July 1998 - June 2000 Fiscal Year

 

 

 

 

Part A: Annual Report *
Director's Message: *
Theme of CAIT: *
Management Structure: *
Committees: *
Research: *

A) Project Focus Area: Large TIS Evaluation (Area No.1) *
B) Project Focus Area: Advanced Pavement Materials (Area No.2) *
C) Project Focus Area: Intelligent Transportation Systems (Area No.4) *
D) Project Focus Area: Transportation Infrastructure Management (Area No.6) *
Research Conclusions: *

Education: *
Technology Transfer: *

Education programs and services to a broad transportation community: *
Create, expand, strengthen, and identify partnerships: *
Conduct professional training courses: *
Advanced website applications: *
New products, equipment, and processes: *
Create role of clearinghouse: *

List of Research Projects: *

New Research Projects: *

Part A: Annual Report

Director's Message:

The Center for Advanced Infrastructure & Transportation (CAIT) has been transformed in the past year due to a series of accomplishments. From our formal dedication as a University Transportation Center, to the addition of the New Jersey Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), CAIT has set the stage for transportation technologies and issues to be tackled more easily and efficiently. The Center has recognized the importance of improving the region's roadways through the utilization of our premier asphalt pavement laboratory as well as protecting the people who work on those roadways by creating a Roadway Safety Advisory Committee.

 

The creation of the center has centralized the significant and fragmented potential in transportation related research, education, and technology transfer at Rutgers University. The UTC designation to CAIT has promoted the University's further recognition of the importance of research and education in the area of transportation, which has been designated as one of the core areas of the University’s strategic plan, The Plan for the Future. Other resources have become available to CAIT from the University for the set-up and operation of the Rutgers Asphalt Pavement Laboratory (RAPL) and the Rutgers Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory (RITS). A new momentum has been created by CAIT, which has encouraged other transportation related programs at the University to coordinate their activities together through a new university-wide committee, The Rutgers Transportation Coordinating Council. Such close interactions have also resulted in the creation of an interdisciplinary program on Transportation studies as well as redevelopment of many courses to focus on transportation themes.

In the area of technology transfer, CAIT has provided various types of outreach through our website, LTAP’s activities, conferences, workshops, and has focused on development of web-based distant-learning technologies for technology transfer programs. The research activities of the Center have concentrated on theme areas such as advanced pavement engineering (implementation of Superpave in New Jersey), infrastructure system monitoring and maintenance, nondestructive evaluation and testing, ITS, transportation modeling, and many others. On the educational front, along with providing graduate fellowships and undergraduate internships, we have also established an ITE Student Chapter and partnered with the Garrett Morgan Academy in Paterson New Jersey in the development of a Transportation Opportunity Center.

In summary, the foundations of a solid and meaningful research center were laid in the first year. We were particularly successful in leveraging the UTC designation to receive solid matching commitments from NJDOT and Rutgers University. In fact, our research dollars were overmatched nearly three to one by NJDOT. The University and agencies have demonstrated their commitment and we look forward to continuing our activities in year II.

Theme of CAIT:

The theme of the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), is maintenance and operation of high volume transportation infrastructure systems. It is the goal of CAIT to be a catalyst for creating a multi-modal transportation infrastructure research and education paradigm that incorporates input from members of the TIS community. The Center will be active in TIS education, research, and technology transfer in the critical areas of safety, mobility, economic growth, human and natural environment, and national security; (envisioned by USDOT in the recently published USDOT Research and Development Plan.) The unique feature of the Center will be its focus on implementation of advanced and cutting-edge technologies, from broad and interdisciplinary sources, used for efficient maintenance and operation of multi-modal transportation infrastructure systems in high volume and heavily utilized intermodal corridors.

The TIS maintenance and operation theme will guide all educational, research, and technology transfer activities of the Center. The main criteria for success will be the implementation of goals and objectives that have been identified and will be presented in detail in the following sections of this plan.

Management Structure:

The CAIT organizational structure consists of four groups: center administration, education, research, and technology transfer. All personnel report to their designated group chairpersons, who then report to the Center Director (See Figure 1). The duties and responsibilities of the key faculty and staff are described in the following section.

Center Director: In compliance with the USDOT requirements, the CAIT Director, Dr. Ali Maher, manages the daily operations of CAIT, supervises the personnel, complies with the funding requirements, and oversees the progress of research activities. Dr. Maher is an experienced transportation professional and currently a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University. Additionally, he is responsible for conducting the programs, developing new research initiatives, and presenting seminars on CAIT’s research accomplishments.

 

Associate Director: The Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kaan Ozbay, assists the Director in handling the research planning activities of CAIT. Dr. Ozbay has been designated as a CAIT representative and attends external meetings at the discretion of the Director. Additionally, Dr. Ozbay is an Assistant Professor of Transportation Engineering at Rutgers University with a research specialty in Intelligent Transportation Systems.

 

 

Associate Director (Business Manager): The Associate Director/Business Manager, Patrick Szary, coordinates the financial activities of CAIT, including handling the procedures for establishing grant projects, and contract management. Mr. Szary also serves as the liaison between CAIT and the Rutgers Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Additionally, he is responsible for maintaining the CAIT Baseline Measure database and meeting the UTRC report requirements. Mr. Szary is a transportation/geotechnical engineer with a research specialty in highway sensors and sensing.

