Subject: TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter - February 20, 2007
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:58:00 -0500
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TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH E-NEWSLETTER
Transportation Research Board
of The National Academies
2/20/2007
*****************************************

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

***** TRB NEWS *****

* National Roundabout Conference
* Optimizing Paving Concrete Mixtures and Accelerated Concrete Pavement
Construction and Rehabilitation

* 2007 TRB 86th Annual Meeting: Air Quality Transformations Around the
World Workshop Presentations Available Online
* National Engineers Week

***** RECENTLY RELEASED TRB PUBLICATIONS *****

* Base Map Inputs for Floodplain Mapping
* Very-Early-Strength Latex-Modified Concrete Bridge Overlays: Virginia's
Quick Cure for Roadway Maintenance Delays
* Integrating Geospatial Technologies into the Right-of-Way Data-Management
Process
* Integrating Geospatial Technologies into the Right-of-Way Data-Management
Process: Appendixes A through F
* Continuing Project to Synthesize Information on Highway Problems
* Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Quarterly Report: December 2006

***** FEDERAL RESEARCH NEWS *****

* Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations: Lessons Learned on
the Central Artery/Tunnel Project
* The American Community: 2004
* Identifying Incompatible Combinations of Concrete Materials: Volume II-
Test Protocol
* Transportation Services Index: December 2006
* Review of Federal Aviation Administration Challenges
* High-Performance Concrete Pavements: Technical Summary of Results from
Test and Evaluation Project 30
* Review of Aviation Security
* Passenger Rail Security Testimony

***** IN THE KNOW *****

* FHWA Seeks Director, Office of Operations Research and Development
* Hearing on the Development of Short Sea Shipping in the United States
* CDC Influenza Pandemic Operation Plan
* Nationwide Review of Graduated Driver Licensing
* Enhanced Fuel Economy Remains Top Priority for European Vehicle Owners
* State Policy Options for Funding Transportation
* ICADTS Reporter: Winter 2007
* Hearing on Public-Private Partnerships: Financing and Protecting the
Public Interest
* Hearing on Fatigue in the Rail Industry
* 10 Steps to a Strategic Review of the DWI System: A Guidebook for Policy
Makers

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TRB News
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OPTIMIZING PAVING CONCRETE MIXTURES AND ACCELERATED CONCRETE PAVEMENT
CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7353

TRB is cosponsoring the conference on Optimizing Paving Concrete Mixtures
and Accelerated Concrete Pavement Construction and Rehabilitation on
November 7-9, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is designed to
provide an international forum to address various aspects of concrete
mixture optimization and accelerated concrete pavement construction and
rehabilitation that result in long life for concrete pavements. Authors
wishing to have papers considered for inclusion in the conference program
must submit their abstracts by March 1, 2007.

NATIONAL ROUNDABOUT CONFERENCE
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7349

TRB is sponsoring the National Roundabout Conference on May 18-21, 2008, in
Kansas City, Missouri. For additional information contact Richard Pain.

2007 TRB 86TH ANNUAL MEETING: AIR QUALITY TRANSFORMATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7334

The slides of presentations that were made as part of the Sunday, January
21, 2007, TRB Annual Meeting workshop on the role of transit services in
air quality improvements in Latin America and Turkey are available online.
The workshop, sponsored by TRBÂ’s International Activities Committee,
explored the export of lessons learned from the Americas to other parts of
the world, as well as transportation and environmental challenges facing
Istanbul, Turkey, a world heritage megacity.

NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7355

February 18-24, 2007, is National Engineers Week. During this week,
professional and educational organizations collaborate to raise awareness
of engineering's benefit to society and to promote education in math,
science, and technology. To celebrate National Engineers Week -- and to
highlight the role of women in engineering -- the National Academy of
Engineering has launched Ask an Engineer. Available through its
EngineerGirl! Web site, Ask an Engineer provides the opportunity to e-mail
questions about engineering-related topics and get answers from women
engineers. 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.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Released TRB Publications
--------------------------------------------------------------

BASE MAP INPUTS FOR FLOODPLAIN MAPPING
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7325

The Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, part of the National AcademiesÂ’
Division on Earth and Life Studies, has released a report that recommends
that new, high-accuracy digital elevation data be collected nationwide
using laser measurements from aircraft (lidar technology). The new data
should be input into the National Elevation Dataset that the U.S.
Geological Survey maintains for use in support of flood map modernization
and other applications.

