Datef/tTlo - onlinepubs.trb.orgonlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/acrp/A11-04/2011CompleteApplication… · Graduate Research Award Program Application: 2010-2011 Page 5 of 11 16. Describe

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Graduate Research Award program Application: 2010_2011 Page 2 of 11

Applicant's name: Datef/tTlo

A completed application checklist and application package cover sheet

Personal information of applicant

Qual ifications of applicant

Research project proposal

Reference letter #1

Reference letter #2

Research advísor form

official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Please list all institutions from which official transcripts have been requested. Transcripts may beincluded in the submission packet if properly sealed from the registrar.

lf official transcripts will be sent separately, please indicate that they have been ordered andinclude an unofficial copy of each of your transcripts in the application package.

Writing Sample

(The writing sample should be submitted with the application. An appropriate writingsample.might be a previous publication, a paper writien for a class assignment, a -research project report, or similar example of professional writing. lf paþers rérà

"o-authored, the role of the applicant must be clearly described. Wiiting såmples may notbe longer than 25 pages.)

Graduate Research Award program Application: 2010-2011 Page 3 of 11

Administered By:Airport Cooperative Research ProgramTransportation Research Board, National Academies

APPLICATION FORM

GRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM ON PUBLIC-SECTOR AVIATION ISSUES

Sponsored By:Federal Aviation Adm inistrationU.S. Department of Transportation

PART I- PERSONAL INFORMATION OF APPLICANT

(Please Type)

'l. Full legal name:Mohammadsaied

Last First

2. Date of birth: 06/19/83

3. Citizenship: IRANIAN

4. Gender: [J ] Male [ ] Femate

5. Ethnicity (optional) :

Middle Former name (if any)

Place of birth: IRAN

6.7.B.

9.10.

I American lndian or Alaskan Native: origin in any of the original peoples of North AmericaI Black: origin in any of the black racial groupsI Hispanic: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central or South America, or other Spanish culture or origin,

regardless of raceI Asian or Pacific lslander: origin in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia,

or the pacific lslands. lncludes China, Japan, Korea, the Philippine lslands, Samoa, and thelndian Subcontinent

J I White: origin in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East

Mailing address: 327 Charles St, Blacksburg, VA, 24060Permanent address: 327 Charles St, Blacksburg, VA, 2406ATelephone numbers - Mailing: Permanent: 540-B0B-8347Email address: [email protected]

9"oLl"gg or University currently enrolled at: Virginia Polytechnic lnstitute and State UniversityMajor Field: Civil and Environmental Engineering (Transportation Asset Management)Degree objective: [ ] Master's [J] DoctorateExpected month and year of graduation: January 2013

Names of two people from whom you are requesting reference letters.

a. Hanif. D. Sheralib. Gerardo Flintsch

Name and title of faculty research advisor for this project:

Gerardo FlintschDirector, Center for Sustainable Transportation lnfrastructure, VTTIAssociate Professor of civil and Environmental Engíneering, Virginia Tech3500 Transportation Research Plaza, Blacksburg, VA 2406j

11.

12.

Graduate Research Award program Application: 201O_2011 Page 4 of 11

PART II- QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANT

(Please Type)

13' Education: ln reverse chronologicalorder, list colleges or universities attended.

ptease explain any interruption(s

ii:11,t:":l::"j'jl:t:::]î': s^ouflr Arrica ¡n zoõ4, ,Åo ÀrJ å very orier research experience w¡h prorAlex Visser and pror. Morris De Beer, studyins south Africa" t";;ü;; ; ,"o,6ä,ff'åi:'ïJJï t

worked for a short time (about a month) ¡n zooa for BEHSAZEH construction company in lran, whichwas licensed by Genesis, a Canadian light steelframe company.

14' Professional Experience. ln reverse chronological order, list professional experience, includingsummer and term-time work.

15' Awards, honors, and publicatíons: List fellowships, scholarships, and other academic and/orprofessionar posítions, herd since entering coilege br un¡uéisäv.

College / University Location MajorField

DatesAttended GPA Degree

Date degreeawarded/expect

ed/irginia Tech /irginia \sset Mgt. rAN 2009- ).94t4 rh.D.¿012

iharif Univ of Technology ehran/lran Iransport )_005-2007 6.04t20 ú.Sc. )-ao7Jniversity of Tehran ehran/lran ivil ¿001-2005 15.53t20 l.Sc. z00s

Nerng of Employer Location f)afce Nature of WorkConsln,^li^^ noo;lIìTehran 2008 h month)

Award, Honor, or publication Date(s) DescriptionLesearch F'ellow anuary 20 I 0-3uest lecturer t- / 1 5 / 20 1 0. McBricle/V]' Presentatiou on global ethicsiuest lecturer

) / I 4 / 2049, McBricle/VT PI'esenfatiorl on crrltrrr-ol ãifRB paper revicwcr Ausust 2008.2009 \ot reviewed fbr 2009)ehghan ancl Vaziri January 2008 008 TRR åntrrel rncer)ehghan anclVaziri ¿008Jenghanl,,þ lrntsch and Meclina lanuary 2010 ¿0101'RB annual meeting pa¡rer

Graduate Research Award Program Application: 2010-2011 Page 5 of 11

16. Describe your career goals and how this research will contribute to achieving those goals (you

may add page(s) if necessary):

I arn rvliting this letter in response to the lec¡uest fbr pro¡rosal of "Grutltr(LÍe Reseorch Au,ru'tl Progrurn orr

Pultlic ,Scclor ,4tiution Lv,s'ue,s " sponsored by ACIì.f. I arn a PhD student fiocusir-rg on trans¡rortationinfì'astrncture asset rnan¿ìgenrent in thc Depafturent of Civil ancl Environmental Engineering at Virginiti'fech. My current resealrh f-ocr¡s is on cleveloping a multiobjective cross-asset marìageurent fl'alnewolkfbr roaclway systerns. This frainework will allor,v eugineers and decisìon makers to iucorporalc rnultipletypes ol'roaciway assets (briclge, 1:avenrent, cuh,el'ts, signai etc.) into one clecision-supporl environrncutand to optimize and coorcliuate the decision making processes (selecting a preservation scerrario,allocating resource, etc.) across all assets u,hile consiclering objectives and goals f'or each type of asset.'lhis l't'aurer,vork u,ill be s¡recilìcally uselul lor rnunicipal and statc agencies that manage sevel'al types olt'oachvay assets. I-lolvever, othel transportatiou asscts such as airllorts are critical inlì'astructures that alsorec¡uire enliancecl rranagelnelìt ¿urcl maintenance systems. Various RFPs in airpclrt ancl aviation systernsponsorecl by ACRP rcveals tlie neecl lor rnore research in this area.'fherefbre, I really \Ä'ant to take thisexccptional rcsearch opporlunity to extencl my stucly area to airporl assets ancl urake contribution to myf irlrrrc goir[s iultl acaclcrnic carecr.

