Digital Dissemination Platform of Transportation Engineering Education Materials Founded in Adoption Research

INE/AUTC 14.0

Bridge Deck Runoff: Water Quality Analysis and BMP Effectiveness

INE/AUTC 10.0

Knowledge Transfer Needs and Methods

INE/AUTC 12.3

Mapping Cultural Participation in Chicago

Charts the household income, educational level, race, and ethnicity of all neighborhoods in Chicago's metropolitan area and explores whether smaller, ethnic, and diverse organizations reach a different audience than the larger institutions

Naturally Occurring Asbestos in Alaska and Experiences and Policy of Other States Regarding its Use

INE/AUTC 09.0

Long-term Stabilization of Disturbed Slopes Resulting from Construction Operations

Highway construction disturbs soil, which must be stabilized to prevent migration of soil particles into water bodies. Stabilization is enforced by law, regulation, and a permit system. Stabilization is most efficiently attained by reestablishment of vegetation, and permits sometimes specify this method of stabilization. Revegetation is difficult in northern Alaska, and seeded grasses often die in a year or two, while reestablishment with native vegetation takes several years. A literature search and interviews with experts indicates that simply extending this “establishment period” has many practical difficulties. Field investigations and interviews indicate that in northern Alaska little erosion occurs at slopes with failed vegetation, which implies that vegetation was not critical to reducing contamination and the expense of revegetation was unnecessary. However, when revegetation is specified in standard permit language, and contractor, owner, and regulator must close out projects, grasses are utilized. This research supports the recommendation that the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities work with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to develop special standards for projects north of the Brooks Range and between the Brooks and Alaska ranges, that recognize the low erosion potential of clean road fill – embankments

Sustainable Construction in Remote Cold Regions

The goal of this project was to identify sustainable construction techniques appropriate for remote and cold regions, some of which apply to operations and maintenance as well. The vast body of literature regarding green construction in warm regions was reviewed, and information that might be applicable to cold and remote regions was ascertained. A hierarchal taxonomy was developed to categorize the information and reduce it to a form useful for presentation to engineering and construction managers. Twenty-two engineers and construction managers, all familiar with cold regions and remote projects, were interviewed, and the information and taxonomy were reviewed with them. This process resulted in a set of preliminary guidelines, which were then presented at two different meetings: one at AGC and one at the DOT, Central Region, where the preliminary guidelines were revised slightly. The final set of guidelines, approximately 160 suggestions and notes, was used to develop a module for UAF construction management classes, although it is suitable for other learning venues. The module, the Guidelines, as well as a preliminary paper are available on the CESTiCC website

Creosote Treated Timber in the Alaskan Marine Environment

Creosote is a wood preservative that is used in marine structures in Alaska, such as piles, docks, and floating structures. Some of the PAH chemicals in creosote are toxic to marine organisms, and resources agencies and environmental groups question its use. Mesoscale testing of creosoted wood has not indicated significant negative effects of wood treated with Best Management Practices (BMP), which is now standard practice. The EPA pesticide recertification of creosote required only the use of BMP or a risk assessment. The National Marine Fisheries Service issued draft guidelines for wood preservatives, which does not preclude use of creosote, but suggest a risk assessment if the qualities of treated wood are large or they are installed in sensitive areas. This report recommends consideration of the risks of creosote and presents an algorithm for analyzing the risks. Many applications require only an overview risk assessment. Applications of large quantities of preserved wood or in sensitive areas should have a more formal risk assessment. The report and the EPA recertification suggest a screening assessment published by the Western Wood Preservers Institute. If the screening indicates further assessment is needed, the report points to more detailed assessments.State of Alaska, Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilitie

Enabling Data-Driven Transportation Safety Improvements in Rural Alaska

Safety improvements require funding. A clear need must be demonstrated to secure funding. For transportation safety, data, especially data about past crashes, is the usual method of demonstrating need. However, in rural locations, such data is often not available, or is not in a form amenable to use in funding applications. This research aids rural entities, often federally recognized tribes and small villages acquire data needed for funding applications. Two aspects of work product are the development of a traffic counting application for an iPad or similar device, and a review of the data requirements of the major transportation funding agencies. The traffic-counting app, UAF Traffic, demonstrated its ability to count traffic and turning movements for cars and trucks, as well as ATVs, snow machines, pedestrians, bicycles, and dog sleds. The review of the major agencies demonstrated that all the likely funders would accept qualitative data and Road Safety Audits. However, quantitative data, if it was available, was helpful