Quantifying Economic Benefits for Rail Infrastructure Projects

This project identifies metrics for measuring the benefit of rail infrastructure projects for key stakeholders. It is important that stakeholders with an interest in community economic development play an active role in the development of the rail network. Many communities have developed goals and visions to establish an economic development program, but they often fail to achieve their goals due to uncertainties during the project selection and planning process. Communities often select a project from a vast pool of ideas with only limited capital available for investment. Selecting the right project at the right time becomes imperative for economic and community development. This process is significantly hampered by limited methods for quantifying the economic benefit to key stakeholders.  Four methodologies are used in this project to determine the most useful tools for quantifying benefit given the availability of data, relevant expertise, and other information.

 
Title: Quantifying Economic Benefits for Rail Infrastructure Projects
Published: December 2014
Report number: cmr15-004
Project number: TR201410

Author(s): Suzanna Long, Ruwen Qin, John Betak, Akhilesh Ojha, and John Myers

Performing organization: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

Improvement of Research Report Distribution and Access and Promotion of More Effective Use of Technical Report Documentation Page, USDOT Form 1700.7

This report covers two studies: (Part A) Improvement of research report distribution and access process improvement of State Planning and Research (SPR) funded reports; and (Part B) Promotion of more effective use of the Technical Report Documentation page (TRDP) (USDOT Form 1700.7). Results for Part A concluded that all State DOT libraries surveyed (n=21) distribute SPR reports to TRID and NTL. Most distribute to NTIS; but only half distribute to the remaining recipients on the FHWA directive letter. The majority of the State DOT Libraries surveyed have an alert system; catalog SPR-funded reports from their DOT; use group email distribution lists; and store SPR-funded reports on an internal server. About half of the libraries assign a permanent URL. Results for Part B identified that the 1972 TRDP and 1975 instructions are the current information available for completing the TRDP. The most populated fields on the TRDP are: title, author, abstract, keyword, report date and number, performing and sponsoring organization. There is inconsistency regarding the completion of all other fields. Recommendations for Part A: State DOT libraries should continue to distribute SPR-funded reports to TRID, NTL, and NTIS to maintain discovery and preservation of transportation research. State DOT libraries should maintain their current distribution and preservation practices, and make reports available to researchers and practitioners within three months of report completion and approval. Recommendations for Part B: A universal TRDP with an instruction sheet should be made available at a central and easily accessible location. This will improve consistency in completion of page. Updating the current 1975 instructions is recommended to clarify ambiguity in certain fields. Inclusion of URLs and use of Transportation Research Thesaurus are recommended with reservations.

Title: Improvement of Research Report Distribution and Access and Promotion of More Effective Use of Technical Report Documentation Page, USDOT Form 1700.7

Published: October 2014

Report number: cmr15-003

Project number: TRyy1127

Author(s): Lawrence E. Decina, Tia Mastromatto, and Sandra Tucker

Performing organization(s): TransAnalytics, LLC; conducted as part of Transportation Library Connectivity and Development Pooled Fund Study for Missouri Department of Transportation as lead state

Methods for Estimating Annual Exceedance-Probability Discharges and Largest Recorded Floods for Unregulated Streams in Rural Missouri

Regression analysis techniques were used to develop a set of equations for rural ungaged stream sites for estimating discharges with 50-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, 0.5-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities, which are equivalent to annual flood-frequency recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 years, respectively. Basin and climatic characteristics were computed using geographic information software and digital geospatial data. A total of 35 characteristics were computed for use in preliminary statewide and regional regression analyses. Annual exceedance-probability discharge estimates were computed for 278 streamgages by using the expected moments algorithm to fit a log-Pearson Type III distribution to the logarithms of annual peak discharges for each streamgage using annual peak-discharge data from water year 1844 to 2012. Low-outlier and historic information were incorporated into the annual exceedance-probability analyses, and a generalized multiple Grubbs-Beck test was used to detect potentially influential low floods. Annual peak flows less than a minimum recordable discharge at a streamgage were incorporated into the at-site station analyses. Annual peak data from streamgages were used to qualitatively assess the largest floods recorded at streamgages in Missouri since the 1915 water year.

