Annual Report – 2006/2007 – Part A
Transcription
Annual Report – 2006/2007 – Part A
REPORT 2006-2007 APPALACHIAN TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE ANNUAL NICK J. RAHALL, II PART A YEAR & ANNUAL: REPORT Building Jobs through Transportation CONTENTS Center Theme Success Stories Education Research Technology Transfer Management Structure Funding Sources and Expenditures Project List (New, Ongoing, Completed) 3 4 15 23 35 62 69 70 DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program, in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. 2 ANNU- REPORT 2006-2007 CENTER THEME “Transportation and Economic Development in Mountain ReThe mountainous terrain and dispersed population of Southern West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia have presented and continue to present unique challenges to planning, construction, and maintenance of safe, cost-effective transportation infrastructure. In addition, the implementation of post-mining land use, which can create flat land suitable for economic development in the region, has been hindered by transportation systems inadequate for commercial and industrial purposes. Through its designation as a University Transportation Center (UTC), RTI is empowered to focus on a comprehensive, broadly- based, multidisciplinary research, educational and technology transfer program on this region’s transportation and transportation-related economic development challenges. The UTC at Marshall University may include activities at: Bluefield State University, Bluefield, W.Va.; Mountain State University, Beckley, W.Va.; and West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Montgomery, W.Va. 3 RTI Headquarters in Huntington, W.Va. 4 Above: Orange lines indicate the proposed route of the I-73 High Priority Corridor through portions of Southern West Virginia superimposed over high resolution aerial imagery. Red lines indicate the locations of surface mining activity. Yellow lines show the locations of rural communities. Above: White shading represents state and county boundaries that comprise the Appalachian Region. Red shading represents counties that are distressed per National Standards (i.e., more than 150% of the National Unemployment Rate). The number of distressed counties in the region can be partially attributed to a costly and incomplete surface transportation system. 4 4 ANNU- Success Stories REPORT 2006-2007 SUCCESS STORIES 5 • RTI Presents First Two Railroad Safety and Operations Research Center of Excellence (Rail-SOURCE) Awards On May 24, 2007, the first two recipients of the Railroad Safety and Operations Research Center of Excellence (Rail-SOURCE ) Awards, Mr. John West and Mr. Bernie Sanders, were honored at RTI headquarters in Huntington, W.Va. RTI Director Bob Plymale, who opened the event, said one of the purposes of the awards was to “highlight a very successful public private partnership in engineering research between RTI and the CSX Corporation. They played a key role in helping us get our first railroad engineering research dollar in addition to providing access to their rail lines here locally for several years.” In fact, he said, “The railroad engineering research project here at RTI is our largest and longest funded project. Since 2000, Senator Byrd has provided over $4.3 million [of Federal Railroad Administration grants] to RTI for this [railroad research] project. We think these funds have produced some significant results that you will hear a little more about today with more results hopefully later this year.” These results include RTI’s first international award for the “Best Paper Award from University Researchers” received during the 8th International Conference and Exhibition on Railway Engineering in London, England, in 2005. Plymale said the research team, which consisted of Dr. Richard Begley, Dr. Tony Szwilski and Pete Dailey, were responsible for the international award, which would not have been possible without support and participation from CSX during the research stages. West, President of CSX Technology and Chief Information Officer, CSX corporation, said West said, “Over a year ago I was asked to be a founding member and an active participant in RTI’s Rail-SOURCE Advisory Board, also know as the Railroad Safety and Operations Research Center of Excellence…Such a role, at least for me and my team, is very different and challenging. The program’s intent, at least from my perspective, was to identify opportunities to improve railroad operation, safety and other measures, by using innovation and subsequent practical application. By working together, we believed the team could produce tangible benefits. “Using CSX as the test bed, with Bernie Sanders assigned to direct our activities, CSX provided input on numerous activities: high accuracy mobile yard surveys, tracking devices on railcars, power generation for railcar sensors. Of those three experiments we are already using the mobile surveying equipment in production on 2 years within CSX with great results. It is faster and safer, which translate to lower cost. In less than a year together, the teams produced tangible ‘corporate’ benefits. Based on the results I have shared with you today, we look forward through this partnership to find even more benefits for our industry from the valuable research conducted here at Marshall.” Marshall University President Stephen Kopp presented brief remarks and then presented the first Rail-SOURCE Awards to West and Mr. Bernie Sanders, Director of Progress Excellence for CSX Technology. Kopp said, “There is no doubt in my mind that the integration of our resources, with the resources of an operating railroad, has resulted in a very unique opportunity for RTI and [Marshall University]. The RailSOURCE Advisory Board will play a key role in the years ahead in maintaining the momentum of the successful 6 technology development and transfer.” • RTI Awarded $493,614 COPS Grant to Assist West Virginia State Police in Installing GPS Reporting System in Vehicles RTI was awarded a $493,614 grant from the United States Department of Justice to assist the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) in installing a mobile, paperless, data-reporting and responding system in 600 vehicles used throughout the state. U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall announced the project Dec. 29, 2006, in Beckley, W.Va. On June 1, 2007, a demonstration of the intalled units took place at WVSP headquarters in Beckley, W.Va. Federal funding for the project was secured by Rahall as part of the Department of Justice appropriations bill last year. “By bringing GPS technology to our law enforcement personnel, we will provide them with some of the most modern crime-fighting equipment available,” Rahall said. “Our police have the difficult job of protecting our communities and fighting crime. Providing state-of the-art technologies like GPS will give them a leg up on catching criminals and responding quickly to emergencies that may arise.” The project is part of the United States Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS) activities, a program Rahall has fought to keep alive. “This project is a perfect example of why we need to keep the COPS program alive and well,” he said. “West Virginia residents deserve the same police protection that is already being used in many parts of the country,” Rahall said. “Better technologies for our courageous officers make everyone safer.” Traditionally, highway and criminal incidents are recorded at the scene on paper and then entered into the state system at a later time. However, the new system allows information to be transferred into the vehicle-based equipment, which uses global positioning satellite technology to transmit information faster and easier to WVSP headquarters and other WVSP vehicles, at the scene of the incident. Through this project, new GPS-based communication equipment will be installed in WVSP vehicles and given to division officers. The technology allows WVSP to report data, including criminal and highway incident records, without the use of paper. Criminal background checks can also be conducted with the equipment, and police can communicate with other West Virginia agencies during emergencies on and off state highways. RTI will assist in the technology selection, deployment & training aspects of the project. “RTI has long championed the deployment and testing of GPS technology along the railroads and the major highways,” Rahall said. “This funding will help RTI expand the ongoing GPS deployment efforts to assist the law enforcement agencies in acquiring the appropriate GPS technology for their special needs.” RTI Director Bob Plymale said, “We are pleased to facilitate our state police and first responders with the technology to help make our roads and rural areas safer for West Virginians. By securing the funding for this program, Congressman Rahall has provided a way for emergency personnel to respond to emergencies and protect West Virginians more safely, quickly and efficiently.” Eventually, other law enforcement agency vehicles, such as city or municipal law enforcement agencies, and select first responder vehicles, such as ambulances, tow trucks or fire trucks, will be equipped with com- 7 • Three New Research Associates Concentrate on Geographical Information System (GIS Projects) Three new research associates, Jeremy Boykin, Chandra Inglis-Smith and Theresa Litteral, recently became the newest full-time members of RTI’s staff. Their duties concentrate on Geographical Information System (GIS) projects, which include using a variety of GIS software to create coverage generation, table attribution, data projection, remote sensing, conversion and analysis. They also assist in training clients to use various GIS software packages, developing and presenting GIS data and output to clients, as well as analyzing, designing, implementing, testing and deploying custom GIS software applications. All are proficient in using ESRI software and have a good understanding of GIS theory and practical application, which includes a broad knowledge of remote sensing, global satellite technology, database management and GIS programming. Boykin has a bachelor’s degree in Computers and Information Technology from Marshall University, and while earning his degree, he was an undergraduate research assistant at RTI for two years. His current projects include: ADHS Cost Estimate for the Appalachian Regional Commission, WVTRIP GIS Portal for the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT), the Workforce Development Study for the WVDOT and internal server migration. While completing a master’s degree in Physical Science – Geobiophysical Modeling, InglisSmith was a graduate research assistant at RTI from 2004 to 2006. She was also the 2005 Student of the Year. As a research associate, she is working on the Workforce Development Study for the WVDOT, GIS Training for the WVDOT, ADHS Cost Estimate for the Appalachian Regional Commission and Tax Parcel Mapping. Inglis-Smith has a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and Anthropology from Mercyhurst College Litteral began her career at RTI as one of its first graduate research assistants in 2001. After she finished a master’s degree in Physical Science – Geobiophysical Modeling, she continued to work part time on several GIS-related projects before joining the staff full time. Her current projects include: DOT Linear Referencing Project; Tax Parcel Mapping; Hatfield-McCoy Trails mapping; Share the Road Project; and the Workforce Development Study for the WVDOT. RTI Director Robert Plymale said, “Each of the new research associates began their time with RTI as students, where they gained at least two years of background experience in academic research and working with GIS and information technology projects. “Our three newest research associates are not native West Virginians. In fact, Jeremy is from Mississippi, Chandra is from New York and Theresa is from the United Kingdom. They come from vastly different regions, but were attracted to RTI because of its high technology ties to Marshall University. We are fortunate not only to assist in their education and workforce training, but to provide these highly- skilled workers with jobs that allow them to use their skills to improve economic development in West Virginia and the Appalachian region.” 8 • Geospatial Day Activities Take Place in Cabell, Kanawha Counties High school students, college students and professionals received information about educational opportunities and career options in the rapidly expanding Geospatial Industry during Geospatial Day activities presented by RTI, Nov. 15, 2006. Geospatial Day is designed to inform and promote fields of study and occupations incorporating global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing systems. To celebrate this day, research associates presented to high school students in Cabell and Kanawha counties. First, Pete Dailey spoke to a group of approximately 20 junior and senior physics students at Sissonville High School in Kanawha County. Using GPS technology, he located the school’s global address and installed a GPS marker, which was supplied by Marshall University College of Information Technology and Engineering. This activity took place in conjunction with the school’s celebration of International Education Week. Robin White, Sissonville High international studies coordinator, said, “[Dailey] was recognized at our entire school assembly by our principal, Calvin McKinney, as Dailey displayed our global address for the dedication of our courtyard. We will also have a plaque by our front door denoting our global address and its location in the center of the courtyard. This is part of our international studies program and hopefully will be a daily reminder to students they are part of a bigger community than Sissonville.” In Huntington, Geo-spatial Day activities kicked off at 9 a.m. in the Memorial Student Center with map and vendor displays. Students from Spring Valley, Tolsia and Wayne high schools in Wayne County, Cabell Midland High School in Cabell County and Dawson-Bryant High School in Lawrence County, Ohio, were welcomed at 10 a.m. by RTI Director Bob Plymale. Opening remarks began at 10:10 a.m., and the keynote address was given at 10:30 a.m. by Dr. Samuel Purkis. Geospatial professionals from academia, industry, government and non-profit organizations participated in a panel discussion from 11 – 11:30 a.m., and four speaker sessions took place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Dr. Randall Jones, Marshall University Community and Technical College Professor, said, “Geospatial knowledge and skills are being implemented and sought after by a large number of fields. These may include business, cartography, communications, conservation, defense, education, engineering, government, health and human services, disease demographics, forensics, criminal justice, natural resources, transportation and utilities.” The Huntington Geospatial Day event was sponsored by Marshall Community and Technical College, Marshall University College of Information Technology and Engineering, Marshall University College of Liberal Arts and College of Science; and the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute. Vendors represented academia, federal government, state government and private/nonprofit groups and included: various Marshall University Colleges; Marshall Community and Technical College; Appalachian Regional Commission; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; WV Department of Agriculture; WV Department of Environmental Protection; WV Department of Transportation; WV Geological and Economic Survey; WV Health Care Authority; Charleston Blueprint; Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI); GPS Innovations; Hatfield and McCoy Trails; Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute; Strictly Business; Thrasher Engineering; Triad Engineering; and WV Society of Professional Surveyors. 