Project Estimating and Contingency Guidelines

In this session we discuss acceptable ranges for project estimates, what is an acceptable amount of contingency based on the stage submittal, and how we get better at estimating

Final STS-35 Columbia descent BET products and results for LaRC OEX investigations

Final STS-35 'Columbia' descent Best Estimate Trajectory (BET) products have been developed for Langley Research Center (LaRC) Orbiter Experiments (OEX) investigations. Included are the reconstructed inertial trajectory profile; the Extended BET, which combines the inertial data and, in this instance, the National Weather Service atmospheric information obtained via Johnson Space Center; and the Aerodynamic BET. The inertial BET utilized Inertial Measurement Unit 1 (IMU1) dynamic measurements for deterministic propagation during the ENTREE estimation process. The final estimate was based on the considerable ground based C-band tracking coverage available as well as Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Doppler data, a unique use of the latter for endo-atmospheric flight determinations. The actual estimate required simultaneous solutions for the spacecraft position and velocity, spacecraft attitude, and six IMU parameters - three gyro biases and three accelerometer scale factor correction terms. The anchor epoch for this analysis was 19,200 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) seconds which corresponds to an initial Shuttle altitude of approximately 513 kft. The atmospheric data incorporated were evaluated based on Shuttle derived considerations as well as comparisons with other models. The AEROBET was developed based on the Extended BET, the measured spacecraft configuration information, final mass properties, and the final Orbiter preoperation databook. The latter was updated based on aerodynamic consensus incrementals derived by the latest published FAD. The rectified predictions were compared versus the flight computed values and the resultant differences were correlated versus ensemble results for twenty-two previous STS entry flights

I-69 ORX: A Bistate Megaproject = Project Management2

Managing a large project is full of challenges. Needs grow exponentially when you’re managing a bistate megaproject with two clients and twice the number of agencies, elected leaders, community groups, media outlets, and other stakeholders. The I-69 Ohio River Crossing team will share strategies to improve internal and external communications, streamline processes, build consensus, increase collaboration, and maximize stakeholder engagement—all while maintaining an accelerated schedul

Changing plastid dynamics within early root and shoot apical meristem-derived tissue of A. thaliana

Whilst plastids are fundamental to many aspects of plant biology and the production of enhanced crop cultivars, research into the dynamics of non-green plastids has remained somewhat disregarded by the scientific community compared to chloroplasts. They are equally pivotal to normal plant development however, and are now increasingly becoming the focus of research made possible by genetic manipulation and reporter gene constructs. The total plastid content of all plant cells originates from small, undifferentiated plastids termed proplastids found within the meristematic regions of both root and shoot tissue. The cellular regulatory mechanisms controlling the development of plastids in young tissues are poorly understood, especially in the case of non-green plastids in roots. This investigation consequently aimed to elucidate the differences in plastid content, morphology and subcellular localization within epidermal cells derived from the root and shoot apical meristems (RAM and SAM respectively) of Arabidopsis thaliana. Quantification of non-green plastids was facilitated via the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy in conjunction with the expression of plastid-targeted green fluorescent protein driven by a constitutive promoter. Characterization of early seedling development and tissue diversification was also achieved by assessing epidermal cell size relative to developmental progression, ultimately facilitating comparative analyses of plastid dynamics on both a temporal and tissue-varietal basis. The number of plastids in epidermal cells within RAM-derived tissue was shown to increase across regions of cell division before being regulated throughout subsequent zones of elongation and maturing root tissue. In contrast, epidermal cells of the hypocotyl exhibit a more generalized increase in plastid number and less strict maintenance of cell plan area coverage during tissue expansion. The findings presented here suggest the functioning of distinct mechanisms regulating plastid division and growth in relation to cell size within shoot and root apical meristem-derived tissues

Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing - Indiana Approach Design Challenges and Construction Updates

This presentation will cover some of the design challenges experienced and value engineering exercises performed on the Indiana approach to the Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing. Construction updates for the Indiana approach will also be presented

US 31 Kokomo Collaborative Effort Yielded Successful Results

From the initial design to the end of construction, the INDOT staff and consulting team committed themselves to a higher level of communication. This presentation will cover the collaborative effort carried out during the US 31 Kokomo Corridor Project and highlight the successes achieved. Points of discussion include the communication plan established, dealing with Mother Nature and utilities, the benefits of planning ahead, and the final results