Additional background about the hearing, submitted testimony of witnesses, and a video are available online. [More]

School Bicycling and Walking Policies: Addressing Policies that Hinder and Implementing Policies that Help
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has released a tip sheet that explores ways to approach school policies that prohibit walking or bicycling to school. [More]

National Transportation Operations Coalition Newsletter: September 9, 2009
The National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) has released the latest issue of its semi-monthly newsletter that highlights available information and resources designed to help improve management and operation of the nation’s existing transportation system. NTOC is an informal alliance of organizations that are stakeholders in operations, planning, and public safety. Organizations involved in NTOC include the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Public Transportation Association, and TRB. [More]

Note: TransportGooru considers the TRB e-newsletter one of the most comprehensive sources of transportation research information.  The opinions expressed in reports highlighted in TRB’s Transportation Research E-Newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Transportation Research Board.

(Source: Transportation Research Board)

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday, June 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore the fundamentals of climate change with Dr. Steven Davis-Mendelow. 

Dr. Steven Davis-Mendelow, a spokesperson for The Climate Project, will provide an engaging presentation about the fundamentals of climate change to help the transportation community better plan policy and projects.  Mr. William Malley, partner at the law firm of Perkins Coie LLP, will provide comments after Dr. Davis-Mendelow’s presentation.  This webinar is based off of a 2009 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting session. 

The Climate Project is an international non-profit founded by former Vice President Al Gore.  The mission of The Climate Project is to increase public awareness of the climate crisis at a grassroots level.  For more than a year, Dr. Davis-Mendelow has led discussions worldwide addressing the challenges of, and solutions to the climate crisis from individual, community and corporate perspectives.  Professionally, Dr. Davis-Mendelow is an aerospace expert whose career focuses on long-term market and environmental trend analysis and strategy. 

Mr. Malley represents public- and private-sector clients on a wide range of environmental issues, with a focus on environmental impact assessment for infrastructure projects.   He also serves as an advisor to AASHTO on legislation and policies related to climate change and transportation.  Dr. Julia Gamas, an Environmental Protection Specialist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will moderate the session. 

For more information on the Climate Project, visit:  http://www.theclimateproject.org/. 

This webinar is co-sponsored by the Transportation Research Board and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 

Registration:  There is no fee for TRB Sponsors, listed here: http://www.trb.org/directory/sponsors.asp. Others must pay $99 per site.   

For questions about using this software, including webinar audio or visual complications, please contact Reggie Gillum at rgillum@nas.edu or 202-334-2382.

 2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting and Transportation Research Record: Calls for Papers TRB standing committees have issued more than 40 calls for papers for the TRB 89th Annual Meeting, January 10-14, 2010, in Washington, D.C, and the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRR). While papers addressing any relevant aspect of transportation research will be considered, some committees are soliciting papers in specific subject areas to help potential authors identify topics for their papers. Committees will be producing calls for papers through June, so authors should visit this site periodically. [More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Freight and Hazardous Materials Problem Statements Sought – Candidate Statements Due July 31, 2009 Candidate Statements Due July 31, 2009 TRB’s National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) and Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) have issued a request for problem statements identifying research needed for NCFRP’s and HMCRP’s FY 2010 programs.  Research problem statements, which will form the basis for selection of the next round of research projects by the respective programs, are due by July 31, 2009.  The NCFRP and HMCRP are applied, contract research programs with objectives of developing information that will be used to improve the efficiency, reliability, safety, and security of the nation’s freight transportation system.  Anyone may submit a research problem statement and the process is easy. So, if you have any potential research topics, TRB would welcome your submission. New projects will be selected in the fall of 2009. [More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Transit Cooperative Research Program Legal Studies Topics Recommendations Due by July 1, 2009 The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is soliciting ideas on candidate topics for the FY 2010 Legal Studies Program. The TCRP Legal Studies Program reports on legal issues associated with transit and intermodal law. Each document is intended to provide transit attorneys with authoritative, well-researched, specific information that is limited in scope. The studies focus on legal issues and problems having national significance to the transit industry. [More]