9 • National Transportation Week Activities Include Heartland Corridor Working Group Meeting, K-12 Outreach Transportation Career Visits Heartland Corridor Working Group Meeting Transportation and economic development professionals from West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and other areas met in Huntington, W.Va., during National Transportation Week with the goal of furthering the Heartland Corridor project. The Heartland Corridor is a public-private partnership that will facilitate more efficient intermodal transportation from Norfolk, Va.’s port region to Chicago, Illinois. A large section of the Heartland Corridor will pass through southwestern Virginia, southern West Virginia and southern and central Ohio. One of the goals of the Heartland Corridor is to allow trains to stack intermodal cargo containers for increased capacity with the end resulting in less tractor-trailer traffic and to construct shipping terminals at key points for intermodal connections. An intermodal facility located in Prichard, Wayne County, W.Va., is planned and expected to provide an economic boost and jobs to the area. During a luncheon, which ended the working group meeting, RTI Director Bob Plymale said, “We have the greatest opportunity we’ve had in our area for economic development, and we need to capitalize on that. If we collectively do things together in our three states, we will move forward and we will have job creation.” Mark Bugher, president of the Huntington Area Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Stephen Kopp, Marshall University (MU) President; Dana Robertson, director of the Maritime Enhancement Institute at MU; Patrick Donovan, executive director of the West Virginia Port Authority; and Dr. Robert Martinez, chief engineer of bridges and structures at Norfolk Southern; also spoke at the luncheon. Transportation Career Visits Transportation professionals from the local road, river and rail industries informed local elementary school students of careers in these industries May 8-11, 2007, in preparation of National Transportation Week. Visits were made to fifth graders at Davis Creek Elementary and St. Joseph Grade School to describe the educational steps, which range from professional certifications to associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees, that are required to become eligible for transportation careers. National Transportation Week took place May 13-19, 2007, but the presentations began the previous week, because Cabell County students are required to take the state-mandated WesTest during National Transportation Week. RTI’s Sang Yoo spoke about careers that use GIS technology. He showed them the steps to generate a map by collecting points with GPS units, entering them into a computer and distinguishing characteristics such as climate, environmental features, manmade structures, hazards and other features. The students watched a video from National GIS Day, which said there are currently 75,000 jobs that use GIS and require highly-skilled workers. Yoo then informed students how to prepare for the training required for these jobs, including training Marshall University and RTI can provide. Erika Bailey of the Marshall Community and Technical College (MCTC) Railroad Conductor Training School informed students about careers as railroad conductors. Her presentation began with informing students about the different kinds of trains and what they carry. Then they learned about conductor’s duties, including knowing how to safely arrange cars, reading signals, doing safety checks and using GPS technology to communicate with other trains, switches and stations. They discussed the steps to becoming a conductor from the application process at MCTC’s conductor school to hands-on training and classroom work. John Whiteley, director of the MCTC Inland Waterways Academy, provided information about job training for careers on the rivers and oceans. He surprised students by informing them that the Port of Huntington Tri-State is the fourth largest port in America, and he stressed the significance of the Port in 10 • West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals Officially Organized; Inglis-Smith Elected Secretary On Thursday March 15, 2007, a new professional association, the West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals (WVAGP), became a permanent organization. WVAGP’s objective is to be “organized for the public benefit exclusively for educational and scientific purposes to promote and support geospatial professionals in the effective use and sharing of geospatial information and related resources throughout the state of West Virginia.” The meeting was attended by 55 people from West Virginia, 53 of whom signed up to be charter members. Bylaws for the group, as well as Articles of Incorporation, were adopted at this meeting. In addition, members elected its first Board of Directors. Research Associate Chandra Inglis-Smith was elected to a two-year term on the board and was also elected to a one-year term as secretary. Two other research associates, Theresa Litteral and Sang Yoo, also became charter members of the WVAGP at the meeting. WVAGP’s first organizational meeting took place in September 2006. During this meeting, geospatial professionals from federal government, state government, education, private industry and local/regional sectors expressed interest in organizing the association. • Hamilton Receives NASA Grant for LEGO NXT Linda Hamilton, Marshall University math instructor and Rahall Transportation Institute Coordinator of K-12 Outreach Intelligent Transportation Systems Workshops, has received a grant from the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium (WVSGC). The WVSGC has a mission to “develop a statewide infrastructure that will enhance the state’s competitiveness in aerospace research, education, and industrial activities. Specifically, the Consortium aims to capture, channel, and enhance the interests and activities of current and potential scientists and engineers in its member institutions.” By awarding Hamilton the grant, which she originally applied for to cover costs for the new LEGO NXT robots, WVSGC is supporting their mission by enabling students to become familiar with technology, science and engineering. The new LEGO NXT robots will be used for outreach activities in cooperation with NASA Explorer schools in Mt. View and Tucker Valley, as well as tristate area schools. Hamilton is also one of the NXT pilot educators for Carnegie-Mellon University’s curriculum in Robotics Engineering. This year’s FIRST LEGO League teams will also be using the new NXT robots in preparation for the FLL tournament 11 • WV Public Service Commission - Rail Safety Section Ranked #1 On July 10, 2007, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin recognized the West Virginia Public Service Commission’s (WVPSC) Railroad Safety Section for being ranked number one in the nation in 2007. In 2006 & 2005, the section was ranked second in the nation. During the event, WVPSC Transportation - Enforcement Division Director Gary Edgel expressed appreciation for RTI’s partnerships with several programs, such as Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT) and West Virginia Operation Lifesaver (WVOL). Because RTI has provided instructors, facilities, volunteers and training materials, research associates John Ball and LeAndria Reed were present during the recognition event. The Railroad Safety Section is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal and state safety regulations governing the transportation of persons and property by rail. In an effort to reduce the number of grade crossing accidents, the Railroad Safety Section is also responsible for the WVOL program. • RTI Receives Operation Lifesaver Awards, Trains Six New Presenters February 24, 2007, marked another success for West Virginia Operation Lifesaver (WVOL) as six new presenters were trained to speak out on railroad safety and awareness. Trainers and presenters met at the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Institute on a Saturday to learn what is necessary to be a presenter as well as what information is pertinent when teaching railroad safety. Training focused on the most essential points of Operation Lifesaver, which are summarized by their two slogans: “Look, Listen, Live” and “Stay Off, Stay Away, Stay Alive.” Under both of these slogans exists a plethora of information designed to educate the public about railroad safety and what can be done to ensure that every individual is aware of the dangers that exist on and around trains. Ira Baldwin, of the West Virginia Public Safety Commission, headed up the training, along with Ross Dye III, of Norfolk Southern, and David Farley, who works for CSX. Trainees included Julie Adkins, student of Wyoming East High School; Charley Bickford, student of Nicholas County High School; Tom Davis, employee of CSX; Dean Hudnall, employee of WVPSC; Kate Jordan, MU grad student and employee of RTI; and Greg Morgan, employee of Norfolk Southern, John Perry, was also present as the state coordinator of WVOL. Each trainee gave a 10 minute presentation at the end of the training session as a way to get used to presenting to the public, as well as a way to demonstrate their knowledge of railroad safety. Within 90 days of the training, trainees are required to schedule a presentation that will be observed by one of the trainers. In order to stay an active member of OL, trained presenters are required to give four presentations per year. Operation Lifesavers’s annual presenters meeting took place March 29. The meeting highlighted statistics on how much of the public had heard the OL message and suggested strategies that presenters may use to educate more people on railroad safety. Many 12 presenters were acknowledged for their hard work and effort, four of those presenters being RTI employees. Errin Jewell accepted an award on behalf of RTI for being the year’s education partner, while John Ball and LeAndria Reed both received the Mountaineer Award, which recognizes someone who has gone above and beyond in their service to OL. Kim Baker also received an award for RTI, which acknowledged the role that the institute has played in helping OL spread its message. • Helmer Becomes RTI’s First Trails Specialist Recreational trails have become one of southern West Virginia’s top tourist attractions, being surpassed only by white water rafting in 2005. In fact, since 2000, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system, which is the largest trail system in the region, has grown from 300 miles in two counties to more than 500 miles in five counties. To help facilitate this work, Bryan Helmer became RTI’s first Trails Specialist Sept. 1, 2006. For RTI, he will work with the West Virginia State Trail Coordinator to identify and maintain a data base of agencies and organizations interested in securing contracted assistance in developing new trails and maintaining existing trails. He will also assist in creating a website to provide information about and to promote the trailrelated services provided by RTI; conduct onsite analysis of identified areas for contracted services; establish scopes of work; and participate in the activities of the Statewide Trails Coalition. His duties specifically for the Hatfield-McCoy Trails include performing mapping, layout, construction, and maintenance of trails and trailhead structures. He will provide environmental oversight of trail related operations in concordance with West Virginia laws and regulations; use GPS to map existing trails, explore new route locations and create links among and between existing and planned trail routes; and download, analyze and process GPS data. Helmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Conservation from Marshall University, which included Off-Highway Vehicle Management Courses instructed by Dr. Raymond Busbee. Because Helmer completed an internship with the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in 2004, he is familiar with the organization’s operations. As an intern, he said he gained experience in all positions within the company, and his main responsibilities at that time were trail and fleet maintenance. “I learned planning, assessing and trail layout, working with Troy Dominic and John Fekete, director of Trail Planning and Development for the HatfieldMcCoy Trails.” In addition, Helmer will assist field work crews with trail construction and maintenance activities issues; research property ownership and identify property boundaries as needed; plan and develop new trail systems including trail designation, trail rating, alignment, and signage; create accurate maps identifying trail locations, property boundaries and resource extraction locations and anticipated duration of extraction activities. He will also direct and supervise trail construction, trail reroutes, and single track construction. • Indian Ridge Trail System Opens Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts from across the United States traveled to Ashland, W.Va., March 16, 2007, to be the first riders on the Indian Ridge Trail System. Despite the rainy weather, riders from West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia and other areas made the trip to McDowell County to ride the newest addition to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. This trail consists of approximately 75 miles of trail and one trailhead with a two-acre parking/loading area and restrooms. RTI’s trails specialist and GIS research associates assisted with creating the 13 Students Explore Careers in Transportation, Technology during Summer LEGO ActivitiesStudents Explore Careers in Transportation, Technology during Summer LEGO Activities • This summer, Linda Hamilton, Coordinator K-12 Intelligent Transportation Systems Workshops Using LEGO Robotics, helped students to explore careers in transportation through LEGO camps, workshops and special events. From June 18-22, 2007, 65 4-H DUPLO Campers built “everything from abstract designs to zoos” using DUPLO blocks. Four groups of campers used pictorial charts to assemble vehicles and roads that solved problems such as transporting goods across water, mountains, cities and farms. Train safety was emphasized when students built eight configurations of a track and learned to switch parts, monitor intersections, move gates and signal traffic while two model engines ran. Simple machine kits, which were purchased by RTI, were used June 25-29, during the 4-H LEGO Technology Camp. Participants created vehicles powered by balloons, sails, rockets and rubber bands. They discussed how each energy source propelled vehicles and compared direction, speed, distance and stability. “Make It Go!” was the theme of a camp that took place June 25-29, at Marshall University (MU). Teams built intelligent robotic vehicles by following pictorial instructions. They were required to use problem-solving skills to modify vehicles to accommodate custom requirements. Emphasis was placed on making sturdy structures, incorporating gears and pulleys, controlling speed and direction and integrating RCX microcomputers. Parents joined children in constructing and programming intelligent vehicles using LEGO Cities and Transportation sets, which were provided by RTI, during Robotics Camp, which took place July 9-13 at Marshall University’s Division of Continuing Education. On July 14, “Kids Day” in Morgantown featured a LEGO Transportation build, during which younger students constructed vehicles, streets and buildings using DUPLO blocks provided by RTI. “LEGO Fun” Days took place at Cabell and Lincoln County libraries, when Hamilton led students as they used LEGO elements to build city neighborhoods, places to work and vehicles. Events took place at Salt Rock and Milton, Tues., July 17; at the Cabell County Main Library and Guyandotte, Wed., July 18; and Cox Landing and West Huntington, Thurs. July 19. “Big kids and little kids explored careers as they modeled building an intelligent city, which included places to work and live as well as the transportation infrastructure,” said Hamilton. From July 30-Aug. 3, Hamilton hosted two camps at MU. LEGO DUPLO CAMP took place in the morning, when fifteen K-3rd graders “set up a world of DUPLO with a playground, stores, parks, zoos, homes and workplaces, complete with transportation to get to them all. In the afternoon, LEGO Technology Building Camps consisted of twelve 3rd-8th graders, who “built LEGO gears, pulleys, levers, wheels and axles into machines to solve 100 challenges,” she said. Twelve students in grade 4 and up participated in “City Sights – Program LEGO Robotics” camp Aug. 6-10. They built and programmed environmentally-friendly robots to perform tasks of the FIRST LEGO League City Sights Challenges. Students participated in small-team design projects, while fostering an understanding of science and physical principles for robotic building and computer programming in RoboLab. Projects were structured to allow students to work in an open-ended, investigative environment, while working in a team. The final summer LEGO event was completed Aug. 18 during the “Block Party” in the Highlawn neighborhood of Huntington. The Barboursville Middle School FIRST LEGO League coach and team members got 14 ANNU- REPORT 2006-2007 EDUCATION 15 Education Goal: A multi-disciplinary program of course work and experiential learning that reinforces the transportation theme of the Center in addition to an increased number of students, faculty, and staff who are attracted to and substantially involved in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of RTI. • Master of Science in Technology Management with Emphasis in Transportation Systems and Technologies • Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Transportation and Logistics (Accelerated Executive Program) A partnership between RTI and Marshall University’s College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE) created a new degree emphasis in Transportation Systems and Technologies for the Master of Science Degree in Technology Management. A partnership between RTI and the Marshall University Lewis College of Business (LCOB) also created a new emphasis in Transportation and Logistics for the Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Technology Management combines concepts and methods from management, business, science and engineering with a specific technology emphasis to address organizational needs. The new MBA emphasis offers a variety of course sequences and alternatives that can be completed in two years or less with Friday evening and weekend classes. Other alternatives can be pursued as needed. Additional transportation graduate and undergraduate programs are under development. RTI awards a limited number of Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) to full-time students pursuing the Transportation Systems and Technologies and Transportation and Logistics