scholarly journals A lessons learned document for disputes in Florida Department of Transportation projects

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cagri Cinkilic
Author(s):  
Kirolos Haleem ◽  
Albert Gan ◽  
Priyanka Alluri ◽  
Dibakar Saha

As part of the effort to implement the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), state departments of transportation are looking to reach out to local and law enforcement agencies. This paper presents a study by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to identify the existing safety practices and needs of local transportation agencies and law enforcement offices in Florida. Two comprehensive online surveys targeting local transportation agencies and law enforcement agencies are developed. The survey for local transportation agencies includes 39 questions on topics including standardization of crash analysis methods, training needs, and working with FDOT. For law enforcement agencies, the survey includes 25 questions covering topics on enforcement locations, traffic violations and safety campaigns, use of crash reports, and working with transportation agencies. Results from both surveys and lessons learned are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2521 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-194
Author(s):  
Edgar Kraus ◽  
Cesar Quiroga ◽  
Jerry Le

Utility issues remain one of the top reasons for delays in development and delivery of transportation projects. Delays in utility relocations and varying site conditions (utility conflicts) are consistently ranked among the most frequent causes for delays in highway construction. This paper described the results of a pilot implementation of the utility conflict matrix (UCM) tools that were developed as part of SHRP 2 Project R15B in 2012. The implementation project was SHRP 2 R15C, Pilot Application of Products for the Identification of Utility Conflicts and Solutions, which took place from September 2012 to March 2014. The objective was to work with a state department of transportation on the implementation of the stand-alone UCM and the 1-day UCM training course, as well as an introduction to the utility conflict data model and database. The pilot implementation took place at the Maryland State Highway Administration. This paper describes the UCM tools, details of the pilot implementation, feedback received from stakeholders involved in the project, and lessons learned from the experience of project participants. The paper also provides examples of cost and time savings that resulted from the use of the UCM approach.


Author(s):  
Michael Plotnikov ◽  
John Collura

Rapid proliferation of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) promises to revolutionize traditional methods used to carry out civil engineering surveys and analyses and conduct physical infrastructure inspections. One of the most promising areas of implementation of innovative UAS technology includes the integration of UAS into current state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge inspections. While regular bridge inspections are paramount for road user safety, many traditional inspection methods and procedures are cumbersome, expensive, and time consuming; present significant hazards to both the traveling public and the inspection personnel; and are disruptive to normal operations of the transportation facilities. The results of recent studies indicate that UAS can serve as a useful tool in many highway bridge inspection procedures, while significantly reducing costs and time and improving safety. The major factors that affect the success of integrating UAS into the bridge inspection process relate to selection of the proper types of UAS platforms and avionics, data collection sensors and processing software, as well as conduct of task-specific pilot training. The paper provides an examination of current standard bridge inspection procedures and protocols currently carried out by state DOTs; an evaluation of state DOT experiences with the integration of UAS technology into bridge inspections; and an assessment of the issues and challenges associated with this technology. It is expected that this paper will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders representing state and federal governments, academia, and industry.


Author(s):  
Bouzid Choubane ◽  
Joshua Sevearance ◽  
Charles Holzschuher ◽  
James Fletcher ◽  
Chieh (Ross) Wang

The visibility of pavement markings is an important aspect of a safe transportation system as the markings convey vital roadway warnings and guidance information to the traveling public. Therefore, it is beneficial to maintain acceptable visibility levels of markings on pavements under all weather and lighting conditions. To ensure the intended in-service visibility level is adequately maintained, the reflectivity must be monitored and quantified accordingly. Historically, visibility or retroreflectivity of in-service pavement markings has been measured with handheld devices and visual inspections. However, visual surveys are considered subjective and the handheld measurements are tedious and potentially hazardous. Consequently, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has focused on the use of a non-contact technology capable of assessing pavement markings continuously at highway speeds with improved safety and efficiency. The use of mobile technology for measuring reflectivity has allowed FDOT to develop and, subsequently, implement a Pavement Marking Management System (PMMS) to improve the safety and nighttime visibility of its roadways. Implementation of such a system provides an efficient and less subjective methodology to identify conditions that are detrimental to roadway safety, and strategize mitigating solutions including the selection of appropriate materials and application techniques. The system will ultimately result in an effective use of state funds while ensuring the safety of the traveling public. This paper presents a description of the Florida Pavement Markings Management System and its subsequent implementation including FDOT’s effort to ensure the quality, consistency, repeatability, and accessibility of statewide pavement marking retroreflectivity data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2223-2242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hande Aladağ ◽  
Zeynep Işık

Purpose In build-operate-transfer (BOT) transportation projects, design and construction phases are critical in terms of their effect on time and cost overruns. The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of risk factors affecting these phases and their significance level for BOT transportation projects. Design/methodology/approach Design and construction risks were determined and then validated by focus group discussions. Afterwards, an illustrated case study was presented to better understand the effects of determined risks in a BOT mega transportation project. As the last step of the study, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process method was used to prioritize risk factors. Findings The prominent risk factors were found out as occupational accidents, integration between design and construction phases and excessive design variations. Research limitations/implications Different kinds of BOT transportation projects in different countries might be executed very differently considering specific social, political, economic and other factors. However, the results of the study are important in terms of the specific lessons learned from the case study that can be used as a foundation for developing possible risk mitigation measures. Originality/value Though the risk management of BOT projects has been investigated frequently in the literature, there is a knowledge gap in the quantitative evaluation of risk significance specific to design and construction risks. The prioritization of determined risks with an associated case from a mega transportation project will contribute to the BOT project practitioners about possible challenges in design and construction phases in BOT mega transportation projects.


