Federal Highway Administration

The following are brief descriptions of selected reports recently published by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Research and Development. All publications are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In some cases, limited copies of publications are available from the R&T Report Center.

When ordering from NTIS, include the NTIS PB number (or publication number) and the publication title. For customers outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the cost is double the listed price. Address requests to:

National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: (800) 553-NTIS (6847)

Requests for items available from the R&T Report Center should be addressed to:

Federal Highway Administration
R&T Report Center, HRD-11
9701 Philadelphia Court, Unit Q
Lanham, MD 20706
Telephone: (301) 577-0818
Fax: (301) 577-1421

Honda Accord LX Broadside Collision With a Narrow Fixed Object: FOIL Test Number 97S003
Publication No. FHWA-RD-98-008
This report details the test procedures, test setup, and test results from the first of four broadside crash tests between a 1995 Honda Accord LX four-door sedan and an instrumented rigid pole. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enlisted FHWA to aid in the development of laboratory test procedures to be used in a revised or amended version of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201 (Occupant Protection in Interior Impact). This new test procedure could be used in the evaluation of dynamic side-impact protection systems.

The NTIS number is PB98-131204; the cost is $25 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Mechanistic Evaluation of Test Data From LTPP Flexible Pavement Test Sections, Final Report, Volume II: Appendices
Publication No. FHWA-RD-98-020
This document assesses how well some of the existing asphalt pavement mechanistic-empirical distress prediction models performed when used in conjunction with the data collected for the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. The study shows that the LTPP data can be used successfully to develop better insight into pavement behavior and to improve pavement performance.

The NTIS number is PB98-131105; the cost is $28 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Commercial Vehicle Fleet Management and Information Systems: Phase I, Interim Report
Publication No. FHWA-RD-98-064
This report summarizes the Phase I findings of a research project conducted to determine whether commercial vehicle fleet management needs can be met through public sector involvement in the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and standards. Conclusions included in this report address the current state of ITS in the motor carrier industry, potential public sector services, and specific issues and areas that merit ongoing public sector attention.

The NTIS number is PB98-131113; the cost is $21.50 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Analyses Relating to Pavement Material Characterizations and Their Effects on Pavement Performance
Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-085
This report describes a study on relating pavement performance, or response measures, and design considerations to specific pavement layers using LTPP National Information Management Systems data. The goals of this research activity were to identify the differences between laboratory-measured and backcalculated resilient moduli; to determine the applicability of the C values, drainage coefficients, and relative damage factors that are included in the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials design guide; and to provide procedures that adequately consider the seasonal variation of material properties as related to flexible pavement designs.

The NTIS number is PB98-122823; the cost is $44 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

Older Driver Highway Design Handbook
Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-135
This report provides guidance to design and engineering professionals on how to design roadways that will accommodate the special needs of older drivers. The document covers age-related functional capabilities, human factors, and highway safety.

The NTIS number is PB98-122831; the cost is $47 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

FHWA Federal-Aid ITS Procurement Regulations and Contracting Options
Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-145
This report was developed to assist state and local transportation agencies in understanding contracting techniques available for design and construction of ITS projects.

The NTIS number is PB98-107477; the cost is $21.50 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Performance of Epoxy-Coated Rebars in Bridge Decks
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-092
This document summarizes the results of investigations performed by highway agencies in the United States and Canada, academia, and the Canadian Strategic Highway Research Program to evaluate the performance of epoxy-coated rebar (ECR). ECR was introduced in the mid-1970's as a means to minimize concrete deterioration caused by corrosion of the reinforcing steel and to extend the useful life of highway structures. The study showed no evidence of corrosion on 81 percent of the ECR segments extracted from the test structures.

The NTIS number is PB98-122856; the cost is $28 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Initial Development of Prototype Performance Model for Highway Design
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-134
FHWA has undertaken a multiyear project to develop the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), which is a computer-aided design (CAD)-based, integrated set of software tools created to analyze a highway design and identify safety issues and options. IHSDM incorporates five analysis modules: policy review, design consistency, accident analysis, traffic analysis, and driver/vehicle analysis.

This publication describes a prototype interface for IHSDM, focusing mainly on a driver/vehicle module. It also includes a review of commercial CAD systems and design application software elements that are critical elements of IHSDM.

The NTIS number is PB98-131253; the cost is $41 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

Development of Human Factors Guidelines for Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO): Exploring Driver Acceptance of In-Vehicle Information Systems
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-143
This document is part of an integrated program to develop human factors guidelines for advanced in-vehicle information systems. It provides both an analytic and empirical determination of the human factors issues specific to user acceptance of ATIS and CVO systems.

The NTIS number is PB98-131659; the cost is $49 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

Highway Safety Data: Costs, Quality, and Strategies for Improvement, Final Report
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-192
This report attempts to resolve issues and reduce the costs of highway safety data collection and management. Elements of the highway safety system, such as data collection and storage, are addressed in this publication. The focus of the project was to improve data handling for the three largest sources — traffic crash, roadway inventory, and crash injury. A set of strategies and goals are included in this document.

