The Next Generation of Technology
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use of queue detection information can increase safety
for both road workers and motorists.
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Moving forward with its goal of promoting high payoff, innovative
technologies that State and local transportation agencies and industry
can use, the Technology Implementation Group (TIG) has selected three
technologies for accelerated deployment.
Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO), the group's mission is to "champion the implementation
of technology among AASHTO member agencies, local agencies, and their
industry partners to improve the Nation's highway system" (see
February 2001 Focus). The three initial technologies selected for
implementation are precast substructural elements for bridges, intelligent
transportation system (ITS) technologies for work zones, and accelerated
construction methods.
The use of precast substructural elements, such as precast bent caps,
allows for rapid and more cost-effective bridge construction. For
example, the Texas Department of Transportation's decision to use
precast bent caps for the replacement of 113 spans on a bridge in
Houston allowed construction to be completed in 95 days, rather than
the 548 days that conventional construction would have taken.
The use of ITS technology in work zones, such as ramp metering systems,
intrusion alarms, and queue detection information, is aimed at increasing
safety for both workers and road users and ensuring a more efficient
traffic flow. Accelerated construction methods, meanwhile, will help
to cut down on the time needed for work zones, thus also increasing
safety and causing fewer delays for motorists. To accelerate construction,
highway agencies are using such unconventional initiatives as closing
roads completely to traffic to allow the necessary maintenance or
rehabilitation work to be done.
TIG will be soliciting this fall for project sites to hold demonstrations
of ITS applications in work zones. The group has chosen Indiana and
Pennsylvania as pilot States for accelerated construction technology
and will be planning for two pilot workshops to be held in the spring
and summer of 2002. To guide the implementation of precast substructural
elements, TIG will be setting up a technical panel composed of members
from State highway agencies, industry, and the Federal Highway Administration.
The technical panel will concentrate on AASHTO adoption of standards
for the precast bent cap system and the marketing of the technology
to State and local highway agencies. Additional precast substructural
elements may be added to the implementation effort at a later time.
For more information on TIG, contact Haleem Tahir at AASHTO, 301-975-5275
(fax: 301-330-1956; email: haleem.tahir@nist.gov).
In upcoming months, Focus will highlight each of the priority technologies
in more detail, so stay tuned.
Other articles in this issue:
A new approach for construction workforce
training and certification
Keeping good roads good
The next generation of technology
Reaping the benefits of the LTPP investment
Data integration: Key to practice of
asset management
Highway technology calendar
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