Title: Methods for Estimating Annual Exceedance-Probability Dischargesand Largest Recorded Floods for Unregulated Streams in Rural Missouri

Published: September 2014

Report number: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5165

Project number: TR201120

Author(s): Rodney E. Southard and Andrea G. Veilleux

Performing organization(s): U.S. Geological Survey; prepared in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Federal Emergency Management Agency

 

Field Evaluation of Hybrid-Composite Girder Bridges in Missouri

Three hybrid composite beam (HCB) bridges were recently constructed in Missouri, USA. HCB is an innovative idea that incorporates traditional construction materials (steel and concrete) with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in such a manner to optimize the performance of the beam constituents. The HCB consists of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) poured in classical arch shape and tied at the ends by conventional prestressing strands. The concrete and steel are tucked inside durable fiberglass shell and the voids are filled with polyiso foam. An integrated study was implemented on the three bridges to investigate the HCB in-service behavior. The study included quality control / quality assurance (QC/QA) testing program. As a part of this research study, an innovative infrared (IR) thermal imaging approach was developed to detect the voids in the concrete arch section during its casting. The approach is found to be an ideal solution for QC/QA of the concrete arch concrete placement. A series of load tests on the bridges together with meticulous theoretical and numerical analyses were executed. The first finite element analysis (FEA) for a HCB bridge superstructure was accomplished. The analysis was used to provide better understanding for the girder behavior and to emphasize the areas that need more examination. Based on the FEA results the existing flexural design methodology and assumptions were tested. The methodology was found unable to detect the maximum compressive stress in the concrete arch, and the strain compatibility assumption was found invalid. However, the experimental measurements along with the mathematical calculations indicate that the HCB owns abundant nominal bending and shear strength to withstand the expected loads during its lifetime. A modified methodology that is based on the same assumptions as the existing one was produced. The methodology was found to achieve significant enhancement in predicting the stresses under the service loads. The durability of the HCB was tested through subjecting the composite shell to different aging regimes. The testing results indicate that the HCB possesses excellent durability in relation to the expected weathering exposure in Missouri. Longer exposure regimes are under implementation to assure these results.

Title: Field Evaluation of Hybrid-Composite Girder Bridges in Missouri
Published: August 2014
Report number: cmr15-002
Project number: TRyy1124
Author(s):  John J. Myers, (Project Principal Investigator), Mohamed A. Aboelseoud, C. Renee Earley, Glenn Washer (Project Co-Principal Investigator), Justin Schmidt

Performing organization: Missouri University of Science and Technology and University of Missouri-Columbia

Total Surface Selective Removal of Concrete Utilizing Hydrodemolition

Title: Total Surface Selective Removal of Concrete Utilizing Hydrodemolition
Published: August 2014
Report number: cmr 15-001
Project number: N/A
Author: Patrick Martens, P.E., Supervising Bridge Inspection Engineer
Performing organization: Missouri DOT

Investigation of Alternative Work Zone Merging Sign Configurations

This study investigated the effect of an alternative merge sign configuration within a freeway work zone. In this alternative configuration, the graphical lane closed sign from the MUTCD was compared with a MERGE/arrow sign on one side and a RIGHT LANE CLOSED sign on the other side. The study measured driver behavior characteristics including speeds and open lane occupancies. The measurements were taken at two identical work zones on I-70 in Missouri, one with the new test sign and the other with the standard MUTCD sign. The study found that the open lane occupancy upstream of the merge sign was higher for the test sign in comparison to the MUTCD sign. Occupancy values at different distances between the merge sign and the taper were similar for both signs. The test sign had 11% more traffic in the open lane upstream of the merge sign. In terms of safety, it is desirable for vehicles to occupy the open lane as far upstream from the taper as possible to avoid conflicts due to the lane drop. Thus, the test sign proved to be a good alternative to the MUTCD sign.