VERY-EARLY-STRENGTH LATEX-MODIFIED CONCRETE BRIDGE OVERLAYS: VIRGINIA'S
QUICK CURE FOR ROADWAY MAINTENANCE DELAYS
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7347

Overlays of hydraulic cement concrete usually are placed on bridge decks to
extend the service life by reducing the infiltration of water and chloride
ions and to improve the deckÂ’s skid resistance, ride quality, and surface
appearance. To minimize the impact of the overlay process on traffic,
contractors often must work at night, when the ambient air temperatures are
generally lower, which increases the curing time of the concrete. As a
result, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was interested in
a concrete that would require a short time to cure yet would last longer.
While VDOT had been successfully using very-early-strength late- modified
concrete (LMC-VE) for patching overlays, the utility of the product for
entire bridge deck overlays was not known. In a government–industry
cooperative effort, VDOT decided to evaluate the LMC-VE overlay on two
entire bridge decks. VDOT discovered that it could save 2 to 3 days or
more when using LMC-VE for the overlay of entire bridge decks compared to
using traditional LMC because of its ability to be applied at night during
an 8-hour window. VDOT research has shown that LMC-VE overlays are more
durable, less prone to cracking, and more resistant to chloride ion
penetration than other overlays. While the special cement required for the
LMC-VE overlay costs four times as much as the type I and II cements for
conventional LMC overlays—adding approximately $90 per cubic yard of
concrete—the higher cost is more than offset by the reduced cost of traffic
control.

INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY DATA-MANAGEMENT
PROCESS
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7307

TRBÂ’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research
Results Digest 310: Integrating Geospatial Technologies into the Right-of-
Way Data-Management Process describes the first steps in automating the
information technology process required for right-of-way acquisition and
management. The appendices for RRD 310 have been produced as NCHRP Web-
Only Document 95.

INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY DATA-MANAGEMENT
PROCESS: APPENDIXES A THROUGH F
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7308

TRBÂ’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only
Document 95, Integrating Geospatial Technologies into the Right-of-Way Data-
Management Process: Appendixes A through F, contains the appendices for
NCHRP Research Results Digest 310: Integrating Geospatial Technologies into
the Right-of-Way Data-Management Process.

CONTINUING PROJECT TO SYNTHESIZE INFORMATION ON HIGHWAY PROBLEMS
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7306

TRBÂ’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research
Results Digest 309: Continuing Project to Synthesize Information on Highway
Problems is a digest of the progress and status of NCHRP Project 20-
5, “Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Problems.”

STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM 2 QUARTERLY REPORT: DECEMBER 2006
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7333

TRBÂ’s Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) has released the latest
issue of its quarterly newsletter designed to keep stakeholders up to date
on activities taking place within the SHRP 2 program. This issue covers
progress on the programÂ’s first eleven projects, SHRP 2Â’s research plan for
2007, and new SHRP 2 staff members.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Research News
--------------------------------------------------------------

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF DRIVEN PILE FOUNDATIONS: LESSONS LEARNED ON THE
CENTRAL ARTERY/TUNNEL PROJECT
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7356

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has issued a report that explores
issues related to the design and construction of driven pile foundations at
the Central Artery/Tunnel project in Boston, Massachusetts. Construction
issues examined include pile heave and the heave of an adjacent building
during pile driving.

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY: 2004
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7351

The U.S. Census Bureau has released three reports that present a portrait
of racial and ethnic population groups in the United States based on data
from the 2004 American Community Survey. Each report provides information
on a number of characteristics such as education, household type, income,
and commuting patterns. Data are presented in tables, figures, and maps.

