FFY 2008 Research Projects
NETC 08-1
PROJECT TITLE: Applying the Highway Safety Manual in New England
STATUS: Project Dropped
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): To be determined
PI E-MAIL: To be determined
OBJECTIVES:
- Assess and verify the validity of the HSM calibration procedure by applying it to a sample of New England roads and recalibrate if determined necessary by the NETC Technical Committee in concert with the release of the first edi77tion HSM.
- Evaluate the accuracy of existing HSM AMF's using a sample of New England roads (minimum one urban state and one predominantly rural state). Assess and estimate AMF's that account for interactions with other AMF's and with other road conditions for commonly implemented improvements, including: lane and shoulder widening, curve realignment, signal installation, and others selected by the Technical Committee.
- Calculate the effects of applying multiple AMF's (AMFs to be determined by NETC 08-1 Technical Committee and PI) for commonly implemented improvements.
NETC 08-2
PROJECT TITLE: Evacuation Modeling to Assist Hazard Management & Response in Urban & Rural Areas of New England
STATUS: Project Dropped
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): To be determined
PI E-MAIL: To be determined
OBJECTIVES: Incorporating a broad range of hazards and emphasizing the particular situations and needs in urban and rural areas of New England: Develop evacuation simulation models to assist decision makers in the evaluation and testing of evacuation plans; and develop tools, based on the simulation models, to assist in personnel training during drills and exercises.
NETC 08-3
PROJECT TITLE: Best Management Practices for the Invasive Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed) Along Transportation Corridors
STATUS: This project will be compared against the 2012 Research Need Statements to determine if the research is still a priority for the NETC
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): K. Wayne Lee, University of Rhode Island; Richard Cassagrande, University of Rhode Island
PI E-MAIL: lee@egr.uri.edu
OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the degree to which common maintenance and construction practices play a role in the spread of Japanese Knotweed.
- To determine the most efficient methods for controlling or eradicating Japanese Knotweed populations.
NETC 08-4
PROJECT TITLE: An Assessment of the Implementation of NETC Research Results
STATUS: RFP pending
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): To be determined
PI E-MAIL: To be determined
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, assess, report on, and develop recommendations on the implementation and/or utilization of research findings from the numerous and varied projects sponsored under the NETC research program.
NETC 08-5:
PROJECT TITLE: Commute Rideshare for Sustainable Transportation in Northern Rural Communities: Understanding the Market and Designing Attractive Programs
STATUS: This project will be compared against the 2012 Research Need Statements to determine if the research is still a priority for the NETC
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): Song Gao, PI, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Gopal Patil, Co-PI, University of Vermont
PI E-MAIL: songgao@ecs.umass.edu
OBJECTIVES: Focusing on one of the current rideshare programs in New England's northern rural communities:
- To provide a comprehensive, quantified assessment of the program performances that will enable policy makers and program managers to identify problems and target aspects for improvement.
- To quantify, through a calibrated model, the factors that affect commuters' behavior in choosing rideshare.
- To identify recommendations for improvements to current rideshare programs based on empirical studies and computerized ride matching algorithms.
NETC 08-6
PROJECT TITLE: Interaction between Salinity, Soil Quality & Amendments in Roadside Plantings
STATUS: Project Dropped
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION: To be determined
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): To be determined
PI E-MAIL: To be determined
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the seasonal variation of soil salinity, microbial activity and decomposition of biosolids in roadside plantings in order to clarify whether soil mineralization of biosolids occurs in roadside plantings so that data can be generated that would be useful for determining the management of organic amendments for roadside plantings.