featuring developments in federal highway policies, programs, and research and technology |
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ALONG THE ROAD
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(From left) Director of FHWA's Office of Research, Development, and Technology Dennis Judycki; FHWA research engineers Mike Adams, Carl Ealy, and Al DiMillio; and Director of the Office of Infrastructure Research and Development Paul Teng display the NOVA Award. |
The HSG is a field instrument used to measure soil stiffness without
digging into or destroying the existing soil. The soil stiffness gauge
allows engineers to better evaluate the acceptability of a constructed
fill or earthworks structure by directly measuring the soil modulus, or
stiffness, rather than the density, which had been the customary method
for many decades. Engineers measured density because it was easier to
do; however, it was a very slow, labor-intensive, and dangerous process.
The HSG is much faster, less dangerous, and more accurate. (See "Soil
Stiffness Gauge for Soil Compaction Control," Public Roads>, March/April
1998, p. 5).
ACI 318-99 Building Code Available
The American Concrete Institute (ACI International) will release the 1999
edition of ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
and Commentary, this summer. Touted by ACI as the most referenced
structural code in the world, the ACI building code underwent some changes
in the 1999 edition to update the prestressed concrete chapter and revise
the seismic design chapter.
For more information, contact ACI International at (248) 848-3800.
- ACI International
Public Information and Information Exchange
FHWA and IPRF Form Partnership
FHWA and the Innovative Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF) signed a cooperative
agreement to produce better-performing, more cost-effective concrete pavements
for the nation's roadways.
The partnership will ensure that important concrete pavement technology needs are dealt with; that the expertise and resources of the states, the industry, and FHWA are being used well; and that concrete pavement technology research moves quickly toward implementation.
A Transportation Research Board Concrete Pavement Committee has been formed to allow states to participate in the partnership. This committee provides a mechanism for state, industry, and academia to deliver input and support for the partnership's activities.
NHTSA Announces Recipients of Buckle Up America Champion Award
NHTSA announced the winners of the first-ever Buckle Up America Awards.
The award is given to those organizations that have demonstrated outstanding
commitment to the national Buckle Up America campaign - a federally supported
campaign made up of community-based partnerships that include health groups,
safety advocates, legislators and other elected officials, law enforcement,
businesses, and concerned citizens. Those involved in the campaign pledge
their support for stronger enforcement of seat belt and child passenger
safety laws.
The following organizations received Buckle Up America Champion Awards:
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Billboards, such as this one, help encourage motorists to "Buckle Up." |
The new billboards are designed to remind motorists to use their seat belts and feature a child's face with the caption "He/She'll do what you do. Buckle up."
DOT has set the goal of increasing the national seat belt use to 90 percent and of reducing child occupant fatalities by 25 percent by the year 2005.
FHWA Selects Universities and Colleges to Host Summer Program
FHWA selected 30 colleges and universities to host the 1999 Summer Transportation
Institutes. The program, which began in 1993, is typically comprised of
four-week on-campus sessions that introduce middle and high school students
to transportation systems, innovations, management, construction skills,
and research and technology. The program also includes field trips to
transportation facilities.
Participating colleges and universities host the institutes and provide housing and instructors for each session. FHWA and South Carolina State University manage the program. In addition to FHWA support, the institutes receive assistance from local chapters of the National Urban League, state departments of transportation, private sector companies, and other federal agencies.
The following colleges and universities were selected to participate in the 1999 Summer Transportation Institute Program: Alabama A&M University, Albany State College, Arizona State University, Benedict College, Bethune-Cookman College, California State University, Cheney University, City College of New York, Clark Atlanta University, Delaware State University, Elizabeth City State University, Florida A&M University, Florida International University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Kentucky State University, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Lincoln University, Morgan State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Northwest Indian College, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Texas A&M University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas, University of Missouri - Rolla Campus, Virginia State University, West Virginia State University.