 

Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Chairperson: The chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC), Dr. Nenad Gucunski, oversees the undergraduate, graduate, and internship activities of CAIT and coordinates all student research and educational activities within CAIT. Additionally, Dr. Gucunski is an Associate Professor of Transportation Engineering at Rutgers University with a research specialty in nondestructive evaluation of transportation infrastructure systems.

 

 

Research Focus Area Leaders: Professors Gucunski, Nassif, Maher, Ozbay, and Williams serve as research focus area leaders.

Associate Program Specialist - Chair of Technology Transfer Advisory Board: The Associate Program Specialist, Joseph Orth, is responsible for administering all of the CAIT technology transfer activities which include the dissemination of research findings, organization of seminars and conferences, and developing training programs for the transportation community. Additionally, Mr. Orth directs the federally sponsored Local Technical Assistant Program (LTAP) that has joined CAIT.

Program Associates: As Program Associates, Janet Leli and Dr. Claudia Knezek work with Joseph Orth to coordinate the technology transfer activities of CAIT. Ms. Leli’s major responsibilities include the preparation and distribution of a quarterly newsletter, publications, and reports on the technology transfer activities of CAIT. Dr. Claudia Knezek's major responsibility is to develop and organize the Roadway Safety Task Review Group. She also distributes work zone safety training kits to municipal public works, engineers, and police officers throughout New Jersey.  Lastly, Claudia is assigned the task of overseeing the development of a traffic safety web page for the public sector in New Jersey.

Administrative Assistant: The Administrative Assistant, Azam Kalantari, assists the Business Manager in the financial operation and reporting responsibilities of CAIT. This includes all daily activities including requisitions, payroll, invoices, and other administrative tasks.

Program Assistant: The Program Assistant, Ruth Gacser, assists the Associate Program Specialist and the Program Associates. This includes updating mailing lists, course registrations, training activities, and other technology transfer related tasks.

Laboratory Scientist/Engineer: The Laboratory Scientist/Engineer, Thomas Bennert and Joseph Smith are responsible for the daily operations of the Asphalt Laboratory. Their work also includes conducting asphalt research studies.

Committees:

Education Advisory Committee (EAC): The EAC consists of center researchers who have the expertise to develop a multidisciplinary program of course work and can develop an active learning process utilizing the center's transportation research.

Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Members
CAIT Researcher - EAC Chair: Dr. Nenad Gucunski
CAIT Assoc. Director: Dr. Kaan Ozbay
CAIT Assoc. Director: Patrick Szary
CAIT Researcher: Dr. Hani Nassif

Research Advisory Board (RAB): The RAB members represent their respective agencies or institutions. The NJDOT has a process of creating problem statements within their own organization. During the RAB meeting(s) the RAB members present the proposed problem statements from their agency and institutions. Thus the RAB members bring with them the pre-evaluated problem statements concerning transportation infrastructure system issues.

Research Advisory Board (RAB) Members
CAIT Director - RAB Chair: Dr. Ali Maher (facilitator, non-voting)
CAIT Assoc. Director: Dr. Nenad Gucunski
McLarin Assoc. President: Melvin McLarin
Fredrick Harris Vice-President: A. Sarmad
URS Greiner Transportation Engineer: R. Oryani
Raython Transportation Infrastructure Group Vice President: Mike Delaroca
Parsons Brinkerhoff Vice President: Farzen Lackpour
FHWA representative to NJ: Lawrence Cullari
NJDOT Representative: Pending

Technology Transfer Advisory Board (TTAB): The TTAB members represent their respective agencies or institutions. Once the Research Advisory Board (regional stakeholders) selects the center's research, the TTAB is able to develop technology transfer programs and actions to enhance the previously selected research. Therefore by using the past selection efforts of the RAB, the TTAB will be able to meet the goals of CAIT and deliver services to the stakeholders most affected by transportation infrastructure issues within a high volume, heavily utilized transportation corridors.

Technology Transfer Advisory Board (TTAB) Members
LTAP Associate Program Specialist - TTAB Chair: Joseph Orth
CAIT Director: Dr. Ali Maher
CAIT Assoc. Director: Patrick Szary
LTAP Program Coordinator: Janet Leli
FHWA representative to NJ: Lawrence Cullari
DHTS Principal Specialist: Alfred Tindall
NJDOT Research Bureau: Nick Vitillo

TTAB Task Review Groups: The TTAB has established two Task Review Groups based on operational guidelines of the strategic plan. Each Task Review Group is focusing on a specific discipline or area within the transportation field.

LTAP Advisory Task Review Group: The Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation-Local Technical Assistance Program (CAIT-LTAP) is known throughout the region for advancing and promoting innovative technologies, proven solutions, and reliable services to successfully resolve the transportation and safety issues facing New Jersey and beyond. The mission of this Task Review Group is to foster a safe, efficient, environmentally sound transportation system by improving skills and knowledge of transportation professionals through multi-modal forms of training, technical assistance, and technology transfer.