programs. The GRA provides a tuition waiver and a stipend to fully-admitted students who meet eligibility criteria. These students also work for RTI principal investigators gaining valuable experiences about transportation and transportation related economic development challenges in the Appalachian region and other rural regions of the United States. RTI CO-SPONSORED GRADUATE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS Partnerships between RTI and Marshall University Graduate College (MUGC), MU College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE) and the MU Lewis College of Business (LCOB), allow students to pursue two new transportation programs, a Master of Science in Technology Management with Emphasis in Transportation Systems and Technologies or a Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Transportation and Logistics (Accelerated Executive Program): 16 M.S. in Technology Management with Emphasis in Transportation Systems and Technologies Technology Management combines concepts and methods from management, business, science and engineering, with a specific technology emphasis to address organizational needs. The M.S. in Technology Management with an emphasis in Transportation Systems and Technologies integrates course work and experiential learning to prepare students to support transportation systems in Appalachia and the United States. Assistantships RTI awards a limited number of Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) to full-time students pursuing the M. S. in Technology Management degree program and area of emphasis in Transportation. The GRA provides a tuition waiver and a stipend to fully-admitted students who meet eligibility criteria. Graduate students have a unique opportunity to earn and learn of the best practices in the transportation arena. Core Courses Degree requirements consist of 8 core courses (22 hours), 4 area-of-emphasis courses (12 hours), and 1 capstone project (3 hours) for a total of 37 semester hours. TM 600 TM 610 TM 612 TM 615 TM 620 TM 630 TM 650 EM 660 Program Introduction Seminar* Technology and Innovation Management* Economic and Financial Analysis* Information Technology Strate gies* Technology Planning* Quality and Productivity Methods* Human Resources in Technology Management* Project Management* Four Area of Emphasis Courses selected from the following: SED 550 Traffic Engineering SED 601 Safety in Transportation SED 660 Human Factors in Accident Prevention SED 669 Traffic Safety Management GEO 510 Urban Geography GEO 515 Regional Planning and Development IE 639 Operations Research I IE 640 Operations Research II IS 645 Geographic Information Systems TM 640 Intelligent Transportation Systems* TM 699 Capstone Project* (Required*) 17 Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Transportation and Logistics Foundations Courses: MKT 511 MGT 500 ECN 501 ACC 510 FIN 510 Marketing & Management Statistics/Calculus Economic Analysis Financial Accounting Finance MBA Courses: ECN 650* MKT 650 MGT 601 MIS 687 MGT 672 MGT 674 MKT 651* FIN 620 MGT 699 Transportation Economics [Replaces: Managerial Economics-ECN 630] Profit Planning and Controls-ACC 613 Transportation Law and Public Policy [Replaces: LE 691 Government and Business Relationships] Quantitative Controls in Business Management Information Systems Theories of Management Production/Operations Management Carrier Management [Replaces: MKT 682 Advanced Marketing Manage ment] Financial Management Business Policy (Capstone with Transportation Emphasis)* 18 Other Courses Graduate or Undergraduate Minor in Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation (OHV): PLS 450/550 Introduction to Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation PLS 451/551 Planning and Design of OHV Trail Systems PLS 452/552 Construction of OHV Trail Systems PLS 453/553 Operation and Mangement of OHV Trail Systems These courses may fulfill the specialization requirement for students enrolled in the Parks and Leisure Services curriculum. Students enrolled in other majors may pursue a minor in Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation or take individual OHV courses as electives. The courses are offered online or at Marshall University. Information Technology Courses IT 283 Special Topics Geographical Information Systems Concepts *The Marshall University Graduate catalog is the only accurate source for degree requirements. 19 RTI RESEARCH/EDUCATION FACULTY AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES Marshall University College of Business Dr. Paul Hamilton Dr. Cal Kent (Former) Dean and Distinguished Professor Ms. Christine Risch Marshall University Dr. Richard Begley Mr. Peter Dailey Dr. Betsy Dulin Dr. Rick McCormick Dr. Bill Pierson Dr. Anthony Szwilski Dr. Herb Tesser Dr. Wael Zatar College of Information Technology and Engineering Professor in Engineering Adjunct Professor Professor in Engineering Professor in Engineering Professor in Engineering Professor of Environmental Engineering and Science Professor in Computer Science Associate Professor, Engineering Marshall University Dr. James Brumfield Mr. David Cartwright Dr. Dan Evans Dr. Frank Gilliam Ms. Linda Hamilton Dr. Tom Jones Dr. James Joy Dr. Mike Little Dr. Liz Murray Dr. Michael Norton Dr. Ralph Oberly Dr. Dewey Sanderson Dr. Ashok Vaseashta College of Science Professor in Biology Instructor Integrated Science and Technology Professor in Biology Professor in Biology Assistant Professor in Mathematics Associate Professor in Integrated Science and Technology Professor of Biological Sciences Professor Integrated Science and Technology Associate Professor Integrated Science and Technology Professor in Chemistry Professor in Physics Professor in Geology Professor of Physics and Physical Sciences Other Marshall University Entities Dr. Larry Arbogast Professor in Geography Dr. Raymond Busbee Professor in Park Resources and Leisure Services Dr. Peggy Gripshover Associate Professor in Geography Dr. Randall Jones Professor Marshall Community and Technical College Dr. Stan Maynard Professor in Teacher Education Ms. Jennifer Plymale Director, Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Dr. Jim Sottille Professor in Education Foundations Dr. Robert Walker Chairman, Family and Community Health, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Mr. James Wolfe Project Engineer, Environmental and Geotechnical Center Mr. Jon Willis Project Associate in Rural Health, School of Medicine Other University Entities Dr. Mark Burton University of Tennessee Dr. Michael Hicks Ball State University 20 RTI Graduate Assistants 2006-2007 Name Beckett, Matthew Blankenship, Amy Casto, Ken Dayan, Sinaya Denovchik, Stacy Djeukeng, Salvador Gessner, Tiffany Guiterrez, Juan Ignacio Hardman, Stephanie Hwang, Won Hoi Jones, Curtis Jordan, Kate Northeimer, John Nguyen, Son Kim Nguyen, Tinh Nguyen, Tu Thein Nguyen, Tuan Anh Orr, Michael Perez, Hugo Ramirez, Carlos Ransom, Timothy Swecker, Casey Stark, Hunter Tran, Tu Wang, Xiolohua Major Geography Geography Physical Science-GIS and Technology Management-Transportation Technology Management Geography Information Systems Parks and Leisure Services Physical Science Environmental Engineering Geography - Science Geography English Geography ITS ITS ITS ITS Physical Science Technology Management Technology Management Geobiophysical Modeling Physical Science English Technology Management Adult and Technical Education RTI Undergraduate Assistants 2006-2007 Name Bailey, Matt Duplaga, Abbey Major Computer Science Accounting 21 RTI 2007 Student of the Year: David Lawson For 2006, David Brian Lawson was chosen as the RTI student of the year for his work as the Information Technology Coordinator at RTI and, specifically, for his efforts designing and implementing the data warehouse and core system components of the Transportation and Economic Development Information System (TEDIS). TEDIS brings improved data sharing and technology transfer tools to researchers, transportation professionals and government agencies. TEDIS is both a system for reporting transportation and economic data and a platform for building and hosting related applications in the future. David first graduated from Marshall University in 1989 with a B.S. degree in Computer Science. He spent the next 14 years working in the software industry as an engineer, architect and, finally, as vice president of a software firm in Northern Virginia. In 2003, David and his family returned to West Virginia, and to Marshall University, where he joined the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute and also began working on an M.S. degree in Information Systems. In the three years since, David has applied his skills in requirements gathering, system analysis and system design to several RTI projects, but with the primary focus on TEDIS. As a result, TEDIS uses state-of-the-art hardware and software technology to host most RTI research and production projects and data sets including ones for the Appalachian Regional Commission, the WV Department of Transportation, the WV Department of Environmental Protection, Operation Respond and the WV Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board. In May of 2006, David graduated with distinction from Marshall University with a Master of Science degree in Information Systems. Following graduation, David immediately began working on a Doctorate in Education, which he will also receive from Marshall University. 22 ANNU- REPORT 2006-2007 RESEARCH 23 The UTC RESEARCH GOALS INCLUDE: 1) An objective process for selecting and reviewing basic and applied research project applications; and 2) A process for judging by peers or other experts in the field to advance the body of knowledge in transportation. RTI RESEARCH PROGRAM GOALS RTI research goals, in addition to objective selection with peer review and monitoring, include performing site specific research projects that can contribute to: · a reduced design, construction and maintenance cost with improved safety and minimal environmental impacts for the transportation system in the region; · the identification of the best locations for future industrial parks and initiation of their development; · ensuring opportunities for concurrent infrastructure and info-structure development during road construction are realized; · improving access to healthcare, work and education for rural communities through public transit; · an enhanced trail/scenic byway system that will support continued growth of the emerging tourism industry; · the development and testing of new technologies and or products that can improve transportation safety and efficiency in rural settings and support the diversification of the regional economy simultaneously; · assistance in the preparation of the future transportation workforce in the region. RTI seeks to leverage its federal funding through a variety of sources, and in certain cases a traditional cyclical solicitation process may not be able to incorporate all of the opportunities to assist in doubling the value and acceleration of the institutionalization of the UTC. Examples may include, but may not be limited to: · the opportunity to respond to requests for proposals from non-federal entities; · the availability of non-federal funding to resolve local climatic emergencies and/or issues related to the safety of the motoring public; · certain private sector and/or non-governmental agency partnership opportunities and projects of the transportation technology demonstration and/or transfer nature in addition to projects that may have a positive impact on the transportation workforce. However, consistency with the RTI theme, staff expertise, research goals and general goals of the UTC program are always considered. Projects that materialize from this approach will include a project advisory team from project conception to completion. Representatives from the Federal Highway Administration will 24 RTI Research Solicitation and Selection Process Flowchart 1) Request for Preliminary Proposal (One to Two Pages with Cost Estimate) 2) Review of Preliminary Proposals Input from RTI Advisory Council 3) RTI Executive Committee Invites Full Proposals from Selected Preliminary Proposals 4) Submittal of Full Proposals by Researchers with Detailed Cost Request 5) Review of Full Proposal 6) Ranking from three (3) peer evaluators including an Assessment of Relevance to National Transportation Challenges and to the UTC Theme 7) Executive Committee Reviews Evaluations and Awards Funding RTI RESEARCH PROGRAM OVERVIEW FOCUS AREAS ING TYPES OF PROJECTS RECENTLY COMPLETED, ON-GOOR UNDER DEVELOPMENT Socio-Economical/Political • Commodity Flows and Transportation Infrastructure Assessments • Transportation Planning, Financing and Public Policies • Rural,Intermodal/Public Transportation Issues • Land Use Planning • Tourism and Recreational Travel • Rural Transportation Safety Geotechnical/Environmental • Wetland Mitigation • Endangered Species Assessments • Rock Cut/Slope Stability • Inventories and Health Risk Assessments from Aban- doned Tires • Tunnel Expansions • Rail Track and Road Bed Stability Technology/Transportation gies • Geographical Information Systems/Mapping Technolo• Automatic Vehicle Tracking in Rural Settings • Integration of Remote Sensing Technologies • Optimizing Recoverable Materials in Transportation Components • Intelligent Highway Signage with Improved Visibility and 25 RTI RESEARCH PROJECT SUMMARIES RTI TRP 99-00 Commodity Flows and Transportation Inventory for 13 Counties in Southern W.Va. This project gathers information that describes commodity flows and the cost of transportation services and identifies intermodal infrastructure improvements that may reduce transportation costs for a 13-county region in southern W.Va. RTI TRP 99-01 Automated Road Extraction Using Satellite Imagery This project aids in the development of an automated road extraction and update system (AREUS), which can recognize and extract roads, bridges, railroads and similar transportation-related structures from satellite imagery. RTI TRP 99-02 Preserving Branch-Line Railroad Capacity in Southern W.Va. This project identifies branch rail lines most likely to be abandoned in response to diminished coal production in southern W.Va. and evaluates available alternatives to maintaining the branch-line capacity in that region. RTI TRP 99-03 Lincoln County Transportation Study This project assesses, develops and evaluates an efficient inter-modal transportation system for access to health care using currently available public vehicles for rural and economically-depressed areas in Lincoln County, W.Va. RTI TRP 99-04 An Assessment of Site-Specific Geotechnical, Spatial and Climatic Parameters that Influence the Integrity and Stability of Railroad Track This project aids in the development of an improved integrated system for monitoring the stability of railroad tracks using remote sensing instrumentation including ground-penetrating radar and laser interferometry. RTI TRP 99-05 Use of Electroluminescence Technology for Highway Signage This project seeks to develop a suitable prototype for highway signs based upon electroluminescence technology and to assess the economic development potential from the successful integration of this technology into the national transportation system. 