The American Community – Hispanics: 2004

The American Community – Blacks: 2004

The American Community – Asians: 2004

IDENTIFYING INCOMPATIBLE COMBINATIONS OF CONCRETE MATERIALS: VOLUME II-TEST
PROTOCOL
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7352

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that explores
a protocol designed to help product manufacturers, concrete producers,
contractors, and owners monitor their materials and concrete systems. The
protocol has two phases, relatively simple field tetss to provide early
warnings of potential problems and central laboratory tests to support and
confirm the field work.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INDEX: DECEMBER 2006
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7339

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation StatisticsÂ’ Transportation Services Index
(TSI) rose 0.9 percent in December, the latest month available, to 110.1.
The TSI measures the movement of freight and passengers. The index, which
is seasonally adjusted, combines available data on freight traffic, as well
as passenger travel, that have been weighted to yield a monthly measure of
transportation services output. For the year, TSI fell 0.4 percent, the
first annual decline since 2001.

REVIEW OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CHALLENGES
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7341

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released the testimony of
Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure, before a February
14, 2007, hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. The testimony explores the U.S.
Federal Aviation AdministrationÂ’s (FAAÂ’s) challenges relating to ensuring
the continued safe operation of the nationÂ’s airspace system. The
testimony examines issues associated with improvement in FAAÂ’s management,
funding issues concerning capital improvements for airports, and
reauthorization of the FAA.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE PAVEMENTS: TECHNICAL SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM TEST
AND EVALUATION PROJECT 30
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7342

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that
explores the status of concrete pavement projects constructed under the
Test and Evaluation Project 30 (TE-30) program and under Task 7 of FHWAÂ’s
Concrete Pavement Technology Program, as well as several other related
concrete pavement projects. The report examines current and anticipated
results as well as recommendations for relevant future research
activities. Under TE-30, High-Performance Concrete Pavement, the FHWA is
exploring the applicability of innovative portland cement concrete pavement
design and construction concepts in the United States.

REVIEW OF AVIATION SECURITY
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7331

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released testimony by
Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, before
a February 13, 2007, hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The testimony explores efforts the U.S.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken or plans to take to
strengthen aviation security. The testimony also examines the challenges
that TSA faces in airline passenger prescreening, airline passenger and
checked baggage screening, and air cargo screening.

PASSENGER RAIL SECURITY TESTIMONY
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7332

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released testimony by
Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, before
a February 13, 2007, hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The testimony examines the extent to
which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has assessed the risks
facing the U.S. passenger rail system and developed a strategy based on
risk assessments for securing all modes of transportation, including
passenger rail. The testimony also explores actions that the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other federal agencies
have taken to enhance the security of the U.S. passenger rail system,
improve federal coordination, and develop industry partnerships. In
addition, the security practices that domestic and selected foreign
passenger rail operators have implemented to enhance security are reviewed.

--------------------------------------------------------------
In The Know
--------------------------------------------------------------

FHWA SEEKS DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7357

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration's (FHWAÂ’s) Office of Research,
Development, and Technology at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
in McLean, Virgini,a is soliciting for candidates to fill the position of
Director, Office of Operations Research and Development. The position is
responsible for the planning, direction, and evaluation of a research,
development, and technology program covering traffic operations and
intelligent transportation systems. Through research within FHWA, by
contract, and in cooperation with state highway agencies and universities,
the Director conducts a national research, development, and technology
program to achieve goals established in response to the needs of the
highway community. Additional information on the position and on how to
apply is available online.

HEARING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHORT SEA SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7358

On February 15, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation held a hearing that explored short sea shipping in the
United States, the potential for growth of this transportation segment, and
what impediments may exist to the further development of short sea shipping
in the United States. Additional background on the hearing and the
submitted testimony of witnesses are available.

CDC INFLUENZA PANDEMIC OPERATION PLAN
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7350

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an internal document that
provides guidance for CDC influenza pandemic operations. The CDC has made
the document available to outside agencies for the sole purpose of
providing an understanding of the internal processes within CDC. The CDC
cautions that the document in no way prescribes guidance for any entity
other than CDC agencies.

