Highway Infrastructure Innovations Project Awards 2005

Carleton University:

1. Managing traffic through highway work zones - Automated enforcement, variable speed limits and managing delay

Define safe, efficient, reliable and cost effective means for managing traffic through highway work zones. Develop guidelines for the use of ITS for managing delay, defining variable speed limits, guiding the lane merging process, and automated enforcement.

MTO Contact: Steve Erwin

2. Evaluation of cold in-place recycled mix

Develop a quick and easy testing method to evaluate if CIR is ready for overlay. The developed methodology will be accessible by QA and QC labs. Final methodology is intended for ministry to develop and ERS spec.

MTO Contact: Becca Lane

3. Integrating Freeway and Arterial Transportation Management
Note: 2^nd year of 3-year project

Develop a realistic integrated freeway and arterial network model for testing ITS applications. Analyse and evaluate ITS based transportation methods. Identify most suitable traffic-responsive ramp metering system.

MTO Contact: Steve Erwin

McMaster University:

1. Resilient modulus testing of typical materials in Ontario in support of AASHTO 2002

Extend research currently sponsored by MTO to carry out resilient modulus testing of subgrade soils according to AASHTO and unbound materials to identify the sensitivity of the resilient moduli of different materials under various conditions. A database of the resilient modulus of representative base/subbase materials and subgrade soils in Ontario will be established using existing data as well as results of the proposed program in support of AASHTO 2002 design guide.

MTO Contact: Becca Lane

Queens University:

1. Improved Low Temperature Asphalt Binder Specification Test Method
Note: 2^nd year of 2-year project

Evaluation of Highway 655 binders for low temperature performance properties

MTO Contact: Kai Tam

Royal Military College:

1. Limit State Design (LSD) for Retaining Walls for Structures
Note: 2^nd year of 3-year project

Development of a new limit state design working stress method applicable to both metallic and geosynthetic reinforced soil walls and consistent with the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.

MTO Contact: Tom Kazmierowski

Ryerson University:

1. Ways of recycling of alkali-silica reactive concrete as new concrete aggregate

To investigate the suitability of using ASR-affected old concrete as recycled concrete aggregate in new concrete. Investigate the effect of RCA in concrete properties and the use of supplementary cementing materials to mitigate expansion in new concrete containing RCA.

MTO Contact: Chris Rogers

University of Toronto:

1. Effect of freeze-thaw climatic conditions on long-term durability of FRP strengthening systems

Evaluation of long-term performance of innovative retrofitting techniques for concrete structures using carbon and glass FRP under severe environmental conditions.

MTO Contact: Clifford Lam

2. Evaluation of Work Zone Strategies
Note: 2^nd year of 2-year project

Evaluate work zone strategies to improve worker and user safety. Determine how user delay costs could be incorporated into decision making.

MTO Contact: Gerry Chaput

University of Waterloo:

1. Effectiveness of chemical agents for snow control highways

Quantifying the effectiveness of alternative de-icing techniques for snow and ice removal on highways.

MTO Contact: Max Perchanok

2. Improved traffic signal warrants for crash avoidance t intersections

To develop a safety-based traffic signal warrant that explicitly considers crash potential rather than just recent crash history as suggested by current MUTCD practice. The warrant will be based on result obtained from a micro level behavioural model of crash occurrence, which is to be developed as part of this research. The model will provide estimates of crash potential for different types of intersections and traffic conditions, and can be used to quantify the safety benefits associated with the installation of traffic signals at specific intersections.

MTO Contact: Gerry Chaput

3. Innovative use of wave-based tests for condition assessment of longitudinal joints in asphalt

Develop a simple efficient non destructive test method for condition assessment of longitudinal joints in asphalt pavements using seismic wave based non destructive test methods.

MTO Contact: Kai Tam

4. Automation of Pavement Condition Surveys
Note: 2^nd year of 2-year project

Determine applicability of high speed pavement distress data collection in Ontario as replacement for the existing manually based method

MTO Contact: Li Ningyan

5. Improved Understanding of Half Cell Potential Measurements
Note: 2^nd year of 3-year project

Provide a basis for a more confident evaluation of reinforcement corrosion activities using half cell potential measurements. The results of this research will/ may allow MTO to better asses the state of concrete structure and take remedial action

MTO Contact: Hannah Schell

6. Using ARWIS to control load restrictions on gravel and surface treated highways

Determining technologies that can accurately and efficiently measure reduced road strength to better manage load restrictions in Ontario.

MTO Contact: Max Perchanok

University of Western Ontario:

1. Characterization via subspace identification, condition monitoring and dynamic load factor verification

Identification of dynamic properties of bridges for the purposes of model extraction. The model can be used for modifying bridge designs considering dynamic characteristics of bridges and for damage detection in bridges.

MTO Contact: Bala Tharmabala