Author(s):  
Soumya S. Dey ◽  
Stephanie Dock ◽  
Alek Pochowski ◽  
Meredyth Sanders ◽  
Benito O. Pérez ◽  
...  

Washington, D.C. (the District) has been a national leader with its progressive approach to parking management. Owing to the District’s strong housing and employment growth over the past decade, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) needs a program to balance the competing parking needs of residents, commuters, visitors, and businesses. Using Federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Value Pricing Pilot Program, DDOT planned and implemented a demand-based parking pricing pilot program in the Penn Quarter and Chinatown neighborhoods. The results of the pilot program confirmed that demand-based pricing programs can be both cost-efficient and effective, and highlighted a path to expanding demand-based pricing Districtwide. Using lessons learned from this project, practitioners will be better prepared to plan their own demand-based pricing programs, positioning themselves to effectively balance parking supply and demand in their own communities. The paper discusses the impacts of demand based pricing on a range of metrics such as parking search times, cruising, occupancy, and length of stay. It also assesses the impacts of the strategies on the larger transportation system and the study area.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1828 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce W. Landis ◽  
Venkat R. Vattikuti ◽  
Russell M. Ottenberg ◽  
Theodore A. Petritsch ◽  
Martin Guttenplan ◽  
...  

The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated multi-modal level-of-service (LOS) methodologies, including that for the bicycle travel mode. It has already adopted a bicycle LOS methodology for the roadway segment portion of the transportation network, the Bicycle Level of Service Model. Florida DOT’s ultimate goal is to develop corridor- and facilities-level LOS methodologies. Toward that goal, Florida DOT sponsored research to develop the first part of an intersection bicycle LOS methodology, the Intersection LOS for the bicycle through movement. This Intersection LOS for the bicycle through movement would provide a measure of the level of safety and comfort experienced by bicyclists riding through an intersection. The Intersection LOS model for the bicycle through movement is based on Pearson correlation analyses and stepwise regression modeling of approximately 1,000 combined real-time perceptions from bicyclists traveling a course through a typical U.S. metropolitan area’s signalized intersections. The study’s participants represented a cross section of age, gender, and geographic origin of the population of cyclists. Although further hypothesis testing is being conducted, the resulting general model for the Intersection LOS for the bicycle through movement is highly reliable, has a high correlation coefficient ( R2 = 0.83) with the average observations, and is transferable to the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan areas. The study reveals that roadway traffic volume, total width of the outside through lane, and the intersection (cross street) crossing distance are primary factors in the Intersection LOS for the bicycle through movement.


1997 ◽  
Vol 1575 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Gambatese ◽  
James F. McManus

Pressures to develop transportation projects that are biddable, buildable, and maintainable may be greater today than ever before. As a result, many transportation agencies are concerned about the constructability and quality of design documents for roadway facilities. The Washington State Department of Transportation has performed a research study to develop a constructability review process (CRP) to improve the constructability of its projects. The CRP is composed of constructability reviews at various prescribed points in the project time line. The reviews incorporate constructability checklists and planned meetings among all of the disciplines involved. Implementation of the CRP is expected to reduce the number of construction change orders, the total cost of change orders, construction and maintenance staff, and the amount of resources and to lead to a “zero addendum” bid phase.


Author(s):  
Bouzid Choubane ◽  
Joshua Sevearance ◽  
Hyung Suk Lee ◽  
Patrick Upshaw ◽  
James Fletcher

The Florida Department of Transportation has historically used a combination of handheld devices and visual surveys to evaluate the retroreflectivity of pavement markings. However, visual surveys have the inherent limitations of operator bias, while the use of a handheld device is slow and labor intensive and presents safety hazards. Many highway agencies have recognized that a mobile retroreflectivity unit (MRU) may be a safer and more efficient alternative to the handheld retroreflectometers. Because the measurement process relies on the operator-driven instrument, a level of uncertainty is always a concern in evaluating pavement markings with the MRU. This research was aimed at assessing the precision and bias of the MRU while using the handheld retroreflectometer as a reference device. Ten 1.0-mi-long field sites were selected to include various pavement surface types and pavement marking materials (paints and thermoplastics). The results indicated that, when compared with the handheld retroreflectometers, the MRU demonstrated no statistical differences or bias at a 95% confidence level for the retroreflectivity values ranging between 200 and 800 mcd/m2/lux. In addition, it was determined that the retroreflectivity values from two properly conducted tests using a single MRU on the same pavement marking should not differ by more than 7.8%, and when different MRUs were used on the same pavement marking, the retroreflectivity values should not differ by more than 13.3%. This paper presents a description of the testing program, the data collection effort, and the subsequent analyses and findings.


Author(s):  
James A. Musselman ◽  
Bouzid Choubane ◽  
Gale C. Page ◽  
Patrick B. Upshaw

Over the past 10 to 15 years, Interstate pavements in northern Florida have experienced a significant number of failures, primarily due to rutting. It was believed that the present fine-graded, 50-blow Marshall-designed mixes were inadequate to withstand current loading conditions. The newly developed Superpave system represented an opportunity to address several of Florida’s asphalt pavement problems. Thus, the Florida Department of Transportation made a concerted effort to implement Superpave technology in 1996. During this period, eight projects were changed from the traditional Marshall mix designs to Superpave. Although the new procedure offers potential for improved pavement performance, there has been very little experience nationally with its field application. Florida’s early experiences with the field implementation of Superpave are documented.


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