CTR Library's Research Digest, July 2011

Research Digest FORWARD ALL REQUESTS TO: The University of Texas at Austin Center for Transportation Research LIBRARY 1616 Guadalupe St. | Suite 4.202 | Austin, Texas 78701 Phones: (512) 232-3126 and (512) 232-3138 Email: ctrlib@austin.utexas.edu In this Issue:

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Research

Table of Contents Item 1.

The Freight Shuttle System : Advancing Commercial Readiness (TTI 1528-1).................................... 1

Item 2.

Construction and Evaluation of Post-Tensioned Pre-Stressed Concrete Pavement (TechMRT 4035-01-2)...........................................................................................................................................

1

Item 3.

Steel Fiber Replacement of Mild Steel in Prestressed Concrete Beams : Technical Report (UH 5255-2)........................................................................................................................................

2

Item 4.

Incorporating Sustainability into TxDOT's Transportation Decision Making : Summary of Work Performed, Methods Used and Results Achieved (TTI 5541-01-1/P2)....................................

3

Item 5.

Strategies to Improve and Preserve Flexible Pavement at Intersections (UTEP 5566-P1).................... 3

Item 6.

Implementation of Straight and Curved Steel Girder Erection Design Tools Construction : Summary (CTR 5574-01-1)................................................................................................................

4

Item 7.

UT Lift 1.1 (CTR 5574-01-P1)............................................................................................................

4

Item 8.

Workshop on Corridor Management and Preservation in Texas [PowerPoint Presentation] (TTI 5606-01-P1 Instructor)................................................................................................................

5

Item 9.

Implementation of Transverse Variable Asphalt Rate Seal Coat Practices in Texas : Technical Report (TTI 5833-01-1)........................................................................................................................

5

Item 10.

Safety and Economic Impacts of Converting Two-Way Frontage Roads to One-Way : Methodology and Findings (TTI 5856-1)............................................................................................

6

Item 11.

Realtime Monitoring of Bridge Scour Using Remote Monitoring Technology (TTI 6060-1)............

6

Item 12.

Studies to Determine the Effectiveness of Longitudinal Channelizing Devices in Work Zones : Technical Report (TTI 6103-1)............................................................................................................

7

Item 13.

MASH Test 3-11 of the TXDOT Portable Type 2 PCTB with Sign Support Assembly : Research/Test Report (TTI 6143-1)....................................................................................................

8

Item 14.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Transportation Projects : A Toolkit for Sketch Planning (CTR 6235-1/P1).................................................................................................................................... 8

Item 15.

PCP Cracking and Bridge Deck Reinforcement : An Interim Report (CTR 6348-1)............................

9

Item 16.

Instructions for Detecting Sulfates using the Veris 3150 [PowerPoint Presentation] (TTI 6362P1)........................................................................................................................................................

9

Item 17.

Development of Performance-Based Evaluation Methods and Specifications for Roadside Maintenance : Technical Report (TTI 6387-1)..........................................................................................9

Item 18.

Is Texas Ready for Mileage Fees? : A Briefing Paper (TTI 6660-P1).................................................... 10

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

Research Digest Item 1 The Freight Shuttle System : Advancing Commercial Readiness TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 1528-1 • 2011 This report summarizes the results of research aimed at advancing the commercial readiness of a new hybrid mode of intermodal freight transportation called the Freight Shuttle System (FSS). The FSS represents a unique combination of the best features of rail and truck transportation designed to mitigate many of the adverse impacts of over-the-road truck transportation; pavement damage, diesel emissions, congestion, and safety issues. A FSS business model has been developed that lends itself to private financing and operations, in keeping with the commercial nature of goods movement. A modular system design has emerged that facilitates implementation in numerous settings, such as border crossings, marine terminals, or heavily traveled commercial corridors between markets ranging in distance from 10–500 miles. The FSS has been developed to provide a lower-cost and more reliable mode of freight transportation that will induce traffic through pricing and time-certain delivery schedules. The FSS has also been shown to have the potential to play an important role in attracting private capital to the transportation infrastructure. The public benefits projected to accrue from a single FSS are significant and are detailed in the report.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (1.6 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/9-1528-1.pdf

Item 2 Construction and Evaluation of Post-Tensioned Pre-Stressed Concrete Pavement TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN TRANSPORTATION (TECHMRT)

TechMRT 4035-01-2 • 2010 The performance of cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete pavement (PCP) constructed in 1985 on IH-35 in Waco, Texas has been excellent. Encouraged by the performance of the section, the Texas Department of Transportation decided to build another PCP project on IH-35 in Hillsboro. The construction of 9-in thick PCP with mostly 300-ft long slabs started in May 2008. Issues raised during the pre-construction and construction phases were evaluated and documented in this report. Also, the detailed behavior of PCP at early ages due to environmental loading (temperature and moisture variations) and post-tensioning were evaluated with various installed gages. The strain and movement of PCP as well as temperature and relative humidity were measured. The effects of such factors as post tensioning (PT) force, friction, curling stress, creep, and shrinkage on the behavior of PCP were investigated.