NCHRP FY 2010 Projects: Oversight Panel Nominee Solicitation Nominations Due May 29, 2009  TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is soliciting nominees to serve on oversight panels for new projects being established under the NCHRP’s FY 2010 program. Nominees should have expertise directly relevant to the proposed project topic. To help identify nominees who are members of historically underrepresented groups, TRB encourages the nomination of women and members of minority groups.  Panels for the new projects are scheduled to meet beginning in late July through September. Panel members are prohibited from submitting or participating in preparation of proposals on projects under their jurisdiction, and they serve without compensation but are paid travel and subsistence expenses. [More]

TRB Webinar: Animal-Vehicle Collisions May 12, 2009  TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will examine efforts to design and implement mitigation techniques to prevent animal-vehicle collisions.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

Truck Tolling-Understanding Industry Tradeoffs When Using or Avoiding Toll Facilities Proposals Due June 25, 2009 TRB’s National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) and National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) have issued a request for proposals to identify the value that goods movement businesses seek from the transportation roadway network and their willingness to pay tolls for that value. [More]

Recent Publications

Updated Test and Design Methods for Thermoplastic Drainage Pipe TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 631: Updated Test and Design Methods for Thermoplastic Drainage Pipe explores a recommended load and resistance factor design (LRFD) specification for thermoplastic pipe used in culverts and drainage systems for highway structures. [More] [Buy it now]

 Literature Review for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 44: Literature Review for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations describes the results of the literature review associated with a project that is examining various alternatives for providing access to and from stations of new and mature high-capacity public transportation systems, including heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit. [More]

 Cooperative Research Programs Security Research Status Report TRB’s Cooperative Research Program produces a table summarizing more than 80 security and emergency preparedness projects representing over $11 million in the contract research programs for state departments of transportation and the public transportation industry.  Updated monthly. [More]

Transportation Security: A Summary of Transportation Research Board Activities – A slideshow summary of the Transportation Research Board’s pre- and post-September 11, 2001, transportation security activities is updated monthly.  [More]

Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems – TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Web-Only Document 1: Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems is a summary of the efforts associated with the development of ACRP Report 13: Integrating Airport Information Systems . 

Integrating Airport Information Systems TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 13: Integrating Airport Information Systems is designed to help airport mangers and information technology professionals address issues associated with integrating airport information systems.  A summary of the efforts associated with the development of ACRP Report 13 was published online as ACRP Web-Only Document 1: Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems. [More]  [Buy it now]

(Source: Transportation Research Board)

TRB News 

TRB Webinar: Back to the Future: Do We Need Aviation Reregulation?
May 19, 2009

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday, May 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore the prospect of increased government involvement in the airline industry, given high energy costs and an industry-wide financial crisis. Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

TRB Webinar: Animal-Vehicle Collisions

May 12, 2009

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will examine efforts to design and implement mitigation techniques to prevent animal-vehicle collisions.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

TRB Webinar: Design and Production of High-Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Mixes

May 7, 2009

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Thursday, May 7, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore the research and best practices for the processing, design, and production of high-reclaimed asphalt pavement mixes.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

TRB Webinar: Design and Production of High-Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Mixes

May 7, 2009

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Thursday, May 7, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore the research and best practices for the processing, design, and production of high-reclaimed asphalt pavement mixes.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

 TRB Webinar: Performance-Based HMA Construction Specification

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Monday, April 27, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will examine the results of TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project to develop performance-related specifications for hot-mix asphalt (HMA).  During this session, presenters will demonstrate the Quality-Related Specification Software , which is based on the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide.  This software provides engineers with the ability to compare the performance of an as-designed and as-built HMA pavement and calculates pay factors from the differences in performance. Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

Eighth International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways, and Airfields (BCR2A)

Champaign, Illinois
TRB is cosponsoring the Eighth International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways, and Airfields (BCR2A’09) on June 29-July 2, 2009, in Champaign, Illinois.  The conference is designed to explore issues pertaining to the bearing capacity and mechanistic-based design of highway and airfield pavements and railroad track structures. [More]

