Texas A&M Transportation Institute» Volume 45, Number 4

Available Reports and Products

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:31:42 +0000

Technical Reports

“Analysis and Integration of Spatial Data for Transportation Planning,” by Stephen Sebesta, 0-6071-1, September 15, 2009.

“Assessment of a Traffic Monitoring System for a Major Traffic Generator to Improve Regional Planning: Technical Report,” by Todd Carlson, 0-5531-2, November 4, 2009.

“Capacity and Road User Cost Analysis of Selected Freeway Work Zones in Texas,” by Darrell Borchardt, 0-5619-1, September 15, 2009.

“Considerations for Rigid vs. Flexible Pavement Design When Allowed as Alternate Bids: Technical Report,” by Andrew Wimsatt, 0-6085-1, November 5, 2009.

“Corrosion Performance Tests for Reinforcing Steel in Concrete: Technical Report,” by David Trejo, 0-4825-1, November 4, 2009.

“Crash Testing and Evaluation of TxDOT Burn Ban Signs,” by Roger Bligh, 0-5210-5, September 15, 2009.

“Development of a Video over IP Guidebook,” by Bob Brydia, 0-5942-1, November 4, 2009.

“Driver Comprehension of Managed Lane Signing,” by Sue Chrysler, 0-5446-3, September 30, 2009.

“Dynamic Testing of the T223 Bridge Rail,” by William Williams, 0-5210-8, September 15, 2009.

“Effect of Voids in Grouted Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridge Construction: Inspection and Repair Manual for External,” by David Trejo, 0-4588-2, November 18, 2009.

“Performance Evaluation of Cable Median Barrier Systems in Texas,” by Scott Cooner, 0-5609-1, October 23, 2009.

“Mechanistic-Empirical Asphalt Overlay Thickness Design and Analysis System,” by Fujie Zhou, 0-5627-3, November 10, 2009.

“Evaluating and Improving Incident Management Using Historical Incident Data: Case Studies at Texas Transportation Management Centers,” by Praprut Songchitruksa, 0-5485-1, October 23, 2009.

“Potential Development of an Intercity Passenger Transit System in Texas — Report on Tasks 1-5,” by Curtis Morgan, 0-5930-1, November 16, 2009.

“Predicting Asphalt Mixture Skid Resistance Based on Aggregate Characteristics,” by Eyad Masad, 0-5123-1, October 2, 2009.

“The Role of Preferential Treatment for Carpools in Managed Lanes,” by Ginger Goodin, 0-5286-2, October 2, 2009.

“Simplified Method for Estimating Scour at Bridges,” by Jean-Louis Briaud, 0-5505-1, October 5, 2009.

“Transportation, Social and Financial Impacts of Light and Commuter Rail,” by Jeff Arndt, 0-5652-1, October 8, 2009.

Project Summary Reports and Products

“An Assessment of a Traffic Monitoring System for a Major Traffic Generator to Improve Regional Planning: Slide Presentation,” by Paul Krugler, 0-5534-S, November 12, 2009.

“Asset Management — Texas Style,” by Todd Carlson, 0-5531-P4, October 14, 2009.

“Cable Median Barrier Maintenance Manual,” by Scott Cooner, 0-5609-P1, September 15, 2009.

“Corrosion Performance Tests for Reinforcing Steel in Concrete: Test Procedures,” by David Trejo, 0-4825-P1, October 23, 2009.

“Effect of Voids in Grouted, Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridge Construction,” by David Trejo, 0-4588-S, September 16, 2009.

“Field Manual for the Operation of Advance Warning of End of Green System (AWEGS),” by Srinivasa Sunkari, 5-5113-01-P1, November 4, 2009.

“Frontage Road Yield Treatment Analysis Tool (FRYTAT) Database: User Guide,” by Kwaku Obeng-Boampong, 0-4986-P2, October 1, 2009.

“Guidance on Mitigating Impacts of Large Distribution Centers on Texas Highways,” by Brian Bochner, 0-5335-S, September 17, 2009.

“Guidebook for Development of Traffic Monitoring Systems for Major Traffic Generators in the State of Texas,” by Todd Carlson, 0-5531-P3, October 9, 2009.

“Guidelines for Ramp Terminal Spacing for Freeways,” by Kay Fitzpatrick, 0-5860-S, November 18, 2009.

