Jennifer R. Walton

Improving conceptual estimating methods using historical cost data

Growing needs for the highway system are causing great concern, considering that federal and state funding cannot possibly support all the demands. To maximize the benefit of each allotted dollar, a dependable method for forecasting costs is needed. In 1993, the Federal Highway Administration and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet authorized a study of current estimating methods for highway projects and the development of a better method, if possible. The research led to the development of a computer program, KYEstimate. It uses historical cost data and project length to calculate a unit cost (cost/kilometer or cost/mile), and promises to improve conceptual estimates for highway projects. KYEstimate is most beneficial in the planning stages of a project; the estimate produced should be viewed as a preliminary estimate only. The program has been designed to complement the skills of an estimator, and should make the conceptual estimating process easier and less time consuming. KYEstimate also provides justification and documentation for the estimate. Using their own historical data, other states could also benefit from this type of conceptual estimating.

Best practices for providing traveler information services to motorists at rest areas and welcome centers.

The objective of this study was to look at what Kentucky and other states are doing to provide wireless Internet connectivity (i.e., Wi-Fi service) for motorists at rest areas, weigh stations, and truck rest havens, and to identify technologies and best practices that may have applicability to Kentucky. A secondary objective was to look at the use of kiosks to provide traveler information in rest areas and welcome centers. Information was gathered through a literature review, Internet searches, and telephone interviews with public officials in numerous states. The study identified 18 states that are providing (or have provided) Wi-Fi service to travelers at rest areas and/or welcome centers. Four states were identified for case studies on the use of Wi-Fi. With regard to the use of kiosks, six states were selected for case studies. Based on the information gathered and analysis of the case studies, conclusions and recommendations for Kentucky were developed and presented.

Motor Carrier Tax Consolidation Study

This study analyzed the tax and fee structure for Kentucky motor carriers and details a possible policy scenario for eliminating the weight-distance tax. The report starts out analyzing detailed revenue and rate information for the motor fuel tax, motor fuel surtax, IRP registration fees, intrastate registration fees and the weight distance tax. Consolidation policies in Idaho and Ohio were reviewed, as well as a previous consolidation proposal in Kentucky. A new consolidation framework was developed, where IRP and intrastate plate fees were increased by 180% and the weight-distance tax was eliminated. Projections for weight-distance tax and IRP fees (both current and proposed) were compared to assess the revenue impact on the Road Fund. In addition, the tax/fee burden for motor carriers was assessed to see whether the proposed changes would help or hurt firms of various sizes and operation tendencies. Interstate carriers who log a high percentage of miles in Kentucky, or interstate carriers who run a low number of overall miles per vehicle, would generally see an increased tax burden; motor carriers who log a low percentage of miles on Kentucky roads or a high number of overall miles per vehicle would generally see a diminished tax burden. Virtually all intrastate carriers would have to pay more under the proposed legislative changes.

Local Evaluation for the Cumberland Gap Tunnel Regional ITS Deployment

This report is the local evaluation of an Intelligent Transportation System deployment for the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and U.S. 25E corridor in Tennessee and Kentucky. This report examines the planning for the deployment and the systems and components used to achieve the goals of the deployment. The goals and expectations of the ITS deployment were to provide updated travel information to drivers in the vicinity of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and along the U.S. 25E corridor; to improve the integration of the tunnel systems; to improve incident detection, verification, and response times along the U.S. 25E corridor; and to develop, use, and maintain a Regional ITS Architecture. A Regional ITS Architecture, a Strategic Plan, and an ITS Integration Plan were developed and used as the basis to upgrade and expand existing systems, to deploy regional signage, and to enhance communication. The report includes discussions of institutional involvement and the use of a project champion, along with lessons learned from the deployment.

Kentucky’s Highway Incident Management Strategic Plan

Kentuckys Highway Incident Management Strategic Plan consists of a mission statement, 4 goals, 16 objectives, and 49 action strategies. The action strategies will help Kentucky achieve its primary goals for incident management, which are as follows: 1) improved safety of responders, highway workers, and motorists; 2) reduced traffic delay; 3) improved motorist awareness; and 4) improved responder and highway worker preparedness.