Go¡r,sI rvill continue rny career as a postcloctoral researcher ancl a faculty rnemtrer. I rvill continue uly researchstudies tn"ct¡t¡tl.t;irtg.firutnce unrl o¡terution,y rcscurch.fbr nrunugittg trun,s¡trtrtution u,ç,çeÍs." Mycoursewot'k plan in fiuance and operations research r.vill help me to meet my goals as a PhD student ancl

as a postdoctoral ancl faculty resealrher in the future. I will urajor in trut,s¡xtrlutirnt usset m(ut(tgenxetttancl rnitror in opcraÍions rcsaorch ancl.financc wllich rvill make a brighter lirtr"lre l'or my acaclemic caffier.I have plannecl to cor-rtinuc my postdoctoral stuclies in operations rcsearch division o1'transpofiationengineering school at a highly regarcled Uuivelsity, such as MIT.

Co¡qlnlnu'rloN or,' Ttlrs nESBAncItThis proposed pro-ject will improve my experience in air transportatiou inlrastructures and ptrves the loacltbr rny future studies in this area ancl will significantly contribute to achieving a urore successlìrlacadcnlic cart:er. I am really keen to extencl my research area into airport lnaníìgcmclìt systerns. I l'racl

bceninvolveclinlrreparingalxolrosalassocìateclrvithairporlassetrlanagement(ACRP01-16). Ibelievethat operations rcsearch is uot only benefìcial to airport opcration planning (l'leet assignment, aircraftrouting. crew schecluling) but also to enltancing the rnarrager.ncnt, maintcnancc and decisìon makingprocess fbr the inlì'astructr.rlc assets ol airports.In addition to supporting my future acaclerlic c¿ìrcer, this research opporlnnity will undeniably have agrcat contribution to rny cru'rclrt Ph[) research as it u,ill expancl lny currerlt research alea fl-om roach,vay

¿rssets to airports asse{s. The fbllorving figule summarizes the rnethodology that I arn proposing f'ordeveloping the roadrvay cross-asset marlagemelìt fiamervork to cleate tlie version for the airport. Theoutcomc of'this project rvill be integrated into my PhD clisserlation ancl rvill help me cleveiop a flexibleasset managernent fiameu,ork r.vhich is aclaptable to various types of infrastlucture assets (roachvay,airport, etc.) ancl is applicable fbr a wide range of infi'astmcture agencies. I willtrenefit fì'our clistinguishedanrl outstancling supen isors that are also rny research committee mernbers ancl ale very well-knou'n inoperatious research, asset managenlent, ancl infì'astr¡.rcture manageurent fiuance that rvill assist rne withthe pro.f ect accomplishnrent.'Iilìs rcsearclt proglaln is au outstancling opportunity ibr rne . It is celtainly impoflant f'or rny current PhDstudies ancl rny fìrtule acaclemic c¿ìreel'. I an"r really looking lbrrvalcl to taking this great researchoplrortunity. Pleasc Ièel liee to contact me il'you have any questious.

Sincerely,

Mohamm¿rdsai ed Dchghani sanijResearch FellowVirginia f'ech Transportation histitr.rte3500'Iransportatioll Research Plarza, Blacksburg, VA 24061


RoadwayGross-assetFramework

AirportFramework

Current Assets

Conditions F;"ill F""l r""'.*'q

I affirm that the information p.p"r{in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge'

sisnature of the Apptic ^n,.#A. Þ--.h \,*.; Date..04ll/ tD

'l

scenæios based

il p-r"mmc ves,es rPMl I ii,'ii.i

Revising scenarios bæed

on feedbacks

Comparing the

outcomes with goals

ûø69õ8ë5.9oE

(L

co-gJ.EU)

INOTE: Thís apptìcation ìs not coínplete without a signature.]

Graduate Research Award Program Appl¡cation: 2010-2011 Page 7 of 11

APPLIGATION FORM

GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD PROGRAM ON PUBLIC-SECTOR AVIATTON ISSUES

Sponsored BY: Administered BY:

fäOeralAviaúon Administration Airport Cooperative Research Program

U.S. Department of Transportation Trånsportation Research Board, National Academies

PART III -RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

(Please Type)

Name: Dehghanisanij Mohammadsaied Date May 17 ' 2010

Last First Middle

Title of Research Project:

Mur,rr-osJEcrtvE Fn.¡nanwoRK FoR Mnir¡,rctxc AlnpoRr INrR¿.s'rnucruRE AssB'rs

ln 500 words or less, describe the proposed research project' lnclude project objectives'

methodology, and expected outcomes. Also indicate how this research work could benefit the

aviation community, and contribute to your career goals'

[Please attach additional sheets as needed']

On¡ncrrynThe objective of this proposed research is to develop a decision support framework to enhance

management, p."rr*ãtion and funding processes across airports infrastructure assets in a

multiile-objectìve/multi-constraint, .rrui-ro*ent. Airports consist of a large and varied number

of infrastructure assets or components. Each of these assets has its own characteristics, which

require a different set of knowlãdge-base and expertise. The processes and decision-support tools

used for managing the various asset class", oft"n use different definitions, metrics, valuation

upprouch"s, unã ñfor*ation managernent methods. Tlpically, airports have to adopt one or

more engineering management systems for individual assets. Examples of such systems include

pavement Managementiystems (PMS), which are commonly used in medium to large airports'

Howover, we believe that manag"*.ni frameworks for resource allocation within individual

asset classes do not optimally address the overall airport strategic plls' A cross-asset

management framework ìot onþ optimizes the resource allocation across airport infrastructure

assets but also enhances the decision making process for management and preservation of assets

at strategic and Planning levels.

MnrHoDoLocYWe will use a methodology similar to "roadway asset management fram-ework" proposed for my

phD research study to develop a management framework for airport infrastructure assets. First,

we will identiff best practi"". fro- alrports collecting information on airports policies /goals,

p"rfor-*"" rr,ät i", used for various asset types, resource allocation practices and tools, and the

management system mechanism in each uióàrt. We will also collect data on performangg and

maintenance history for different assets. Applying our proposed framework, for different

preservation/maintenance scenarios the probabiiisticiist¡bution of the outcomes (in terms of

performance measures) will be generated-in a simulation environment for each type of asset with

regard to differeni oújectives/ónstraints. we will then determine the overall "asset value"

which represents the overall condition of each asset type. The asset value will be used in a

feedback mechanism to modify the resource allocation process. This means that if the

management system and the flow of resources result in low condition (value) for one asset tlpe

relative to others, the system will recommend to modiff the budget allocation and the

preservation altematives so that the condition of all assets and thus, the asset values will be

upgraded consistently. For this purpose, the framework will utilize optimization and soft

cäírputing techniques to determitr" itr" optimal distribution of resource across different asset

types. The resouåe allocated to each assèt category is then distributed within each asset class

for a network and project level management. we will implement the framework in a case study

for the Roanoke "i^tp"tt.

The results õill enable us to calibrate and modiff the framework to be

applicable by airport management agencies based on their constraints (data availability and

budgeting limitations).