26 RTI TRP 99-06 Potential Uses of Fly Ash and Other Recoverable Materials in New Transportation Infrastructure Components This project develops and assesses candidate prototypical applications for developing transportation and infrastructure components using recoverable materials. Initial emphasis is placed on creating concrete railroad ties using coal combustion by-products (CCPS) including fly ash; however, using the materials to make other concrete-like transportation components will also be addressed. Preliminary stability analysis of the prototype is also performed with computer modeling software. RTI TRP 99-07 Rock Fall Rating, Evaluation and Data Management Systems for Highway and Railway Rock Slopes Using technologies such as laser scanning, electromagnetic induction, GPS and GIS systems, this project develops methodologies for evaluating the safety of rock cuts and slopes. RTI TRP 99-08 Abandoned Tire Health Risk Survey/Analysis Researchers for this project locate, identify and inventory abandoned tire sites in Nicholas County, W.Va., and assess the health risks to the citizens from mosquitoes that breed at these abandoned tire dumps. Findings from the project provide the WVDOT with additional information on the locations and characterizations of abandoned tire pile accumulations. RTI TRP 99-09 Establishment of Pre-Construction Baseline Data as a Control for Evaluation of the Long-Term Success of a Mitigated Constructed Wetland Site (Case Study along the Tolsia Highway) The project seeks to establish pre-construction baseline data for the US 52 (Tolsia Highway) wetland mitigation site in Wayne County, W.Va. RTI TRP 99-10 Endangered Species Identification Along Roads Planned for W.Va. Using GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies This project establishes the infrastructure for a web-delivered, interactive mapping system developed from satellite imagery and integrated with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that will locate endemic, threatened or endangered species affected by transportation systems in W.Va. 27 RTI TRP 99-11 Maximizing Economic Benefits from a Rails to Trails Project in Southern W.Va.: A Case Study of the Greenbrier River Trail This project collects data from trail users’ surveys and public meetings to determine the economic feasibility of creating a “Rails to Trails” project in Greenbrier County, W.Va. Results from this project may be used to identify and expand the local economic impact of recreation trail systems in other W.Va. locations and to mobilize community support in the marketing and promotion of such trail systems. RTI TRP 99-13 Commodity Flows in Northern W.Va. This project gathers information describing commodity flows and the cost of transportation services and identify inter-modal infrastructure improvements that could reduce transportation costs for a 19-county region in northwestern W.Va. RTI TRP 99-14 Drowsy/Fatigued Driving: Prevelance and Under-Reporting in W.Va. This project first compares accident data related to drowsy driving in W.Va. to data from the remainder of the United States and suggests preventive strategies, including targeted outreach activities, to reduce drowsy-driving accidents. RTI TRP 99-15 Impacts of the Appalachian Corridor on Small Business Development This project develops a statistical methodology capable of estimating the relationship between micro-business development and access to highway transportation in Appalachia. RTI TRP 99-16 McDowell County Transportation Project This project assess, develops and evaluates an efficient inter-modal transportation system for access to health care using available public vehicles for rural and economically depressed McDowell County in Southern W.Va. RTI TRP 99-17 Magnetic Levitation Transportation and Economic Development Opportunities for W.Va. This project reviews the various applications of magnetic levitation around the United States and assesses its applicability as a potential mode of transportation in W.Va. 28 RTI TRP 99-18 ITS Research Initiation Project This project reviews a variety of Intelligent Traffic Monitoring Systems and suggests the most applicable project to propose a demonstration project in Huntington,W. Va. Findings may provide a better, interactive navigation mechanism to facilitate the increasing traffic flow in W.Va. and other areas. RTI TRP 99-19 Public/Private Port Case Studies This research assesses the economic efficiency of public port development with the hope of clarifying the roles that are best played by public and private sector entities. RTI TRP 99-23 Survey of Truck Parking Places (Private) in W.Va. This project seeks to conduct a survey of available public and private parking spaces and the amenities available at each site in W.Va. It reviews the designs of current rest areas to determine possible upgrades that would increase parking and amenities. Further, it reviews the design of DOH weigh stations for innovations to allow for better use of the surrounding acreage and improvements to the overall facilities. RTI TRP 99-24 Improving Efficiency of Truck/Rail Intermodal Transportation - The Case of W.Va. This project identifies the costs and benefits of modifying railroad trackage to accommodate double-stack equipment by increasing the size of railroad tunnels in W.Va. RTI TRP 99-25 Improving Safety and Operational Conditions at Railroad Crossings: An Analysis of Bolt Installations, Designs and Torque Procedures This project identifies, develops and tests procedures for reducing maintenance costs and safety risks at railroad crossings as a function of the bolt and nut connections currently employed. RTI TRP 99-26 Beckley Exhibition Mine Expansion: Project Management and Evaluation for a Transportation Enhancement Project to be Built along a National Scenic Byway in W.Va. This project provides project management assistance for a Southern W.Va. community to ensure environmental quality and logistical feasibility for a transportation enhancement projects along the Coal Heritage Trail. The project also proposes a model for other transportation enhancement projects that will be constructed along this National Scenic Byway related to matching funds determinations and project 29 selection processes. RTI TRP 99-27 Using FLI-MAP Technology for Transportation Applications: Research Initiation Demonstration Project This project reviews how various states’ Departments of Transportation use FLI-MAP software and identifies steps for the West Virginia Department of Transportation to consider how to implement this technology in work completed by the West Virginia Division of Highways. RTI TRP 99-29 Development of a Plan for a Non-Motorized Transportation Corridor in Southern W.Va.: Case Study for Alternate Sources of Transportation between Huntington and Charleston This project explores the possibility of developing a “greenway,” or non-motorized transportation corridor, between Charleston and Huntington, W.Va. The proposed greenway will contain natural, open space, bikeways and walking or jogging paths. RTI TRP 99-32 Development of a GIS Implementation Strategy for WVDOT This project reviews the uses of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software by various Departments of Transportation and identifies steps for the WVDOT to consider for GIS implementation. RTI TRP 99-33 Major Corridor Financing Options This project identifies options used in the United States to finance major highway corridor construction and assesses their applicability in W.Va. The study provides the most cost effective plan to help acquire critically needed improvements in the transportation infrastructure of some of the most rural and economically depressed regions in W.Va. and is applicable to similar regions in the U.S. RTI TRP 00-01 Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring System (ITSAMS): Phase II This project has two objectives. The first objective is to continue the development of a remote sensing technology that will rapidly assess the integrity of various track structure and substructure layers, such as the ballast, sub-ballast and subgrade, and to locate, identify and quantify weak track segments. The second objective is to continue the development of a new technology for the real-time measurement of vertical track deflection, based on the use of the laser interferometer. RTI TRP 00-02 Land Use Planning Adjacent to Transportation Corridors in WV: A Regional Approach for Six Counties in Southern WV. This project seeks to assist in developing long-term land use policies with utiliza30 RTI TRP 00-04 Expected Flood Damages to Transportation Infrastructures as a Proportion of Total Event Costs: A Methodological Exploration This project is designed to better estimate flood-related transportation infrastructure damages in the Tennessee Valley as a proportion of total event costs. Overall, the project seeks to improve a priori flood damage assessment, improving the estimation of transportation infrastructure damages as a proportion of total event costs. RTI TRP 00-05 Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring System (ITSAMS): Phase III This project continues to develop remote sensing technologies that can be integrated and deployed in a mobile inspection vehicle i.e. Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring System (ITSAMS). RTI TRP 00-06 Transportation and Market Feasibility Analysis for Innovative Coal Combustion By-products to be Manufactured Adjacent to the I-64 High Tech Corridor in Southern W.Va. This project determines the transportation challenges and costs for the successful marketing of a coal combustion product proposed for manufacturing adjacent to the newly designated high technology corridor in Southern W.Va. (Rainelle, Greenbrier County). RTI TRP 00-07 Opportunities to Improve Transportation Efficiencies through Enhanced Intermodal Capabilities and Increased Utilization of the Appalachian Development Highway System. This project is a multi-phased intermodal freight transport study that identifies strategic opportunities for enhancing the efficiency of intermodal transportation within Appalachia. RTI TRP 00-08 Development of a Research Protocol that Relates Culvert Structure to Fish Migration in Southern W.Va. This project enables the WVDOH to efficiently choose type and site of future culverts, identify watersheds most likely to be adversely impacted by culvert construction and choose cost-effective ways to remediate culverts that are problematic to fish migration. RTI TTP 00-10 Improving Transportation Access to Rural Health Care in Lincoln County: Process Implementation This project’s objective is to directly implement the results of a previous RTI research project (TRP 99-16) that designed solutions to improving access to health care for the elderly, disabled, chronically ill and poor citizens of a rural W.Va. county through a coordinated effort between health care providers and the public transportation system. 31 tion criteria based upon proximity to the current and proposed regional transportation systems. RTI TTP 00-11 Development of a Transportation and Economic Development Information System for the State of West Virginia (TEDIS-WV) Delivered Over the Internet This project seeks to design, develop and test a system for delivering important transportation and economic development information using GIS technology via the Internet for users including governmental agencies and the general public. RTI TTP 00-12 A Deployment Plan for the W.Va. High Technology Corridor This project seeks to support the direct implementation of expanding the “High Tech Corridor” designation for the Southeastern Virginia portion of I-64 into West Virginia between Beckley and White Sulpher Springs. TTP 00-14 GIS of Major Transportation Corridors along the Kanawha River in West Virginia and along the Ohio River In this project, RTI provides GIS coverage, including major transportation corridors, for the Kanawha River and portions of the Ohio River. RTI also links some ORSANCO data to exsiting coverages. This work supports a second grant that will collect data on fish utilization of bridge abuttments and other transportation-related structures near the Kanawha River and the Robert C. Byrd pool of the Ohio River. A series of ORSANCO Data will be linked to these coverages. RTI TTP 00-15 Harrison, Mingo and Webster County Tax Map Conversion This project digitizes current maps of Harrison , Mingo and Webster Counties using GIS software. This process will represent a valuable layer of data for future transportation planning. RTI TTP 00-17 Development and Evaluation of a GIS Mapping System for West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy Trail System The project deploys GIS technology into the Hatfield-McCoy trail system’s operations and trains employees in using the GIS technology for current and new trail mapping applications. RTI assists in creating a database for the trails system and designs a means to disseminate the trail system to the general public through a web-based Geographic Information System. RTI TTP 00-XX Proposed GIS Mapping System for Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors This project provides a more accurate digital map inventory of the ADHS corridors for transportation and economic development Appalachia. TTP issues 00-31inMississippi TTP 00-32 Pennsylvania TTP 00-18 West Virginia TTP 00-34 Ohio TTP 00-19 Tennessee TTP 00-35 New York 32 TTP TTP TTP TTP 00-22 Alabama 00-24 Maryland 00-27 Kentucky 00-28 North Carolina TTP TTP 00-37 Georgia 00-38 South Carolina RTI TTP 00-21 Three-Dimensional Laser Scanner Pilot Project Primarily, this project seeks to determine the feasibility of utilizing 3-D laser scanned data for identification and enhancement of geological features. This is accomplished by comparing the scanned data to an independent geological interpretation. TTP 03-01 Development of a Transportation and Economic Development Information System (TEDIS) Delivered Over the Internet for WV-Phase II The objective of this project is to design, build and load a computer system with data that will be acquired through a comprehensive aerial survey of WV conducted by the Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board. The computer system will be used to assist the Statewide Addressing and Mapping Boards’ efforts to eliminate rural addresses in WV and will be used by the Rahall Transportation Institute to expand and improve a statewide transportation and economic development information system using web based geographical information system technology. TTP 05-01 Phase II - Enhanced GIS Mapping Systems for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) To make additional enhancements to the existing ADHS GIS that creates better geospatial tools specifically designed to analysis and query specific questions from the Cost to Complete Estimate. These applications will be design from suggestions made from multiple workgroups conducted last year during the completion of phase I, for each of the 13 ARC states. Completion of this phase will provide most of the tools needed to maintain and update a standalone ADHS GIS. TRP 05-09 Improving the Competitive Position of Appalachia’s Wood Product Producers through Enhanced Transportation Alternatives This project’s objective is to explore transportation options that might be available to the region’s lumber and wood products manufacturers that will enable them to reduce their product transportation costs and extend their market reach. RTI TTP 06-01 Phase III - Enhance GIS Mapping System for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Phase III will move the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) GIS system to a production environment and make modifications that will allow it to be utilized for the 2007 Cost to Complete Estimate. This phase will build on the two previous phases to create improved and additional functions to the system that will improve efficiency for conducting 2007 ADHS Cost to Complete Estimate. 33 RTI TRP 07-01 Operate/Maintain Data Warehouse The objective of this project is to complete the Linear Referencing for the WVDOT road system as well as an information portal designed to distribute the information over the Web. This will provide more accurate digital map inventory for transportation and economic development issues. The project will entail taking the straight line diagrams provided by the WVDOT and an existing un-attributed disconnected road layer and creating a contiguous linear referenced centerline road network. Additionally a information distribution portal and its various applications will be developed. 34 ANNU- REPORT 2006-2007 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 35 Technology Transfer Goal: Availability of research results to potential users in a form that can be directly implemented, utilized or otherwise applied. A variety of technology transfer mechanisms will be used to distribute the findings of the Institute. These will include, but may not be limited to: research papers, technical reports, a quarterly newsletter, workshops, seminars and a website. In addition to research papers, technical reports and conference proceedings, RTI maintains a website to promote programmatic activities and to archive and disseminate research results. RTI also sponsors workshops and seminars to promote the transfer of transportation technology and information from experts in the field to practicing transportation profes- PEER REVIEW PAPERS AND TECHNICAL REPORTS AS A RESULT OF UTC FUNDING -- Year 8 Papers Presented or Published Anthony B. Szwilski, Brad Kerchof (Norfolk Southern), Richard Begley, John Tomlin (NS), et al, “Rapid Surveying of a Classification Yard Employing High Accuracy DGPS (RTK)” American Railway Engineers (AREMA) Conference, Chicago (September 2005). 