LTAP Task Review Group Members
CAIT Director: Dr. Ali Maher
LTAP Associate Program Specialist: Joseph Orth
CAIT Assoc. Director: Patrick Szary
LTAP Program Coordinator: Janet Leli
CAIT Assoc. Program Specialist: Dr. Claudia Knezek
FHWA representative to NJ: Lawrence Cullari
Public Works Association of New Jersey: Edward Gottko
Public Works Association of New Jersey: Howard Dill
Public Works Association of New Jersey: Dennis Sullivan
Public Works Association of New Jersey: Donald Hansen
DHTS Retired: Nick Geiger
DHTS Principal Specialist: Alfred Tindall
NJDOT Research Bureau: Nick Vitillo
New Jersey Institute of Technology: John Wiggins
Institute of Transportation Engineers: Lynn La Munyon
Burlington County Road Department: Walter Grove
Morris County Engineering Department: Stephen Hammond
New Jersey State Police: Rey Villahermosa
Rutgers University Police Department: Pete Pelletier
Rutgers University Police Department: Jeffrey Jannarone
ATSSA, New Jersey Chapter: Brad Sergeant
3M Products, Inc.: Jason Stergion

Roadside Safety Task Review Group: The worn infrastructure of New Jersey has created an increasing need to perform work on or along the roadside while it remains open to traffic. An aging roadway network and increasing traffic volumes have created the need for more frequent road repair. However, currently there is limited training for state, county, and municipal employees in highway safety topics. These conditions expose workers to greater risk: all city, county, utility, maintenance, and construction workers find themselves working close to traffic more often. The mission of this task review group is to train all pertinent roadwork personnel, especially flagger, in proper set-ups, procedures, and techniques. Also, there is a need to train police in work zone set-up, maintenance design, inspection, and enforcement of work zone rules and regulations.

Roadway Safety Task Review Group Members

Officer, NJ State Police: Michael Brunson
FHWA representative to NJ: Lawrence Cullari
President, PWANJ: Ewald Frederich
Representative, ITE: Frank Frega
DHTS Retired: Nick Geiger
Director, DOL-OSHA: David Ippolito
Rutgers Police Department: Jeffrey Jannarone
CAIT Associate Program Specialist: Claudia Knezek
DHTS Auditor: Sandra Kearns
LTAP Associate Program Specialist: Joseph Orth
CAIT Assoc. Director: Patrick Szary
LTAP Program Coordinator: Janet Leli
NJ Police Traffic Officer's Assoc: Anthony Parenti
Rutgers Police Department: Pete Pelletier
Traffic Officer, NYPD: Sgt. Pepe
President, APWA: Bill Rafferty
President, ATSSA:  Brad Sergeant
Principal Engineer, NJDOT:  Lee Steiner  
3M Products, Inc.: Jason Stergion
DHTS Principal Specialist: Alfred Tindall
New Jersey Institute of Technology: John Wiggins
DOL-OSHA: Lou Ricca
CAMTEA: Martin Livingston

 

 

Research:

The activities of CAIT research program in the first year of operation were based on the vision presented in the CAIT strategic plan (Section I-B) where the main theme of research is on maintenance and operation of high volume multi-modal transportation infrastructure systems (TIS). This theme was chosen based on the national and regional needs in this area, the strengths of the existing research programs of the center, and potential for collaboration with a multitude of academic and industry partners in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. In comparison to other infrastructure based centers, CAIT has a sharp focus on technologies and programs that can assist in maintenance and upkeep of existing systems in congested urban and corridor areas where high demand is being placed on deteriorating systems which necessitates the investment in new TIS for inter-modal connections. Often, TIS planning and investment decisions in these environments are made with deficient and incomplete input from maintenance and operation sources, which adversely affect the safety, mobility, environment, and economic growth. The problem is far more acute and critical in congested areas, specifically the NY/NJ metropolitan area. The region has one of the oldest and most extensive multi-modal and intermodal TIS in the country. In many respects, the economic lifeline of the region is the transportation infrastructure, which has been recognized by regional planners as needing to be continually improved to keep up with increasing demands and economic growth. Interestingly, the region is also a test bed for implementing innovative solutions to many transportation problems, specifically those related to maintenance and operation of the infrastructure making the focus of the center the basis for a valid and useful research program.

The first year of the program got off on a very good start. The award of the UTC designation to CAIT helped Rutgers University to further recognize the importance of research and education in the area of transportation, designated as one of the core areas of the university’s strategic plan, The Plan for the Future.

 

 

Other resources have become available from the University for the set-up and operation of the Rutgers Asphalt Pavement Laboratory (RAPL) and Rutgers Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory (RITS). A new momentum was created as a result of UTC designation to CAIT which encouraged other transportation related programs at the University to coordinate their activities together through a new university-wide committee, The Rutgers Transportation Coordinating Council, where CAIT plays an important role along with other Rutgers-based programs such as the National Transit Institute (NTI), and the Transportation Planning Institute (TPI). Such close interactions have also resulted in the creation of an interdisciplinary program on Transportation studies between the departments of civil engineering and urban planning at Rutgers University. The planning for this new program started in 1999 leading to the approval by the University’s Board of Governors in 2000. The program will officially be offered in Fall 2001. A detailed description of the program and its contents will be presented in our year two (Yr. 2) annual report.

On the operation side, the major accomplishments of the first year consisted of the following:

a) Creation of a Research Advisory Board (RAB) consisting of distinguished members from the transportation industry and agencies. The role of the RAB is to ensure that the research program and its operation is consistent with the theme and the mission of the center. The members of the board were selected based on their expertise and background in the various areas of transportation infrastructure systems. We have brought in people at the decision making level from industry and governmental agencies to guide and oversee research topic selection, review of proposals, and awarding of the grants. Furthermore, the RAB members assist CAIT with the implementation of research findings and leveraging of research resources. The RAB members consist of distinguished executives from the transportation industry and agencies. A list of RAB members is given in the "Committees" section of the "Management Structure" portion of this report. The project topics were selected in the first meeting of the RAB with the subsequent issuing of RFPs to potential investigators, primarily at Rutgers University.

b) Award of four (4) theme-based projects using 50% agency match and leveraging of UTC designation to receive an additional eight (8) projects from the NJDOT, which significantly enhanced the level of research activities for the first year. These projects have a direct relevance to the theme of the center and when completed will contribute to the state-of-the-art transportation technology in their respective areas.