CONTNIBUTTON

This research proposal will provide an exceptional opportunity to implement the management

framework on a different infrastructure system (roadwayà airport) and to expand my current

research area to airport infrastructure assets. Adoption of the developed framework will also

facilitate the communication among roadway and airport agencies.

Graduate Research Award Program Application: 2010-2011

APPLICATION FORM


Sponsored By:Federal Aviation Adm inistrationU.S. Department of Transportation

Page I of 11


PART IV - REFERENCE LETTER ON APPLICANT

(Please Type)

This section to be comoleted bv Aoplicant:

NameofApplicant:Dehghanisanij Mohammadsaied Date May 17,2O1OLast First Middle

Applicant's major field of study : Civil Engineering (Transportation Asset Management)

Title of Proposed Research Project:

Mulrr-oSJECTrvE FnnlvrnwoRK FoR MaNacr¡¡c AlRponr INnnasrnuc'I'uRB AssRrs

This section to be comÞleted bv reference respondent:

NOTE: This appticant has named you as one of two people who know hidher academic and professional

experience and ability. Your views will help us evaluate this applicant's qualifications for receiving anaward for conducting research on the above proiect.

Please complete this form, make another copy, and place each copy in a separate envelope. Sealboth envelopes, sþn each across úhe seal, and return BOTH envelopes to the applicant forinclusion with the applÍcation to be submitted to the Transportation Researcå Board.

Name of Reference Respondent:

Ti¡e: Arççr>.¿ü-<-6e^..rús Ftl*1s",1"

Organization:

Mailing address:

Emailaddress:

ln what capacity do you know the applicant? f\.:o,)ev,*ù c frduìs, rHow long have you known the applicanlu I ' 6 ?<,*'rE

Phone: 5to -11t 'qzz'l


PART lV: Page 2

1. Please evaluate the applicant in the following areas as compared with other individuals of

comparable training, age and experience'

necessary.

Pt.*:,r t.< \e c;o wt vn e*n-roU\, sr^

available to the

2.

3.

please comment on the ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed research in a timely

manner. , r \ , \C.[*ld$.\.,v.^ orrstt €€'\d \s tî **f,u-.- t'- q aor4n,ttcd tt

b. c.bL \o .Ð*¿^,J .\^s u

*uou.i,. '[þt''-"'-'l,"\'please add any other comments that you .on.ìd"r to be pdrÌinent to the evaluation of the

applicant and that "r"

nãt covered aOäquatãi' Oy you. otirer answers. Attach additional sheet(s) if

CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this

ãpplicant or otherwise publicly disclosed except as rec

Signature of Reference Respondent:

)utstandinçAbove

averageAverage

Belowaverage

lnsufficientopportunitY to

observe

ftowledge of major field

lesearch skills)roblem solving skills

SreativitY

-eadershiPA/ritten communication

r'Jral communication

letter shall not be

Gerardo W, Flintschõ'it""tot, C

"nter for Sustai nable Transportation I nf rastruc{ ure

Ë;;i;ãùiessor of Givil and Environmental Engineering

3500 Transportation Research Plaza, Blacksburg' VA' 24061-0536

540-231-9748E-ma¡l : fl ¡ntsch(Ovt.edu

Fax: 540-231 -1 555

www.vtti.vt.edu

May 17,2010

Io: ACRP Graduate Research Award Program selection committee

From: Gerardo FlintsctU

Associate professor, The Via Department of Civil and Environment Engineering

Director, center for sustainable Transportation Infr astructure

Ref:MohammadsaiedDehghanisanijAwardNomination

It is a pleasure to recommend Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij for the AcRP graduate research

award program. I have been Mohammadsaied's research advisor for almost two years at

virginia Tech. His outstanding research skills have made him capable of working on wide

spectrum of projects ,o"t * "Sllash and Spray Assessment Tools" and "Cross-asset Resource

Allocation Optimization." Móhammadsaied is an outstanding student and has exemplary

capability for analyzing different t.t.."tt p*blems, leading tasks, and providing right-to-the-

point comments. â""írr." of his u"u¿"-i, abilities and intellectual curiosity' he has not only

contributed to on-going research p-¡"ctr, urrt he has also cooperated with us in preparing various

proposals (including one in response to nCnp 01-16), which is rather unique for a graduate

student. Mohammadsaied has also been selected to receive one of our Prestigious SAIC

Fellowship based on his exemplary performance and grades in the first year'

I think that it is important to mention his extraordinary enthusiasm during the preparation of this

application. He tras tra¿ several *".ffi *ittt *. a$ gther colleagues to prepare a research

team (including proß. Sherali utd frurriiãnd request f-eedback and input' Mohammadsaied has

outstanding abilities for defining probláms, solrring thoge ptobl"Tl and providing solutions'

The courses that te tras taken ,o-A, have áade hiri well qualifred for research in airport asset

management and r am strongly confident that, given his organization and academic abilities' he

will aãcomplish this project within the timeline'

Therefore, I have no hesitation recoÍrmending Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij for this Research

Award. He is one of our most creative and tafented student, and I believe that he has a brilliant

future in the academic field. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you had any questions'

I,Çardo Flintsch, Ph.D.

sociateProfessorofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringrector, Center for Sustainable Transportation Infr astructure

0-231-9748Fax:540-231-1555E-mail:flintsch@'vt'edu

lnvent the Future

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITYAn equal opportunity' aff irmative action institution

Graduate Research Award Program Application: 2010-2011

APPLICATION FORM


Page 7 of 10

Sponsored BY:

Federal Aviation Adm inistrationU.S. Department of Transportation


PART IV - REFERENCE LETTER ON APPLICANT

(Please Type)

This section to be comoleted bv Aoplicant:

Name of Applicant: DehghanisanijLast

MohammadsaiedFirst Middle

Date 10 May 2010

Applicant's major field of study: Civil Engineering (lnfrastructure Asset Management)


MULTI-OBJECTIvE Fn¡*rcWORK Í'oR Mlx¡,CrxC ArnrOnr INrn¡,SrnUcTURE AssnrS

This section to be comoleted bv reference respondent:

NOTE: This appticant has named you as one of two peopte who know his/her academic and professional

eiper¡ence ,rA "øitity.

your views witt hetp us evaluate this appticant's qualifications for receiving an

award for conducting research on the above proiect'

Please complete this form, make another copy, and ntage- 919h copy in a separate envelope' Seal

both envelopes, sign each across fhe seal, ànd return BOTH envelopes to the applicantfor

inclusion with the apii¡cat¡on to be submitted to the Transpoñation Research Board'

Name of Reference ResPondent: htraTitle: [i3.SOrganization: V ìr--qttrrìc\: I e*c Y\

Maitins address: ;f -S Ci .Tt ur !,n* l\., \ ) - 0 I ttir",

"oor"rr, ffi . .' ,\ u phone: 5 +o .13 1 5 {.1#

Vln what capacity do you know the applicant?

-As a research committee memberJ-

How long have you known the applicant?