36 Technology Transfer Activities Transportation professional development courses, transportation seminar series, workshops and conferences allow practitioners, UTC researchers and students to hear from experts in the field, network with others and identify new resources while earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Conferences • 6th Annual Technical Forum, Geohazards in Transportation in the Appalachian Region, August 1-2, 2007, Asheville, N.C. Geohazards in Transportation in the Appalachian Region Technical Forum took place in Asheville, N.C., at the Haywood Park Hotel, August 1-2, 2007. There were 119 people attending from states including: Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, South Carolina, New York, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Utah. Barbara Roberts, RTI Program Coordinator, Sr., was one of the coordinators for the conference. Roberts said attendee’s comments about the conference were positive, and they stated content was on target with their needs. Approximately eight sessions were presented during the two-day forum. Some of this year’s topics were: Geotechnical Case Studies of North Carolina; Landslides: Present & Future; Cost Benefits of Geoscience Information; Economic Impact of Geological Hazards; Geological Mapping: Targeting Geological Hazards in Transportation; Innovations in Real-Time Monitoring for Geohazards; Karst and Mine Subsidence Hazards in Transportation; Rock Slope Problems and Stabilization. • OHV Program Managers & NOHVCC Annual Conference, March 30, 2007, Charleston, W.Va. Trails Specialist Bryan Helmer and Research Associate Theresa Litteral presented information about RTI’s trail-related projects to more than 200 trail professionals and enthusiasts during a plenary session at the 2007 National Association of OHV Program Managers and NOHVCC Annual Conference. Helmer and Litteral’s presentation took place Friday, March 30, 2007, in Charleston, W.Va. During their presentation, they discussed RTI’s work with creating maps for the Hatfield-McCoy Trails System, new trail contracting projects with the Raleigh County Commission, GIS Training for the WVDOT, Share the Road Program, TIPS activities, West Virginia State Trails Highway Project and OHV Management graduate/undergraduate courses in cooperation with Marshall University. • Eastern Region Federal/State Highway-Rail Crossing Conference, Oct. 31Nov. 1, 2006, Martinsburg, W.Va. The Eastern Region Federal/State Highway-Rail Crossing Conference was conducted Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2006, at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, W.Va. The annual conference was hosted by the Railroads and Utilities Unit Technical Section— Engineering Division of the W.Va. Dept. of Transportation Division of Highways. Content experts provided legislative and industry updates. State reports on crossing programs in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia were reviewed. The potential impact of hot 37 button issues was considered. John Ball, P.E., RTI research associate, discussed “Workforce Issues/USDOT University Transportation Centers.” “RTI is working in tandem with WV DOT DOH to develop and deliver cost-effective professional development workshops and seminars that will advance transportation safety, services and technologies. The urgency to recruit manpower and close gaps in workforce skills and competencies is apparent in both the DOTs and the Class 1 railroads. The rapidly changing global environment presents challenges and opportunities to train a different type of workforce by different means,” Ball said. • 12th Annual Emergency Responders Conference, Sept. 25-27, 20006, Charleston, W.Va. On September 25-27, 2006, the Charleston Marriot hosted the 12th annual Emergency Responders Conference, which was geared towards Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Over the course of three days, the emergency responders in attendance went through a series of different sessions that dealt with scenarios in which they would be called upon. Some of those sessions included things like mine rescue, hazmat, school safety and pandemic flu. RTI representatives attended the conference to distribute information to attendees on Operation Respond and Operation Lifesaver. Operation Respond Institute is a not-for-profit corporation which is designed to protect the safety of first responders in emergency situations that involve hazardous materials by allowing them to quickly access information via the Internet concerning hazardous materials being carried by truck, rail or river. Operation Respond works closely with the Federal Government, transportation carriers and the emergency response community to develop real-world solutions for emergency responders. 38 Transportation Professional Development Courses • Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT), May 30, 2007, Beckley, W.Va. Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT) took place in Beckley, W.Va., with 45 participants. Truck drivers, dispatchers, trucking company owners and representatives from professional trucking organizations, received certificates of attendance for the free training. The two-hour training was made possible by RTI and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. Instructors were: John Ball, RTI research associate; Reggie Bunner, Jon Cline, Scott Morton and Robin Swiney, all from the Transportation Enforcement Division of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. During training, topics that were addressed included: 21st Century Transportation and Transportation Workforce Issues, Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Definition of Inter-State and Intra-State Commerce, Definition of Private Carrier, Definition of For-Hire Carrier, Hours-of-Service, CDL Requirements, Types of CDLs, Driver Qualifications, Seat-Belt Enforcement Initiative, Share-the-Road PSA for Schools, SAFE 07 and Highway Watch Program, and Driver/Carrier Education and Training Opportunities. • NHI Course #139001, Integrating Freight in the Transportation Planning Process, May 30-31, 2007, Charleston, W.Va. Twenty-nine transportation planners and freight transportation planners completed NHI Course #139001, “Integrating Freight in the Transportation Planning Process,” May 30-31, 2007. The purpose of the course was to provide a greater understanding of freight trends, its stakeholders and its issues, so that public-sector transportation planners are better able to incorporate freight into their respective transportation planning processes and programs. Participants were from the West Virginia Department of Highways and Federal Highway Administration personnel, by contract with the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The course took place at the West Virginia Department of Highways headquarters in Charleston, W.Va. David Hunt and Jim Brogan instructed the course, and RTI’s Barbara Roberts was the local coordinator. Upon completion of the course, participants were able to: identify the stakeholders involved in freight transportation; explain the role of different modes in freight transportation; describe some trends affecting freight transportation, and their impact on a State’s transportation system and communities; discuss some of the common issues that prevent freight from being fully incorporated in the planning process; and identify key resources to help guide statewide and metropolitan freight planning efforts. • 49 CFR 214 Subpart C. Roadway Worker Protection Training, May 24, 2007, Charleston, W.Va. On May 24, 2007, thirteen transportation professionals from the West Virginia Division of Highways participated in FRA Part 214 Railroad Workplace Safety roadway worker training. Training focused on Subpart A, which consists of general information including the purpose and scope, applications, preemptive effect, responsibility for compliance and definitions. The purpose of this training is to prevent accidents and casualties to employees involved in certain railroad inspection, maintenance and construction activities. This part prescribes minimum Federal safety standards for the railroad workplace safety subjects addressed herein. This part does not restrict a railroad or railroad contractor from adopting and enforcing additional or more stringent requirements not inconsistent with this part. Training took place in Charleston, W.Va., at the Division of Highways Headquarters Building. Individuals who completed the training received a 214 Card, which is valid for one year. • GIS Utility Training, May 22-24, 2007 Research associates Juan Barrios, Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sang Yoo were instructors during a GIS Utility Training session May 22-24, 2007. The course accommodated 25 participants and took place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marshall University Graduate College in South Charleston, W.Va. • GIS Utility Training, May 15-17, 2007 Research associates Juan Barrios, Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sang Yoo were instructors during a GIS Utility 39 Training session May 15-17, 2007. The course accommodated 25 participants and took place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marshall University Graduate College in South Charleston, W.Va. • Basic GPS Training with the WVDOT, May 10-11, 2007, South Charleston, W.Va. Geographic Positioning System (GPS) units are everywhere, in our fishing boats, in our ATV’s and in our cars. Viewing the technology is great. To be a user of the technology requires deeper skill sets. Grasping the basic underlying knowledge and skills of latitude, longitude, data collection and correction is the first level of learning. Being able to apply the skills in the field is the second level necessary before GPS will affect the way transportation workers perform their jobs. RTI delivered a basic GPS course for 18 WVDOT professionals, May 10-11, 2007 at Marshall University Graduate College in South Charleston. Sang Yoo was the lead instructor with assistance from Research Associates Pete Daily, Chandra Inglis-Smith and Alejandro Sanchez. Students initially learned to collect field data points by hand and then progressed to collecting data using sophisticated GPS receivers. Students were given related skills and knowledge of the elements of a Cartesian coordinate system: how to convert the data into decimals, how to correct GPS data using differential correction degree, how to design a data dictionary and how to import data into ArcGIS to prepare maps. Participant’s evaluations reflected large gains in new learning and a belief held by more than 70% of the class that the skills will change the way they perform their jobs. An applied version of the GPS training is scheduled for WVDOT utility workers in the Fall of 2007. • Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT), May 10, 2007, Wheeling, W.Va. Seventy individuals from the trucking industry participated in Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT) May 10, 2007, at Wheeling, W.Va. Truck drivers, dispatchers, trucking company owners and representatives from professional trucking organizations, received certificates of attendance for the free training. The two-hour training was made possible by RTI and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. Instructors were: John Ball, RTI research associate; Reggie Bunner, Jon Cline, Scott Morton and Robin Swiney, all from the Transportation Enforcement Division of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. During training, topics that were addressed included: 21st Century Transportation and Transportation Workforce Issues, Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Definition of Inter-State and Intra-State Commerce, Definition of Private Carrier, Definition of For-Hire Carrier, Hours-of- Service, CDL Requirements, Types of CDLs, Driver Qualifications, Seat-Belt Enforcement Initiative, Share-the- Road PSA for Schools, SAFE 07 and Highway Watch Program, and Driver/Carrier Education and Training Opportunities. • Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT), April 27, 2007, Martinsburg, W.Va. Sixty-seven individuals from the trucking industry participated in Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT) April 27, 2007, at Martinsburg, W.Va. Truck drivers, dispatchers, trucking company owners and representatives from professional trucking organizations, received certificates of attendance for the free training. The two-hour training was made possible by RTI and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. Instructors were: John Ball, RTI research associate; Reggie Bunner, Jon Cline, Scott Morton and Robin Swiney, all from the Transportation Enforcement Division of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. During training, topics that were addressed included: 21st Century Transportation and Transportation Workforce Issues, Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Definition of Inter-State and Intra-State Commerce, Definition of Private Carrier, Definition of For-Hire Carrier, Hours-of- Service, CDL Requirements, Types of CDLs, Driver Qualifications, Seat-Belt Enforcement Initiative, Share-the- Road PSA for Schools, SAFE 07 and Highway Watch Program, and Driver/Carrier Education and Training Opportunities. • GIS Level III Training for the WVDOT, April 18-19, 2007, Charleston, W.Va. RTI recently finished Level 3 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training with West Virginia De40 partment of Transportation employees. The course was instructed by research associates Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sang Yoo. The Level 3 course is an advanced course proceeded by Level 1 and 2 training. Diana Long, transportation workforce development coordinator, said Level 3 is a “capstone experience, where participants are put into a situation where they have to find specific data, decide a strategy and produce a report. They had to apply the knowledge to a specific set of data, more than just demonstrate step by step skills.” Long said Level 3 training simulated skills the DOT employees use on the job. “They will use their skills to produce accurate maps and reports to communicate to other agencies and the public. The layering of information enables alternatives and scenarios to be generated quickly and accurately. This results in best case solutions for transportation problems at a much quicker rate and more comprehensive planning and monitoring.” Individuals who completed the courses received a certificate of 1 Continuing Education Unit issued by Marshall Community and Technical College. • NHI Course #134001, Principles of Writing Highway Construction Specifications, April 10-11, 2007, Charleston, W.Va. Twenty-seven transportation planners and freight transportation planners completed NHI Course #134001, “Principles of Writing Highway Construction Specifications,” April 10-11, 2007. Participants were from the West Virginia Department of Highways and Federal Highway Administration personnel, by contract with the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The course took place at the West Virginia Department of Highways headquarters in Charleston, W.Va. Geoffrey Page and Bryce Nahas instructed the course, and RTI’s Barbara Roberts was the local coordinator. This course addressed the engineering and legal aspects and linguistics of writing specifications. It also addresses issues of how to draft new specifications or rewrite existing ones in clear, readable, and definitive statements of contract requirements. Classroom activities included lectures, case studies, workshops and writing assignments. Upon completion of the course, participants were able to: recognize and apply the principles of writing clear, concise, complete, and technically correct specifications; write specifications in the active voice imperative mood; write specifications without ambiguities and with measurable standards; describe the difference between traditional methods specifications and statistically based quality assurance specifications; identify newer types of procurement and contracting methods; and demonstrate appreciation for the importance of specifications for highway construction contracting. • GIS Level III Training for the WVDOT, March 7-8, 2007 RTI recently finished Level 3 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training with West Virginia Department of Transportation employees. The course was instructed by research associates Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sanghong Yoo. The Level 3 course is an advance course proceeded by Level 1 and 2 training. Diana Long, transportation workforce development coordinator, said Level 3 is a “capstone experience, where participants are put into a situation where they have to find specific data, decide a strategy and produce a report. They had to apply the knowledge to a specific set of data, more than just demonstrate step by step skills.” Long said Level 3 training simulated skills the DOT employees use on the job. “They will use their skills to produce accurate maps and reports to communicate to other agencies and the public. The layering of information enables alternatives and scenarios to be generated quickly and accurately. This results in best case solutions for transportation problems at a much quicker rate and more comprehensive planning and monitoring.” Individuals who completed the courses received a certificate of 1 Continuing Education Unit issued by Marshall Community and Technical College. • Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT), March 8, 2007, Huntington, W.Va. Twenty-seven individuals from the trucking industry participated in Truck Driver Awareness Training (TDAT) Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Marshall University’s Huntington campus. Truck drivers, dispatchers, trucking company owners and representatives from professional trucking organizations, received certificates of attendance for the free training. The two-hour training was made possible by RTI and the Public Service Commission of West 41 Virginia. Instructors were: John Ball, RTI research associate; Reggie Bunner, Jon Cline, Scott Morton and Robin Swiney, all from the Transportation Enforcement Division of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. During training, topics that were addressed included: 21st Century Transportation and Transportation Workforce Issues, Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Definition of Inter-State and Intra-State Commerce, Definition of Private Carrier, Definition of For-Hire Carrier, Hours-of- Service, CDL Requirements, Types of CDLs, Driver Qualifications, Seat-Belt Enforcement Initiative, Share-the- Road PSA for Schools, SAFE 07 and Highway Watch Program, and Driver/Carrier Education and Training Opportunities. • GIS Level II Training for the WVDOT, Feb. 8-9, 2007 In order to help implement a statewide Geographic Information System with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, employees must be able to match software capabilities with needs, match equipment with function, design training to target specific skills and plan for the next technological wave. The course was instructed by RTI research associates Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sang Yoo, who were assisted by graduate research assistants Maria Simental, Brandi Yalniz and Staci Denovchik. Level II training was advanced