GPS to LRM: Integration of Spatial Point Features with Linear Referencing Methods, 2001

Global positioning systems (GPS) offer a cost-effective and efficient method to input and update transportation data. The spatial location of objects provided by GPS is easily integrated into geographic information systems (GIS). The storage, manipulation, and analysis of spatial data are also relatively simple in a GIS. However, many data storage and reporting methods at transportation agencies rely on linear referencing methods (LRMs); consequently, GPS data must be able to link with linear referencing. Unfortunately, the two systems are fundamentally incompatible in the way data are collected, integrated, and manipulated. In order for the spatial data collected using GPS to be integrated into a linear referencing system or shared among LRMs, a number of issues need to be addressed. This report documents and evaluates several of those issues and offers recommendations. In order to evaluate the issues associated with integrating GPS data with a LRM, a pilot study was created. To perform the pilot study, point features, a linear datum, and a spatial representation of a LRM were created for six test roadway segments that were located within the boundaries of the pilot study conducted by the Iowa Department of Transportation linear referencing system project team. Various issues in integrating point features with a LRM or between LRMs are discussed and recommendations provided. The accuracy of the GPS is discussed, including issues such as point features mapping to the wrong segment. Another topic is the loss of spatial information that occurs when a three-dimensional or two-dimensional spatial point feature is converted to a one-dimensional representation on a LRM. Recommendations such as storing point features as spatial objects if necessary or preserving information such as coordinates and elevation are suggested. The lack of spatial accuracy characteristic of most cartography, on which LRM are often based, is another topic discussed. The associated issues include linear and horizontal offset error. The final topic discussed is some of the issues in transferring point feature data between LRMs.

Use of Remote Sensing for Collection of Data Elements for Linear Referencing Systems, 2001

This report evaluates the use of remotely sensed images in implementing the Iowa DOT LRS that is currently in the stages of system architecture. The Iowa Department of Transportation is investing a significant amount of time and resources into creation of a linear referencing system (LRS). A significant portion of the effort in implementing the system will be creation of a datum, which includes geographically locating anchor points and then measuring anchor section distances between those anchor points. Currently, system architecture and evaluation of different data collection methods to establish the LRS datum is being performed for the DOT by an outside consulting team.

Report of the Workshop on Intelligent Construction for Earthworks: April 14-16, 2009

The objectives of this workshop were to update the strategies identified during the 2008 workshop; provide a collaborative exchange of ideas and experiences; share research results; increase participants' knowledge; develop research, education, and implementation initiatives for intelligent compaction (IC) and automated machine guidance (AMG) technologies; and develop strategies to move forward. The 2 1/2 day workshop was organized as follows: Day 1: Review of 2008 workshop proceedings, technical presentations on IC and AMG technologies, and participating state department of transportation (DOT) briefings. Day 2: Industry/equipment manufacturer presentations and breakout interactive sessions on three topic areas. Day 3: Breakout session summary reporting and panel discussion involving state DOT, contractor, and industry representatives. The results of the breakout sessions on day 2 were analyzed to identify the priorities for advancement in each of the three topic areas. Key issues for each topic were prioritized by reviewing the recorder's notes in detail, finding common topics among sessions, and summarizing the participant votes.

Feasibility of Visualization and Simulation Applications to Improve Work Zone Safety and Mobility

Visualization is a relatively recent tool available to engineers for enhancing transportation project design through improved communication, decision making, and stakeholder feedback. Current visualization techniques include image composites, video composites, 2D drawings, drive-through or fly-through animations, 3D rendering models, virtual reality, and 4D CAD. These methods are used mainly to communicate within the design and construction team and between the team and external stakeholders. Use of visualization improves understanding of design intent and project concepts and facilitates effective decision making. However, visualization tools are typically used for presentation only in large-scale urban projects. Visualization is not widely accepted due to a lack of demonstrated engineering benefits for typical agency projects, such as small- and medium-sized projects, rural projects, and projects where external stakeholder communication is not a major issue. Furthermore, there is a perceived high cost of investment of both financial and human capital in adopting visualization tools. The most advanced visualization technique of virtual reality has only been used in academic research settings, and 4D CAD has been used on a very limited basis for highly complicated specialty projects. However, there are a number of less intensive visualization methods available which may provide some benefit to many agency projects. In this paper, we present the results of a feasibility study examining the use of visualization and simulation applications for improving highway planning, design, construction, and safety and mobility.