-One

yearj-


PART lV: Page 2

1. please evaluate the applicant in the following areas as compared with other individuals of

comparable training, age and experience'

Aboveaverage

AverageBelow

average

lnsufficientopportunitY to

observeJt¡tùtal lwl¡ l\

(nowledge of major field X

ìesearch skillsx

rroblem solving skillsx

)reativity x

-eadershipx

Â/ritten com m u nication x

)ral communication X

2. please comment on the ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed research in a timely

manner.

Mr. Dehghanisanij is a hard working and diligent student who is very likely to carry out the

proposed research in a timely fashion'

3. please add any other comments that you consider to be.pertinent to the evaluation of the

appticant ano thãt are not covered áàåõr"t"lv by your otirer answers. Attach additional sheet(s) if

necessary.

Please see attached letter.

CONFIDENTIALITy: The information contained in this reference letter shall not be available to the

ãppficant or otherwise publicly disclosed except as required by law.

Signature of Reference Respondent:

¿t4 t A¿J Date: s/10/10

$VirgÍniaTêchCotlege of Engineering

May 10,2010

Evaluation CommitteeAirport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)

Re: Recommendation for Mohammadsaied Dehghani for ACRP award proglam

Dear Committee Members:

I am delighted to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij in support

of his application to the'oGraduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues"' Being

on his dissertation committee, I know Mr. Dehghanisanij-'s for about a year. our meetings and discussions

on his research progtess have shown the great potential he has for making notable contributions'

Mr. Dehghanisanij has performed admirably well in 1!: ._1*t9 ISE 5405: Optimization I in the

Department of fn¿ustriål and System Engineering (ISE). He plans on taking follow-on courses dealing

with nonlinear optimization, stochastic processes] ànd project evaluation in our department' which will be

.,n.ry "r"n

f for hìs ph¡ ,"r"ur.h and also for the overlãpping research he has proposed for your program'

I must also make note of Mr. Dehghanisanij's exceptioni uõu¿"rnic performance'-He is among the top

distinguished students with a nigh-cre, urra t .upàule of performing multiple tasks with favorable

results despite deadline pressures. His research is creative ãnd insightful, and I therefore strongly

recommen-d him for this research study opportunity'

If you have any further questions in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact me' Thank you for your

consideration.

Sincerely,

¿t.'4 Ç A'uHanif D. Sherali

University Distinguished Professor, and

W. Thomas Rice Chaired Professor of Engineering

Grado Department of lndustrial and Systems Engineering

250 Durham Hall(0118)Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

540/231 -6656 F ax: 5401231-3322

E-mail: [email protected]

Invent the Future

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITYAn equal opportun¡ty, aftirmative act¡on ¡nstitution


APPLICATION FORM

GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD PROGRAM ON PUBLIC-SECTOR AVIATION ISSUES

Sponsored By:Federal Aviation AdministrationU,S. Department of Transportation

Administered BY:

Airport Cooperative Research ProgramTransportation Research Board, National Academies

To be completed bv the aoPlicant:

NOTE: ln order to enrich the educational experience gained from your proposed rese.arch proiect, it is

necessa(y for you to request a facutty membär from yõur univers.ity who is faltiliar with your resgqch .

project to act as a research advisor io you during the course of the proiect, Pleale nrgvide the following

informatian and ask the facutty member to comltete the form. You shoutd submit it with your application.

The research advisor may also be a reference respondent'

PART V - FACULTY RESEARCH ADVISOR

Applicant's Name: Dehghanisanij MohammadsaiedLast First Middle

Date May 13,2010


MULTI.OBJE,CTIVE FR¡.NNTWORK FOR MAXICTNG ATRPORT INNN¿STNUCTURE ASSNTS

To be completed by the facultv research advisor

NoTE:Theresearch@recipientscanbeconsiderablyenhancedifafacultymember at the appticän(s university acts as an advisor to the applicant during the conduct of the

research. Thereiore, each appticait is required to designate such an advisor who will be available to

him/her throughout the couise of the research proiect lo providg advice as it progresses. When research

papers by award winners are published by the'Tránspoiation Research Board, the faculty member will be

identified as fhe research advisor.

Faculty Research Advisor's Name: Gerardo W. Flinstch

Title: AssociateProfessorDepartment: Civil and Environmental Enqineerinq

University: Virqinia TechMailing Addiess: 3500 Transportation Research Plaza -.Etail'- flinttch@ut."du Phone: 540-951-4783

1. Have you examined the applicant's proposed research plan? Yes -X-

No

2. Do you consider the applicant's research plan reasonable? Yes -X-

No

lf no, please comment.

Gerardo W. Flintschõ¡recto., Center for Sustainable Transportation lnfrastructure

AJ;;i"i; Èrof"""ot of c ivil a nd E nvironmental E ng i neeri n g

3500 Transportdion Research Plaza' Blacksburg' VA' 24061-0536

540-231-9748E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: 540-231 -1 555www.vtti.vt.edu

May 17,2010

To: ACRP Graduate Research Award Program Selection Committee

From: GerardoFlintsct¡Associate Professor, The Via Department of Civil and Environment Engineering

Director, Center for Sustainable Transportation Infr astructure

Ref: Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij AwardNomination

It is a pleasure to recommend Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij for the ACRP graduate reseafch

awafd progfam. I have been Mohammadsaied's research advisor for almost two years at

virginia Tech. His outstanding research skills have made him capable of working on wide

speãtrum of projects such as "Sllash and Spray Assessment Tools" and "Cross-asset Resource

Allocation optimization.,, Móhammadsaied is an outstanding student and has exemplary

capability for analyzing different research problems, leading tasks, and providing rightto-the-

point comments. Becaluse of his academic abilities and intellectual curiosit¡ he has not only

contributed to on-going research projects, but he has also cooperated with us in preparing various

proposals (including one in response to ACRP 01-16), which is rather unique for a graduate

student. Mohammadsaied has also been selected to receive one of our Prestigious SAIC

Fellowship based on his exemplary performance and grades in the first year'

I think that it is important to mention his extraordinary enthusiasm during the preparation of this

application. He has had several meetings with me a1d gther colleagues to prepare a research

team (including Proß. Sherali and Traniiand request feedback and input' Mohammadsaied has

outstanding abilities for defining problåms, solving those problem1, and providing solutions'

The courses that he has taken so far have made him well qualified for research in airport asset

management and I am strongly confident that, given his organization and academic abilities' he

will aócomplish this project within the timeline'

Therefore, I have no hesitation recoûlmending Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij for this Research_ l-^- ^ L-:11:^-+

is one of our most creative and talented student, and I believe that he has a brilliant

academic freld., Please do not hesitate to contact me if you had any questions'

fo FlintsctU Ph.D.iate professor of civil and Environmental Engineering

ctor, Center for Sustainable Transportation Infr astructure

231-9748 Fax: 540-231-1555 E-mail: flintsch@vt'edu

Award. Hefuture in the

Invent the Future

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITYAn equal opportunity, affirmative action ¡nstitut¡on