“How Do Carpools Fit Into Managed Lane Policies?,” by Ginger Goodin, 0-5286-P2, October 2, 2009.

“Horizontal Curve Signing Workshop,” by James Bonneson, 5-5439-01-P1, September 18, 2009.

“Implementation of Advance Warning of End of Green System (AWEGS): Implementation Report,” by Srinivasa Sunkari, 5-5113-01-1, September 21, 2009.

TTI Publications

A full catalog of TTI publications and other products is online at http://tti.tamu.edu/publications. You can find the publications by searching for either the title or publication number listed here. Most of these publications are available as free downloads in portable document format (PDF).

Printed, bound versions of these reports are also available through the URL above.

Awards and More

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:49:51 +0000

Spiegelman Named Distinguished Professor

Spiegelman

Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Senior Research Scientist Clifford Spiegelman has been appointed Distinguished Professor of Statistics at Texas A&M University’s College of Science. The title of Distinguished Professor is reserved for faculty who are recognized by their peers as being among the top 5 percent in their fields worldwide. Currently, there are about 70 Distinguished Professors among the 2,900 faculty members of Texas A&M University.

“This appointment is a career highlight, to say the least,” Spiegelman said. “It’s a huge honor for me to work alongside my colleagues at TTI and the university to try and solve problems through statistics.”

Spiegelman, who joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1987, made international news in 2007 when his work on bullet fragments from the JFK assassination case determined that the FBI analysis was flawed.

Spiegelman is a founder of chemometrics and a leader in statistical forensics. His appointment as Distinguished Professor became effective September 1.

Engineering Advisory Council Spouses Tour

Jill Bennett (center) speaks with (left to right) Dean Alberson and Dennis Christiansen as TTI hosts the spouses of the Texas A&M EAC members.

The spouses of the Texas A&M Engineering Advisory Council (EAC) members toured the Texas Transportation institute (TTI) in October as part of their fall meeting. The spouses learned about the Institute with the help of various presentations including a TTI overview, the Universal Freight Shuttle and the Teens in the Driver Seat program. The mayor of College Station, Texas — Ben White — welcomed the spouses.

“TTI was a great host for our group,” says Jill Bennett, the wife of G. Kemble Bennett, the vice chancellor and dean of engineering. “We really appreciate all the time and effort that went into the tour and making us feel at home.” The EAC spouses take “field trips” to various engineering-related facilities and organizations each year.

The EAC is made up of dozens of industry leaders who help guide the Dwight Look College of Engineering with strategic planning, external relations and resource development.

Connecting with Future Transportation Professionals

TTI researchers from various programs were able to “connect” with middle school students who attended a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Youth to Career Fair event at the Brazos County Exposition Complex Nov. 4.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than to witness students’ eyes light up when they hear and see what we do and they realize they want to be a part of it,” says Debbie Jasek, a research specialist in the Center for Professional Development. “It doesn’t happen with all the kids, but when it does — it makes our efforts seem worthwhile.”

More than 3,000 eighth graders from the Brazos Valley region attended the event.

Overman Helps India Tackle Transportation Problems

John Overman (center) poses with transportation planners of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Texas Transportation Institute Associate Research Scientist John Overman was part of a team of transportation experts that went to Mumbai, India, in September to help the State of Maharashtra develop its own Transportation Training Institute — which is designed to improve the country’s transportation problems.

“As you may have seen in some online videos, transportation is a major issue in India,” Overman said. “I was asked to teach a course in transportation planning as the newly formed institute begins to design a course curriculum.” Other members of the United States delegation taught other transit-related short courses including security, environmental sustainability and integrated fare collection.

Overman was part of a delegation arranged by the Federal Transit Administration and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

“We were well received by the people of India,” Overman said. “It is clear that they are eager to improve all aspects of their transportation system. I was very pleased to be asked to be a part of that effort.”

Fulbright Scholar Makes TTI Temporary Home

Joe Zietsman poses with Fulbright Fellow Anuradha Shukla after she arrived in College Station for a four-month stay.

A Fulbright Fellow selected the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) for her environmental research work, arriving in College Station on Sept. 1. Anuradha Shukla worked for the Center for Air Quality Studies under the direction of Director Joe Zietsman. She has been employed at India’s Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) for 22 years, where she is a division head responsible for transportation planning and environment. Her specific expertise is in air quality.