The stress introduced by longitudinal PT varied along the slab length, with a maximum near the armor joint and a minimum at the center of the slab. The concrete strain at mid-depth of the slab under environmental loading was also affected by friction and other restraints. The concrete thermal strain restrained by friction and other factors was larger near the slab center. The distribution of longitudinal slab movement was nonlinear along with the distance from slab center. Continued contraction of concrete slab due to creep and shrinkage was observed, one which will result in the opening of joint width. Creep and shrinkage effects should be included in the design of the initial joint width. The findings from the field evaluations of the PCP behavior were used to calibrate the theoretical analysis model PCP 3.0.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (1.6 MB) from: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/techmrtweb/Reports/Complete%20Reports/5-4035-01-2_final.pdf

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 3 Steel Fiber Replacement of Mild Steel in Prestressed Concrete Beams : Technical Report UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON (UH). DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

UH 5255-2 • 2011 The replacement of stirrups by steel fibers in highway beams requires a set of shear design provisions and guidelines for prestressed Steel Fiber Concrete (PSFC) beams. The development of rational shear provisions with wide applications must be guided by a mechanics-based shear theory and must be validated by experimental tests on I- and box-beams. A rational shear theory, called the Softened Membrane Model (SMM), has been developed at the University of Houston for reinforced concrete beams. This theory satisfies Navier’s three principles of mechanics of materials, namely, stress equilibrium, strain compatibility and the constitutive relationship between stress and strain for the materials.

The first phase of the research consisted of testing 10 full-size prestressed PSFC panels. This was done to establish the effect of fiber factor and the level of prestress on the constitutive models of steel fiber concrete and prestressing tendons. From this data a set of constitutive models was developed to predict the behavior of prestressed PSFC. Notable findings include the fact that increasing steel fiber content has a beneficial effect on the softening properties of prestressed PSFC. Additionally, the findings show that increasing steel fiber content increases tension stiffening in prestressed PSFC under tensile loading.

The second phase of this research project generalizes the SMM shear theory for application to prestressed PSFC beams. This was achieved by feeding the new constitutive models of fiber concrete and prestressing tendons into a finite element program (OpenSees). The accuracy of the new shear theory was evaluated by testing full-size prestressed PSFC I- and box-beams that fail in shear modes. The developed finite element program was used to simulate the shear behavior of the beams with acceptable accuracy. Finally, a design equation and recommendations were provided for use when designing PSFC beams. Using the design equations, a series of four design examples, was also provided.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (9.0 MB) from: http://library.ctr.utexas.edu/hostedPDFs/UH_0-5255-2Final.pdf

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 4 Incorporating Sustainability into TxDOT's Transportation Decision Making : Summary of Work Performed, Methods Used and Results Achieved TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 5541-01-1/P2 • 2011 This report summarizes the work performed in Fiscal Year 2009 and 2010 under TxDOT implementation project 55541-01 "Regional Workshops on Sustainability Enhancement Tool." This implementation project involved the development of workshop material aimed at disseminating research findings and training participants in hands-on use of the SET through a series of workshops in FYs 2009 and 2010. The work done on [the seven] project tasks are discussed in subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 describes the development of workshop materials, Chapter 3 summarizes the workshops conducted, Chapter 4 discusses local agency implementation and plans to integrate into TxDOT practice, and Chapter 5 provides the conclusion and future research.

This report is accompanied by a CD-ROM. The contents of the CD-ROM are available for download as a ZIP file: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5541-01-1-CD.zip Full-text of this report is available for free download (257 KB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5541-01-1.pdf

Item 5 Strategies to Improve and Preserve Flexible Pavement at Intersections UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS

UTEP 5566-P1 • 2010 This manual was developed to aid in the identification of flexible pavement distress and appropriate treatment at intersections. This document is a guideline that can be used in the field by TxDOT Maintenance Section Supervisors and other TxDOT personnel in evaluating Texas roadways. In many cases, Texas rural intersections are constructed similar to the rest of the roadway with thin untreated flexible base and hot mix or a two-course surface treatment.