In The Name Of GodTra ipt of UniversiW Grades

Date: 09/0

ffi'ffi:iiË

UniversityTehran

1/2008 1of 3

Student No:810280097

First Name: MohammadSaied

Last Name: Dehghanisanij

ID. No:785

Date of e¡rth: 06/19/1983

G ra d uate D atet 09 I 22 I 2005

FacultY: ENGINEERING

Department: CIVIL ENGINEERING

Major: ç1y1¡ ENGINEERINc

Total Passed Units: 141of

GPA: 15.53

Level: Bachelor

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

B

8120025

8120098

8120071

8120115

8120053

8120121

8120106

8120012

Computer Programming

Islamic Knowledge IPersian Language IPhysics IEnglish Language I

Calculus IIndustrial Drawing IPhysics Lab. I

3

2

3

3

3

3

2

1

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

14,40

20.00

18,00

12.50

17.00

13.75

18.50

18.00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

B

8120097

8102026

8720r22

BTO2ITT

8102020

8120021

8120116

B 120100

Differential Equations

Princi. of Arch. & Urban Planning

Calculus IIEngineering Geology

Statics

Islamic Revolution &Its Origin

Physics IIIslamic Knowledge II

3

2

3

2

3

2

2

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

15.75

15.50

13.75

16.00

12.00

17.50

17.40

20.00

1 8102409

2 BL0229L

3 8120017

4 BLO2LZB

s 8102277

6 8120095

7 8120096

B 8102323

Environmental Engineering

Strength of Materials IProbabilities & Statistics

Dynamics

Construction Materials

Islamic Texts

Numerical Computation Methods

Surveying & Operations I

2

3

3

2

2

2

2

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

16.00

14.50

16.00

13.75

14,00

20.00

15.50

Incomplete

AC year 01 _ 02 lsr Semester

Semester Passed Unitr 20 Semester Units: 20 Semester GPA: 16.10

AC Year 01 - 02 2nd Semester

Semester Passed Unit: 20 Semester Units: 20 Semester GPAr 15.73

AC Year 02 - 03 1st Semester

Semester Passed Unit: 17 Semester Units: 19 Semester GPA: 15,51

Transcriot of Uni GradesDate: 09/0U2008 Page 2of 3

Student No: 810280097

First Name: MohammadSaiedLast Name: Dehghanisanij

craduate Date: 09 | 221 2005

Faculty: ENGINEERINGDepartment: CIVIL ENGINEERING

MaJOT: CIVIL ENGINEERING

Level: Bachelor

AC year 02 _ 03 2nd Semester Semester Status: Normal

Row Crs.No Crs.Title CR Crs.Mode Grade

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

B

8120028

8102105

8102323

8102094

8102369

8120027

8102300

8r02292

Physical Education IConcrete Technology

Surveying & Operations IStructural Analysis ISoil Mechanics

History of Islam

Fluid Mechanics

Strength of Materials II

1

2

2

J

3

2

3

2

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

20.00

13.75

15.50

i3.5018.00

17.50

16.50

11.00

Semester Passed Unit: 18 Semester Units: 18 Semester GPA: 15,53

AC Year 03 - 04 lst Semester SemesterStatus: Normal

Row Crs,No Crs,Title CR Crs.Mode Grade

1 8120003

2 8102349

3 8102195

4 8102189

5 8102169

6 8102339

7 8t02264

B 8102095

9 8102368

Islamic Education & Ethics IHydraulics

Steel Structures IReinforced Concrete struct IProfessional Language

Hydrology

Construc.Cost Estimate & Proj

Structural Analysis IIHighway Engineering

2

2

2

3

2

2

1

2

2

N

N

N

N

W

N

N

N

N

20.00

14.25

i4.9013.00

1s.00

Incomplete

12.50

11.50

Semester Passed Un¡Í 15 Semester Units: 18 Semester GPA: 14,35

AC Year 03 - 04 2nd Semester Semester Status: Normal

Row Crs.No Crs.Title CR Crs,Mode Grade

1 8102197

2 8102084

3 8102039

4 8102404

5 8102309

6 8102306

7 8102264

B 8102190

9 8102261

10 8120013

11 8102014

t2 8102078

13 8102069

Steel Structures IIFoundation Engineering

Loading

Modelling of Structures

Transpoftat¡on Engineering

Water & Sewage Engineering

Construc.Cost Estimate & Proj

Reinforced Concrete Struct IIConstruction Equipments

Physics Lab. IIGeology Lab

Water Supply & Sewage Project

Foundation Engineering Project

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

1

1

N

N

N

W

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

12.30

16.75

17.50

18.50

11.00

19.00

16.25

13.00

16.50

16.00

Incomplete

Incomplete

Semester Passed Unit: 17 Semester Units: 2l Semester GPA: 15.42

Transcriot of U Grades

Dater 09/01/2008 Page 3of 3

Student No: 810280097

First Name; MohammadSaiedLast Name: Dehghanisanij

Graduate Datet 09 I 2212005

Faculty: ENGINEERINGDepartment: CIVIL ENGINEERING

Majon CIVIL ENGINEERING

Level: Bachelor

AC year 04 - Os lst Semester Semester Status: lttormal


1 8102073

2 8102078

3 8i02069

4 BIO2L4B

5 8102418

6 8120123

7 8102060

B 8102169

9 8102027

i0 8120029

11 8102018

Reinforced Concrete struct. Pro

Water Supply & Sewage Project

Foundation Engineering Project

Pavement Engineering

Soil Improuement Technics

Population & Family Control

Hydraulic Structures

Professional Language

Engineering Economics

Physical Education IIHydraulics Lab

1

1

1

2

2

1

3

2

2

1

1

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Incomplete

17.00

13.00

16.00

17.50

20.00

15.25

17.00

14.00

16.50

18.00

Semester Passed Unit: 16 Semester Units: 17 Semester GPA¡ 16.20

AC year 04 - Os 2nd Semester Semester Status: Normal

Row Crs.No Crs.T¡tle CR Crs.Mode Grade

r 8102449

2 8102091

3 8102109

4 8102311

5 8102155

6 8102023

7 8102073

B 8102074

9 8102070

10 8102017

11 8102013

72 8102015

SITE INVESTIGATION

Mechanical & Electrical Instal

Tunnel Engineering

Traffic Engineering

Construction Methods

Principles of Earthquake Eng.

