Award Data

Air parameters such as specific surface (SS) and spacing factor (SF) are essential in evaluating Freeze-Thaw (F-T) durability in fresh concrete. Currently there is no method or device that can accurately meet such requirements. We propose to develop an acoustic air void measurement system that can be used in the field to measure in near real time air void distributions in fresh concrete. The propo ...

The service life of the wood ties has been diminishing with increased axle loads with higher rail car speeds and frequencies. The depletion of wood and creosote induced contamination are of great environmental concerns. It is of a substantial interest to develop an effective recycling/remanufacturing methodology for creosote-treated wood ties. A composite wood tie design is proposed here, with use ...

Interference of unburned and activated carbon in fly ash with air-entraining admixtures (AEA’s) in fresh concrete mixtures is a major concern in the concrete industry. Therefore, a rapid and accurate measurement of adsorption capacity of fly ash is of great interest to this industry. In this project, a new method is suggested, which can qualitatively and quantitatively measure different surfact ...

Highway-rail grade crossings, at which there is an abrupt change in the level of the road surface as it crosses the tracks, present a severe hang-up risk to vehicles with low ground clearance. In Phase I and II, ATR developed a conceptual design for a Low Ground Clearance Vehicle Detection System (LGCVDS) to actively prevent such accidents. The LGCVDS is able to use a priori crossing profile data ...

Highway-rail crossing, at which there is an unusually abrupt change in the level of the road's surface as it crosses the tracks, pose a risk of low ground clearance vehicles becoming stuck on the tracks. Advanced Technology and Research Corporation (ATR) proposes to develop an active detection and advance warning system. The system has three major functional componenets: measurement, decision, ...

The problem of low ground clearance vehicles being stuck at tracks of highway-rail grade crossings (HRGC) poses a severe safety risk. Vehicles with long wheelbases and low ground clearance are more likely to be stuck on high-profile HRGCs. Currently there is no commercially available automated system that detects and computes the necessary critical dimensions of low ground clearance vehicles (LGCV ...

This is a supplemental Phase II proposal submitted to DOT for additional funding and performance period extension of the on-going DOT Phase II project (contract # DTRT57-10-C-10027). The overall objective of the Supplemental Phase II effort is to complete the development of the sensor system capable of continuously monitoring the integrity of bridge structures, conduct field operation validation ...

Usually the lifetime of a trailer is much longer than tractors; tractors must work with a variety types and ages of trailers over the course of their use. In many scenarios (e.g., roadside inspection, border crossing, smart parking, connected vehicle initiative, etc.), it is necessary to identify trailer(s)' VIN(s) and know their sequences attached to the powered unit. An automated trailer VIN id ...

This Phase IIB proposal will accelerate the commercialization of the Phase II project that developed the Vohrtex insulator cleaner. The Phase II cleaner used self-spinning nozzles which require oversized offset jets to provide sufficient reaction force to make the nozzle spin. The oversized jets damage the surface finish of the insulators. This Phase IIB project will use small pneumatic, electric ...

Intelligent Automation, Inc. proposes an innovative visualization tool that transforms online GIS mappers into a climate impact assessment and planning tool that allows planners to visualize the impact of storm surges with sea level rise and coastal erosion using a 3D virtual city. The goal is to assist planners and emergency services to adapt to climate change at three tiers: i) Tier 3 (Long-te ...