Development, Deployment, and Evaluation of a Remote Monitoring System and a Virtual Weigh Station

In order to extend commercial vehicle enforcement coverage to routes that are not monitored by fixed weigh stations, Kentucky has developed and implemented a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and a Virtual Weigh Station (VWS). The RMS captures images of passing trucks (from the side) and transmits those images to a nearby weigh station. Station personnel can view the images, read the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, and check the number against Kentuckys Clearninghouse of motor carrier data. When a problem is detected with the carriers registration, taxes, or safety record, an officer can be dispatched to intercept the truck, perform the necessary checks, and, if appropriate, take corrective action. The VWS provides the same functionality as the RMS, but adds a weigh-in-motion system, so that enforcement personnel can also screen trucks for apparent weight violations. Preliminary assessments of the performance of the RMS and VWS have been performed. This report describes the RMS and VWS concepts, discusses the results of the prelimary assessments, and presents recommendations for moving forward with additional deployments and testing.

Maintenance and Operations Plan for Intelligent Transportation Systems in Kentucky

This report presents a Maintenance and Operations Plan for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Kentucky. It was developed using substantial stakeholder input and provides recommendations and specific strategies for supporting and coordinating ITS maintenance and operations activities throughout the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. A literature review and national survey helped to identify other states and urban areas that had already completed work on ITS maintenance and operations. From this information, best practices were developed that represented the lessons learned and practices implemented (or suggested for implementation) by these states. Another survey was conducted to determine the current state of ITS maintenance and operations in Kentucky. In addition, a stakeholder forum was held to identify problems and potential solutions related to ITS maintenance and operations. Based on the best practices, Kentuckys ITS maintenance and operations assessment survey, and data from the stakeholder forum, 41 specific recommendations were developed. These recommendations were organized into the following categories: planning/management of maintenance and operations; coordination and communications; documentation, tracking, monitoring, and evaluation; procurement; staffing; training; facilities and equipment; funding; and contracting.

Management and Effective Use of Changeable Message Signs (Final Report)

Changeable message signs (CMSs) are used to communicate accurate, timely, and pertinent information to travelers on Kentuckys roadways. This information helps travelers avoid hazards or delays and respond properly to changing roadway conditions. In an ideal environment, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) would be able to allocate CMSs to various areas of the state based upon changing needs. The location of each sign would be monitored, and the message could be controlled and checked remotely. Currently these capabilities do not exist. KYTC has four different types of portable CMSs in use throughout the state. Each type has different internal and external interfaces, and each requires different replacement parts. Also, there is no policy or guidelines in place for the use of these signs. The decision on how and when the CMSs are used is made at the district level on a case-by-case basis. This research effort includes an evaluation of Kentuckys current inventory and usage of CMSs, identification of key issues associated with the signs, and identification of state and regional policies on the management and use of CMSs. Recommended guidelines for the management and use of CMSs are included in this report.

A Needs Assessment and Technology Evaluation for Roadside Identification of Commercial Vehicles

The Roadside Identification Feasibility Study was undertaken to identify methods of unique identification of commercial vehicles at the roadside for slow and high-speed electronic screening purposes. It was designed to be a comprehensive look at the technologies, focused on the needs of the Federal Highway Administrations Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety (FHWA/OMCHS) and the States

Registration Violations and the Use of Optical Character Recognition Technology at Kentucky Weigh Stations

Commercial vehicles represent 25-30% of the total traffic on urban and rural interstates in Kentucky, and this number continues to grow. While just over 500,000 commercial vehicles were registered in Kentucky in 1991, nearly 1,000,000 were registered in 1997. With commercial vehicles such a large part of our interstate traffic, careful monitoring of these vehicles is critical. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) has long seen the need to efficiently and effectively screen these vehicles to make the roadways safer. As a Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Network (CVISN) Model Deployment state, Kentucky is evaluating its current methods of monitoring commercial vehicles and looking at advanced technology for improvements. The objectives of this research project was two-fold. First, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) investigated to determine if there were a significant number of registration violations or other license plate-related violations occurring at Kentucky weigh stations. A vehicle using an expired license plate, hauling an amount in excess of its registered weight, or traveling in Kentucky without the proper authority was considered to be in violation of its registration. Second, KTC investigated the potential effectiveness of using license plate recognition (LPR) technology to verify registration information at Kentucky weight stations.