The Paris to Lexington Road Reconstruction Project

This report summarizes the effort to provide the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet with an evaluation of the results obtained for the Paris to Lexington Road Reconstruction Project from 1997 to 2001. A unique pre-qualification process was used for the project to select a fixed pool of contractor to provide input to the design and to bid on the work. The research started in 1996 during the design process and continued following construction until September of 2001. Input was received from the Cabinet personnel working on the project, from the design firms, from the contractors, from the property owners involved, and from the citizen\u27s advisory committee overseeing the project. This was an environmentally sensitive project requiring special design and construction practices to meet the project objectives. An evaluation was done on 15 key project attributes and the project cost. Although more expensive than traditional highway projects the project was very successful. It is an example of how a highway department can successfully partner with the other stakeholders in a historic and environmentally sensitive project. Several observations and conclusions are included in the report

KY-CTDS Kentucky Contract Time Determination System (KYSPR 99-195-lF)

This paper reports on the results of research that was funded by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) to develop a new method for determining construction contract time for its highway construction contracts. The current and other DOT systems were analyzed to determine how a new system could provide better estimated duration. It was pre-determined that a PC computer based system was best suited. The development of the system input was developed from KyTC engineers with construction experience. The study advisory committee worked with Kentucky Transportation Center research engineers to develop the basis for the new contract time determination system, called KY-CTDS. The KY-CTDS program provides a conceptual estimating tool for predicting construction contract time for the Kentucky Department of Highways. It uses the pre-determined project classifications with only the major activities that control the project duration. Production rates and activity relationships were determined and are included in the program. Final adjustments in the project can be easily made by KyTC engineers. This system utilizes Microsoft Project® 98 and Microsoft Excel® Version 7.0 software operating on a personal computer. System outputs include a graphical bar chart schedule for estimating the contract time for bidding purposes. System output may also help in resolving construction disputes. The program is not suitable for detailed scheduling of construction operations

Development of Guidelines and Performance for Asphalt Concrete Containing Recycled Rubber

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementation of the crumb rubber technology in Kentucky. The impetus for this study was provided by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (lSTEA). This study included an overview of existing literature on the subject from an implementation point of view for Kentucky\u27s conditions. Upon completion of this phase of the study, guidelines were developed by the KTC research team and were submitted to the Transportation Cabinet for field implementation of the crumb rubber modifier (CRM) technology in Kentucky. From the ease of implementation point of view, the Cabinet opted to construct a field trial section using the wet process\u27 which utilized a fine ground rubber (80 mesh} material. The rationale for this decision was based upon the fact that the fine ground CRM mix closely resembles the polymer modified HMA, and that both the Cabinet and Kentucky contractors have an extensive amount of experience with polymer modified asphalt. In July 1993, a field trial project was constructed on a portion of the US 421, Franklin County, Kentucky. The project involved milling of nominally one inch of the wearing surface followed up by a nominally one-inch overlay. The four-lane trial project (two lanes in each direction) was divided into two approximately half-mile sections. This allowed for a comparison of performance between the CRM hot mix asphalt (HMA) and the conventional HMA. In summary, the trial implementation of the CRM technology in Kentucky proved to be a success. The 177-micron (80-mesh) fine ground rubber at 7.5% by weight of asphalt cement provided a material similar to polymer modified asphalt. Construction of the field project was possible with existing specifications and practices in Kentucky. The non-intrusive nature of the fine ground technology was most desirable from the ease of implementation point of view

Development of Guidelines and Performance for Asphalt Pavements Containing Rubber -- Review of State-of-the-Practice

This interim report provides a summary of key points that are important to successful implementation of the asphalt rubber technology in Kentucky in accordance with ISTEA. Various asphalt rubber technologies are presented in this report along with their advantages and disadvantages. Issues related to structural design and construction are discussed. A variety of environmental issues such as: emissions, leachate and issues related to future recyclability are presented. Finally, criteria are recommended to be used for selection of future asphalt rubber projects in Kentucky

Nighttime Construction Issues

This report addresses several issues to consider when considering performing highway construction work in Kentucky at night. Surveys of other state departments of transportation and Kentucky highway contractors were made to identify best practices and concerns. An advisory committee of experienced KyTC engineers plus contractor representatives met extensively to identify successful approaches for handling key issues which arise on night-time construction projects. Seventeen specific recommendations have been proposed to enhance the Cabinet\u27s use of night-time construction for its projects. These cover several issues related to night-time work, including contract requirements, traffic control, law enforcement, personnel issues, lighting and public awareness. A method (the Night-Time Project Evaluation Form) was also developed for evaluating a proposed construction project as a candidate for night-time work. If properly implemented, night-time construction can greatly decrease the duration of highway construction projects, greatly reduce road user delays and associated costs, while providing a safe environment for both workers and the traveling public

Procedures for Determining a Working Capacity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) for Highway Construction and Consulting Projects in Kentucky

This report documents the working capacity of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) community performing on federal aid highway projects over the last four federal fiscal years 1995- 98. This includes the work performed by Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Minority Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) , and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) construction firms serving both as a prime contractors and subcontractors. The work of DBE design consultants was not included as part of this study. The impact of five DBE firms who should be graduating from the program is also discussed. In addition several different scenarios are discussed relating to the adjustment of the current DBE federal goal, and to identify if the DBE community will be able to perform the adjusted volume of work in fiscal year 2000 if the current goal is reduced

Development of a Critical Path Method Specification and a Training Program for use of CPM for KyTC

The Critical Path Method scheduling technique is outlined as it applies to KYTC projects. Special Provision 82 (94) and its requirements are outlined

Development of a Critical Path Method Specification and a Training Program for Use of CPM and KTC

The Critical Path Method is a proven management technique used for determining the critical activities that would need additional care in any type of construction projects. The KTC requires that CPM schedules be used on selected highway projects. This research project offers a detailed idea on CPM scheduling application in highway construction projects, as well as current practices in other departments of transportation nationwide, together with specifications for proper application of CPM scheduling

Development of Concrete QC/QA Specifications for Highway Construction in Kentucky

There is a growing trend toward quality-based specifications in highway construction. A large number of quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) specifications shift the responsibility of day-to-day testing from the state DOH to the contractor. This requirement for contractor-performed quality control testing has been partly due to the fact that state agencies are operating with a smaller pool of employees compared to previous years. Another driving force has been the application of performance-based specifications and realization that the contractor and the producer need some degree of flexibility in order to be more efficient and innovative. This report presents the background information behind the development of the new QC/QA Concrete specifications in Kentucky. Findings of this study have already been implemented in the form of a Special Note for QC/QA Concrete, which is expected to be fully implemented by the year 2002. The QC/QA Special Note encourages the Contractor to produce a consistent quality product by giving incentives. Conversely, it penalizes the Contractor for poor quality, and/or inconsistent quality. The Special Note has been written with quality and innovation in mind. That is why it allows the Contractor and the Producer to follow the ACI-318 procedures for concrete mix design as well as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recipe mixes