The NTIS number is PB98-122807; the cost is $25 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Testing and Evaluation of the W-Beam Transition (on Steel Posts With Timber Blockouts) to the Vertical Flared Back Concrete Bridge Parapet
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-200
The W-beam transition is one of the most commonly used transition designs on the nation’s highways. With FHWA’s adoption of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 as the official guidelines for crash testing of roadside safety features, it was necessary to reevaluate the transition design to adhere to the new guidelines. This report details a crash test performed in an effort to evaluate a modified W-beam transition design according to NCHRP Report 350 guidelines.

The NTIS number is PB98-122849; the cost is $21.50 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Relation of Acoustic Emission Signals to Microfailure Events
Publication No. FHWA-RD-96-203
FHWA has sponsored research aimed at enhancing the practical use of acoustic emission (AE) as an option for monitoring highway bridge integrity. The purpose of the project was to develop a better understanding of the material micro-failure events that produce acoustic signals. The goal of the study was to be able to determine important characteristics for fracturing from the size and shape of the AE signal.

This report describes the procedures and presents results from two initial studies. The first study was on structural ceramic and the second study was on weldment in bridge steel.

The NTIS number is PB98-107519; the cost is $21.50 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Optimized Sections for High-Strength Concrete Bridge Girders
Publication No. FHWA-RD-95-180
This report details the following study objectives: to identify the limitations of existing prestressed concrete girder cross sections relative to the use of high-strength concrete; to examine the feasibility of using modified cross sections to take advantage of high-strength concrete; to investigate the use of alternative construction systems; and to define factors that limit the application of high-strength concrete. This report describes the use of existing girder cross sections with concrete compressive strengths up to 10,000 psi (69 MPa), which allow longer span lengths and more economical structures.

The NTIS number is PB98-107071; the cost is $35 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Symbol Signing Design for Older Drivers
Publication No. FHWA-RD-94-069
This report evaluates the effectiveness of symbol traffic signs for young, middle-aged, and elderly drivers. The daytime legibility distance and comprehension of 85 symbols in Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices were measured. Legibility distance under night and night-with-glare conditions, glance legibility, reaction time, and conspicuousness were measured for 18 of these symbols. This report lists recommendations for changes to specific symbol signs to improve the sign’s effectiveness.

The NTIS number is PB98-131196; the cost is $49 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

The following are brief descriptions of selected items that have been completed recently by state and federal highway units in cooperation with FHWA’s Office of Technology Applications. All publications are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). In some cases, limited copies of publications are available from the R&T Report Center.

Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 3 Design Guidance: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering for Highways: Vol. I, Design Principles
Publication No. FHWA-SA-97-076
This document details how to apply geotechnical earthquake engineering principles to planning, design, and retrofit of highway facilities. Topics in this report include the following: seismic hazard assessment; evaluation of design ground motions; seismic and site response analysis; evaluation of liquefaction potential and seismic settlements; seismic slope stability and deformation analyses; and seismic design of foundations and retaining structures.

The NTIS number is PB98-111560; the cost is $41 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.

Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 3 Design Guidance: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering for Highways: Vol. II, Design Examples
Publication No. FHWA-SA-97-077
This report presents a series of five design examples illustrating the principles and methods of geotechnial earthquake engineering and seismic design for highway facilities. The examples presented in this publication cover a wide range of problems encountered in geotechnical earthquake engineering practices including seismic design of a shallow bridge foundation and seismic design of a driven-pile bridge foundation.

The NTIS number is PB98-111578; the cost is $38 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Guide to Nondestructive Testing of Concrete
Publication No. FHWA-SA-97-105
This report is a guide of general information on several pieces of commercially available nondestructive testing equipment. Most of the equipment discussed in this document is used for measuring the early age, in-situ strength of the concrete at ages less than 28 days.

The NTIS number is PB-122864; the cost is $21.50 for a paper copy or $10 for the report on microfiche.

Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 2 Earth Retaining Systems
Publication No. FHWA-SA-96-038
This document outlines temporary and permanent earth retaining systems methods for use on highway projects. Topics in this report include rigid gravity and semi-gravity walls; prefabricated modular gravity walls; mechanically stabilized earth walls; reinforced soil slopes; nongravity cantilevered walls and anchored walls, including sheet-pile walls, soldier pile and lagging walls, slurry walls, tangent pile and secant pile walls, and soil-mixed walls.

The NTIS number is PB97-173629; the cost is $38 for a paper copy or $14 for the report on microfiche.

Hydraulic Design Series No. 2 Highway Hydrology
Publication No. FHWA-SA-96-067
This manual is a revision of Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 19. The manual discusses the physical processes of the hydrologic cycle that are important to highway engineers and the methods that are used in the design of highway drainage structures.

The NTIS number is PB97-134290; the cost is $49 for a paper copy or $19.50 for the report on microfiche.