Title: Investigation of Alternative Work Zone Merging Sign Configurations
Published: July 2014
Report number: cmr14-018
Project number: TRyy1318

Author(s): Praveen Edara, Carlos Sun, and Zhongyuan (Eric) Zhu

Performing organization: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia

Polyurethane Foam Infill for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridge Deck Panels

The objective of the research was to develop, test, and evaluate fiber-reinforced, polyurethane (PU) foams to replace the costly honeycomb construction currently used to manufacture FRP bridge deck panels. Initially, the effort focused on developing an FRP sandwich panel to replace the precast, stay-in-place forms currently used to construct reinforced concrete bridge decks. However, during the course of the project, the research effort expanded to include full-depth bridge deck panels as well. This report documents the results of this study.

Title:  Polyurethane Foam Infill for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridge Deck Panels

Published: June 2014

Report number: cmr14-016

Project number: TRyy1203

Author(s): Jeffery S. Volz (Principal Investigator), K. Chandrashekhara (Co-Principal Investigator), Victor Birman (Co-Principal Investigator), Stephen Hawkins, Matthew Hopkins, Zhen Huo, Mohaned Mohamed, and Hesham Tuwair

Performing organization: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Evaluation of Pile Load Tests for Use in Missouri LRFD Guidelines

This research studied the use of pile load tests for the development of resistance factors in the LRFD design specifications currently adopted by the Missouri DOT. Tthree bridge sites were identified to conduct a pile load test in conjunction with the normal bridge contracting activities. This allowed side-by-side comparisons with production piles and the impact to the design. The pile load tests yielded high resolution data for both the load capacity and load transfer distributions. All the static and dynamic pile load tests produced capacities higher than the ones estimated by the design engineers. The resistance factors back calculated based on the pile load test data generated higher resistance factors than the 0.65 suggested by AASHTO LRFD specifications. Pile load tests data from other sources in Missouri and the neighboring states were also collected and compiled for future use by the Missouri DOT.

 

Title: Evaluation of Pile Load Tests for Use in Missouri LRFD Guidelines
Published: June 2014
Report number: cmr 14-015
Project number: TRyy1226
Author: Ronaldo Luna

Performing organization: Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Links to reports:
Final Report (pdf, 3.7 MB, 98 pages)
Detailed listing of report and appendices A-E

Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) for Infrastructure Elements

The objective of this research was to determine the implications of using RCA in the production of new concrete. Specifically, the study evaluated the fresh and hardened properties, durability, and structural behavior of concrete containing RCA and, based on these results, developed guidelines on its use in infrastructure elements for MoDOT.

The report consists of a summary report with appendices comprising five detailed technical reports. Taken together, these reports document the background, detailed approaches, experimental procedures and processes, results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study.

 
Title: Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) for Infrastructure Elements
Published: June 2014
Report number: cmr 14-014
Project number: TRyy1317
Author(s): Jeffery S. Volz (principal investigator), Kamal H. Khayat (co-principal investigator), Mahdi Arezoumandi, Jonathan Drury, Seyedhamed Sadati, Adam Smith, and Amanda Steele
Performing organization: Missouri University of Science and Technology

Link to folder with report and appendices
Links to individual reports:
Final Summary Report (911 kB, 43 pages)
Appendix A-Preliminary Mix Development (1.3 MB, 48 pages)
Appendix B-Mechanical and Durability Properties of RCA Concrete (2.7 MB, 99 pages)
Appendix C-Bond Behavior of Mild Reinforcing Steel in RCA Concrete (5.3 MB, 127 pages)
Appendix D-Shear Behavior of RCA Concrete (2.6 MB, 115 pages)
Appendix E-Flexural Behavior of RCA Concrete (1.54 MB, 41 pages)

Work Zone Safety: Physical and Behavioral Barriers in Accident Prevention

This report discusses the usefulness of creating a work zone traffic safety culture as a methodology to improve the overall safety of both work zone personnel and the traveling public in Missouri.  As part of this research, the existing MoDOT Work Zone Rating Survey was analyzed and augmented to collect public perception of work zone safety, historical data on work zone crashes were evaluated to identify trends that are particular to, and attributes that are associated with severe crashes were identified.

Title: Work Zone Safety: Physical and Behavioral Barriers in Accident Prevention
Published: May 2014
Report number: cmr 14-013
Project number: TRyy1312
Author(s): Suzanna Long, Brian K. Smith, Ean H. Ng, and Carlos Sun
Performing organization(s): Missouri University of Science and Technology Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (Long, Smith, Ng) and University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Civil Engineering