Reinforced Concrete struct. Pro

Steel Structure Project

Highway Engineering Project

Soil Mechanics Lab

Pavement Lab

Construction Materials Lab

2

2

2

2

3

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

N

N

N

14.25

18.50

15.00

12.50

15.50

19.00

Incomplete

Incomplete

15.50

14.50

16.00

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Semester Passed Unit! 16 Semester Units: 20 Semester GPA: 15,28

AC year 04 - 05 3rd Semester Semester Status: Graduate


1

2

3

8102070

8102074

870225r

Highway Engineering Project

Steel Structure Project

Training I

1 N

N

15.00

13.00

17.00

I2

Semester Passed Unit:2 Semester Units: 2 Semester GPA: 14,00

JALILf S¡i

D

END OF TRANSCRIPT

'P yå

\çoÁ"i,\ (--l! ryÐ

\;a. ,.'¡J ¿-tl tìj\---lreateDate: 2008/09/01

NOT VALID WITHOUT AND SEAL OF REGISTER

SHARIF UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

STUDENT NUMBER: 84203359

LAST NAME: DEHGHANI SANIJ

FIRST NAME: MOHAMMAD SAIED

B. C. NO.:785COURSE NO COURSE TITLE UNIT GRADE COURSE NO

3.0 16.4

3.0 15.2

3.0 14.3

9.0 15.30

9.0 15.30

3.0 15.2

3.0 15.7

3,0 15.0

3.0 13.8

1.0 18.5

13.0 15.2Q

22.0 15.24

r 5.0

19.0

DEPT:CIVIL ENG

PROGRAM: M.Sc. / ROAD & HIGHWAY

B. Y.:1983

Page: 1 of 1

ISSUED ON: 03-09-2008

UNIT GRADECOURSE TITLE

20-014 +20-551 +

20-558 =

20-553 +

20-583 +20-596 =20-895 +

20-929 +

20-581 +

20-91 0 +

FALL SEM 2005.2006ADV ENG MATH

ADV TRAFFIC ENG

ADV PAVEMENT DSGN

SEMESTER UNITS, AVERAGE

TOTAL UNITS GAINED,CUM AV

SPR|NG SEM 2005-2006BOADWAY DESIGN

RAILWAY DSGN ENG

PAVEMENT MNGMT

SPECIAL TOPICROAD & TRSP SEMINAR



FALL SEM 2006-2007

PUBLIC TRANSPOHT

MSC PROJECT

3.0

5.0



SPRING SEM 2006-2007

20-910 + MSC PROJECT

20-91 0 +



FALL SEM 2007-2008MSC PROJECT

8.0 17.50

30.0 ,l5.84

2.0 19.0

2.0 19.00

32.0 16.04

NC0.0

SEMESTER UNITS, AVERAGE O.O

TOTAL UNITS GAINED,CUM AV 32.0 16.04

COMPLETED REQ FOR M,SC. DEGREE

NO ENTRY BELOW THIS LINE

Abv: W: Withdraw J: ln Progress P_EX: Excelent CR: Credit Recieved

P: Pass l: lncomplete P_VG: VeryGood NC: No CrediVProject Complete

F: Fail N: Not Available P_GD: Good EP: Examination Postponed

D: Dishonesty \: Make Up Course P-FA: Fair =: B Sc./M.Sc. Course

X: Audlted +: M.Sc, NP: Not Passed &: Optional M.Sc./Ph.D. Course.: Ph.D. S: Satisfied O: Gourses of First Major Ø: Courses of Second Major

U: Unsatisfied WP: Withdraw (Passed State) WF: Withdraw (Failed State) R: Research in Progress

NOTES: 1- Numerical Grades Range from 0 to 20, Pass¡ng Grade is 12

2- Univ & Dept Avg. Based on Last Recorded Sem. are Respectively 16.2,15.87. Dept GPA for this class of students is 16.04.

This unofficial transcript has been issued solely for the student information and possible use for

provisional admisslon to the graduate school. The official transcript will be provided upon written

request to: ACADEMIC VICE CHANCELLOR, SHARIF UNIVERSITY OF TECH., P.O. BOX 1 1155-8639 Tehran, lran

NOT VALID WITHOUT SIGNATURE AND EMBOSSED SEAL OF THE REGISTRAR

'¡ l.'".!¡-'

Virginia Tech fHE NAME OF THE UNIVERSIÍY IS PRINTED IN.MAROON ACROSS THE FACE OF fHÉ 11 X 81Æ TRANSCRIPT

BROWN STAIN ¡NÞIOATES UNAUTHOFIZED ALTERATIONS

A BLAOI( AND WHITE TR.ANSCÊIPT IS NOT OFFICIAL

THE WORO COPY APPÉANS WHÊN PHOTOCOPIEDOffice of the University Registrar . Blacksburg, VA 24061suudent, Name: Dehghani sanij, Mohanunad SaiedStudent ID: 905 40 3807Date of Birth: ,JUN 19, 1983 STUDENT'S RECORD

TILIe

Graduate Regular'Post Maste:1s

MjÀiIOR: Civil Engineering

Spring Semeeter 2009Infras.tr Con AssessÀdvanced Pavemen! DesignseminarSS : Ir¡frastructure Àsset MgÈResearch and Dlesertation

CEECEECEECEECEE

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FaIl Semester 2009Pav/Brdg Inf lfgt: SYsRegearch and DiEsertationOptlmization .

TERM GPÀ: 3.90Cum GFA: 3.90

CEE r 5754r 3cEE' '1994, . 6

fSE .: 5405 , 3

72

.A L2.0EO ,EQU CÀ 12.0

24.0905 40 3807 TERM GPÀ: 4.00

Cum GPÀ: 3.94

Iû Progress: Spring Semeeter 2010Research and Dissertation CEE 7gg4 L2Adv Engr.Reeearch uethods ENGE 6604 3 .Top.lcg, Interdíeciplinary Res GRÀD ' 5134 3 '* * * * * I * * * * * * * * *E¡td Of Graduate RêCOfd* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **End Of TfAf¡gCf ipt * * * ** * * * * * *-* * * * * ** * *: Printed: MAY 10,:2010 : ,

This offioial runiversitytranscript is pr¡nted onsecured paperand does not requirea raised seal.

tt//'*-4,-*¿V*Wanda Hankins DeanUniversity Registrar

TranscriPt Delivered

,llttxJlÈiitil¡.gel-of 1

i

tN ACCORDANCE WtrH USC 43S (6) (4) (8) (THE FAN4|Ly EDUCATTONAL Fì|GHTS AND pFìrVACy ACT OF 1974) YOU ARÊ HEREBY NOTIFIED THAÍ rHls lNFoÊMATloN

IS PROVIDÉD UPON THÊ CONDITION THAT YOU, YOUR AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES, WILL NOT PÊRMIÍ ANY OTHEH PARTY ACCESS TO THIS RECORD WTHOUT

CONSENT OF THE STUDENT. ALTERATION OF THIS TRANSCRIPT Ñ¡AY BE A CRII\¡INAL OFFENSE.