training for those responsible for creating and manipulating data. Seventy participants from the first level completed Level II and forty of those were selected for Level III. • GIS Level II Training for the WVDOT, Feb. 6-7, 2007 In order to help implement a statewide Geographic Information System with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, employees must be able to match software capabilities with needs, match equipment with function, design training to target specific skills and plan for the next technological wave. The course was instructed by RTI research associates Chandra Inglis-Smith and Sanghong Yoo, who were assisted by graduate research assistants Maria Simental, Brandi Yalniz and Staci Denovchik. Level II training was advanced training for those responsible for creating and manipulating data. Seventy participants from the first level completed Level II and forty of those were selected for Level III. • GIS Level I Training for the WVDOT, Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2007 In order to help implement a statewide Geographic Information System with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, employees must be able to match software capabilities with needs, match equipment with function, design training to target specific skills and plan for the next technological wave. Level 1 training was for employees with job classifications that require a general understanding of the basic concepts underlying a GIS system. The Level I course provided the participants with skills to navigate ESRI software, ArcGIS Desktop applications including ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox. They also learned to use the basics of the software to produce maps and reports. • GIS Level I Training for the WVDOT, Jan. 16-17, 2007 In order to help implement a statewide Geographic Information System with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, employees must be able to match software capabilities with needs, match equipment with function, design training to target specific skills and plan for the next technological wave. Level 1 training was for employees with job classifications that require a general understanding of the basic concepts underlying a GIS system. The Level I course provided the participants with skills to navigate ESRI software, ArcGIS Desktop applications including ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox. They also learned to use the basics of the software to produce maps and reports. • 2-Day Pass Training, Nov. 15-16, 2006, Huntington, W.Va. RTI and the W.Va. Division of Public Transit (DPT) conducted four PASS training sessions in 2006. The PASS training ensures that drivers have current expertise in passenger assistance techniques plus sensitivity and safety skills appropriate for serving persons with disabilities. Parkersburg, Morgantown, Huntington and Beckley were selected based on access to the W.Va. highway system and proximity of facilities to urban and rural transpor- 42 tation providers. Twenty transportation professionals attended the Two-Day PASS Driver Certification course Nov. 15-16 at the Raleigh County Community Action facility in Beckley. John Ball, P.E., RTI Research Associate and PASS instructor explains, “Improved mobility for transportation- dependent populations, such as the elderly and disabled, is a crucial concern. In rural areas, community transportation drivers must know how to safely and efficiently serve passengers requiring mobility assistance. West Virginia has the third oldest population in the U.S., with a median age of 40.7 and 15.3 % age 65 years and older. The continuing increase in ridership, due to population density in general and elderly population in particular, demonstrates the vital need for paratransit and bus transportation. Upgrading skills, sharing solutions and networking with peers enhance the quality of community transportation services.” • NHI Course #135027, Urban Drainage Design, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2006, Charles- ton, W.Va. From Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2006, NHI Course #135027, Urban Drainage Design, took place at the West Virginia Department of Highways (DOH) in Charleston. Twenty-nine participants from the DOH and Federal Highway Administration earned 18 Continuing Education Units for completing the course. The course provided an introduction to urban roadway drainage design and design guidance for solving basic problems that are encountered in urban roadway drainage design. Topics covered were hydrology, which included rational equations, soil conservation methods, regression equations and synthetic hydrographs, and highway drainage, which included gutter flow, roadway inlet interception, storm drainage systems, energy and hydraulic grade lines, detention ponds and stormwater management. Barbara Roberts, program coodinator, sr., said,”The staff of WVDOH and FHWA commented that the course was a success to their professional development needs and were appreciative that they had the opportunity for the training.” Upon completion of the course, participants were able to: determine runoff (peak flows and volumes) from urban watershed, apply basic hydraulic principles to urban drainage design, perform roadway drainage design using various roadway inlets, establish the energy and hydraulic grade lines for storm drains and design and/or analyze detention basins. • FHWA-NHI-14104, Appraisal Review for Federal-Aid Highway Programs, Oct. 18, 2006 “Appraisal Review for Federal- Aid Highway Programs (FHWA-NHI-41044),” was a review course that took place Oct. 18, 2006. This course focused on the applications of appraisal review principles and how they fit within the Uniform Act and 49 CFR Part 24, as related to transportation project development. Focusing on larger parcel, uneconomic remnants, cost to cure, and severance damages, the course discussed qualifications, roles and responsibilities of the review appraiser from preto post-appraisal activities. Upon completion of that course, participants were able to: explain how and why the appraisal review is used in establishing just compensation; apply federal-aid appraisal review requirements; apply appraisal review techniques to Federal aid-highway program, including quality assurance, review changes, divergent values, valuation consistency, non-compensable items, appraisal review report, property owner appraisals and appraisal updating; and describe the role of the review appraiser in the land acquisition process. For completing this course, participants were elig- ible for .6 Continuing Education Units. • FHWA-NHI-14103, Appraisals for Federal-Aid Highway Programs, Instructor Led, Oct. 16-17, 2006 Appraisals for Federal-Aid Highway Programs, Instructor Led (FHWA-NHI-14103), was a two-day course that took place Oct. 16-17, 2006. It helped transportation professionals understand and conform with the appraisal requirements of the Uniform Act. When property owners are displaced from their homes, business or farms to build public transportation programs using Federal funds, appraisers must follow guidelines set by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act). The course was for experienced appraisal personnel and focused on preparing, presenting and understanding appraisal reports in conformance with the Uniform Act. Additionally, the course addressed the43appraiser‘s role in the overall project development pro- Transportation Seminar Series - Year 8 • Coal Mitigation, Prospects for Environmental and Economic Benefits Symposium, Huntington, W.Va., Oct. 14, 2006 On Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, U.S. Rep. Nick. J. Rahall and RTI hosted a public symposium entitled, “Coal Mine Mitigation: Prospects and Progress for Environmental and Economic Benefits,” at Marshall University. During the symposium, representatives from economic development organizations, government regulatory agencies, non-profits and industry met to explain West Virginia’s coal mitigation process and explore how mitigation can improve communities. Coal companies are required to ‘mitigate,’ or lessen the impact of coal mining on the environment, by state and federal governments. Mitigation is usually achieved through the replacement or restoration of affected aquatic resources and habitats, by monetary compensation paid to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to fund stream restoration, by constructing or enlarging new sewers or waterlines, or creating aquatic recreational facilities. Rahall said, “The rules governing coal mining are constantly changing and need to be addressed often and in-depth by officials and citizens alike to make sure mining communities get the maximum benefit. I want to see the money targeted back into the counties in which mining occurred, and where there is possible harm, to help coalfield residents achieve clean water.” Rahall presented opening remarks, and RTI director Bob Plymale moderated the symposium. Panel members included Ginger Mullins, Chief, Regulatory Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District; Randy Huffman, Deputy Secretary, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; Jason Bostic, Vice President, West Virginia Coal Association; Kasey Russell, Executive Director, West Virginia Land & Mineral Owners Council; Terry Sammons, Esq., Chairman & Mike Whitt, Director, Mingo County Redevelopment Authority; and Richard Mogensen, Director Mid-Atlantic Region, EarthMark Companies, on behalf of National Mitigation Banking Association. 44 Other Year 8 Technology Transfer Activities • Norfolk Southern Excursion Train Safety Presentations, Aug. 1, 2007 On Wed., August 1, 2007, John Ball, Errin Jewell and LeAndria Reed were a part of a WVOL team who presented safety information to approximately 106 passengers traveling by rail from Williamson to Kenova, W.Va. and back. The trip, which was made possible by Norfolk Southern Corporation, was an educational program to make the public aware of grade crossing safety. According to Norfolk Southern, the train ride “is an opportunity to promote safety and make safest the communities through which Norfolk Southern travels.” Rail industry workers, local government, economic development professionals, safety personnel and other guests were invited by Norfolk Southern to ride in the two Powhatan Arrow passenger cars. During the trip, large television monitors inside of each car displayed a live view of the railroad track as viewed from the conductor’s seat. Riders were also made aware of the potential site of the Prichard Intermodal Facility in Wayne County. • National Maritime Days Activities, May 13-18, 2007 “Roads, Rivers and Rails” was the theme of this year’s National Transportation Week activities at RTI. National Transportation Week officially took place May 13-19, 2007. However, RTI began activities the preceeding week with transportation career presentations to two local elementary schools beginning May 11. The Heartland Corridor Working Group also met during the week to discuss the development of the public-private partnership and Prichard Intermodal facility. The Port of Huntington’s 2nd National Maritime Days Celebration began May 18 with the Maritime Impact Awards ceremony. Activities continued through the weekend with boat rides, deckhand demonstrations, more than 20 displays, commerical boat tours and other activities. This event provided tri-state residents with an opportunity to join the many hard-working men and women of the local Maritime Industry in celebrating National Maritime Days. Individuals were able to see how members of our community live, work and play on the mighty Ohio River. Visitors could learn about the history of the Ohio River, tie a knot, participate in deckhand activities and see what makes the Port of Huntington Tri-State the largest Inland River Port in tonnage in America. · Trails Day at the Legislature, Jan. 17, 2007 On Jan. 17, 2007, approximately 22 organizations, which represent non-profits, research, education, local government, industry and recreational groups, participated in “Trails Day at the Legislature.” During the event, the organizations brought information and displays about their roles in the trail industry to the capitol rotunda. The event was organized by Bill Robinson, state trails coordinator. He said the purpose of the event was to “let our legislative representatives receive a good impression of the West Virginia Trails community.” Bryan Helmer, trails specialist, represented RTI at “Trails Day,” where he provided visitors with information about RTI’s trail contracting activities, which consist of creating trail inventories, designing layouts and guiding the construction of new trails. RTI’s trail-related research projects, such as TRP 99-11 “Maximizing Economic Benefits from A Rails to Trails Project in Southern WV - A Case Study of the Greenbrier River Trail,” TRP 99-29 “Planning for the Development of A Greenway Between Huntington and Charleston-Research Initiation Project” and TTP 00-17 “Development and Evaluation of a GIS Mapping System for West Virginia’s Hatfield and McCoy Trail System.” Graduate and undergraduate courses in off-highway vehicle trail design and management; and non-motorized vehicle safety activities for K-12 students were also highlighted. 45 Year 8 Newsletters RTI publishes Transportation Focus, a quarterly newsletter, to inform the transportation community of research, educational programs, technology transfer activities and upcoming events at RTI. Researchers, professionals, government leaders, educators and students receive Transportation Focus four times each year. The newsletter is available on RTI’s website, by electronic mail, or by requesting that RTI mail printed copies to them. 46 Since RTI’s inception, participants from the 40 states and Washington, D.C., which are indicated in red on the following map, have attended RTI Transportation Professional Development Activities and Conferences. Year 7 participants represented government agencies, private industries, students and academia as indicated in the pie chart below. 2006-2007 Technology Transfer Attendees: Private Industry Academia Government Students 47 K-12 Outreach Goal: To nurture a new generation of transportation professionals by introducing transportation issues during the school years and to encourage students to consider transportation-related careers after graduation. K-12 Outreach activities include: Transportation Outreach on Wheels, Transportation Outreach on the Web and other workshops and activities at Marshall University and partner schools. 48 Since 2000, graduate and undergraduate education students from RTI’s Transportation Outreach on Wheels (TO2W) program have traveled to schools, libraries and civic organizations throughout Appalachia. During the 2006-2007 academic year and summer term, several thousand student contacts from kindergarten through high school at approximately 55 schools have benefitted from this program’s activities. Workshops vary in length from one-half a day to five days. Students who have participated in RTI’s Transportation Outreach on Wheels have come from many states. These include: West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Montana. More specifically, the program has benefitted students from the following West Virginia counties: 49 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Berkeley Boone Braxton Cabell Calhoun Clay Fayette Gilmer Grant Greenbrier Hampshire Hancock Hardy Harrison Jackson Jefferson Kanawha Lincoln Logan Marshall Mason Mercer McDowell Mineral Mingo Monongalia Monroe Nicholas Ohio Pendleton Pleasants Pocahontas Preston Putnam Randolph Raleigh Ritchie Roane Summers Taylor Tucker Wayne Webster Wetzel Wood Wyoming LEGO DUPLO WORKSHOPS RTI instructors use LEGO DUPLO blocks to introduce basic transportation concepts to Pre-K through third grade students during workshops and other activities. Younger students (ages 3-5) learn to assemble vehicles, tracks and cargo carriers from pictorial charts and LEGO DUPLO blocks. After creating railroad or highway systems, students move “cargo” from one location while factoring time, distance and weight into the transportation process. Older students (ages 5-8) receive transportation-related “story challenges,” which must be solved using LEGO DUPLO blocks. The students use LEGO CAD to design vehicles or simple machines, which contain gears, levers or pulleys, to solve the “story challenges.” 