Recently Released TRB Publications

SHRP 2 Project Brief: DOT-Utility Coordination: Understanding Key Aspects of the Problem and Opportunities for Improvement

TRB’s second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) has released a project brief that summarizes SHRP 2 Renewal project R15, which explored strategies designed to resolve issues that departments of transportation and utility companies face when working together.  The project developed a plan to test and evaluate strategies designed to eliminate or mitigate utility asset relocation delays and overcome institutional barriers for the implementation of these strategies. [More]

SHRP 2 Project Brief: Encouraging Innovation in Locating and Characterizing Underground Utilities

TRB’s second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) has released a project brief that summarizes SHRP 2 Renewal project R01, which explored ways to encourage innovation in the location and characterization of underground utilities, and identified areas that have the highest potential for innovation and improvement.  The project also developed a research and development plan to advance promising technologies. [More]

On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research

The National Research Council has released the third edition of a report that describes the ethical foundations of scientific practices, and describes some of the personal and professional issues that researches encounter in their work.  TRB is a division of the National Academies, which include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. [More]

Joint Workshop on Abutment Scour: Present Knowledge and Future Needs – June 2008

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Results Digest 334: Joint Workshop on Abutment Scour: Present Knowledge and Future Needs – June 2008 explores the state of knowledge on bridge abutment scour. [More]

Pre-Overlay Treatment of Existing Pavements

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 388: Pre-Overlay Treatment of Existing Pavements explores current pre-overlay treatment practices of state departments of transportation for both hot-mix asphalt and portland cement concrete pavement structures.  The report is designed to help pavement management and pavement design groups in their selection of pre-overlay treatments. [More]

Federal Research News

Transportation Conformity Highlights: March 2009

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released the latest issue of its Transportation Conformity Highlights newsletter.  The monthly newsletter is designed to keep conformity stakeholders up to date on issues related to transportation conformity. [More]

Review of Coast Guard’s Vessel Tracking Systems

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a report that examines the extent to which the Coast Guard tracks vessels at sea and can use these systems to track vessels that may pose security threats. [More]

Vision for High-Speed Rail in America

The Federal Railroad Administration has released a report that explores the U.S. Department of Transportation’s strategic plan for high-speed rail. [More]

Evaluation of the Focused Approach to Pedestrian Safety Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that examines the pedestrian component of the FHWA’s Focused Approach to Safety Program. [More]

Not-in-Traffic Surveillance 2007 – Highlights

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a traffic safety facts statistical summary that explores the Not-in-Traffic Surveillance (NiTS) system.  The NiTS system is designed to provide details regarding fatalities and injuries that occur in non-traffic crashes and in non-crash incidents. [More]

Technologies That Complement Congestion Pricing – A Primer

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that explores ways that technology can be used for congestion pricing by supporting the traveler’s decision to change travel time, travel mode, and travel route. [More]

Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Study: Best Practices Manual

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that examines the causes and impacts of wildlife-vehicle collisions and identifies solutions to this safety problem. [More]

LTPP Manual for Profile Measurements and Processing

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that explores operational procedures and data collection and processing methods for the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Program. [More] 

State Research News

A Functionally Optimized Hot-Mix Asphalt Wearing Course: Part I: Preliminary Results
The Virginia Transportation Research Council, a partnership of the Virginia Department of Transportation and the University of Virginia, has released a report that examines the design, production, placement, and early life performance of a new generation open-graded surface course for use in Virginia. [More] 

University Research News

Concrete Pavement Overlays and Failure Mechanisms
The Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas, Austin, has released a report that explores asphalt concrete overlay and bonded concrete overlay projects, and examines a life-cycle cost analysis for future overlay projects. [More]

An Ambit-Based Activity Model for Evaluating Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Policies

The Mineta Transportation Institute has released a report that examines greenhouse gas emission reduction policies that are being considered in the transportation sector in the wake of more stringent emission reduction targets envisaged in a post-Kyoto international climate treaty. [More]

Creating an Educational Network in California to Assess and Address Its Future Transportation Education Challenges