In addition to her research at TTI, Shukla also conducted several lectures out of state, including at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. She also attended an emissions testing conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“The only other place in the United States I had been before coming to TTI was California,” Shukla said. “My experience at TTI was an excellent learning experience, and I was able to travel to other parts of Texas and the country.”

Shukla plans to form several collaborative projects with the Center and hopes that the work leads to a CRRI/TTI memorandum of understanding, which could open the door for future projects.

Zietsman met Shukla during a visit to India in 2008 where he gave a presentation on emissions testing at a conference in Nagpur, India.

“The Fulbright Fellowship is a very competitive and prestigious award,” says Zietsman. “We are extremely honored that she selected TTI and the Center for Air Quality Studies as a home for four months. It was an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about the work her institute does, and it really opens the door for collaborative opportunities.”

Railroad Crossing Safety Professionals Gather for Conference

About 200 participants from across the country took part in the 2009 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November. The Texas Transportation Institute sponsored conference is held every two years and is designed to share the latest and best practices in highway-rail grade crossing safety and trespass prevention.

A highlight of the conference was the Hoy Richards Career Achievement Award, which was presented to Bill Browder, the director of operations with the Association of American Railroads.

The founder of the Railroad Chaplains of America, Gil Stricklin, was a speaker at the conference. Stricklin described how his organization sends out a team of caregivers when a railroad death or serious injury occurs.

Nearly 1,000 people are killed at railroad crossings each year.

Retiring Bochner Urges Colleagues to Ask “So What?”

TTI Director Dennis Christiansen (right) jokes with Brian Bochner at his retirement party.

Known for his mild manner, patience and insightful curiosity, Senior Research Engineer Brian Bochner had words of advice for his Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) colleagues during his retirement party Sept. 18. “Don’t stop learning” and “look ahead, not back.”

After 43 years of professional employment concentrating on transportation planning and air quality, Bochner worked for the Institute for 10 years. “TTI is the classiest of the three employers I’ve had.”

And judging from the comments of his colleagues, it was Bochner who added class to TTI.

“Brian was my mentor,” said Joe Zietsman, who took over Bochner’s role of director of the Center for Air Quality Studies. “Brian is like a walking encyclopedia. Ego is not something Brian struggles with.”

“To our good fortune, Brian chose to join our staff 10 years ago,” TTI Agency Director Dennis Christiansen told the crowded conference room of well wishers. “He’s done a great job for us — but in the TTI tradition — this is really just a fake retirement.”

Bochner officially retired August 31 but will continue working part time as he finishes various projects.

In a last bit of advice, Bochner urged his co-workers to find meaning in what they do. “Don’t be afraid to try new things and always ask ‘so what?’”

Short Course Focuses on TxDOT Challenges, Changes

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:12:49 +0000

“We can do more” was the theme that emerged during the opening session of the 83rd Annual Transportation Short Course at Texas A&M University Oct. 13. The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT‘s) annual gathering attracted 2,000 participants.

Short Course is co-sponsored by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and this year celebrated the Institute’s 60-year relationship with the department. TTI Director Dennis Christiansen presided over the opening session and highlighted the transportation accomplishments that have resulted from the collaboration.

“This partnership, begun nearly 60 years ago, remains the model the rest of the country still strives to emulate,” Christiansen said. “It has led to innumerable transportation advances and innovations not only for Texas, but throughout the U.S.”

The opening session began with a 20-minute TxDOT-produced video detailing how the department prioritizes environmental issues as part of its operations. Examples cited included TxDOT‘s pavement recycling program and the 600 tons of paper recycled by the department each year.

Texas A&M University System Regent Bill Jones addressed the crowd about the impact that TxDOT has on Texas. “You are often criticized — rarely recognized. But I challenge you to continue. Our well-being depends upon it,” he said.

The speakers discussed the various issues facing TxDOT, including the Sunset Review process by the Texas Legislature, funding shortfalls and most recently the federal rescission of $742 million in highway funding. TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz told the crowd that “Texans are counting on us, and we will continue to make changes.” Saenz also mentioned the internal review that’s under way designed to make the department more efficient.

Members of the Texas Transportation Commission also addressed TxDOT employees, emphasizing their dedication and the impact that they have on transportation in the state. “The quality of life, air quality…everything is dependent on the work that you do,” Commissioner Ned Holmes said. “Change is simply part of life. We just need to make change work for us. We need to be engaged.”