However, these intersections experience a different level of distress compared to the rest of the roadway since it is subjected to different traffic conditions. This guide allows users to identify the type of distress and level of severity for each distress type. This guide summarized based on responses of a multi-district survey within TxDOT, interviews with district personnel, observations of field performance of various repair methods, and review of existing published guidelines and manuals relevant to pavement maintenance and preservation.

Full-text of this report is available to TxDOT personnel at: http://ctis.utep.edu/training_s/module/manual/booklet/

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 6 Implementation of Straight and Curved Steel Girder Erection Design Tools Construction : Summary UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH (CTR)

CTR 5574-01-1 • 2010 Project 0-5574 “Curved Plate Girder Design for Safe and Economical Construction,” resulted in the development of two design tools, UT Lift and UT Bridge. UT Lift is a spreadsheet-based program for analyzing steel girders during lifting while UT Bridge is a three-dimensional finite element program for analyzing partially or fully-erected steel girders during construction. The implementation project introduced these software tools to the Austin and Houston districts through hands-on training sessions. Through interviews, emails, and phone correspondence, TxDOT engineers provided the developers with feedback on modifications to the user interface necessary to improve the application of the software to TxDOT bridges. Based upon recommendations from TxDOT engineers, the software was modified. Training modules were also developed as a part of the training sessions. These training modules are distributed with the software so that new users can familiarize themselves with the software capabilities with well defined problems.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (411 KB) from: http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/5_5574_01_1.pdf

Item 7 UT Lift 1.1 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH (CTR)

CTR 5574-01-P1 • 2010 The purpose of this spreadsheet is to provide a tool and give information to an engineer when deciding the safety of lifting a horizontally curved steel I-girder with one crane and two lift clamps. The spreadsheet has been developed to indicate the necessary inputs and highlight the calculated results. The green colored cells allow for input to be given and the blue colored cells highlight the notable calculated results. The current spread sheet allows for the analysis of a girder segment with up to 8 different cross sections and 18 cross frames attached. CD-ROM includes PDF Guide to the software.

Full-text of this report and software is available for free download from: http://fsel.engr.utexas.edu/software/index.cfm

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 8 Workshop on Corridor Management and Preservation in Texas [PowerPoint Presentation] TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 5606-01-P1 Instructor • 2010 This CD-ROM includes the PowerPoint Presentation files for the Corridor Management and Preservation Workshop.

The workshop objectives were: to promote understanding and importance of Corridor Management and Preservation (CM&P), to facilitate CM&P through coordination of transportation and land use planning, to promote TxDOT/local partnerships; Show CM&P tools, practices and studies, to promote development and adoption of CM/CP plans, and to gather feedback.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (24.2 MB ZIP file) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5606-01-P1.zip

Item 9 Implementation of Transverse Variable Asphalt Rate Seal Coat Practices in Texas : Technical Report TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 5833-01-1 • 2011 An implementation project was performed to expand use of transversely varied asphalt rate (TVAR) seal coat practices in all districts. The project included nine regional workshops, continued field texture testing of test sites, provided one set of sand patch test equipment to each TxDOT district, and published 500 copies of the TVAR Field Guide for broad TxDOT distribution.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (11.1 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/5-5833-01-1.pdf

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 10 Safety and Economic Impacts of Converting Two-Way Frontage Roads to One-Way : Methodology and Findings TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 5856-1 • 2011 In the research documented here, researchers develop information to communicate the safety and economic impacts of converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way. Researchers studied five locations in Texas where frontage roads were converted from two-way operation to one-way operation. Researchers identified a comparison site in Texas that remained two-way for comparison to four of the treatment (conversion) sites.

Researchers developed accident modification factors (AMFs) related to frontage road conversion segments that roadway designers can use to guide frontage road conversion project planning. Researchers developed AMFs based on non-property-damage-only (non-PDO) crashes for segments and interchange intersections. Researchers developed 12 AMFs and provide confidence intervals around the estimates. Researchers describe how the AMFs were developed, associated caveats, and how to apply the AMFs. Researchers also document the process used to build the safety database from electronic data-sets and printed crash reports. Finally, researchers provide recommendations to facilitate and expedite future crash analyses.