1

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l415

l6t718

t9202l2223

24

A Fr-,nxrBLE Fn¡'unwoRK FoR

SUSTUNABLE MUT,TT.OBJECTTVN CNOSS-ASSET

INTN¡,STRUCTUNN M¿.NAGEMENT

Mohammadsaied Dehghanisanij I

Graduate Research ns.istarrt, Center for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure, VTTI

Uir*i"i" Polytechnic lnstitute and State University, Blacksburg,V ^24061-0105

Email: mdehehan(ràvt. edu

Gerardo W. Flintsch, P.8., Ph.D'Associate professor,îia Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech

Director, Center for Sustainâble Transportation Infrastructure, VTTI

3500 Transportation Research Plaza,

virginia Poiytechnic lnstitute and state university, Blacksburg,v ^24061-0105phoîe : 6 40i 23 | _g7 4g, fax: (5 40) 23 | -7 532, email: fl intsch@ vt. edu

Alejandra Medina, M.S.E.President, FM Consultants,

402 Seminole Dr, Blacksburg, V ^

24060

Phone: (540) 951-4783,email: medinafl [email protected]

Number of words: 3160 (text) + 1000 (4 Figures):4160

Submitted for presentation and publication at 89ü Annual Meeting of the Transportation

Research Board

I Corresponding Author

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

TRB 2010 AnnualMeeting CD-ROM Paper revised from original submittal'

Dehghani, Flintsch, and Medina

36 ABSTRACT

37 The deterioration of infrastructure assets and systems that had been constructed over the past few

3g decades has become a significant challenge. Budget constraints and resource limitations along

39 with the attention to the concept of sustainable dwelopment in economical, environmental and

40 social terms have urged the use of more efficient and optimized approaches for managing and

4l operating assets. This has led engineers and decision makers to manage these infrastructures

42 .rrirrg -rrtti-objective and multilconstraint domain. On the other hand, interactions and

43 interdepend"rr"i., between different types of assets along with the structure of many agencies

44 coping with multiple assets has revealèd the need for further understanding of the conc-ept of

4s ,.cross-asset manalement." This paper reviews the literature and current practice in different

46 steps associated with the cross-asset management process. The research confirms the promising

47 poiential for developing a comprehensive framework for sustainable multi-objective cross-asset

48 management.

49 INTRODUCTION

50 The skeleton of any country is formed by its infrastructure systems, such as-roads and highways,

51 and electrical and water distribution systems. In the United States, most of these infrastructures

52 are aging, which results in structural deterioration and serviceability decline. A recent report by

53 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which evaluated different civil infrastructure

54 systems in the U.S., iated the conáition of roadways as D-, and that of wastewater and electrical

55 systems as D- and D+, respectively (1). In addition, financial limitations along with human

56 resource shortage and cost have made the management of infrastructures even more complicated

57 (2). Along witÈ technical and financial limiøtion scarce natural resources, growing population

5g ànd polluiion (3) have urged the politicians and decision makers to adopt objectives and goals

59 that account for sustainable develõpment in terms of environment, society and economy' As an

60 example, in 1993 an act was passed by the congress mandating federal agencies to adopt

6l quantihable performance goals to evaluate the outcomes of strategies (4)'

6263

6465

66676869707T

7273

7475

767778

As a result, infrastructure management in the context of multiple objectives and

constraints has been receiving significant ãttention. In the transportation sector in particular, the

application of soft computiig methods, multi-objective optimizations techniques, and cross-

asset fund allocation ptoó".t"t have revealed promising potentials (2, 5, 6, 7, 8)'

However,,the difficulty arises when an agency is developing multilevel programs across

asset categories', (9). Many ágencies have developed performance criteria for individual asset

types, ,rr"h u, a roughness indã* for roadways ot u health index for bridges' What seems to be

.i.rirrg is a unifiedãptimization framework for different types of assets (9). The need for such

managãment framewårk is especially critical in state and municipal agencies that control and

manage several assets.

Cross-asset management provides a unified approach for managing different types of assets in an

integrated p.o"rrr. Instead of considering inàividual asset types independently, several types of

urr"i u." simultaneously managed. Figure 1 shows a general scheme for cross-asset management'

Different assets are valuated rãgarding their condition and performance characteristics' Based on

the overall strategic level policLs anJ asset values, resources are allocated across different asset

types such u, ,oãd*uys, electrical facilities, water distribution facilities, etc' The resources

aliocated to each asset category are then distributed within each asset class.

TRB 2010 AnnualMeeting CD-ROM Paper revised from original submittal.

79


Cross AssetManagêment

80

81

82

83

8485

86

87

88

89

90

9l9293

9495

96

9798

99100

FIGURE 1: Cross-asset management context

The importance of comprehensively looking at different infrastructure networks and systems and

their interdependencies can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development at nation-

scale. Cross-asset --u*g"1n"nt

provides a framework for developing and managing

infrastructure networks Ñ systems considering their interdependencies and their impacts on

various aspects of a society. Émerging research efforts are f'ocusing on developing a cross-asset

optimizatiãn framework, *ithin *tti"ñ several types of assets can be controlled, operated, and

managed simultaneouslY.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this paper is to present the preliminary findings of an ongoing research effort to

develop a framework for opìimiring cróss-asset decision-making, management' and funding

considåring a multiple objËctives alnd constraints. Therefore, it is necessary to understand

different elements that constitute this framework. This paper reviews the current practice and

research studies in different steps that form this cross-asset management framework'

NETWORK LEVEL ASSET MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Different asset types are typically managed using management systems developed based on

,p""ifr" asset attributes aná-the characteiistics oithe operating agency. At the strategic-level

however, "rorr-urrr,

n1unugrrn.rrt can be described as a process with the following four majol

steps: (1) setting strategiJpolicies and objectives, (2) evaluation of perfonnance measures and

Asset cond¡tion

TRB 2010 Annual Meeting CD-ROM Paper revised from original submittal.

Dehghaní Ftinßeh, and Medina 4

101 indicators, (3) combining the indieators for each domain and developing and index for each

l0Z domaino and t4) optimizing the allocation o-f resources far ru-aximízing the achieveûrent of the

103 various goals within the available eonsfaints. The fïrstthree steps are sketched in Figure 2n and

104 the fourth step in Figure 3.

105

FIGURE 2. NetrvorkJevel .Asset Management Frame,work

FIGURE 3. Cross-asset regource allocation

E

HEIlElE__l106

107

108

109

110

TRB'2010 Annual Meeting CD-ROM Paper revised from original submittal.

Dehghøni, Flintsch, and Medina

I11 PERFORMANCE MEASURES

llZ The factors upon which an infrastructure is characterized and dehned reflect different concerning

113 aspects u*on! policy and decision makers. According to the NCHRP report 551 'oPerformance

ll4 ,nãurr.r", stroit,O be identified in response to goals and objectives, rather than the other way

115 around, and should be a part of policy formulation and its interaction with long-range planning.

l 16 performance measures cán help ln formulating policy and setting realistic objectives" (10)' This

ll7 also implies that perfonnance measures associated with different aspects are important means to

1 18 evaluatè the effectiveness and the efficiency ofdifferent policies'

119 Managers for different types of infrastructures systems set different policies and tendto

120 define and rionitor different pãrformance measures. A study in lndiana showed that the

l2I performance goals at a state highway agency are mainly based on system preservation' agency

LzZ and user costjmobility and safety and environment (,1/). For example, to include environmental

lZ3 aspects of an infrastructure polióy, a goal of keeping the COz emission or water pollutant at a

124 certain threshold level may be adópted. Performance measures associated with this goal are then

125 set to monitor its degree of achievement and the long term trend' In order to provide and