50 Intelligent Transportation Systems with LEGO Robotics Workshops Middle school students learn to assemble and program intelligent vehicles and automated traffic control and monitoring devices at workshops sponsored by RTI. Pre-service teachers and graduate assistants from Marshall University guide students in assembling vehicles and traffic control components from LEGO DACTA kits and installing RCX microcomputers, light sensors, digital timing devices and motors. Using ROBOLAB software, middle school students write computer programs and download them to the RCX equipped vehicles and traffic control devices, which include cars, gates, signals and speed measuring devices. High school students also explore careers in automobile assembly, engineering, manufacturing, computer programming, education, transportation and robotics, while learning the basics of LEGO CAD, ROBOLAB and RCX programming. The students are also exposed to Transportation Outreach on the Web. 51 West Point Bridge Design Contest West Virginia Winners Circle: 1st Place High School & Overall: Olivia Milam & Kattie Riggs (Pikeview High School) 2nd Place High School & Overall: Lincoln Shaefer & Evan Ford (Brooke High School) 3rd Place High School: James Fuller (Greenbrier High School) 1st Place Middle School & 3rd Overall: Jeff Cowen & Chris Wanstreet (Ritchie County Middle School) 2nd Place Middle School: Blaine Willis & Seth Wells (Ritchie County Middle School) 3rd Place Middle School: Jared Shipe & Mark Britton (Ritchie County Middle School) 2007 Outstanding Participating Volunteers: Jimmy Wriston & Joe Carte (WVDOT) & Katrina Andrews (Ritchie County Middle School) Two students from Pikeview High School, Olivia Milam and Kattie Riggs, received First Place High School and Overall Honors at the 2007 West Virginia Statewide West Point Bridge Design Competition. Fifteen design teams competed at the state level to design, within a two-hour time frame, the least expensive bridge that would sustain American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) load conditions. RTI and the West Virginia Department of Transportation are primary sponsors of the state event, which is open to all middle and high school students in West Virginia free of charge. The national contest is sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers and administered by the West Point Military Academy. The contest, which is an annual outreach activity for the West Virginia American Society of Civil Engineers Young Members Forum, is a nationwide, web-based competition that promotes math, science and technology education to students from age 13 and up to grade 12. The 2007 competition began in the fall of 2006, when working engineers contacted each of the state’s 625 high schools and middle schools. Three hundred teams registered for the state competition, but only 250 uploaded successful designs during the January/ April 2007 qualifying round. The 2007 statewide competition took place at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, April 27-28, 2007. In addition to the high school teams that competed, 2007 was the first year that five middle school teams participated. More than 70 civil engineers and engineering majors from across the state volunteered to visit classrooms and demonstrate the bridge design software and promote the field of civil engineering as a career. Research Associate John Ball, P.E., represented RTI as a mentor and liaison for the contest. For more information about this years contest, visit bridgecontest.usma. edu or contact the 2007 WV Contest Coordinator, Jerry Elkins, PE at jelkins@ trcsolutions.com or by calling 304-346-2599. 52 Exploring Engineering Academy of Excellence The 2007 Exploring Engineering: Academy of Excellence camp took place on Marshall University’s campus from June 17-22. Students arrived Sunday, June 17, to check into the dorms, take campus tours, hear a welcome message from Stuart Harshbarger, from Johns Hopkins University, and take time to get to know one another. Monday morning started bright and early at 8 a.m. with an introduction to CAD/CAM design, which aided students in the construction of CO2 racers, a project which would be ongoing through the entire week. Students were also introduced to civil and environmental engineering, along with highlights on surveying, GPS and Environmental Sampling. On Tuesday, students worked on a trebuchet design, a project that was a favorite to student Adam Martin, an upcoming junior at Elkins High School. “I like building stuff that is hands-on,” stated Martin, who is interested in a career in mechanical engineering. The trebuchet design resulted in a competition Tuesday, and throughout the rest of the week students were involved in other activities. LEGO Robotics, and design and construction of a robot took place Wednesday, while Thursday consisted of field trips to the Toyota Plant in Buffalo, W.Va., tour of the Memorial Tunnel, and a trip to Columbia Gas followed by a GIS Presentation and discussion by Alejandro Sanchez and Pete Dailey of the Rahall Transportation Institute. The presentation focused on how infrared cameras are used with GIS technology along with how GIS helps aid transportation systems. Finally, after lectures and presentations, students got to hang up the textbook discussions when they went to a picnic/pool party at Water Ways, in Boone Co. W.Va. Friday wrapped up with the much anticipated CO2 races, which student Jessica Lundy, an upcoming junior at Fairland High School in Proctorville, OH, said she had been looking forward to all week. “I can’t wait to see how it goes,” said Lundy, “it’s been my favorite project.” Jessica found out about EEAE camp through Engineering Day which took place at Marshall University, and is interested in a career in civil engineering. Before going home, students, parents and sponsors were invited to an awards luncheon where students received certificates and were recognized for their hard work. Sponsors were also recognized for making EEAE camp possible. One individual who has helped make EEAE camp possible is David Meadows, who has been with the camp for 7 years. He is a civil engineer and his camp duties include working with students on surveying and the trebuchet project. “We make improvements every year,” stated Meadows. “We try to add new stuff to make the camp challenging and individual engineers who commit time and money to promote engineering as a career to high school students. For more information on Exploring Engineering: Academy of Excellence please visit www.marshall.edu/eeae. 53 West Virginia Operation Lifesaver (WVOL) Presentations & Events RTI teams with West Virginia Operation Lifesaver (WVOL) several times each month to stress the importance of rail grade crossing safety to students, educators and adults in our region.These events primarily consist of classroom visits, which consist of a video presentation, discussion and distribution of literature, which are tailored to specific age groups. During the 2006 annual WVOL board meeting, which took palce at RTI in December, WVOL Director John Perry said nearly 500 presentations or activities reached more than 180,000 contacts in 2006; many of these contacts were made possible by volunteers and support from RTI. Presentations and events include: State Fair of West Virginia From Aug. 10-10, 2007, WVOL hosted an informational booth at the State Fair of West Virginia in Fairlea. John Ball, Kimberley Baker, Errin Jewell and Kate Jordan each assisted at the booth for two shifts. Approximately 700,000 tickets were sold during this year’s fair, and the WVOL booth provided visitors with railroad safety information. Presentations were scheduled with local educators, who requested WVOL visit their classrooms, workplaces or other venues to enforce the importance of rail grade crossing safety. Wayne County Library Summer Reading Program As part of the Wayne County Library’s Summer Reading Program, RTI presented approximately 30 students and 12 parents with rail crossing safety information. On Thursday, July 19, 2007, LeAndria Reed and Errin Jewell showed summer reading program participants an informational video and gave them literature and pencils to enforce WVOL’s “Stay Off, Stay Away, Stay Alive” message. Representatives from the Kenova Fire Department were also present to inform participants about fire safety. West Virginia Boy Scout Jamboree WVOL offered presentations to students at the annual Fourth Grade Day at the Camp Virgil Tate 4-H camp April 23-26, in Ripley, W.Va. to fourth grade students from Jackson and Mason Counties. Fourth Grade Day at State 4-H Camp This event took place in Barboursville, W.Va., April 20-21, where hundreds of boy scouts received safety information. Health & Safety Fairs at Local Schools RTI volunteers presented WVOL information at schools including: Wayne Middle School and Wayne High School, April 18, 2007; Cox Landing Elementary, May 23, 2007; Kellogg Elementary, May 24, 2007. New River Excursion Train and Bridge Day On the New River Excursion Train, presenters stressed safety precautions one should take around trains to adult and student train enthusiasts. The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society sponsors the excursion train, which boards in Huntington, travels to St. Albans, where it again boards, and then stops in Hinton, where tourist and train enthusiasts disembarked to enjoy Railroad Day. Bridge Day, which takes place annually on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, attacted nearly 200,000 spectators. WVOL informed children and adults alike of the importance of train safety. From RTI, Reed represented WVOL at this year’s Bridge Day. These events took place Oct. 21-22, 2006. West Virginia Pumpkin Festival The West Virginia Pumpkin Festival took place in Milton, Oct. 5-8, 2006, and attracted visitors from West Virginia and neighboring states. RTI’s Kim Baker, John Ball, Errin Jewell, Kate Jordan and LeAndria Reed attended the event and handed out paper engineering hats and train safety literature to thousands of students. 54 West Virginia Operation Lifesaver Rail Camp For railroad enthusiasts 7-17 years old, West Virginia Operation Lifesaver hosted its 2007 summer rail camp June 24-29, in Petersburg, W.Va. Twenty-eight students attended this year’s rail camp, some coming from as far as Minnesota. Students spent the week learning about careers in the rail industry and railroad safety, as well as receiving hands-on experience with locomotives. Upon their Sunday arrival, students were given a pre-test to assess their knowledge of railroad safety and the test was given upon departure to measure how much their knowledge increased. Monday’s activities started at 8 a.m. with breakfast and a class that discussed railroad grade crossings on site at the South Branch Valley Railroad. Students were divided into teams and began practicing for the “Great Handcar Race” that would take place Tuesday. Monday evening, students boarded a dinner train that took them from Petersburg to Moorefield, which wrapped up the day’s activities. Tuesday’s main activity was the handcar race. After safety classes from Anthony Cole, a train enthusiast from St. Albans, W.Va., students beat the heat at the Moorefield pool. Wednesday, students toured Seneca Caverns, and later that evening, parents and guests were invited to the annual open house dinner. Thursday morning, camp counselors and some visiting parents got to partake in a Motorcar Trip that ran from Moorefield to Sector. Twenty motorcars participated in this scenic trip down the railway. After returning from the trip, everyone boarded an Excursion Train, which went from Petersburg to Sector, for lunch. Upon returning Thursday evening, campers got to test their OL knowledge in “Operation Lifesaver Jeopardy” as their final activity before camp ended Friday. Camp counselor LeAndria Reed said she thought that by the end of camp, campers were more aware and in tune with the importance of railroad safety. “It’s not something kids think about everyday, but once they do, they really start to pay attention.” Campers were presented with awards Friday for earning points for their teams. Following the awards presentation, campers and counselors parted ways, but with high hopes of attending camp next year. 55 Transportation Injury Prevention and Safety (TIPS) Activities Mary’s entered into a partnership RTMedical I a n d Center S a i n have t to provide transportation safety education and injury prevention programs to school-aged children (pre-K12). The Transportation Injury Prevention and Safety (TIPS) program focuses on preventing injury while operating motorized and non-motorized recreation equipment, such as all-terrain vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles and motorized scooters, as well as vehicle safety including the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The program includes instruction on user behavior, equipment, demonstrations, special events and activities in the community, and education programs delivered to schools within the project area. Dr. Raymond Busbee, Professor of Exercise Science, Sport and Recreation at Marshall University, and Christy Franklin, Director of St. Mary’s Regional Neuroscience Center, coordinate the TIPS program. TIPS for Extreme Fun, Feb. 24, 2007 On February 24, 2007, TIPS had its annual TIPS for Extreme Fun Event at the Memorial Field House in Huntington, W.Va. The event is open to the public one weekend each year to educate children and adults about transportation safety and injuries prevention. This year, children who attended the event were introduced to the Hatfield-McCoy trails when some of the systems rangers visited to discuss ATV safety. Other representatives at the event had booths on fire safety, drug prevention and information on automobile, motorcycle, bike and ATV safety. 56 As part of the Transportation Outreach on the Web, RTI has developed activities and hosts three interactive websites: • West Point Bridge Design Contest • Design a Future Vehicle Teacher’s Corner Website • Intelligent Transportation Systems - LEGO Robotics City • Science and Engineering NASA Site of Remote Sensing (SENSORS City) in addition to direct video links with several elementary schools in the Huntington area. Links to the websites are available at www.marshall.edu/ati/towii/lego.htm. 57 Design a Future Vehicle (DFV) Teacher’s Corner Website RTI’s Design a Future Vehicle (DFV) website contains information for students, parents and teachers about the six technologies of transportation used to create vehicles and road systems. Lesson plans that integrate transportation concepts into subjects including math, science, social studies, language arts and computer technology are available at the DFV Teacher’s Corner. Lesson plans for the following activities are available on the DFV Website. Children can build these projects with items that may be purchased at discount and electronic stores. • • • • • • • • • • • 58 Aluminum Foil Boats Hovercraft Simple Motor Newton’s Law Car Remote Control Vehicle Production Line Seat Belt Egg Vehicle Solar Energy Collector Balloon-Powered Vehicles Bridge Experiment Magnetic Street Board LEGO Robotics City LEGO Robotics City is located in the information technology laboratory at RTI headquarters. This small, robotic city has two web cameras that provide live views of a simulated LEGO city with an oval track, two monorails, a traffic gate and an autonomous, linefollowing vehicle. Middle school students learn the concept of teleoperation through this system, which is usually integrated into an Intelligent Transportation Systems LEGO Robotics workshop at RTI headquarters or through site visits to elementary schools by RTI staff. LEGO Robotics City can be operated through the web and viewed with a live web camera after viewers download Red Rover Operating System software from the RTI site. Right: The Red Rover Operating System control screen facilitates interactive e-mail exchanges from visitors with RTI operators. The system has control buttons that operate the monorail forward or backward. Programs may be written and sent to the system to perform advanced operations such as opening the traffic gate or moving the monorail. Top right: The red line shows an ITS monorail as seen from AppaLEGO City (viewed from web camera 2) and indicated on a schematic drawing. 59 Science and Engineering NASA Site of Remote Sensing (SENSORS City) Through the Science and Engineering NASA Site of Remote Sensing (SENSORS) City, students use sensors to obtain feedback related to operation, control and “teleoperation” of intelligent vehicles and traffic control devices. Students use the SENSORS site to send computer programs that operate ITS components, which can be seen through a typical web connection and require no special operating software. After a program or “mission” is submitted, the system returns results, which include graphs that illustrate data collected by the sensors, such as changes in direction, temperature, light or elevation. Computer programming challenges and competitions for students who have ROBOLAB software are also posted on the SENSORS Site at www.sensorscity.marshall.edu. Above: Shows the resultant graph that is returned to the sender if the program was executed properly. In this case, the graph shows four steps over time indicating that the monorail sensed it came into contact with the end of the monorail track four times. For example, if the monorail traveled back and forth two times it would have come into contact a total of four times with the end of the track. 