Included in the opening session was the annual presentation of the Extra Mile Awards. This year, seven TxDOT employees were recognized for saving the lives of their fellow Texans.

Planning for this year’s Short Course presented a big challenge for TTI‘s Director of Administration Mary Cearley and her staff. Usually, the numerous break-out sessions are held at Texas A&M University’s Memorial Student Center (MSC). However, the MSC is closed for renovations.

“Thanks to our team of 80 TTI volunteers, we were able to get all the attendees to the various on- and off-campus session locations,” Cearley said.

In addition to the logistics volunteers, more than 20 TTI staff co-chaired, moderated or conducted presentations for the break-out sessions. In case attendees were unable to see some of the presentations, TTI‘s Visual Media Group taped each of the sessions, which will be posted to the Institute’s website.

(left to right): Lawrence Olsen, executive vice president, Texas Good Roads and Transportation Association; Ed Serna, TxDOT assistant director for support services; Janice Brown, Federal Highway Administration Texas Division administrator; Ned Holmes, Texas transportation commissioner; Ted Houghton, Texas transportation commissioner.

Texas A&M University System Regent Bill Jones addresses the crowd about the impact that TxDOT has on Texas.

“This partnership, begun nearly 60 years ago, remains the model the rest of the country still strives to emulate. It has led to innumerable transportation advances and innovations not only for Texas, but throughout the U.S.”
Dennis Christiansen,
TTI director

“The quality of life, air quality…everything is dependent on the work that you do. Change is simply part of life. We just need to make change work for us. We need to be engaged.”
Ned Holmes,
Texas Transportation Commissioner

For more information:

Terri Parker
(979) 862-8348
t-parker@tamu.edu

Using Dirt to Clean Water: Bioretention Improves Runoff Quality

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:46:15 +0000

Researchers used controlled runoff with known levels of pollutants.

It’s every kid’s dream — that playing in dirt could make you cleaner than the dreaded bath time. But one Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) project is using soil and plants together to clean storm water runoff before it returns to the main water supply. As storm water washes down an embankment, it carries with it an assortment of pollutants and pathogens.

Water contamination is a concern for every urban area, especially areas with an aquifer. Bioretention is one low-impact development technique advocated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean storm water runoff — a water quantity and quality control system that consists of a water storage space, vegetation, mulch, soil and gravel.

“Bioretention removes pollutants from runoff via physical, chemical and biological processes,” explains Ming-Han Li, an assistant research engineer for TTI, who is leading the bioretention research. “The various layers of vegetation, soil and gravel act as a filter for dirty water.”

In bioretention facilities, runoff from parking lots or pavements is detained on top and filters through the soil, undergoing constant cleaning until it reaches the discharge point. Plant roots take out pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, while soil absorbs metals such as zinc and lead and pathogens such as E. coli. Determining the ideal configuration is complex, however.

Researchers tested various vegetation and soil mixes for bioretention in recycled dumpsters.

While plants’ roots are necessary for pollutant removal, they also decrease the detention time. Li’s current task is to determine how to optimize performance between roots and detention time — as well as combating fire ants, whose elaborate tunnels become an expressway for water. The research team plans to monitor two field demonstration sites to better understand bioretention’s real-world performance.

“We are working toward a method that utilizes the properties of plants and soil microbial action to remove pollutants, requires only periodic maintenance and is aesthetically pleasing to the public,” says Steve Ligon, an environmental specialist in the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Environmental Affairs Division. Ligon is working with Li and TTI‘s Environmental Management Program on the project.

Initial studies in other parts of the country produced promising results with bioretention, but can the same methods be successful given Texas’ unique and varied climate? Li, who is both an engineer and a landscape architect, knew that the right plants for this substantial job would not only need to be native to the specific Texas region but also be able to survive periods of drought. TTI‘s team tested vegetation in small-scale experiments with controlled soil and water content. They discovered that the longer the water was detained in the soil, the cleaner it came out in the discharge.

“This research bridges disciplinary gaps. We’re connecting several concepts together in the beginning stages, combining engineering disciplines to create aesthetically pleasing, environmentally conscious and functional designs to maintain TxDOT‘s rights-of-way,” says Li. “TxDOT‘s effort in researching new designs of storm water from Texas highways is over and beyond the call of duty.”

Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber: New TTI testing facility expected to open new doors for research

Chris Sasser — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:39:34 +0000

A front view of the soon-to-be-completed Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber. The testing chamber is inside the left-hand door.

At the Texas A&M University Riverside Campus in Bryan, Texas, workers have completed the finishing touches on another in a line of world-class testing centers offered by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) to its sponsors.

The Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber, which opens in January 2010, is the largest of its kind in the country. The facility consists of a temperature- and humidity-controlled, 75-by-22-by-22-foot chamber housed in a building that also contains a conference room, offices, control room and vehicle preparation area. It’s large enough that an 18-wheeler with trailer or a bus can easily drive into the facility.

The development of the chamber resulted from competitive grant awards to TTI from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), with additional funding provided by The Texas A&M University System and TTI.

According to TTI Director of the Center for Air Quality Studies Joe Zietsman, the idea for constructing the testing center came when TTI was awarded a project from the EPA to develop and apply a verification protocol for testing onboard idle reduction technologies for semi trucks.

Workers put the finishing touches on the testing chamber.

“The closest environmental testing facility large enough to conduct this research was located in Reno, Nevada,” says Zietsman. “When we began to look at costs in terms of chamber rental fees, travel and housing researchers in Reno over a length of time, we realized that it would make sense over the long term to develop our own test chamber.”

Research Opportunities

The chamber offers numerous opportunities for emissions and fuel consumption testing of various types of vehicles and engines, as well as many other products for their durability under severe temperature, humidity and weather-like conditions. A key capability will be to measure “cold starts,” which is a critical aspect of vehicle emissions testing.

Some of the other testing opportunities include:

emissions and fuel consumption from idling cars, trucks and buses, including cold starts;
emissions and fuel consumption from construction equipment;
emissions and fuel consumption from a broad range of engines, including generators;
hybrid technologies;
clean fuels;
vehicle components such as air conditioners, heaters and auxiliary power units;
infiltration of pollutants into vehicles;
emissions reduction technologies;
lubricants and oils;
insulation materials;
ability of plant and other materials to absorb emissions;
durability of equipment under severe weather conditions;
impact of weather on the strength of construction components such as steel and concrete; and
agricultural and food products.

First Project

The first project for the facility is testing auxiliary power units (APUs) for tractor-trailer trucks. APUs work as an alternate small engine of sorts that allows truck drivers to shut off their main engines, yet still run their cab necessities such as air conditioning, heating and other electrical appliances.

“With the hundreds of thousands of trucks traveling through the United States every day and the requirement for drivers to rest 10 hours for every 14 hours of driving, the amount of emissions and fuel wasted due to extended idling of these large trucks is mind boggling,” says Zietsman.

Although APUs seem like a perfect solution to idling engines, no standard exists that accurately shows the decrease in pollutants and fuel wastage when they are running.

“There are numerous manufacturers of APUs, but no standards exist,” says Zietsman. “If we can develop a standard that tells potential buyers the emissions output, fuel consumption and power usage of a particular APU, then they can compare it with the other available models and choose the one that best fits their needs. These types of tests must be performed in a humidity- and temperature-controlled chamber to ensure consistency between tests and accuracy of results. Having the chamber will allow us to do that.”

The size and versatility of the environmental chamber has Zietsman and other researchers excited about the future of air quality research at TTI.

“It will significantly expand our program and will put TTI on the map with regards to emissions and other environmental testing,” says Zietsman.

“There are numerous manufacturers of APUs, but no standards exist. If we can develop a standard that tells potential buyers the emissions output, fuel consumption and power usage of a particular APU, then they can compare it with the other available models and choose the one that best fits their needs. These types of tests must be performed in a humidity- and temperature-controlled chamber to ensure consistency between tests and accuracy of results. Having the chamber will allow us to do that.”Joe Zietsman, TTI researcher

For more information:

Joe Zietsman
(979) 458-3476
zietsman@tamu.edu

TTI and the Environment

Chris Sasser — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:34:00 +0000

Volume 45, Number 4 (2009)

Adobe PDF version

Inside This Issue:

Editorial

It’s Not Easy Being Green—But It’s Worth the Effort

Testing Facilities

Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber: New TTI testing facility expected to open new doors for research

Air Quality

Green Institute Initiatives

TTI Brings the Green Indoors

TTI Environmental Initiatives

10 Ways TTI Initiatives Support the Environment

History of Roadside Vegetation Management

Research and Outreach

Drive Clean Across Texas — A Success Story

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:15:27 +0000

A screenshot of the front page of the new Drive Clean Across Texas website at www.DriveCleanAcrossTexas. org

Think back roughly eight years ago — where were you? Some that were graduating high school are now out of college and in the work force, and fifth graders at that time are now in college. The Drive Clean Across Texas (DCAT) campaign was in its infancy then but now stands as an award-winning education and outreach campaign.

