Update of Data for Estimating ESALs

This project involved updating processing traffic characteristics data using a series of quality control and analytical programs to produce an estimate of the following parameters of interest; 1) average daily traffic, 2) percent trucks, 3) percent trucks classified as heavy/coal, 4) axles per truck, 5) axles per heavy/coal truck, 6) ESALs per truck axle, 7) ESALs per heavy/coal truck axle, and 8) total ESALs. ESAL estimation parameters used WIM data collected during 2007, 2011, and 2012–2013 (representing 41 stations); and classification data collected in 2010, 2011 and 2012 (representing 1,669 stations). Computer programs used to process classification data, process weight data, and then combining output to calculate ESALs are contained in the three following programs; 1) CLASS SUMMARY – processes vehicle classification data and produces annual average number of vehicle types at each classification station, 2) LOADOMTR SUMMARY – processes truck weight data to produce axle load distributions by vehicle type, and 3) AGGCALC – processes output form LOADOMTR AND CLASS programs to produce ESAL-related parameters of interest. A flowchart which provides steps of processing data and calculating estimates of ESALs is included in Appendix A and computer code for each of these programs is included in Appendix B

Impact Evaluation of the Louisville-Shively-Jefferson County Traffic Alcohol Programs

This report is an evaluation of alcohol enforcement programs conducted by the Louisville, Jefferson County, and Shively police agencies in the Louisville metropolitan area. The following four types of data were collected in order to evaluate the traffic alcohol programs; accident data, arrest and adjudication data, cost-effectiveness, and public opinion data. Results from the before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol-related accidents decreased significantly during the study period, There was a 34.4 percent reduction in alcohol-related accidents during hours of special enforcement and a 30.4 percent reduction during all hours of the day. Time-series analysis of accident data showed a 27.1 percent decrease during hours of increased enforcement and a 26.1 percent decrease during all hours. Results from time-series analysis also indicated that the enforcement programs increased the DUI arrest rate by at least 50 percent in each of the jurisdictions studied. Inclusion of the Slammer Law as a control variable revealed the proportion of convictions among DUI arrests increased by nearly 449 percent. Based on costs associated with the program (enforcement, jail costs, and court costs) and benefits (reduced accident costs and DUI fines); the benefit-cost ratio was 2.81 to 5.67 depending upon the basis for accident costs. The public opinion survey showed strong support for the traffic alcohol programs and 87 percent of the respondents indicated that increased enforcement was an effective means of reducing drinking and driving. In addition, 82 percent of those responding indicated the programs had reduced their chances of an accident

Truck Design and Usage Related to Highway Pavement Performance

The function of a pavement is to serve traffic safely, comfortably, and efficiently at reasonable costs. Automobile traffic typically accounts for the major volume of traffic using high-type facilities. However, heavy truck traffic accounts for the major portion of accumulated fatigue and therefore requires greater structural designs. Truck design and usage has tended toward larger vehicles and greater payloads. The impact of elements of truck design and usage (such as suspension systems, floating axles, axle configurations, uniformity of loading, payloads, etc.) on fatigue damage are illustrated. The effects of increasing vehicle loadings and increased tire pressures are related to potential for rutting of asphaltic concrete pavements. Mechanisms for implementation of vehicle damage factors and accumulated pavement fatigue in the assessment and allocation of costs to highway users also are presented

Role of sialidase in glycoprotein utilization by Tannerella forsythia

The major bacterial pathogens associated with periodontitis include Tannerella forsythia. We previously discovered that sialic acid stimulates biofilm growth of T. forsythia, and that sialidase activity is key to utilization of sialoconjugate sugars and is involved in host–pathogen interactions in vitro. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of the NanH sialidase on initial biofilm adhesion and growth in experiments where the only source of sialic acid was sialoglycoproteins or human oral secretions. After showing that T. forsythia can utilize sialoglycoproteins for biofilm growth, we showed that growth and initial adhesion with sialylated mucin and fetuin were inhibited two- to threefold by the sialidase inhibitor oseltamivir. A similar reduction (three- to fourfold) was observed with a nanH mutant compared with the wild-type. Importantly, these data were replicated using clinically relevant serum and saliva samples as substrates. In addition, the ability of the nanH mutant to form biofilms on glycoprotein-coated surfaces could be restored by the addition of purified NanH, which we show is able to cleave sialic acid from the model glycoprotein fetuin and, much less efficiently, 9-O-acetylated bovine submaxillary mucin. These data show for the first time that glycoprotein-associated sialic acid is likely to be a key in vivo nutrient source for T. forsythia when growing in a biofilm, and suggest that sialidase inhibitors might be useful adjuncts in periodontal therapy