The selection of project topics closely followed the project theme of the center and was awarded in the USDOT designated areas of Safety, Mobility, and Economic Growth and Trade. A list of projects and their abstracts are given in the "New Research Projects" section of the "List of Research Projects" portion of this report. All of the projects are currently underway and are to be completed within the timeframe indicated in the project overviews. The results of the research projects thus far, indicate major advancements in the state-of-the-art infrastructure maintenance and monitoring technologies. Brief overviews of selected project accomplishments are given below:

A) Project Focus Area: Large TIS Evaluation (Area No.1)

Analytical Modeling and Instrumentation Planning of the Doremus Avenue Bridge (An Integral Component of the Portway project):

This project is a good example of how the theme of the center represents the need for research and development in a heavy volume corridor environment. In this pioneering three year duration undertaking, CAIT researchers have leveraged UTC designation to receive funds from both NJDOT and FHWA to model, instrument, and monitor a new bridge on Doremus Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ. The new bridge will be designed based on LRFD protocol and tested/evaluated in the heavy vehicle overweight and oversized Portway corridor environment. Portway is a multi-billion dollar mega project for construction and upgrade of a series of freight improvement initiatives that will strengthen access to and between the Newark-Elizabeth Air/Seaport Complex, intermodal rail facilities, trucking and warehousing transfer facilities, and the regional surface transportation system. These facilities and their access routes are the front door to global and domestic commerce for New Jersey and the greater metropolitan New York region. An integral part of this project is the replacement of an existing bridge structure that primarily carries truck traffic into the State’s sea- port area. The replacement or this bridge will be the laboratory for verification and evaluation of the LRFD design code. The CAIT team is working closely with local and federal agencies along with designers and contractors in a unique collaborative model of agency/industry/academic participation with significant impact on the existing technology of bridge design and construction. The first phase of this project is underway with NJDOT funds for the modeling and planning phase and FHWA funds for the instrumentation and monitoring phases of the project.

Evaluation and Implementation of Corrosion Inhibitors: Field Evaluation:

The objective of this project is to implement advanced and innovative corrosion inhibitor systems on an existing bridge as a part of a two-year field-testing and evaluation program. Four corrosion inhibitors have been designated for this field trial program and work is underway on five (5) new bridge decks in New Jersey. The outcome of these rigorous field trials will assist bridge managers to best protect against reinforcement corrosion, which causes significant amount of damage in environments where both traffic load and environmental conditions accelerate the potential for damage. The work is successfully underway and a number of bridge decks have already been tested and are under observation.

 

 

 

 

Field Evaluation of Geopolymer Coating:

This project deals with application of advanced coating such as those used by the aerospace industry to the surface of decaying and damaged infrastructure elements such as concrete. The appropriate coating as designed and field tested in this program will provide a cover against environmental damage with the added benefit of reinforcement. Such coatings can also provide a surface that could be easily cleaned from graffiti and other surface damage. The work is underway in cooperation with the state and local agencies and a number of concrete barrier systems along with a serious of concrete structural elements have already been coated and undergone field testing.

Evaluation of SHRP Equipment/Evaluation of Humboldt Stiffness Gage:

These two projects deal with rigorous field-testing programs of newly developed technologies under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), and a novel device designed for evaluation of soil compaction for embankments and sub-base applications. The work on Humboldt device has been completed and a final report is being written at this stage of the project. The work on the evaluation of SHRP equipment is underway and is anticipated to be completed during the next grant year.

B) Project Focus Area: Advanced Pavement Materials (Area No.2)

Modified Asphalt Binders for Improved Pavements; and Development of Performance Specifications for Granular base and Sub-base Materials:

 

Both projects are multi-year projects funded by NJDOT following the designation of UTC to CAIT and creation of Rutgers Asphalt Pavement Laboratory (RAPL). The main objective for this program is to accelerate the implementation of mechanistic pavement design in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. The second objective is to evaluate modified binder materials in Hot-Mix-Asphalt samples using the criteria set forth in the "Superpave" protocol for design of asphalt pavement systems. Both projects will help to further establish CAIT as a state-of-the-art facility for research and development work on pavement systems both from material and system design aspects. The work up to this point has led into a clear understanding of advantages and disadvantages of the "Superpave" evaluation programs with respect to Hot-Mix-Asphalt, and advances in the techniques and interpretation of results for sub-base resilient modulus test results. The final outcome of the program will be of immediate use to roadway designers and material engineers in their compliance to mechanistic pavement design protocols.

 

 

C) Project Focus Area: Intelligent Transportation Systems (Area No.4)

GIS Applications in Geotechnical Engineering:

The objective of this project is to develop and maintain a rigorous GIS database for all the site characteristics and soil boring information in New Jersey. Working closely with industry, CAIT researchers have already developed the framework and the design of a comprehensive GIS system to include 100 soil maps and 60,000 boring logs currently maintained by the agency and make the information accessible to the public. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the project year and the end product will be available at NJDOT and could be accessed through their web site or through contacts with their geotechnical bureau.