Feasibility of Visualization and Simulation Applications, Tech Transfer Summary, 2008

Visualization is a relatively recent tool available to engineers for enhancing transportation project design through improved communication, decision making, and stakeholder feedback. Current visualization techniques include image composites, video composites, 2D drawings, drive-through or fly-through animations, 3D rendering models, virtual reality, and 4D CAD. These methods are used mainly to communicate within the design and construction team and between the team and external stakeholders. Use of visualization improves understanding of design intent and project concepts and facilitates effective decision making. However, visualization tools are typically used for presentation only in large-scale urban projects. Visualization is not widely accepted due to a lack of demonstrated engineering benefits for typical agency projects, such as small- and medium-sized projects, rural projects, and projects where external stakeholder communication is not a major issue. Furthermore, there is a perceived high cost of investment of both financial and human capital in adopting visualization tools. The most advanced visualization technique of virtual reality has only been used in academic research settings, and 4D CAD has been used on a very limited basis for highly complicated specialty projects. However, there are a number of less intensive visualization methods available which may provide some benefit to many agency projects. In this paper, we present the results of a feasibility study examining the use of visualization and simulation applications for improving highway planning, design, construction, and safety and mobility.

Improved Employment Data for Transportation Planning, 1998

Transportation planners typically use census data or small sample surveys to help estimate work trips in metropolitan areas. Census data are cheap to use but are only collected every 10 years and may not provide the answers that a planner is seeking. On the other hand, small sample survey data are fresh but can be very expensive to collect. This project involved using database and geographic information systems (GIS) technology to relate several administrative data sources that are not usually employed by transportation planners. These data sources included data collected by state agencies for unemployment insurance purposes and for drivers licensing. Together, these data sources could allow better estimates of the following information for a metropolitan area or planning region: · Locations of employers (work sites); · Locations of employees; · Travel flows between employees’ homes and their work locations. The required new employment database was created for a large, multi-county region in central Iowa. When evaluated against the estimates of a metropolitan planning organization, the new database did allow for a one to four percent improvement in estimates over the traditional approach. While this does not sound highly significant, the approach using improved employment data to synthesize home-based work (HBW) trip tables was particularly beneficial in improving estimated traffic on high-capacity routes. These are precisely the routes that transportation planners are most interested in modeling accurately. Therefore, the concept of using improved employment data for transportation planning was considered valuable and worthy of follow-up research.

Investigation of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design/DARWin-ME Performance Prediction Models for Iowa Pavement Analysis and Design, 2015

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) was developed under National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 1-37A as a novel mechanistic-empirical procedure for the analysis and design of pavements. The MEPDG was subsequently supported by AASHTO’s DARWin-ME and most recently marketed as AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software as of February 2013. Although the core design process and computational engine have remained the same over the years, some enhancements to the pavement performance prediction models have been implemented along with other documented changes as the MEPDG transitioned to AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software. Preliminary studies were carried out to determine possible differences between AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design, MEPDG (version 1.1), and DARWin-ME (version 1.1) performance predictions for new jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP), new hot mix asphalt (HMA), and HMA over JPCP systems. Differences were indeed observed between the pavement performance predictions produced by these different software versions. Further investigation was needed to verify these differences and to evaluate whether identified local calibration factors from the latest MEPDG (version 1.1) were acceptable for use with the latest version (version 2.1.24) of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design at the time this research was conducted. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to examine AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design performance predictions using previously identified MEPDG calibration factors (through InTrans Project 11-401) and, if needed, refine the local calibration coefficients of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design pavement performance predictions for Iowa pavement systems using linear and nonlinear optimization procedures. A total of 130 representative sections across Iowa consisting of JPCP, new HMA, and HMA over JPCP sections were used. The local calibration results of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design are presented and compared with national and locally calibrated MEPDG models.

Formación de los profesionales de la salud en un contexto asistencial con uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

La enfermera debería incorporar nuevas habilidades en el manejo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) que faciliten el desarrollo de su profesión. En este proceso se plantean dudas y resistencias que pueden convertirse en barreras para el desarrollo de su labor profesional. Las estrategias para vencer resistencias ante las nuevas formas de trabajar pasan por facilitar una formación correctamente planificada y adaptada a los profesionales que deben enfrentarse a estas nuevas tecnologías. Algunos de los aspectos clave relacionados con la formación de las enfermeras ante nuevas competencias y que pueden contribuir a su desarrollo exitoso en los centros asistenciales son la definición de tácticas claras de formación con identificación de buenas prácticas asistenciales como mecanismo conductor, el apoyo a las enfermeras asistenciales por parte de las gestoras que lideran los equipos asistenciales y la identificación de la predisposición de los usuarios frente a la formación. Lograr el éxito en el uso de las TIC puede residir en la participación activa de las propias enfermeras en el proceso formativo planificado, teniendo en cuenta nuevos enfoques asistenciales por vía telemática, como alternativa al actual modelo asistencial, tradicionalmente presencial.