Jeff Presents NBA All-Star With DOT Highway Safety Award
Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Gloria Jeff presented National Basketball
Association All Star Karl Malone with a highway safety award for his active
participation in FHWA's Share the Road/No-Zone public education campaign.
Malone, who owns an 18-wheeler and holds a commercial driver's licence, is featured in a computer-animated television public service announcement teaching motorists how to drive safety around large trucks and buses. The award recognizes his contribution to the No-Zone program.
Variable Pricing Project in Florida Announces Dramatic Results
The Lee County Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT), and the Center for Urban Transportation Research
(a department of the University of South Florida) announced significant
decreases in traffic during peak traffic times as a result of the Variable
Pricing Project. In addition to less traffic congestion, motorists saved
money on tolls. For the time period Aug. 3, 1998, through Dec. 31, 1998
(the first five months), $127,779 in toll losses were accrued to variable
pricing. Lee County citizens saved $127,779 by driving during the variable
pricing discount times.
Variable pricing, which is funded by DOT's Value Pricing Pilot Program (see "Value Pricing Helps Reduce Congestion," Public Roads, March/April 1999, p. 47), supports innovative strategies to reduce traffic congestion on the nation's roadways.
Lee County has begun the implementation phase of one of only three congestion pricing pilot projects in the United States. The grant is funded by FHWA, who contributes $16 million, and FDOT and Lee County, who each contribute $2 million. This funding includes a $6.3 million revenue reserve fund to reimburse Lee County for the loss in toll revenues caused by variable pricing.
By varying the tolls during the hours surrounding the rush hours, the
county provides an incentive to motorists to travel during off-peak times.
This reduces traffic during rush hours and the associated social and environmental
costs. For more information, contact the LeeWay Service Center at (941)
931-0100.
- LeeWay
FHWA Provides $1.6 Million to Oregon
Oregon will receive $1.6 million in emergency relief funds to repair federal-aid
roads damaged by heavy rain and storms that began on Jan. 19, 1999. Oregon
will use the funding to repair roads in Tillamook County, an area west
of Portland.
Emergency relief funds are awarded after the president or governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state has filed a preliminary damage assessment for its highways and bridges on the federal-aid system.
Personnel
Peters Named New President of ACEC
Leo F. Peters, president of Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc. in Peabody,
Mass., will serve as the new president of the American Consulting Engineers
Council (ACEC) for the year 1999-2000.
Peters was ACEC's president-elect for the past year and has held various
leadership positions within ACEC, including ACEC senior vice president
and vice president.
-ACEC
William A. Weseman, paving engineer, Cement and Concrete Promotion Council of Texas. |
During his career at FHWA, Weseman worked on developing the interstate system and other major highways in Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, South Dakota, and Utah. He held positions in several field offices and served as both chief of construction and maintenance director, Office of Engineering.
He is a registered professional engineer in Texas and Michigan.
- Portland Cement Association
Akey Leaves DOT; Schulz Appointed Director of Public Affairs
Senior Department of Transportation official Steven J. Akey left his position
as Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Public Affairs on April
9. Akey will become senior vice president in the Washington, D.C. office
of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, the world's largest independent
public relations firm. Akey, who began his DOT position in March 1995,
was the longest serving head of public affairs in the DOT's 32-year history.
William Schulz, deputy director of public affairs, will replace Akey as
assistant to the secretary and director of public affairs.
Articles & Departments
NHI's
Instructor Certification Program
Another Step Toward
a Nationally Integrated Traveler Information System
Highways and the New Wave of Economic Growth
FHWA Fiber-Optics Research Program: Critical Knowledge
for Infrastructure Improvement
Potholes Patchers Demonstrated in California
Managing Car-Crunching Sinkholes
FHWA
Helps Restore Historic Neighborhood in Los Angeles
The
Hoover Dam Bypass
FHWA
Presents the 1999 Environmental Excellence Award Winners
Sign
Simulator Validated in FHWA Study
All's
Quiet on the Wasatch Front: Technology Keeps Traffic Moving
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10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century
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