3D/4D Sign Review Support:

The work on this project thus far has culminated in the first version of a PC based software system than can construct 3D models for review of roadway geometry, signing, and roadway improvement/modification projects. The unique feature of the system is its adaptability to 4D environments where 4D drive through simulations of proposed projects can be conducted in a virtual reality type system. This will result in significant cost-saving and design efficiency. The system has been initially tested on I-280 near Newark, NJ for construction of a proposed Rt.21 ramp off I-280 into Newark. The completed software product will be a PC based user-friendly system, which will assist roadway planners and engineers for both rehabilitation of existing and construction of new projects.

 

 

 

 

D) Project Focus Area: Transportation Infrastructure Management (Area No.6)

Life Cycle Cost Analysis Guidelines:

This project applies the fundamentals of engineering economy in development of models for economic analysis of rehabilitation alternatives, employing life cycle cost approaches. A number of important questions will be answered based on the results of this program, such as: how to determine discount rates, how to include user cost in cost calculations, how to best explain results of life cycle cost analysis to engineers and policy makers, and how to evaluate the difference between traditional projects and technology oriented ITS projects in terms of life cycle cost analysis. The work is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed during the next grant year.

Development and Evaluation of Management Information System (MIS) Interface:

The end product of this project will be a GIS map of New Jersey with all the relevant information about roads, scanned right-of-way maps and other cursory information as used by planners and engineers. Although the system is customized for roadway systems, the developed back-end software system can be used and customized for transit and maritime applications. The project is currently underway and the prototype system has already been developed at the Rutgers Intelligent Transportation Laboratory (RITS) in partnership with the industry. The outcome of this project will significantly improve the flow of critical information as needed in all aspects of planning and design and thus make such operations more efficient, cost-effective, and accurate. The project is to be completed by the end of the grant year.

 

 

Research Conclusions:

The selected project accomplishments discussed reflect the strength of our research program. In summary, the research program has started on a solid footing. The center has resolved all the research related administrative issues and has embarked on an aggressive and focused program based on its theme. A significant development has been the leveraging of UTC designation to CAIT in attracting substantial additional funds for research projects that fit the theme of CAIT and are relevant to the current research needs in the heavy corridor environment of the NY/NJ metropolitan area.

 

Education:

The Education Advisory Committee (EAC), in conjunction with other CAIT participants, initiated and conducted a number of activities as part of building a multidisciplinary program of course work and experiential learning that reinforces the transportation theme of CAIT. The activities are summarized as those:

· oriented towards developing an educational program that will enable future transportation professionals and researchers to be responsive to changes in the transportation field,

· oriented towards high school and undergraduate students for the purpose of attraction in the transportation field, and

· oriented towards the community for the purpose of public awareness in relationship to the importance of advanced transportation solutions.

The accomplishments of the three broad objectives include:

1) Educational Programs in Transportation

A) Establishment of the interdisciplinary (Civil Engineering and Urban Planning graduate programs) graduate certificate program "Interdisciplinary Transportation Systems Engineering/Planning Initiative." The EAC created this transportation certificate design and worked with faculty members of both the Civil Engineering and Urban Planning Departments to further refine the concept. Together we prepared a course curriculum, drafted a proposal to the University Graduate School, and gathered the support of University officials. On May 17^th, 2000 the University Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Joseph Seneca approved the Graduate Certificate in Transportation Studies. "This is a timely and important joint program, and I commend you for this collaborative effort which builds on Rutgers' strengths in transportation research and outreach across units. I have reviewed the proposal and have found it to have a sound curriculum, an impressive list of faculty contributors, and an appropriate administrative structure. All of the necessary components are in place. Please proceed with full implementation of this new graduate certificate program." (Seneca, 5/17/2000) It was with great pleasure that immediately after the certificates inception, several students signed-up to participate in the program. The program itself is a cross disciplinary graduate program jointly administered by the School of Engineering and the Edward J Bloustein School of Public Policy at Rutgers University. The certificate has two concentrations, emphasizing different aspects of the transportation area. 1) Technology and Design -- This concentration focuses on analysis and design issues, and is directed at students with an interest in transportation and traffic engineering and in facility design. 2) Policy and Planning -- This concentration focuses on the policy and planning process and is directed at students with these interests.

B) Enhancement of the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering curriculum at Rutgers University. The establishment of CAIT as a University Transportation Center had a strong impact on the Civil Engineering Graduate Program; as a result the curriculum was thrust towards the transportation specialty area. This transportation interest is two fold, and is based on both research and educational needs of the program. Firstly, CAIT has matched and leveraged a significant number of projects where the faculty members have an expertise in a particular transportation area, however the supporting graduate students do not. For instance, the Large Transportation Infrastructure Systems Evaluation projects, as well as many others, require a background in bridge design. The students in our curriculum did not have the expertise to perform the research without significant training. Secondly, to attract new students to the graduate program, and to get them involved in CAIT research and other activities, it was very important to expand the graduate program curriculum. These issues were discussed at the departmental faculty and the EAC meetings, and it was jointly decided to add several new transportation courses. These courses have a specialty in the upcoming areas of research as outlined in the CAIT theme and strategic plan. The EAC and the Civil Engineering Faculty worked together to prepare the course outlines, course materials, and submitted a proposal to the university. These courses have been reviewed, evaluated, and approved by the Civil Engineering Department and are pending full approval from the Board of Governors. The following five graduate courses in the transportation area have been added to the graduate curriculum or are in the process of adoption by the University:

180:524 Bridge Design I
180:527 Bridge Design II
180:537 Intelligent Transportation Systems
180:538 Transportation Systems Analysis
180:539 Travel Demand Forecasting

The EAC members have worked with the faculty of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the Urban Planning Department on modifications of their course curriculum. The result of which has been more courses with transportation themes. Seven (7) undergraduate courses and nineteen (19) graduate courses have been revised. Modification of many existing course curricula to encompass transportation related topics was discussed and implemented by the graduate faculty of the Civil Engineering and Urban Planning Departments. They varied from minor changes to complete modifications in curricula, and introduction of new courses. An example of a course modification is a graduate course on Soil Dynamics, where discussions on dynamic soil properties were expanded to discussions on dynamic properties of pavement materials like resilient modulus of subgrade materials. Similarly, discussions on the use of seismic and other nondestructive field and laboratory techniques for evaluation dynamic soil properties, were expanded to discussions on the application of those in evaluation of dynamic properties and detection of defects in pavements and bridges. In all the cases of course modification, supplemental reference materials related to transportation aspects of the curriculum were identified. The revised courses now focus more on transportation related issues and provide our students with updated transportation lessons and information.

C) Recruitment of two new faculty members (Drs. Maria Boilé and Husam Najm) in the area of transportation and transportation infrastructure. Dr. Boilé will contribute to educational and research activities in areas of transportation planning, intermodal transport, mass transit, transport economics, and transportation systems analysis. Dr. Najm’s contribution will be in areas of infrastructure systems design. Both professors have submitted research project proposals to be potentially funded in the upcoming grant year.

D) Attraction and awarding of most competent students into the transportation specialty area of the Civil Engineering graduate program. The goal of this program is to increase the number of qualified professionals in transportation through graduate education leading to a masters or a doctoral degree in transportation/infrastructure engineering and related fields. Four students were awarded CAIT Graduate Fellowships for this purpose:

 

· Leslie Walker - polymer modified asphalt concrete research

· Aleek Data - modeling of learning behavior of travelers

· William Cao - finite element modeling and simulations of bridge response to vehicular loading

· Hudson Jackson - nondestructive testing of pavements

Also, Hudson Jackson was selected by the EAC as an outstanding student based on the transportation related accomplishments. The annual award was presented to him at the awards ceremony during the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board at Washington, D.C.

2) Attraction of High School and Undergraduate Students

A) EAC managed and awarded eight internships to undergraduate students for the purpose of attraction in the graduate program under the transportation specialty area, and involvement with transportation issues in general. The following eights students were awarded EAC Internships: Aleek Datta, Kimberly Martin, Joseph Davis, Andrew Quinn, Steven Yuen, Ziad Chalhoub, Jayan Nair, and Thomas Bongiovanni.

B) Twelve graduate and undergraduate students received travel support for attendance of the Annual Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, D.C. Six of these twelve students were strictly there to attend the sessions and technical meetings. The other six students were responsible for tending to the CAIT display booth and answering questions about the research currently underway at the center. These students were also allowed to attend several TRB sessions and meeting to promote better understanding of their areas of interest. All students in the exhibit hall were exposed to other research centers, transportation professionals, state and federal transportation agencies, and a variety of other transportation related professionals.

C) As a part of the CAIT High School Transportation Outreach program the EAC has contacted various regional high school programs, seeking to partner with these schools to educate their students about the transportation field. We have sent representatives to these schools to formally and informally work with their students or give presentations. We have worked or are currently coordinating with Sussex, Mercer, Burlington, Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Union county schools. We have provided presentations at K-4 science days, K-12 school science fairs, 6-12 transportation mentorship programs, 8-12 high school career expositions, and other related events.

D) Dr. Maria Boilé (one of our newest faculty members) has also been instrumental in creating an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter. She has already recruited several undergraduate students who have been working with her to process the necessary paperwork within the university. For the past two years CAIT has hosted several ITE dinner meetings and has desired to create a student chapter. Only due to the efforts of Dr. Boilé have we been able to lay the groundwork for our student chapter. The unofficial ITE student chapter has already attended several NJ/NY Metropolitan ITE regional meetings and has arranged to work with transportation professionals and other transportation related organizations.

3) Community Outreach

A) CAIT has also teamed with the Garrett Morgan Transportation and Technology Academy. The academy is a partnership between the Paterson Public Schools and the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. The new innovative academy focuses on the themes of transportation and technology, which offer the opportunity for students to engage in challenging academic work with a focus on transportation issues and topics. CAIT has agreed to provide student and faculty guest lecturers for the school as well as help to prepare some of the course curriculum. Other work to be performed by or researchers is the development of research problems that the students will work over several weeks to solve. The ultimate result of the partnership is to provide knowledgeable and positive incentives; including individual attention, experimental learning opportunities both in and out of school, adult mentoring, and continuous feedback.

Technology Transfer:

In the interest of maximizing technology transfer potential, CAIT has implemented the Technology Transfer Advisory Board (TTAB); members represent their respective agencies and institutions. The Research Advisory Board (RAB) (regional stakeholders) selects the center's research, after which the TTAB develops technology transfer programs and actions to enhance the previously selected research. Therefore, by using the past selection efforts of the RAB, the TTAB is able to simultaneously meet the goals of CAIT and deliver services to the stakeholders most affected by transportation infrastructure issues within a high volume, heavily utilized transportation corridor. The TTAB has met and identified the following strategies and actions to promote technology transfer activities:

· Education programs and services to a broad transportation community:

· Create, expand, strengthen, and identify partnerships:

· Conduct professional training courses:

· Advanced website applications:

· New products, equipment, and processes:

· Create role of clearinghouse:

The TTAB has developed an aggressive training portfolio and a unique information/training delivery system. In order to eliminate specific barriers to implementation, technical review committees (Task Review Groups) have convened to provide input on specific subjects, evaluate training information and distribute approved new products, services, or practices.