Researchers attempted to investigate the economic impacts of frontage road conversion by analyzing gross sales data, appraisal data, employment data, and surveys of business owners/managers and customers. Only the appraisal data and survey information were at the parcel level along the corridors and survey sample size was limited.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (22.5 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5856-1.pdf

Item 11 Realtime Monitoring of Bridge Scour Using Remote Monitoring Technology TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6060-1 • 2011 The research performed in this project focuses on the application of instruments including accelerometers and tiltmeters to monitor bridge scour. First, two large scale laboratory experiments were performed. One experiment is the simulation of a bridge with a shallow foundation, and the other is the simulation of a bridge with a deep foundation. A series of instruments were installed on the simulated bridge to monitor the performance of the bridge due to scour. Both the shallow foundation experiment and deep foundation experiment show that accelerometers and tiltmeters can be used in scour monitoring events since both give warning of bridge failure successfully. Subsequently, two individual monitoring systems were designed and installed on two bridges: US59 over Guadalupe River Bridge and SH80 over San Antonio River Bridge in Texas. Real-time data are collected and transmitted to a computer server at Texas A&M University, which can be accessed remotely. The instrumentation on the two bridges does not show great hope of application of accelerometers to monitor bridge scour because of a lack of sufficient excitation from traffic. Another issue with the accelerometers is the high power consumption during the transmission of accelerometer data, which cannot be satisfied with a typical solar panel and battery. Tiltmeters can provide the integral behavior of the bridge, and therefore are very useful devices for scour monitoring. Guidelines and protocols for scour monitoring based on the US59 over Guadalupe River Bridge and the SH80 over San Antonio River Bridge are provided in the study.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (18.8 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6060-1.pdf _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 12 Studies to Determine the Effectiveness of Longitudinal Channelizing Devices in Work Zones : Technical Report TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6103-1 • 2010 This report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to determine whether the following longitudinal channelizing device (LCD) applications improve the traffic safety and operations of work zones relative to the use of standard drums: Continuous LCDs in the vicinity of exit ramps on high-speed, limited-access facilities; Continuous LCDs in the merging taper of a lane closure on low-speed roadways; Single LCDs (similar to Type 3 barricades) in the merging taper of a lane closure on high-speed roadways; Continuous LCDs in the vicinity of driveways on low-speed urban roadways.

Based on the research findings, researchers recommended the use of continuous LCDs in the immediate vicinity of an exit ramp within a lane closure under the following conditions: When a high number of deliberate intrusions into the work zone are expected or occur while using standard channelizing devices; In situations where the exit ramp opening (in feet) is less than or equal to two times the posted speed limit (in mph), workers and equipment are in the work area near the exit ramp opening, and there are concerns that drivers may unintentionally enter the work area trying to access the exit ramp.

Recommendations regarding the minimum exit ramp opening length within a work zone lane closure and the use of a closer drum spacing in the immediate vicinity of exit ramps are also discussed. Researchers do not recommend the use of continuous LCDs or single barricade style LCDs to form a lane closure merging taper. While continuous LCDs may also be used to delineate the edge of a travel lane in a work zone on an urban roadway, the height and location of the LCDs should be considered since they impact the ability of drivers to view approaching traffic.

Researchers also discuss LCD delineation and other implementation considerations.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (6.3MB PDF) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6103-1.pdf

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 13 MASH Test 3-11 of the TXDOT Portable Type 2 PCTB with Sign Support Assembly : Research/Test Report TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6143-1 • 2011 Portable concrete traffic barriers (PCTBs) are commonly used in work zones or in temporary median barrier applications. PCTBs are needed for separation and channelization of vehicle movement and for worker protection.

Signage is often necessary wherever PCTBs are used. Placement of signs where driver visibility is optimal is often necessary. It might be desirable to place signs in the shoulder of the left hand lane between the PCTB and the roadway. Signs placed in the shoulder of roadways are often supported by skids that are weighted down with sand bags. Often, there is not enough shoulder width for these skid-type sign supports. One solution would be to mount the sign supports directly on the PCTB. The goal of this project was to develop a sign support mount connection that could be incorporated into the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) standard specifications for sign supports used in construction zones. This report presents the details of the design developed for mounting the traffic control sign support on top a PCTB, description of the full scale crash test performed on the design, and an assessment and evaluation of the performance of the PCTB with the sign support mounted on top according to specifications of Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).