Officially launched in May 2002, DCAT was the nation’s first statewide air quality public outreach and education campaign. Co-sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the campaign was designed to raise awareness and change attitudes about air pollution. Researchers from the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), as well as staff from TTI Communications, have worked in a productive partnership with Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing to do just that.

“Eight years ago air quality was not a concern for most Texans,” explains TTI Associate Research Scientist and project supervisor for DCAT Laura Higgins. “The process of raising the public’s awareness and then educating them on how they can help make a difference in air quality has been a challenging but successful venture.”

This success is seen in the campaign’s performance. In a 2003 survey conducted by the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, 23.7 percent of those surveyed had heard of an air quality campaign. By 2007, 40.6 percent of those surveyed were aware of the DCAT campaign specifically. Similarly, in 2003 only 25 percent of survey respondents reported that they had made one or more changes in their behavior (car pooling, using public transportation, properly maintaining their vehicle, checking tire pressure or reducing idling, for example), but by 2008 that number grew to 62.8 percent.

TTI Associate Research Editor Chris Sasser has seen the changes firsthand.

“When I first began working DCAT outreach events, some people were defensive about the topic of air quality, but now the public is much more aware and educated about air quality concerns,” he says.

Further evidence of the campaign’s success came in 2007, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded DCAT its annual Clean Air Excellence Award for Outreach/Education.

The challenge now is to carry this success forward. New EPA regulations for air quality standards are on the horizon, and several regions of Texas will struggle to meet these requirements. Fortunately, help should be on the way in the form of those fifth graders mentioned earlier. In addition to educating the general public, DCAT has been helping educate Texas children of all grade levels about how vehicles contribute to air pollution.

“DCAT‘s curriculum educates, informs and inspires young Texans to adopt air-friendly habits as they become the drivers of tomorrow,” says Richard Goldsmith, public information officer with TxDOT‘s Environmental Affairs Division, which manages the campaign. “The success of DCAT over the last eight years has been fantastic, and the campaign’s efforts with Texas children will undoubtedly help carry that success forward for years to come.”

NOW: Testing 21st Century Sediment Control Devices

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:44:28 +0000

In 2010, Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers will enter the second phase of a project for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Maintenance Division to develop an Approved Products List (APL) for sediment control devices. Sediment runoff from construction sites is now the number one pollutant of our waterways, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. By 2013, contractors will be required to monitor and measure storm water runoff, which then must meet standards (Effluent Limitation Guidelines) before it can be discharged into a storm water conveyance system. For over 20 years, research conducted at TTI‘s Riverside Campus facility has produced methods, products, materials and devices in the area of vegetation and storm water management. Since 1990, the TxDOT-funded program at the TTI Hydraulics, Sedimentation and Erosion Control Laboratory has regularly updated an APL for erosion control materials, with many manufacturers having their materials tested at the facility.

The sediment retention device test flume, part of TTI's testing equipment at the Hydraulics, Sedimentation and Erosion Control Laboratory (HSECL).

Another view of the sediment retention device test flume.

Greenhouse at the HSECL.

THEN: Best Practices for Growing Grasses on Right of Way Are Determined

Mark Coppock — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:28:19 +0000

(Excerpt from Texas Transportation Researcher, October 1967)

Wayne McCully, one of the pioneers of environmental research at TTI.

Best cultural methods to give an ideal stand of grass for erosion control along the highway have been determined by Dr. Wayne McCully and Mr. William J. Bowmer in research of the Texas Transportation Institute sponsored by the Texas Highway Department with the Bureau of Public Roads. Establishing a vegetative cover on roadsides for erosion control requires a balancing of plant growth requirements with engineering specifications. The plant requirements are: (1) planting materials adapted to existing soil conditions in a particular area and (2) an environment favorable for seed germination and for seedling growth.