The Mineta Transportation Institute has released a report that explores future transportation scenarios in California and examines various policy responses addressing these scenarios. [More]

Go! – April-May 2009
The Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University has released the latest issue of Go! magazine.  Go! is an online magazine for teens that explores the world of transportation and careers they can find there. [More]

International Research News

An Examination of the Monetized Benefit of Proposed Changes to Type Approved Noise

Limits for Tires
The U.K. Department of Transport has released a report that examines the monetized benefits of limit values for tire noise, which contributed to a proposed European Commission Regulation for general vehicle safety. [More]

Impact Assessment of EU Regulation to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from New Passenger Cars
The U.K. Department of Transport has released a report that explores ways to improve new car fuel efficiency standards, as related to a proposed European Union Regulation on car carbon dioxide emissions. [More]

Valuing the Health Benefits of Active Transport Modes
Land Transport New Zealand has released a report that explores the per-kilometer value for the health benefits of active transport modes, such as walking and cycling. [More]

Long-Term Dust Suppression Using the Otta Seal Technique
Land Transport New Zealand has released a report that examines the use of a simplified version of the Otta seal as a method for minimizing dust emissions from gravel roads in New Zealand. [More]

In the Know

Travel Training for Student Success: The Route to Achieving Post-Secondary Student Outcomes
Easter Seals Project ACTION has released a primer for school administrators interested in learning how high schools across the country connect students with disabilities to travel training services. [More]

IIHS Status Report: Vol. 44 No. 4
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released the latest issue of its Status Report magazine.  This issue explores the results of IIHS’ study evaluating car size and weight, and the impact that these variables have in protecting people during crashes. [More]

Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria
The RAND Corporation has released a report that examines previous policy attempts to implement a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program.  The report outlines criteria that evaluate these previous policy efforts, and suggests ways to better inform future decisions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [More]

Moving into North Dakota’s Future: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe and Efficient Mobility
TRIP has released a report that examines North Dakota’s financial capacity to modernize its surface transportation system.  TRIP is a nonprofit organization that promotes transportation policies that aim to relieve traffic congestion, improve road and bridge conditions, improve air quality, make highway travel safer, and enhance economic productivity. [More]

Cycling-Inclusive Policy Development: A Handbook
The German Technical Cooperation’s (GTZ’s) Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) has released a report that examines how to develop cycling-friendly policies and facilities.  The SUTP is designed to help developing world cities achieve their sustainable transport goals, through the dissemination of information about international experience and targeted work with particular cities. [More]

Reclaiming City Streets for People: Chaos or Quality of Life?
The Active Living Resource Center has released a report that explores ways to plan public spaces in order to eliminate road traffic for pedestrians. [More]

Asia on the Move: Energy-Efficient and Inclusive Transport
The Asia Development Bank has posted presentations from its Transport Forum on sustainable transport development, which was held on September 9-12, 2008, in Manila, Philippines. [More]

Arizona‘s New Frontier: Moving Our Transportation System into the 21st Century
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), has released a report that explores ways to invest in and expand public transport systems in Arizona. [More]

Summary of Contents

TRB News

Recently Released TRB Publications

Federal Research News

State Research News

University Research News

International Research News

In the Know

Project ACTION Update: March 2009

Private Roads, Public Costs
Eno Brief: March 2009
The Voice of the European Road: March 2009

Summary of Contents

Seventh National Aviation System Planning Symposium
2009 Joint Summer Meeting: Forging Ahead in Uncertain Times
Northwest Traffic Data Workshop: Successful Strategies in Data Collection, Analysis and Use
Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, Second Edition – Proposals Due May 20, 2009
Audience Measurement for Transit Advertising – Proposals Due May 27, 2009

Public Transportation’s Role in Addressing Global Climate Change
Transportation’s Role in Emergency Evacuation and Reentry
Protocols for Collecting and Using Traffic Data in Bridge Design
Research Pays Off–Safer Nighttime Construction Zones Through Better Lighting: Illinois Develops and Applies Practical Guidelines
Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program: A Status Report 2009

Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools
Transportation Conformity Highlights: February 2009
EPA Needs to Improve Its Efforts to Reduce Air Emissions at U.S. Ports
Review of Commercial Vehicle Sector Security
Review of Liability and Indemnity Provisions Associated with Commuter Rail Agreements
Hearing on The Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
National Summary Report for the Traffic Incident Management Self-Assessment (2008)
Information Sharing for Traffic Incident Management
LTPP Manual for Profile Measurements and Processing
FHWA R&T Now – March 2009
FHWA Focus Magazine – March 2009
North American Surface Trade Numbers for 2008
U.S. Department of Transportation Posts New Fuel Economy Standards for Model Year 2011 Cars and Light Trucks

Best Practices in Transit Service Planning
University of Minnesota’s CTS Research E-News: March 2009

Hearing on Addressing Price Volatility in Climate Change Legislation
Protecting American Health from Global Shipping Pollution
Hearing on the Need for Transportation Investment
Financing Transportation Infrastructure in California
Connecting California: Key Public Transportation Projects and Their Benefits for the Golden State
6th Annual Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws

(Source: TRB E-Newsletter)

Seen below are the hyperlikned titles of articles from the TRB E-Newsletter dated:  March 24, 2009.  The TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter regularly covers transportation research developments in the United States and abroad. This document is not a report of the National Research Council or of the National Academies. The opinions expressed in reports highlighted in TRB’s Transportation Research E-Newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Transportation Research Board or the National Academies

March 26 TRB Webinar: Inspecting and Managing Highway Bridges
Workshop on Identifying Traveler Information Research Needs to Achieve All Roads-All Modes-All the Time: Early Bird Registration Closes March 27th
2009 Transportation Planning, Land Use, and Air Quality Conference
North American Freight Flows Conference: Understanding Changes and Improving Data Sources – Abstracts Due April 6, 2009
Developing a Research Agenda for Transportation Infrastructure Preservation Summit on America’s Climate Choices Webcast
Questions on the RFP for SHRP 2 Project C10: Partnership to Develop an Integrated, Advanced Travel Demand Model and a Fine-Grained, Time-Sensitive Network RFP: Price Indexing in Transportation Construction Contracts – Proposals Due April 24, 2009
RFP: Improving Safety-Related Rule Compliance in the Public Transportation Industry – Proposals Due June 9, 2009

Recently Released TRB Publications

Federal Research News

State Research News

University Research News

International Research News

In the Know

(Source: Transportation Research Board)

Summary of Contents

Teamwork in U.S. Railroad Operations
Data and Tools for Linking Goods Movement, Air Quality, and Transportation Infrastructure Decisions
TRANSED 2010: The 12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People
7th International Bridge Engineering Conference: Improving Reliability and Safety – Restoration, Renewal, and Replacement
Communication with Vulnerable Populations: A Transportation and Emergency Management Toolkit – Proposals Due May 19, 2009

TR News January-February 2009–Making Progress in Uncertain Times: Proving Transportation’s Mettle
U.S. Marine Salvage Assets and Capabilities in a Maritime Disaster
Measuring Tire-Pavement Noise at the Source
Local and Regional Funding Mechanisms for Public Transportation

Challenges Facing the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress
Evaluating the Use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement
Benefit-Cost Analyses of Onboard Safety Systems
Tribal Road Safety Audits: Case Studies
Transportation Services Index: January 2009

Digital Image Rectification Tool for Metrification of Gusset Plate Connections in Steel Truss Bridges

Economic Aspects of Sustainable Mobility: Thematic Research Summary

National Road Network Intercity Traffic Projections to 2030
Speed Limit Adherence and its Effect on Road Safety and Climate Change
A New Approach to Rural Public Transport

Freight Performance Measures Analysis of 30 Freight Bottlenecks

Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood
AAPA Seaports Magazine: Winter 2008/2009
Rural Transportation Newsletter: March 2009
The Economic Impacts and Social Benefits of the U.S. Motorcoach Industry: Binding the Nation Together by Providing Diverse and Affordable Services to Everyone