"This project researched current trends, practices, and tools in implementing a feedback approach for potential implementation in the TxDOT TDMs."

Report on demonstrations of Pave-IR thermal profiling on eight construction projects around Texas.

"This report analyzed the demand for transportation capacity and changes in transportation flows on inland waterways due to shifts in crop production patterns induced by climate change."

"The report summarizes estimates of the consequences of current funding levels and a range of greater and lesser funding amounts. The report describes the population, travel, system extent and expenditure data and analyses used to develop the mobility and economic effect analyses. An associated study by the Center for Transportation Research analyzed pavement maintenance spending and condition. Both the mobility and pavement studies were used as part of the March 2011 Texas 2030 Committee report."

"This project focused primarily on the specific issue of developing a new technical tool to help TxDOT and other key operating agencies/stakeholders better predict when major elements of evacuation operations should be implemented."

Report of a project to identify and evaluate methods that may reduce the number of sign hit by errant vehicles with field studies conducted near Corpus Christi, Texas.

"For this study, a total of 30 heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) were selected from City of Houston (COH) fleet based on opacity testing for HEs and random selection for non-HEs. With the selected 30 vehicles, driving and idling emission testing were performed to characterize their emissions with respect to vehicle classes, types (HE or non-HE), and model years."

"The objectives of this project were to (a) provide a review of technical design and engineering requirements for utility accommodation in Texas, (b) provide an assessment of potential impact of overweight loads on buried utilities, (c) provide recommendations for a business process for TxDOT overweight routing coordination, (d) provide recommendations for changes to TxDOT manuals, (e) provide an assessment of UAR adequacy to deal with overweight loads on buried utilities, and (f) provide recommendations for changes to the UAR" (abstract, para. 2).

"This project defined an approach to integrating data collected and traveler information displayed in a work zone with a regional transportation management center and/or other state websites. The project conducted a literature review to define the state of the practice in work zone Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS; smart work zones) and worked with the Texas Department of Transportation traffic managers to identify their safety and nobility needs in a work zone and where ITS can play a role."

"This report summarized the series of "Traffic around Schools"" workshops conducted throughout the state of Texas to familiarize TxDOT employees and partner agencies with two key products from previous research projects (0-4286 and 0-5470) and other tools and guidance that are available for dealing with problems around schools."

"This two-year project was designed to provide TxDOT with comprehensive review and update of mounting details and standards for large and small sign supports, and to provide a mechanism for TxDOT to quickly and effectively evaluate and address high priority needs related to sign support systems."

"An instrumented, simulated bridge pier was constructed, and two full-scale collisions with an 80,000-lb van-type tractor-trailer were performed on it. The trailer was ballasted with bags of sand on pallets. The simulated pier was 36 inches in diameter and was supported in the longitudinal direction by two load cells. Force-versus-time data were obtained from the load cells."

Report on a project is to investigate field evaluation plans and procedures, and develop field performance-based evaluation procedures for pavement marking materials.

An implementation project was performed to expand use of transversely varied asphalt rate (TVAR) seal coat practices in all districts. The project included nine regional workshops, continued field texture testing of test sites, provided one set of sand patch test equipment to each Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) district, and published 500 copies of the TVAR Field Guide for broad TxDOT distribution.

This report presents the details of the design developed for mounting the traffic control sign support on top a portable concrete traffic barrier (PCTB), description of the full scale crash test performed on the design, and an assessment and evaluation of the performance of the PCTB with the sign support mounted on top according to specifications of "Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware" (MASH). The PCTB mounted sign support assembly anchored to the top of the TxDOT Type 2 PCTB tested for this project performed acceptably for MASH test 3-11.

Report on research develop information to communicate the safety and economic impacts of converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way. Researchers studied five locations in Texas where frontage roads were converted from two-way operation to one-way operation and developed accident modification factors related to frontage road conversion segments that roadway designers can use to guide frontage road conversion project planning.

Report on a study examining the impact performance of T101 bridge rails with pickup trucks. The study determined the T101 bridge rail did not meet Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware evaluation criteria for test 3-11 and the vehicle overturned after losing contact with the barrier.

This report describes the current state of practice of microsurfacing in Texas and compares it to best practices extracted from existing literature. A survey of DOT personnel, contractors and emulsion suppliers in Texas provides insight into the most crucial factors contributing to the success or failure of a microsurfacing. From the results of the survey, literature reviews, case studies and site visits, the research team analyzed material selection and mix design methods, construction practices, equipment practices and performance measures for microsurfacings.

Report on research examining the implementation of Senate Bill 1266, which provides for alternative funding methods for transportation projects and presenting recommended amendments to address the bill's shortcomings.

This research investigated the overhang and shear capacity of a precast overhang system for potential use during the construction of bridges with precast overhang panels. The research was performed in three phases: the Phase 1 research including work specifically for the Rock Creek Bridge in Parker County, Texas; the Phase 2 research for general precast overhang panels, and; the Phase 3 research investigating the shear capacity. Grout material characteristics were also assessed for possible use in the haunch; constructability issues were also addressed.

Report on research performed on the application of instruments including accelerometers and tiltmeters to monitor bridge scour. The instrumentation on the two bridges does not show great hope of application of accelerometers to monitor bridge scour because of a lack of sufficient excitation from traffic. Tiltmeters can provide the integral behavior of the bridge, and therefore are very useful devices for scour monitoring. Guidelines and protocols for scour monitoring based on the US59 over Guadalupe River Bridge and the SH80 over San Antonio River Bridge are provided in the study.

This project evaluates Vehicle Mileage (VM) fees as a possible funding mechanism for meeting the State of Texas' long-term transportation needs. Researchers conducted listening sessions with the general public and stakeholders to gather input on the concept. Researchers also prepared a decision matrix that can aid policy makers in evaluating the various trade-offs in policy that will be encountered in vehicle mileage fee system development. This study identified both challenges and opportunities for implementation of VM fees.

Full-depth reclamation (FDR) offers a timely, cost-effective solution to restore a pavement's condition. However, FDR represents only one technique in the engineer's toolkit available for addressing deteriorating pavement conditions. The purpose of this project is to provide guidance on determining whether a pavement is a candidate for FDR and, if so, what design, construction, and inspection processes will maximize the performance of the completed reclamation. This report presents initial recommendations for selecting a candidate FDR project and developing design options (including field sampling and lab design protocols). Along with a literature review, these recommendations are illustrated by application on several projects in the Texas Department of Transportation's Austin and Dallas Districts.

"This study provides a framework in which operating decisions for priced facilities can be made and can guide the changes in operational strategies for a facility over time" (p. i).