Education programs and services to a broad transportation community:

The primary mission of TTAB is to serve design and maintenance professionals by bringing together segments of the transportation profession in support of the implementation of beneficial new technologies and best practices. The TTAB has worked collectively with the RAB to make its research results available to stakeholders in the design and maintenance fields. In this effort, CAIT has hosted videoconferences, lab tours, seminars, and conferences highlighting topics of interest to a vast array of professionals.

A) AASHTO Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Workshops (which was conducted twice): Highway bridges are vital links to the nation's transportation network. Over the years, bridge engineering has evolved and continues to evolve as we change our way of construction and as we learn more about material properties, structural behavior, and the environment under which they exist. Structural engineers have long sought practical courses and workshops on bridge design in accordance with the new LRFD-AASHTO specifications. CAIT, together with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, hosted two technical workshops on the design of bridges and materials. These workshops covered detailed design examples on how to use the new LRFD-AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications.

B) 43^rd Annual New Jersey Asphalt Paving Conference: The transmission of state of the art technologies from academia to practicing professionals also occurs through events such as the annual Rutgers Asphalt Paving Conference. This conference showcases innovative materials and practices to several hundred professionals from around the region in a two-day symposium. The Annual New Jersey Asphalt Paving Conference is held in cooperation with the New Jersey Asphalt Paving Association, the Rutgers Civil Engineering Dept., and CAIT. This conference addressed the topics that are of current interest to those dealing in all phases of asphalt paving. This conference concentrates on the topics that are of current interest to those dealing in all phases of asphalt paving, such as research, quality assurance, recycling, deep strength/full depth asphalt, and related construction practices.

C) International Symposium on Reinforced Concrete Corrosion Protection: Corrosion of reinforced concrete has been recognized as a primary factor influencing concrete structure deterioration. The purpose of the workshop was to review the state-of-the-art and the latest European findings on reinforced concrete corrosion, corrosion protection and corrosion inhibitors, with an emphasis on new and advanced technologies. The basic understanding of corrosion protection was reviewed and application of corrosion inhibitors, as surface applied liquids and concrete admixtures, was presented. Each method was described with respect to its advantages, limitations, construction procedures, laboratory and on site inspection methods, material performance specifications, and estimated construction cost.

D) Work Zone Safety Awareness Conference: The purpose of this conference was protection of all roadway workers.  This need for improved safety comes from the fact that workers are more and more often being put at a higher risk because of the increased work that is done on the roadways.  This conference discussed and educated professionals in the need for public works employees receive training in the proper procedures, and techniques as outlined in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).   Training for police personnel was also discussed and the need to be trained in work zone set-up, inspection, and enforcement of work zone rules and regulations. 

E) The 2000 Transaction Conference: CAIT presented to the public its research goal of developing and testing emerging technologies in the areas of infrastructure condition monitoring and testing, advanced transportation materials, and intelligent transportation systems. CAIT educated the public and professionals on transportation infrastructure systems: with a focus on the transportation industry, primarily with large-scale transportation systems and issues. We have jointly prepared a proposal with one company that we developed relations with at the conference to research stabilization of harbor dredge materials, this project may potential be funded in the upcoming grant year.

Create, expand, strengthen, and identify partnerships:

In the effort to promote standardized, consistent methods, especially in the area of safety, partnerships with professional and trade organizations in educational endeavors has created a network supporting best practices and continuity in application. CAIT has partnered with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Local Technical Assistance Program, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the Public Works Association of New Jersey, the American Public Works Association - New Jersey Chapter, the Institute of Transportation Engineers - New York New Jersey Metropolitan Section, the County Municipal Traffic Engineers Association of New Jersey, the County Road Supervisors Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Association of County Engineers, the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the American Traffic Safety Services Association and other related organizations in technology transfer efforts, resulting in an established center that serves as a leading agency, positioned to respond quickly to implement new technology and best practices as they are developed.

Partnering with professional organizations CAIT has recognized the value of partnering. This is evidenced especially in the sponsorship of a series of training programs (Road Scholar I and II Certificate Programs) by the American Public Works Association (APWA). The partnership between CAIT and the APWA symbolizes a renewed commitment to fostering continuing education with the aide of both those who develop and those who implement the most efficient practices. This cooperative effort bridges the gap between academic researchers and those working in the field. CAIT faculty and staff continually give presentations at professional organization meetings. Recent examples include a presentation about Superpave to the New Jersey Association of County Engineers.

Partnering within the University CAIT in cooperation with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, organized a series of seminars on transportation issues, such as: nondestructive evaluation, building and rebuilding of transportation infrastructure, dredging operations for port management, application of advanced composite and other materials, and other transportation related topics. CAIT worked hand in hand with the Department of Industrial Engineering to produce the interactive work zone safety CD. In addition, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety project was awarded to a partnership between CAIT and the Transportation Policy Institute at Rutgers University. Furthermore, initial efforts have been made to produce a sharing of library resources between CAIT and the Rutgers National Transit Institute.