Full-text of this report is available for free download (6.2 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6143-1.pdf

Item 14 Comprehensive Evaluation of Transportation Projects : A Toolkit for Sketch Planning UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH (CTR)

CTR 6235-1/P1 • 2010 A quick-response project-planning tool can be extremely valuable in anticipating the congestion, safety, emissions, and other impacts of large-scale network improvements and policy implementations. This report identifies the advantages and limitations of existing methods and toolkits for sketch-planning project evaluation. The report also describes the design and application of a new project evaluation toolkit, to assist transportation agencies and their consultants in the project planning phase. The toolkit is a spreadsheet-based application that offers users a familiar and powerful data manipulation interface for evaluation of abstracted networks’ improvements and modifications, versus a base case scenario, relying largely on traffic counts. The toolkit includes a travel demand prediction module for destination, mode, time of day and route choices, across multiple user classes and implemented as a set of external C++ programs. The toolkit estimates vehicle emissions using an extensive spreadsheet database of EPA’s MOBILE 6.2 emissions rates. Crash rates come from Texas-based models, and changes in traveler/consumer surplus (versus base case scenarios) are estimated using the Rule of Half. Estimates of link reliability also are available, and can be included in comprehensive benefit-cost metrics, which discount future impacts over time. The toolkit enables planners to comprehensively yet quickly anticipate and analyze the various impacts of diverse network improvement strategies.

The User’s Guide (Appendix G) is quite long, and so is provided as a PDF file on the CD that accompanies this final report. The CD also contains the Toolkit software. For details on installing and using the Toolkit, users should first read the User’s Guide.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (917 KB) from: http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_6235_1.pdf _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 15 PCP Cracking and Bridge Deck Reinforcement : An Interim Report UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH (CTR)

CTR 6348-1 • 2010 TxDOT Project 0-6348 “Controlling Cracking in Prestressed Concrete Panels and Optimizing Bridge Deck Reinforcing Steel” started on September 1, 2008 and is scheduled to end on August 31, 2012. The project is proceeding on schedule. This report summarizes research progress to date, and lists the principal findings.

The objectives of Project 0-6348 are as follows: (1) Identify ways of controlling cracking in precast, prestressed bridge deck panels; and (2) Optimize reinforcement in the cast-in-place concrete placed on bridge decks.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (1 MB) from: http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_6348_1.pdf

Item 16 Instructions for Detecting Sulfates using the Veris 3150 [PowerPoint Presentation] TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6362-P1 • 2011 This slide show provides directions for setting up the Veris 3150 Conductivity Device to collect data on a project with the data referenced to GPS coordinates. The final product will be a map... that gives the shallow (0-2 ft) and deep (0-4 ft) conductivity of a site.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (PowerPoint file) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6362-P1.pptx

Item 17 Development of Performance-Based Evaluation Methods and Specifications for Roadside Maintenance : Technical Report TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6387-1 • 2011 This report documents the work performed during Project 0-6387, “Performance Based Roadside Maintenance Specifications.” Quality assurance methods and specifications for roadside performance-based maintenance contracts (PBMCs) were developed for potential use by TxDOT. These methods include a set of performance standards and timeliness requirements, a statistical condition assessment method for evaluating compliance with these performance standards, and a method for developing performance-based pay adjustment formulas. The developed performance standards, condition assessment method, and pay adjustment formulas were tested and refined using field trials. The field trials consisted of five 10-mi roadway segments located in TxDOT’s Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio, Tyler, and Waco Districts. Finally, current practices in best-value bid evaluation methods for procuring PBMCs were identified and evaluated using simulation techniques.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (1.6 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6387-1.pdf _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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Research Digest Item 18 Is Texas Ready for Mileage Fees? : A Briefing Paper TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (TTI)

TTI 6660-P1 • 2011 In late 2009, recognizing the impending funding problems for state highways and in response to interest from elected officials, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tasked TTI to explore whether a mileage fee system could address some of the major deficiencies in the fuel tax and to provide direction on potential policies.

This project conducted a preliminary evaluation of how mileage fees might be used as an alternative funding mechanism in Texas. Researchers interviewed stakeholders, technology experts, and the general public to gather feedback on the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing mileage fees in Texas (see Appendix A).

Researchers also prepared a decision matrix (see Appendix B) that can aid policy makers in evaluating the various trade-offs in policy necessary to successfully implement a mileage-fee system.

In addition to conducting a literature review, the research team also solicited different perspectives on the issue from around the state. Researchers collected input from 13 transportation stakeholder groups representing a variety of interests, a nationwide panel of technology experts who reviewed public opinions about possible deployment options, and focus groups conducted with the general public in five communities of varying size and geography.

The project's findings and recommendations are presented in this briefing paper.

Full-text of this report is available for free download (6.9 MB) from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6660-P1.pdf

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Research and Technology Implementation Office

July 2011

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