In February 2010, The Texas Department of Transportation (TcDOT) contracted with the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), and The Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT) at Texas Tech University, to assist TxDot in developing a Strategic Research Program (SRP). This report documents the work conducted from September 2010 to August 2011.

Abstract: This research project was established by TxDOT's Research and Technology Implementation Office to address special studies required by the department's Administration during FY 2011. Three short-term, quick-turnaround tasks were completed and are documented.

"The objective of this study was to extend the work that was conducted under TxDOT Research Project 0-5208 by (a) reviewing the ability of available tools and analysis techniques to quantify and qualitatively describe the (environmental justice) EJ impacts associated with toll road projects and toll road systems through an evaluation of state-of-the-practice applications, and (b) recommending a suitable approach to assess the EJ impacts of toll roads and toll road systems on EJ communities."

"The objectives of this research study were to (a) illustrate and quantify the impacts imposed by the energy sector on Texas's transportation system and (b) identify key energy demand indicators by energy source that TxDOT can track in an effort to anticipate the associated future transportation impacts on Texas's transportation system."

"Texas energy sector has a critical impact-historically and currently-on both the state economy and the Texas transportation system. The stat's various transportation modes, including rail, highways, pipelines, and ports, form a system that supports the energy sector in a number of ways."

"In this report the Center of Transportation Research at The University of Texas at Austin undertook a comprehensive research study to identify and determine when, where, and under what circumstances Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) should pursue the implementation of Value Extraction Applications (VEA), and how to effectively recognize and involve key stakeholders."

Report describing the development of a wiki-type online database system to document TxDOT research and construction programs.

"This is a final report of an extensive experimental and analytical examination of the fatigue behavior of the welded end connection used on high-mast light structures and traffic signal masts. The weld details commonly used for these connections produce very poor fatigue performance. Their performance is a function of base plate stiffness, weld type and geometry, and number of anchor bolts. Recommended connections and their corresponding fatigue strength are given as well as recommended fabrication and welding specifications."

"This report summarizes the methods, results, and recommendations from a research investigation on the behavior of horizontally curved girders during construction. This information provides guidance on critical issues that bridge engineers face when designing curved steel plate I-girders."

This report discusses the significant progress that was made towards developing the Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD) during the first year of Project 0-6005.

"In order to keep the rigid pavement (RP) database current and statistically representative of Texas' pavements, periodic reassessments of the database must be made in order to obtain updated sampling plans and new recommendations for future data collection. This report documents a study of the twenty-four-year database, examines the past and current demographics of the data, and identifies the need for improvement in critical areas."

Report on a study examining the effects of variability in mix design of hot-mix asphalt concrete. The study tested the laboratory performance of the asphalt mixes and performed statistical analyses to determine the effects of each variable.

Report on the application of a paratransit microsimulation patron accessibility analysis tool in four rural transit agencies in workshops. The workshops provided an overview of the Demand Response Transit [DRT] accessibility tool developed by the research team, obtained feedback on the results predicted by the DRT tool, and identified ways to improve the DRT tool.

A series of five detailed design examples feature the application of state-of-the-art strut-and-tie modeling (STM) design recommendations. Design components include: Five-Column Bent Cap of a Skewed Bridge, Cantilever Bent Cap, Inverted-T Straddle Bent Cap (Moment Frame), Inverted-T Straddle Bent Cap (Simply Supported), and Drilled-Shaft Footing.

This report presents the results and findings of the first year of this 5-year research project that evaluated the laboratory-field correlation for the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (HWTD) equipment.

"This report presents the results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on the surveys, lab tests, and information collected on the test sections for the first year of a 3 year study. This project is intended to compare the cost-effectiveness, ease and safety of installation, performance, and life-cycle cost for hot rubber asphalt crack sealant, cold pout asphalt emulsion crack sealant, and cold pour asphalt emulsion joint sealant."

Abstract: "Geotextiles, one among the different geosynthetic products, can be used for a number of functions or applications in pavement design. The benefits of using geotextiles in pavements and other transportation applications have triggered a proliferation of products. While this abundance of new products has led to reduction in costs, it has also made it difficult for TxDOT personnel to choose appropriate products based on their engineering properties. Consequently, this report provides the basis for (i) guidelines for proper use and selection of geotextiles in pavements, (ii) material specifications for geotextiles in pavement applications, and (iii) draft construction specifications."

This report summarizes small pullout test results conducted as par of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 5-4829 to assess the performance of a newly developed small pullout box as well as the associated K SGI model.

Report on the testing involving a modified pullout device for the characterization of the confined stiffness in geosynthetic reinforcements.