Plant materials for an area as large as Texas may vary considerably across the state. Generally, Bermuda grass is seeded in the eastern one-third of Texas, and perennial native bunchgrasses are used in the drier western areas. Seeding usually is not recommended in the portion of Texas receiving less than 12 inches of rainfall annually. Specific grass varieties may be designated for specific areas, and these should be used where the premium on seed cost is not great. The researchers suggest a number of field practices which are important in establishing a protective vegetative cover.

The Texas Transportation Institute's (TTI's) research on vegetation and erosion control in the 1960s saved Texans millions of tax dollars in highway maintenance costs through the discovery of effective ways to control Bermuda grass and the development of planting guides for the 10 geographical regions of the state. (Photo courtesy TxDOT Library)

It’s Not Easy Being Green—But It’s Worth the Effort

Chris Sasser — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:00:46 +0000

by Dennis Christiansen, TTI Director

It used to be that the solution to practically every transportation problem was to build, build, build. As more drivers took to the road, testing the system’s limits, we mainly added more capacity to address those needs. Some good things came out of this approach, notably the Interstate Highway System, which encouraged urbanization and spurred unprecedented economic growth throughout the country.

These days, with agency budgets shrinking and construction and right-of-way costs rising, simply building our way to greater capacity isn’t always possible — or even desirable. Increasingly, concerns about the environmental impact of new construction and worsening pollution, primarily in urban areas, have begged the question: Can we meet today’s transportation needs while remaining responsible stewards of the environment?

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) has a long tradition of recommending transportation solutions that take the environment into account. As you’ll see in this issue’s center spread, TTI‘s work in everything from vegetation management to erosion control to recycled materials pavement has advanced the field of environmentally sensitive research.

Initiated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in 2002, the Drive Clean Across Texas campaign has helped raise awareness about vehicle-based pollution and influenced driver behavioral changes that benefit air quality. The Institute’s work in air quality modeling is poised to lead the nation as it transitions how compliance with national air quality standards is monitored.

Our work through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program is helping formulate best practices for establishing sustainable communities. And facilities like TTI‘s new Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber, which opens in January, are one of a kind and will yield important emissions data that will help in setting policy and developing new products.

But beyond our research and facilities, TTI has made an institutional commitment to “going green” whenever possible. From meeting the nationally accepted benchmark for high performance green buildings in the design, construction and operation of our new State Headquarters Research Building to our green housekeeping program, which guides how the Institute manages its facilities, TTI is a leader in The Texas A&M University System in efforts to become more environmentally friendly.

Innovations in transportation technology have always been driven by the need to do things “a better way.” Now we can add to that mantra the need to do things “a cleaner way.” Innovating green technologies, building testing facilities to help preserve the environment, walking the walk with institutional policy — at TTI we’re doing our part to help create a sustainable environment.

As you read this issue and discover what we’re doing toward that goal, I’d like to challenge you: What can you, one person, do to help improve the environment?

Texas A&M Transportation Institute» Volume 45, Number 4

Available Reports and Products

Technical Reports

Project Summary Reports and Products

TTI Publications

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

Awards and More

Spiegelman Named Distinguished Professor

Engineering Advisory Council Spouses Tour

Connecting with Future Transportation Professionals

Overman Helps India Tackle Transportation Problems

Fulbright Scholar Makes TTI Temporary Home

Railroad Crossing Safety Professionals Gather for Conference

Retiring Bochner Urges Colleagues to Ask “So What?”

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

Short Course Focuses on TxDOT Challenges, Changes

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

For more information:

Using Dirt to Clean Water: Bioretention Improves Runoff Quality

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

For more information:

Drive-In Environmental Research Chamber: New TTI testing facility expected to open new doors for research

Research Opportunities

First Project

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

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TTI and the Environment

Volume 45, Number 4 (2009)

Inside This Issue:

Editorial

Testing Facilities

Air Quality

Green Institute Initiatives

TTI Environmental Initiatives

History of Roadside Vegetation Management

Research and Outreach

Short Course

Institute News

TTI Publications

Drive Clean Across Texas — A Success Story

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

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NOW: Testing 21st Century Sediment Control Devices

This Issue

TTI and the Environment

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THEN: Best Practices for Growing Grasses on Right of Way Are Determined

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TTI and the Environment

It’s Not Easy Being Green—But It’s Worth the Effort

This Issue

TTI and the Environment