NATIONWIDE REVIEW OF GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7348

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released a report that explores
traffic fatality and injury statistics before and after implementation of
graduated driver licensing (GDL) provisions in states across the nation.
According to the Foundation, the report indicates that GDL programs have
been reducing crashes and saving lives and suggests that the more
comprehensive programs have been having substantially greater impacts.

ENHANCED FUEL ECONOMY REMAINS TOP PRIORITY FOR EUROPEAN VEHICLE OWNERS
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7343

Harris Interactive has released the results of its AutoTECHCAST Europe
study, which indicates that vehicle owners in five countries (France,
Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) have chosen enhanced fuel
economy as the top automotive technology that they are very or extremely
likely to purchase for their next new vehicle.

STATE POLICY OPTIONS FOR FUNDING TRANSPORTATION
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7344

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has released
an issue brief that examines the transportation finance challenges faced by
states and explores tools available to address those challenges.

ICADTS REPORTER: WINTER 2007
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7340

With support form the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety (ICADTS)
has released the latest issue of its quarterly newsletter. Articles in
this issue of the ICADTS Reporter include the following:
* Abstracts due March 31, 2007 – ICADTS T2007 Conference, Seattle,
Washington – August 26-31, 2007
* T2007 Special Registration Rates and Stipends
* 1st International Fit to Drive Congress Report Published – 2nd Congress
Set for Vienna in June 2007
* Interlocks for first driving while intoxicated (DWI) Offenders in New
Mexico Reduce Recidivism
* Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis in Canada
* ICADTS Forms Two New Working Groups on Alcohol Biomakers and Unlicensed
Drivers
* 2005 U.S. State-by-State Date on Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities
* Crash Risk of Alcohol Involved Driving: A Case-Control Study
* MADD Canada Issues Reports on Rating the Provinces and Youth Impaired
Driving
* Relationship between Traffic Fatalities and Drunk Driving in Japan
* Drugged Driving Research Standards Available for Comment

HEARING ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: FINANCING AND PROTECTING THE PUBLIC
INTEREST
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7335

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee
on Highways and Transit held a February 13, 2007, hearing to explore
innovative financing under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
The hearing examined how the public interest should be protected when PPPs
are used to provide innovative financing for infrastructure investment and
whether the model legislation developed by the Federal Highway
Administration provides adequate safeguards for the public interest.
Additional background on the hearing and witness testimony are available
online.

HEARING ON FATIGUE IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7336

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee
on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a February 13, 2007,
hearing to examine fatigue in the rail industry. Additional background on
the hearing and witness testimony are available online.

10 STEPS TO A STRATEGIC REVIEW OF THE DWI SYSTEM: A GUIDEBOOK FOR POLICY
MAKERS
-> http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7337

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation has released report that is designed
to help policy makers lead a strategic review of the driving while
intoxicated (DWI) system at the local, county, or state level with the goal
of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the DWI system and closing
loopholes that might be exploited by repeat offenders. The mission of the
TIRF is to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries.

=============================================================
RECENTLY ADDED PROJECTS TO THE RESEARCH IN PROGRESS DATABASE

The Research In Progress (RiP) Database contains over 8,500 records of
current or recently completed transportation research projects.
-> http://rip.trb.org/browse/additions.asp?days=7
=============================================================

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Suggestions or comments on content of the TRB Transportation Research E-
Newsletter may be sent to Russell Houston, Senior Program Officer,
Communications, Transportation Research Board at rhouston@nas.edu.

The Transportation Research Board (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. The
mission of TRB is to promote innovation and progress in transportation
through research. In an objective and interdisciplinary setting, the Board
facilitates the sharing of information on transportation practice and
policy by researchers and practitioners; stimulates research and offers
research management services that promote technical excellence; provides
expert advice on transportation policy and programs; and disseminates
research results broadly and encourages their implementation.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES: Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and
Medicine

The nation turns to the National Academies - National Academy of Sciences,
National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National
Research Council - for independent, objective advice on issues that affect
people's lives worldwide.
-> http://www.national-academies.org

The TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter regularly covers
transportation research developments in the United States and abroad. All
articles appearing in the E-Newsletter are also available on TRB's web page
http://www.TRB.org. 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.

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