Formación de los profesionales de la salud en un contexto asistencial con uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

La enfermera debería incorporar nuevas habilidades en el manejo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) que faciliten el desarrollo de su profesión. En este proceso se plantean dudas y resistencias que pueden convertirse en barreras para el desarrollo de su labor profesional. Las estrategias para vencer resistencias ante las nuevas formas de trabajar pasan por facilitar una formación correctamente planificada y adaptada a los profesionales que deben enfrentarse a estas nuevas tecnologías. Algunos de los aspectos clave relacionados con la formación de las enfermeras ante nuevas competencias y que pueden contribuir a su desarrollo exitoso en los centros asistenciales son la definición de tácticas claras de formación con identificación de buenas prácticas asistenciales como mecanismo conductor, el apoyo a las enfermeras asistenciales por parte de las gestoras que lideran los equipos asistenciales y la identificación de la predisposición de los usuarios frente a la formación. Lograr el éxito en el uso de las TIC puede residir en la participación activa de las propias enfermeras en el proceso formativo planificado, teniendo en cuenta nuevos enfoques asistenciales por vía telemática, como alternativa al actual modelo asistencial, tradicionalmente presencial.

Work Zone Simulation Model, 1999

To support the analysis of driver behavior at rural freeway work zone lane closure merge points, Center for Transportation Research and Education staff collected traffic data at merge areas using video image processing technology. The collection of data and the calculation of the capacity of lane closures are reported in a companion report, "Traffic Management Strategies for Merge Areas in Rural Interstate Work Zones". These data are used in the work reported in this document and are used to calibrate a microscopic simulation model of a typical, Iowa rural freeway lane closure. The model developed is a high fidelity computer simulation with an animation interface. It simulates traffic operations at a work zone lane closure. This model enables traffic engineers to visually demonstrate the forecasted delay that is likely to result when freeway reconstruction makes it necessary to close freeway lanes. Further, the model is also sensitive to variations in driver behavior and is used to test the impact of slow moving vehicles and other driver behaviors. This report consists of two parts. The first part describes the development of the work zone simulation model. The simulation analysis is calibrated and verified through data collected at a work zone in Interstate Highway 80 in Scott County, Iowa. The second part is a user's manual for the simulation model, which is provided to assist users with its set up and operation. No prior computer programming skills are required to use the simulation model.

Formación de los profesionales de la salud en un contexto asistencial con uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

La enfermera debería incorporar nuevas habilidades en el manejo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) que faciliten el desarrollo de su profesión. En este proceso se plantean dudas y resistencias que pueden convertirse en barreras para el desarrollo de su labor profesional. Las estrategias para vencer resistencias ante las nuevas formas de trabajar pasan por facilitar una formación correctamente planificada y adaptada a los profesionales que deben enfrentarse a estas nuevas tecnologías. Algunos de los aspectos clave relacionados con la formación de las enfermeras ante nuevas competencias y que pueden contribuir a su desarrollo exitoso en los centros asistenciales son la definición de tácticas claras de formación con identificación de buenas prácticas asistenciales como mecanismo conductor, el apoyo a las enfermeras asistenciales por parte de las gestoras que lideran los equipos asistenciales y la identificación de la predisposición de los usuarios frente a la formación. Lograr el éxito en el uso de las TIC puede residir en la participación activa de las propias enfermeras en el proceso formativo planificado, teniendo en cuenta nuevos enfoques asistenciales por vía telemática, como alternativa al actual modelo asistencial, tradicionalmente presencial.