Partnering with Agencies and Government CAIT in cooperation with the USDOT, FHWA, DHTS have organized a series of conferences on transportation issues, such as the: AASHTO-LRFD Bridge Workshop, the High Performance Concrete Workshop, International Symposium on Reinforced Concrete Corrosion Protection, Annual New Jersey Asphalt Paving Conference, Work Zone Safety Awareness Conference, and other transportation related topics. CAIT worked hand in hand with various governmental agencies to develop these conference/workshop programs, attendee mailing lists, study materials, publicity, and registration.

Conduct professional training courses:

 

The provision of education programs and services to a broad transportation community can be exemplified through the technology transfer activities. The TTAB has encouraged the replacement of outdated practices, products, and/or materials through its workshops and conferences by introducing participants to the most efficient and most recent practices available in their respective fields. For example, information on the use and maintenance of SUPERPAVE has been brought to many local road department personnel for the first time in the Municipal Engineering Construction Inspection and Hot Mixed Asphalt Resurfacing courses. Other courses that have been provided include Traffic Control Coordinator, Construction Inspection, Pavement Markings, Excavation and Trenching Safety, and several others. Courses are conducted around the state to best meet the needs of each region.

Advanced website applications:

CAIT has initiated a case history archive to function as a library of experiences designed to improve the acceptance of new products and technologies, as well as discourage outdated or ineffective products. Recent successes include research results from Maplewood, New Jersey and "Context Sensitive Design" in their main street redevelopment project. The TTAB has promoted research findings on our website though on-line demonstrations and meeting information. An evaluation report and a presentation has been prepared as well as published in the "CAIT-LTAP" Fax newsletter, and on the web pages that are affiliated with CAIT. The TTAB has developed an independent database of 7,500 individuals who use the clearinghouse services or attend training programs. The counter attached to the main CAIT homepage shows that 10,412 persons have visited the website over the past year.

New products, equipment, and processes:

The TTAB discusses the development of new products, equipment, and processes that are developed relative to infrastructure condition monitoring and testing, advanced transportation materials, and intelligent transportation systems. Several projects are currently underway at CAIT; including a 3D/4D sign review software package, SHRP highway equipment, Humboldt soil stiffness gauge, geopolymer coating, corrosion inhibitors, a new manual for Public Works Supervisors, and many others. Once the projects are completed, the technology transfer initiatives will be implemented. Thus far, CAIT's technology transfer efforts have focused on new products, equipment, work zone safety, and processes developed in the areas of infrastructure condition monitoring and testing, advanced transportation materials, and intelligent transportation systems.

Create role of clearinghouse:

The TTAB has consolidated many of the university’s transportation related materials into one library. This library has many of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Transportation Research Board (TRB), Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) reports as well as other types of reports. A prime feature of the library is that it holds expanded technical resources and access to research findings. Recently, the American Public Works Association New Jersey Chapter has sponsored a special collection in the library. Over 145 publications and videos were purchased to benefit the transportation community including: 9 Construction, 16 Transportation, 4 Snow Removal, 6 Public Information Resources, 14 Pavement, 10 Utility and Right of Way, 6 Facilities and Maintenance, 13 Water and Environment, 34 Leadership, Management and Administration, 3 Solid Waste Management, 3 Fleet Management, 4 Emergency Management, 5 Infrastructure and 8 Historical Society Resources. This is the first incident in which an APWA Chapter has sponsored such an extensive collection of state-of-the-art resources. Through the library, CAIT offers education to a variety of learners, specifically the K-12, undergraduate and graduate students, educators, and transportation professionals of the transportation infrastructure systems community. The TTAB provides storage, maintenance, and expansion of the library, as well as clearinghouse functions. As a clearinghouse, the TTAB makes the library materials available to anyone in the transportation community. The TTAB even provides copies, loans, or literature searches in response to information requests.

 

List of Research Projects:

Since this is the first year of the grant, no "on-going projects" or "completed projects" are included.

New Research Projects:

3D/4D Sign Review Support Year 1 of 1	60-30 RU846	Dr. Hani Nassif
GIS Application in Geotechnical Engineering Year 1 of 1	60-31 RU847	Dr. Trefor Williams
Development and Evaluation of Management Information Systems Year 1 of 2	60-32 RU848	Dr. Kaan Ozbay
Evaluation of Humboldt Stiffness Gauge Year 1 of 1	71a RU904	Dr. Ali Maher
Investigation into Modified Asphalt Binders for Improved Pavement Performance Year 1 of 3	80 RU908	Dr. Ali Maher
Evaluation of SHRP Equipment Year 1 of 1	81 RU900	Dr. P. Balaguru
Development of a Performance Specification for Granular base and Subbase Materials Year 1 of 2	83 RU914	Dr. Ali Maher
Analytical Modeling and Instrumentation Planning of the Doremus Avenue Bridge Year 1 of 1	85 RU899	Dr. Hani Nassif
Life Cycle Cost Analysis Guidelines Year 1 of 2	91 RU942	Dr. Kaan Ozbay
Evaluation and Implementation of Corrosion Inhibitors Field Evaluation Year 1 of 2	93 RU939	Dr. P. Balaguru
Field Evaluation of Geopolymer Coatings Year 1 of 2	94 RU951	Dr. P. Balaguru
New Jersey's Link to the 21st Century; Maximizing the Impact of Infrastructure Investment	CU-13 RU922	Dr. Kaan Ozbay