60 Adopt-a-School Program As part of RTI’s Adopt-a-School program, RTI instructors use ROBOLAB Cities and Transportation sets along with LEGO designed teacher curriculum to spark an interest in math and science among local students. The program takes place twice a month during the academic year. Experiments conducted during Adopt-a-School sessions include: Adopt-A-School Sponsored Schools Barboursville Middle School Carnegie Hall Kids College GPS and Robotics Carnegie Hall After School Robotics and GPS Spring Session Crichton Elementary Culloden Elementary Danese Elementary Davis Creek Elementary Eastern Greenbrier Middle School Enslow Middle School Fayette Elementary Fayette Co. Highlawn Elementary Greenbrier East High School Greenbrier West High School Hinton Area Elementary Hite Saunders Elementary Jumping Branch Elementary Lewisburg Elementary Martha Elementary Meadow Bridge Elementary Meadow Bridge High School Meadows Elementary Miller Elementary Mountain View Middle (Monroe County) Mt. View High School Our Lady of Fatima Rainelle Chrisitan Academy Rupert Elementary Salt Rock Elementary Spring Hill Elementary St. Joseph Grade School Student Aspect Preparatory School Talcott Elementary Tucker Valley Village of Barboursville Elementary West Middle Western Greenbrier Middle School White Sulphur Springs Elementary Williamsburg Elementary 61 Management Structure RTI ARC BSC FHWA MURC MSU WVUIT Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute Appalachian Regional Commission Bluefield State University (formerly Bluefield State College) Federal Highway Administration Marshall University Research Corp. Mountain State University West Virginia University Institute of Technology 62 RTI Headquarters at Marshall University Robert H. Plymale, B.A. Director 304-696-7098, plymaler@marshall.edu Richard Begley, Ph.D. Associate Director 304-696-6660, begley@marshall.edu Kim Baker, B.S., C.P.M. Contract and Procurement Specialist 304-696-7164, baker61@marshall.edu John Ball, B.S. P.E. Research Associate - Engineering 304-696-2525, ballje@marshall.edu Juan de dios Barrios, M.S. Research Associate 304-696-3347, barrios@marshall.edu Jeremy Boykin, B.S. Research Associate 304-696-6386, boykin3@marshall.edu Brad Cains, B.S Research Associate 304-696-6386, cains1@marshall.edu E. David Cartwright, M.S. Research Associate - Engineering 304-696-6024, cartwrig@marshall.edu Peter Dailey, M.S. Research Associate 304-696-6082, dailey29@marshall.edu Linda Delaney, A.S. Administrative Assistant 304-696-2906, hammonds@marshall.edu Greg Dudding, B.S. Research Associate 304-696-6376, dudding1@marshall.edu Andrew Gooding, M.A. Research and Technical Writer 304-696-3028, gooding@marshall.edu Pamela Hamilton, Ed.D. Technology Transfer Specialist 304-696-6262, hamiltop@marshall.edu Richard Hatcher, MBA Grants and Communications Specialist 304-696-2669, hatcher2@marshall.edu Christopher Haynes, B.A. Web Technician 304-696-2313, haynes21@marshall.edu Brian Helmer, B.A. Trails Specialist 304-696-3548, helmer@njrati.org Errin Jewell, M.A. Public Affairs and DTP Specialist 304-696-7165, jewell4@marshall.edu Sandra Jones 63 RTI Headquarters at Marshall University Administrative Secretary 304-696-7098, joness@marshall.edu David Lawson, M.S. Information Systems Manager 304-696-4872, lawsond@marshall.edu Mike Lewis, R.B.A., M.C.P. Network Technician 304-696-6047, mlewis@marshall.edu Theresa Litteral, M.S. Research Associate - GIS 304-696-2594 Diana Long, Ed.D. Workforce Development Coordinator 304-542-3303, longd@marshall.edu LeAndria Reed, M.S. Research Associate 304-696-3459, reed79@marshall.edu Barbara Roberts, M.A. Program Coordinator, Sr. 304-696-7103, robertsb@marshall.edu Dana Robertson, M.S. Director, National Maritime Enhancement Institute 304-633-4510, robertson@marshall.edu Brianne Salmons Project Management Specialist 304-696-7072, setliff3@marshall.edu Gael Setliff Office Administrator 304-696-4321, setliff@marshall.edu Chandra Inglis-Smith, M.S. Research Associate - GIS 304-696-3361, inglissmith@marshall.edu Kent Sowards Research Associate 304-696-4817, sowards10@njrati.org Cathy Taylor, B.B.A. Accounting Assistant 304-696-2313, schelling1@marshall.edu Sanghong Yoo, M.S. Research Associate 304-696-3376, yoo1@marshall.edu D. Paul Young, Jr., B.S. Information Technology Consultant 304-696-7148, youngd@marshall.edu Zhibin Sheng, M.S. Research Associate 304-696-6326, zhibin1@marshall.edu 64 Partner School Contacts Bluefield State University Bruce V. Mutter 304-327-4220 x4220 Mountain State University Dr. Ramon Looney, Division Chair 304-929-1379 West Virginia University Institute of Technology Dr. Steven Leftwich 304-442-3367 65 Advisory Council and Project Advisory Team Members Approximately 24 transportation and economic development officials comprise the RTI Advisory Council and Project Advisory Team. These individuals, as members of the RTI Advisory Council and Project Advisory Team, provide input on regional research needs, rank research proposals and serve on individual project advisory teams. FHWA Kevin Burgess Research and Technology Engineer Phone: 304-347-5266 Email: kevin.burgess@fhwa.dot.gov Thomas Smith Division Administrator Geary Plaza, Suite 200 700 Washington Street East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-347-5121 Email: thomas.smith@fhwa.dot.gov Jonathan Ventura Statewide Planning Engineer Phone: 304-347-5329 Email: jonathan.ventura@fhwa.dot.gov WV Department of Transportation Darrell Allen Director Contract Administration Division Phone: 304-558-3304 Email: dallen@dot.state.wv.us Norse Angus Engineering Division Phone: 304-558-2885 Greg Bailey Engineering Division 304-558-0601 Laura Conley-Rinehart Executive Division 304-558-6366 Janet Lemon Executive Division 304-558-3113 Mendy McClure Finance Division 304-558-2841 Richard Genthner Director, Materials Control Soils & Testing Division 190 Dry Branch Road Charleston, WV 25306 304-558-3770 Neal Carte Systems Analyst Phone: 304-558-2885 Email: ncarte@dot.state.wv.us Cindy Cramer Highway Engineer III Phone: 304-558-2817 Email: ccramer@dot.state.wv.us David Cramer Highway Engineer III Phone: 304-558-2804 Email: dcramer@dot.state.wv.us Danny Ellis 66 Dick Nevi Executive Director Greenbrier County Economic Development Corporation 810 North Jefferson Street Suite 103 Lewisburg, WV 24901-9347 Phone: 304-645-7155 Email: gvedc@inetone.net Judy Radford Executive Director 4C Economic Development Corporation 912 Main Street East Suite A Oak Hill, WV 25901 Phone: 304-465-0585 Email: jradford@inetone.net Mike Whitt Executive Director Mingo County Redevelopment Authority P.O. Box 298 Williamson, WV 25661 Phone: 304-235-0042 ext. 4712 Email: scb01005@wvnvmwvnet.edu Bob Augenstern Executive Director Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Commission Planning Development Commission 375 State Street Binghamton, NY 13901 Phone: 607-724-1327 Email: pk2000@cleda.com Rick Biery Regional Planning Program Manager Local Development District Association of Pennsylvania 507 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 Phone: 570-265-9103 Robert Culver Executive Director Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments 115 Washington Street SE Suite A Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-533-3330 Email: arcog@coa.state.al.us Linda Giltz Regional Planner Transportation Business Manager Phone: 304-558-2811 Email: dellis@dot.state.wv.us Ken Ferguson Transportation Service Manager III Phone: 304-558-3165 Email: kmferguson@dot.state.wv.us Kathy Holtsclaw Administrative Services Manager II Phone: 304-558-2804 Email: kholtsclaw@dot.state.wv.us Bruce Kenny Highway Engineer III Phone: 304-558-3180 Email: bkenney@dot.state.wv.us Ray Lewis Highway Engineer IV Phone: 304-647-7465 Email: lewisr@dot.state.wv.us Susan O’Connell Director Div. Public Transit Phone: 304-558-0428 Email: soconnell@dot.state.wv.us Robert Watson Planning and Research Division Phone: 304-558-3165 Email: rcwatson@dot.state.wv.us WV Development Office Paul Hardesty Director, Coalfield Community Development West Virginia Development Office Capitol Complex Building Six, Room 650 Charleston, WV 25305-0311 Phone: 304-558-2234 Email: phardesty@wvdo.org Regional Economic Development Entities 67 Land-of-Sky Regional Council 25 Heritage Drive Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: 828-251-6622 Email: Linda_g@landofsky.org Bob Gordon Executive Director Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council 121 West King Street Martinsburg, WV 25401 Phone: 304-263-1743 Email: rgordon@intrepid.net John Hardy Port Director Lowndes County Port Authority P.O. Box 663 Columbus, MS 39703 Phone: 662-329-5886 Email: port@cleda.com David Mainord Planning Director Upper Cumberland Development District 1225 South Willow Cookville, TN 38506 Phone: 931-432-4111 Email: mainord@ucdd.org Dan Ritchey President, Business Advocate Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Alliance P.O. Box Highland Avenue Cambridge, OH 43725-0130 Phone: 740-455-3266 Email: ritchey@usa.com Don Rychnowski Executive Director Southern Tier West 4039 Rt. 219, Suite 200 Salamana, NY 14779 Phone: 716-945-5301 Email: stwrpdb@southerntierwest.org Tim Weston Director Port Itawamba P.O. Box 577 Fulton, MS 38843 Phone: 662-862-4571 Email: icdc@nexband.com Greg Bischak Chief Economist Phone: 202-884-7790 Email: gbischak@arc.gov Amy Kessler North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission 651 Montmoreci Avenue Ridgway, PA 15853 Phone: 814-773-3162 Email: amy@ncentral.com Edward Terry Senior Transportation Advisor Phone: 202-884-7706 Email: eterry@arc.gov Scott Hercik Intermodal Planning Phone 202-884-7706 Email: Shercik@arc.gov Wayne Strickland Executive Director Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission 313 Luck Avenue Phone: 540-343-4417 Email: rvarc@rvarc.org 68 RTI Sources of Funding Since Grant Inception • Appalachian Regional Commission - (All13 State Dept. of Trans.) • Assumption College • Benedum Foundation • British Petroleum • Business & Industrial Development Corporation • CSX • Cabell County Schools • Federal Railroad Administration • Greater Kanawha Resource • Conservation and Development Area • Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority • Huntington Area Development Council • KYOVA interstate Planning Commission • Lincoln County Economic Development • Meadow River Enterprises, Inc. • Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Planning and Development Council • Norfolk Southern • Ohio Department of Transportation • Ohio Rail Development Commission • Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) • Operation Respond • Putnam County Development Authority • Raleigh County • Raleigh County Assessor Funding Sources Year 8 Public/Private Agencies 21% USDOT (RSPA) 50% • St. Mary’s Hospital • Tennessee Department of Transportation • Tennessee Valley Authority • United States Army Corps of Engineers • United States Department of Energy • United States Department of Justice • United States Deparment of Transportation Federal Highway Administration • Wayne County Commission • West Virginia Bureau of Employment Programs • West Virginia Department of Natural Resources • West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue • West Virginia Department of Transportation/Division of Highways • West Virginia Department of Transportation/Division of Motor Vehicles • West Virginia Development Office • West Virginia Disaster Recovery Board • West Virginia Division of Highways • West Virginia Governor’s Office • West Virginia Housing Development Fund • West Virginia Public Port Authority • West Virginia Public Service Corporation • West Virginia Statewide Addressing and Expenditures Year 8 Education 20% Administration 25% Partner Schools 4% Research 5% Marshall University 25% Technology Transfer 50% 69 Research Project Descriptions New Project Number TRP 07-01 Title Operate/Maintain Data Warehouse Principal Investigator Ms. C. Inglis-Smith Ongoing Project Number TTP 06-01 TRP 05-09 TTP 03-01 TTP 00-21 TTP 00-15 TTP 00-14 TRP 00-10 TRP 00-08 TRP 00-07 TRP 00-05 TRP 00-02 TRP 00-01 TRP 99-27 TRP 99-18 TRP 99-16 TRP 99-10 TRP 99-09 TRP 99-06 TRP 99-05 Title Principal Investigator Phase III - GIS for the Appalachian Development Mr. Sang Yoo Highway System 2007 Cost to Complete Estimate Improving the Competitive Position of Appalachia’s Dr. Mark Burton Wood Products Producers Through Enhanced Transportation Alternatives Development of a Transportation and Economic Dr. Richard Begley Development Information System (TEDIS) Delivered over the Internet for WV-Phase II Three-Dimensional Laser Scanner Pilot Project Dr. A. Szwilski Harrison, Mingo and Webster County Tax Map Mr. Jamie Wolfe Conversion GIS of Major Transportation Corridors along the Dr. Thomas Jones Ohio River Improving Transportation Access to Rural Health Dr. Robert Walker Care in Lincoln County: Process Implementation Development of a Research Protocal That Relates Dr. Mike Little Culvert Structure to Fish Migration in Southern WV Opportunities to Improve Transportation Dr. Mark Burton Efficiencesthrough Enhanced Intermodal Capabilities and Increased Utilization of the Appalachian Develpoment Highway System Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring Dr. Richard Begley System (ITSAMS): Phase III Master Land Use Plans for Southern WV Counties Mr. Bob Plymale Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring Dr. Richard Begley System (ITSAMS): Phase II Using FLI-Map Technology for Transportation Dr. Richard Begley Applications: Research Initiation Project ITS Research Initiative Project Dr. A. Vaseashta McDowell County Transportation Study Ms. Jennifer Plymale Endangered Species Identification along Corridors Dr. Mike Robinson in West Virginia Using GIS Pre-Construction Assessment of Wetlands to be Dr. Mike Robinson along the Tolsia Highway Potential Uses of Fly Ash and Other Recoverable Dr. A. Szwilski Materials in New Transportation Infrastructure Components Use of Electroluminescence Technology for Dr. Richard Begley 70 Research Project Descriptions TRP 99-04 TRP 99-01 Highway Signage Integrated Track Stability Assessment and Monitoring Dr. Richard Begley Automated Road Extraction Using Satellite Imagery Dr Herbert Tesser Completed Project Number TTP 05-01 TTP 00-38 TTP 00-37 TTP 00-35 TTP 00-34 TTP 00-32 TTP 00-31 TTP 00-28 TTP 00-27 TTP 00-24 TTP 00-22 TTP 00-19 TTP 00-18 TTP 00-17 Title Principal Investigator Phase II – Enhanced GIS Mapping System for The Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Proposed GIS Mapping System for South Carolina’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Georgia’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for New York’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Ohio’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Pennsylvania’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Mississippi’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for North Carolina’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Kentucky’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Maryland’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for Alabama’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Proposed GIS Mapping System for Tennessee’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Proposed GIS Mapping System for West Virginia’s Mr. Sean Litteral Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridors Development and Evaluation of a GIS Mapping Mr. Sean Litteral 71 Research Project Descriptions TTP 00-12 TTP 00-11 TRP 00-06 TRP 00-04 TRP 99-33 TRP 99-32 TRP 99-29 TRP 99-25 TRP 99-24 TRP 99-23 TRP 99-19 TRP 99-15 TRP 99-14 TRP 99-13 TRP 99-11 TRP 99-09 TRP 99-08 TRP 99-07 TRP 99-03 TRP 99-02 TRP 99-00 System for the West Virginia’s Hatfield and McCoy Trail System A Deployment Plan for the WV High Technology Dr. Michael Hicks Corridor Development of Transportation and Economic Mr. Sean Litteral Development Information System (TEDIS) Delivered over the Internet for WV Transportation and Market Feasibility Analysis for Dr. Mark Burton Innovative Coal Combustion Byproducts to be Manufactured Adjacent to the I-64 High Tech Corridor in Southern WV (Woodbrick) Expected Flood Damages to Transportation Dr. Mark Burton Infrastructures as a Proportion of Total Event Costs: A Methodological Exploration Highway Program Finance Options and Strategy Dr. Herbert Tesser GIS Implementation Strategy for WVDOT Dr. Herbert Tesser Development of a Plan for a Non-Motorized Dr. Raymond Busbee Transportation Corridor in Southern WV: Case Study for Alternate Sources of Transportation between Huntington and Charleston Improving Safety and Operational Conditions at Dr. Richard Begley Railroad Crossings: An Analysis of Bolt Installations, Designs and Torque Procedures Improving Efficiency of Truck/Rail Intermodal Dr. Mark Burton Transportation: The Case of West Virginia Survey of Truck Parking Places (Private) in WV Ms. Jennifer Plymale Public/Private Port Case Study Dr. Mark Burton Impacts of the Appalachian Corridor on Small Businesses Drowsy Driving Problems in WV Commodity Flows in Northern West Virginia Maximizing Economic Benefits from a Rails to Trails Project in Southern WV: Case Study of the Greenbrier River Trail Pre-Construction Assessment of Wetlands to be Built along the Tolsia Highway Abandoned Tire Health Risk Survey/Analysis Rockfall Rating System for Slopes along Highways in WV and KY Lincoln County Transportation Study Preserving Branch Line Railroads Commodity Flows and Transportation Inventory 72 Dr. Michael Hicks Dr. Robert Walker Dr. Mark Burton Dr. R. Busbeee Dr. Mike Robinson Dr. James Joy Dr. A. Szwilski Dr. Mark Burton Dr. Mark Burton Dr. Mark Burton Research Project Descriptions Discontinued Project Number TRP 99-26 TRP 99-17 Title Beckley Exhibition Mine Expansion: Project Management and Evaluation for a Transportation Enhancement Project to be Built along a National Scenic By-Way in WV Magnetic Levitation Planning for WV 73 Principal Investigator Dr. Richard Begley Dr. Richard Begley Writers: Richard Begley Errin Jewell Kate Jordan Copy Editors: Andrew Gooding Pam Hamilton Richard Hatcher Contributors: Kimberley Baker Diana Long Dana Robertson Barbara Roberts Layout and Design: Errin Jewell Photographs: John Ball Kimberley Baker Errin Jewell Kate Jordan Diana Long John Perry 74 75 Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute P.O. Box 5425 Huntington, WV 25703-0425 Phone: (304)696-7098 Fax: (304)696-6661 www.marshall.edu/rti “Building Jobs through Transportation”