Formación de los profesionales de la salud en un contexto asistencial con uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

La enfermera debería incorporar nuevas habilidades en el manejo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) que faciliten el desarrollo de su profesión. En este proceso se plantean dudas y resistencias que pueden convertirse en barreras para el desarrollo de su labor profesional. Las estrategias para vencer resistencias ante las nuevas formas de trabajar pasan por facilitar una formación correctamente planificada y adaptada a los profesionales que deben enfrentarse a estas nuevas tecnologías. Algunos de los aspectos clave relacionados con la formación de las enfermeras ante nuevas competencias y que pueden contribuir a su desarrollo exitoso en los centros asistenciales son la definición de tácticas claras de formación con identificación de buenas prácticas asistenciales como mecanismo conductor, el apoyo a las enfermeras asistenciales por parte de las gestoras que lideran los equipos asistenciales y la identificación de la predisposición de los usuarios frente a la formación. Lograr el éxito en el uso de las TIC puede residir en la participación activa de las propias enfermeras en el proceso formativo planificado, teniendo en cuenta nuevos enfoques asistenciales por vía telemática, como alternativa al actual modelo asistencial, tradicionalmente presencial.

Formación de los profesionales de la salud en un contexto asistencial con uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación

La enfermera debería incorporar nuevas habilidades en el manejo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) que faciliten el desarrollo de su profesión. En este proceso se plantean dudas y resistencias que pueden convertirse en barreras para el desarrollo de su labor profesional. Las estrategias para vencer resistencias ante las nuevas formas de trabajar pasan por facilitar una formación correctamente planificada y adaptada a los profesionales que deben enfrentarse a estas nuevas tecnologías. Algunos de los aspectos clave relacionados con la formación de las enfermeras ante nuevas competencias y que pueden contribuir a su desarrollo exitoso en los centros asistenciales son la definición de tácticas claras de formación con identificación de buenas prácticas asistenciales como mecanismo conductor, el apoyo a las enfermeras asistenciales por parte de las gestoras que lideran los equipos asistenciales y la identificación de la predisposición de los usuarios frente a la formación. Lograr el éxito en el uso de las TIC puede residir en la participación activa de las propias enfermeras en el proceso formativo planificado, teniendo en cuenta nuevos enfoques asistenciales por vía telemática, como alternativa al actual modelo asistencial, tradicionalmente presencial.

GIS-Based Accident Location and Analysis System (GIS-ALAS) Project Report: Phase 1, 1998

This report summarizes progress made in Phase 1 of the GIS-based Accident Location and Analysis System (GIS-ALAS) project. The GIS-ALAS project builds on several longstanding efforts by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), law enforcement agencies, Iowa State University, and several other entities to create a locationally-referenced highway accident database for Iowa. Most notable of these efforts is the Iowa DOT’s development of a PC-based accident location and analysis system (PC-ALAS), a system that has been well received by users since it was introduced in 1989. With its pull-down menu structure, PC-ALAS is more portable and user-friendly than its mainframe predecessor. Users can obtain accident statistics for locations during specified time periods. Searches may be refined to identify accidents of specific types or involving drivers with certain characteristics. Output can be viewed on a computer screen, sent to a file, or printed using pre-defined formats.

Evaluating the Relationship between the Driver and Roadway to Address Rural Intersection Safety using the SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Data, RB05-013, 2016

Rural intersections account for 30% of crashes in rural areas and 6% of all fatal crashes, representing a significant but poorly understood safety problem. Transportation agencies have traditionally implemented countermeasures to address rural intersection crashes but frequently do not understand the dynamic interaction between the driver and roadway and the driver factors leading to these types of crashes. The Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) conducted a large-scale naturalistic driving study (NDS) using instrumented vehicles. The study has provided a significant amount of on-road driving data for a range of drivers. The present study utilizes the SHRP 2 NDS data as well as SHRP 2 Roadway Information Database (RID) data to observe driver behavior at rural intersections first hand using video, vehicle kinematics, and roadway data to determine how roadway, driver, environmental, and vehicle factors interact to affect driver safety at rural intersections. A model of driver braking behavior was developed using a dataset of vehicle activity traces for several rural stop-controlled intersections. The model was developed using the point at which a driver reacts to the upcoming intersection by initiating braking as its dependent variable, with the driver’s age, type and direction of turning movement, and countermeasure presence as independent variables. Countermeasures such as on-pavement signing and overhead flashing beacons were found to increase the braking point distance, a finding that provides insight into the countermeasures’ effect on safety at rural intersections. The results of this model can lead to better roadway design, more informed selection of traffic control and countermeasures, and targeted information that can inform policy decisions. Additionally, a model of gap acceptance was attempted but was ultimately not developed due to the small size of the dataset. However, a protocol for data reduction for a gap acceptance model was determined. This protocol can be utilized in future studies to develop a gap acceptance model that would provide additional insight into the roadway, vehicle, environmental, and driver factors that play a role in whether a driver accepts or rejects a gap.