Evaluation of Manual Infrared Brake Screening Technologies

RSF 19-71The purpose of this project was to install and operate two manual infrared (IR) brake screening systems at Kentucky inspection facilities to enhance the quality of Level 1 safety inspections. A radio button in the inspection software allowed enforcement personnel to indicate when the IR equipment was used to select a truck for inspection. This feature allowed a direct comparison of performance measures (e.g., number of violations identified per inspection, out-of-service rate, etc.) for IR-generated inspections versus all inspections. The evaluation focused on inspections at the Lyon County site for a 60-day period during September and October 2021. Analysis of the data showed that use of the IR technology to select trucks for inspection resulted in a substantially higher number of violations detected, a substantially higher out-of-service rate, and increased efficiency of enforcement personnel (in terms of violations found per inspection performed. The technology also appeared to be well accepted and appreciated by enforcement personnel, who regarded it as a beneficial addition to their toolkit

Investigation of Illegal Weigh Station Bypassing

SPR 22-617This study recommends best practices to curb illegal weigh station bypassing by commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Analysis of historical data collected by Kentucky State Police \u2013 Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (KSP-CVE) for 2017-2021 revealed that CMV drivers were charged with illegally bypassing weigh stations 2,616 times. Drivers were charged with an average of two other violations when cited for illegal bypassing \u2014 most often violations related to credentialing, vehicle safety, or driver safety. Site visits to three permanent weigh stations in Kentucky revealed that CMVs regularly bypass weigh stations illegally, including those authorized to use preclearance systems (Drivewyze and PrePass). A survey distributed to law enforcement officials in U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions found that 49% of the responding jurisdictions have seen a recent uptick in illegal bypasses. Most participating jurisdictions (70%) have conducted enforcement details to tamp down illegal bypassing, which indicates it is a widespread problem. Every illegal bypass likely results in jurisdictions missing out on revenues and increases the likelihood of poor safety outcomes. The safety and financial implications of illegal bypasses are substantial enough to warrant swift, comprehensive action to mitigate them

Extended Weight Systems Pavement Analysis

SPR 22-57-2Kentucky established its Extended Weight Coal or Coal By-products Haul Road System (EWCHRS) in 1986. This road network includes segments of the Coal Haul Highway System on which more than 50,000 tons coal or coal byproducts were transported by motor vehicles during the previous calendar year. In the past few years, the state has introduced extended weight (EW) systems focused on petroleum products and metal commodities. Trucks can operate above posted weight limits on these networks by paying annual fees that range from $160 to$2,000. While EW networks benefit motor carriers by improving efficiency, vehicles that exceed weight limits can damage pavement and reduce its service life. This study examines the relationship between pavement age and pavement condition on EWCHRS routes and non-EWCHRS routes to understand the implications of EW networks for infrastructure life-cycles. Using data from 2008 through 2020 (with the exception of 2016) to perform regression analysis, researchers found that routes which spent at least 20% of the study period on the EWCHRS saw pavement life decline by 1.5 \u2013 2 years. In general, a positive correlation was observed between exposure on the EWCHRS and loss of pavement life, which can increase maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation costs. While the future of commodity-specific EW networks in Kentucky is unclear, data management strategies can be adopted by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to improve its support of existing and future EW networks

KRS and KAR Review of Models as a Legal Contract Document

SPR 22-56-3State departments of transportation (DOTs) are expanding the use of electronic engineering data (EED) throughout highway projects \u2014 from design and construction through asset management. Included under the umbrella of EED are technologies such as building information modelling (BIM), digital terrain models (DTMs), and 3D models and plan sets. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet\u2019s (KYTC) Digital Project Delivery (DPD) Initiative is spearheading the transition to EED in the state. While digital delivery promises to streamline project development and management it does not come without hurdles. This report discusses methods for agency wide implementation of EED and highlights best practices for managing, communicating, and storing data as well as the potential legal ramifications of using 3D models as contract documents. While no state or federal laws preclude the use of EED as contract documents, as KYTC adopts paperless plan sets it must (1) perform its due diligence to ensure all processes comply with relevant statutes and regulations, (2) develop guidance for managing EED and transmitting records to external parties, (3) put clear guidelines into place for creating and preserving records, and (4) partner with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the rollout of digital delivery

2+1 Roadway Design Guidance Update

SPR 21-605The frequency and severity of crashes on rural two-lane roadways have increased in the US relative to other road types. This trend can be explained by the growing number of vehicles, higher speeds, narrow shoulders, and vehicle mixes. One solution for improving traffic flow and safety outcomes on rural two-lane roadways is to adopt a 2+1 design, which confers the benefits of four-lane highways but at a lower cost. Transportation agencies throughout Europe \u2014 and increasingly the US \u2014 have seen good results from 2+1 layouts. Crash data from Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Denmark reveal better safety outcomes following the implementation of 2+1 designs, with reductions in fatal and fatal and injury crash rates of 25 \u2013 80 percent. Studies in the United States have found crash declines of 35 \u2013 44 percent following the transition to 2+1 layouts. Over the past 10 years, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has built several 2+1 roadways. Evaluations of three 2+1 segments in the state found lower crash rates on two segments, however, not enough crash data are available to draw definitive conclusions. Despite this lack of confirmatory data, there is consensus among practitioners that 2+1 designs hold considerable promise for improving rural roadway operations. Building off of 2+1 guidance originally issued by KYTC in 2013, this report outlines updated policies that account for lessons learned at the agency during the design and construction of 2+1 roadways as well as best practices adopted by other states

Linking Bad Credentials to Safety Issues

SPR 20-583This study assesses (1) the effectiveness of the Kentucky Automated Truck Screening (KATS) system, (2) the relationship between credential and vehicle safety violations, (3) the relationship between credential and driver safety violations, and (4) the relationship between credential violations and crashes. The KATS system, which is installed at weigh stations throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is highly effective at detecting KYU, IFTA, and UCR violations with sensitivities of 80.54, 87.56, and 88.28 percent, respectively. However, the system is less effective at detecting IRP violations (sensitivity = 20.83 percent). There is a statistically significant relationship between credentialing and vehicle safety violations, and the same is true for credentialing violations and driver safety violations. Carriers with at least one KYU, IFTA, UCR, or IRP violation were 111.16 percent more likely to receive a citation for a vehicle safety violation than motor carriers without credentialing violations. Compared to carriers without credentialing violations, carriers with at least one credentialing violation were 112.50 percent more likely to receive a citation related to driver safety. In terms of the relationship between Kentucky-based credentialing violations and nationwide crashes (major crashes only), carriers with at least one credentialing violation were 35.43 percent more likely to be involved in a serious crash than carriers without credentialing violations