126 facilitate such proces{ performance measures should, therefore, have several characteristics that,

lZ7 in general, "un

b" described under the three categories shown in Figure 4. These characteristics

128 are described in the following sections'

Practical

- it ìr'

Performancemeasures

Monitoring ',

and feedback

Policy- andobjective-

based

t29

130

131

FIGURE 4 Typical performance measure characteristics

132 Policy- and objective-based

133 performance measures should be able to translate the decision makers' strategies and policies

134 and to be responsive to them (10 12). Policies and goals that are set for each infrastructure

135 reflect "on""*,

associated with environment (such as air pollution), economy (such as operation

136 and preservation cost) and society (such as user safety, mobility, access' and comfort), as well as

137 interests of agencies, stakeholder., ,rr"rr, etc. The performance measures defined to manage the

l3g infrastructure-assets and systems should be capable of assisting the decision makers monitor,

I3g track, and manage these goãls. The selected measures should be sensitive enough to objectives to



140 enable their tracking and evaluation, should convey meaningful information about the relevant

l4l system, and should be easily understood by politicians and the general public (10). The condition

l4Z of the assets and the status of the systems relative to the objectives can be evaluated in a

I43 comprehensive and reasonable way if the performance measures are appropriately defined.

144 Practical

145 ln theory, various performance measures can be defined for a system to provide comprehensive

146 informaiion about àifferent domains of that system, and to help evaluate how the goals are being

147 reached. However, in engineering prospective the feasibility of employing a perfoûnance

l4B measure depends on many "ottrt

áinitrg factors. These constraints may be due to the

I4g administrative and/or manágerial structure of the agency, inherent characteristics of the

150 performance measure, or both.

151 performance measures should be compatible with the agencies' technical and business

l5Z processes in terms of how they are incorporated into the management system and analytical tools

153 ãf trr" agency. performance measure should be defined considering the agencies structure and

154 policiesãnd whether such policies allow adopting a particular performance measure or not. In155 ãdditior,, performanc" *"ur,r., should be able to be expressed in mathematical forms to allow

156 aggregatiôn or rolling up wherever necessary, should convey relevant technical information' and

157 sñoulã be of use for the different organizational levels of the agency. Furthermore, depending on

l5g the characteristics of the defined performance measures, different tools and equipments are

159 required for the data collection proãedure and the availability of those instruments depends on

160 thé agencies capabilities. Such cônstraint relate to features of both performance measures and the

161 relevant ug"n"y. NCHRP Report 551, therefore, recommends that performance measures should

162 have practical data requirements (/0).

163 Monitoringandfeedback

164 performance measures defined for any type of infrastructure are means by which established

165 policies and goals are evaluated and traced. For this purposes performance measures should be

166 able to monitor infrastructure conditions in terms of concerned aspects and objectives and be

167 capable of representing the effect of application of different solutions and strategies (10). The

16g -.uror". stroul¿ havelhe capability to show how close the current condition is to the defined

169 policies. This may help decide to alter a policy, adopt a new one, or define other related

l7O performance measnres. Performance measures in different areas therefore should be able to be

l7I forecasted and represent the outcomes of the system.

I72 Current practice of choosing performance measures:

173 Although different infrastructure management systems may have their unique performance

174 measures, these measures in general share some common characteristics. Almost all

175 performance measures have the following features: (1) include or combine qualitative and

176 quantitative dimensions, (2) provide feedback mechanism to improve the system, and (3) reflect

177 ihe strategic goals and consider stakeholder and user concerns (10' l2)'

l7B The review of the literature suggests that road and highway assets managers are

t7g increasingly recognizing the need for performance-based management approaches. However,

1g0 due to lack of cõnsistent and sufficient historical data, many state DOTs still use traditional

lgl needs-based approaches, where performance and deterioration prediction models are not



l,g2 required. For example, within needs-based approach, the required pavement data is collected on

lg3 annual or biennial basis and in-need sections are then identified and prioritized based on

lg4 economical analysis until the budget is distributed over different sections. However, there are

l g5 disadvantages with this approach in that the agencies may tend to exaggerate their requirements.

1g6 Within such budget ailoóation the optimum results in terms of overall roadway condition

187 improvement at network level is not often achieved (6). There seems to be a significant

188 advantage with the application of performance-based approaches in long-term management

1g9 outcomes. However, 'lstatus reports indicate that there is a weak link between performance

190 measures, program plans and legislative appropriations" (4). Performance measures will not

191 play a significãnt rolè in legislative funding process until they are systematically connected (4).

192 Combiningperformancemeasures

193 For each type of asset there may be several performance measures defined for each aspect.

lg4 Monitoring ôverall condition of the infrastructure in each aspect seems to be complicated and

195 difficult if there are several measures to be monitored and evaluated. Combining different

196 measures in each area therefore, provides means by which the contribution of infrastructure to

lg7 each aspect can be evaluated and monitored more efficiently. This allows quantifying different

19g aspect ãf an infrastructure asset or system, enhances the comparison of outcomes with other

lgg agãncies or repartitions within an agency, and provides better (more comprehensive) overall

200 view of the infrastructure at the network and strategic levels (13).

201 There are few studies working on the combination of different performance indices. For

202 example, the European Union recently published a study report (13), for aproject that developed

203 performanc, -"u.or", for pavements in three levels: (1) single performance indices' (2)

204 ãombined performance indicès and (3) global performance indices. Single performance indjces

205 relate to individual measures associated with different aspects (environment, etc.) of an

206 infrastructure. Combined performance indices are developed by integrating single performance

207 indices in each aspect anã show the condition of the infrastructure with regard to that aspect.

20g General performance indicator is a combination of single or combined indicators which

Z0g represents the pavement condition concerning different aspects. It can also describe the overall

210 infrastructure condition at network levels (/3).

2II RESOURCEALLOCATION

ZIZ One of the most important objectives in the asset management process is to appropriately

2I3 distribute available ."ìo.r."", (monetary, human service, etc.) in a sustainable manner. When

214 performance measures are charactenzed, identified, and measured for each aspect they can be

2I5 integrated and combined into combined performance indicators, which describe the status of that

216 partlcular infrastructure aspect. The resource allocation optimization process is then conducted

Zl7 io tw to bring the various ittdi"torr as close as possible to the defined objectives (or performance

2lg targets). Thñ section briefly discusses the various approaches that have been used or proposed

2Ig for multi-objective resource allocation optimization'

220 Both, soft computing and traditional operation research techniques have been employed

Z2l in road and highway management to enhance infrastructure management process and to improve

2ZZ project selectún, prioritirátion and resource allocation. Flintsch and Chen (2) conducted a

223 "ompt"h"nsive

review of the application of soft computing techniques in infrastructure

224 management. The review evaluated the application of different techniques for the different steps


2ZS of decision making in an infrastructure management system. While neural' fuzzy logics and

226 neuro-fuzzy methods seem to be suitable techniques for enhancing condition assessment and

227 performance prediction, genetic algorithms and fizzy mathematical programming were found to

z2g te appropriate for optimúation. tie report concludèd that a combination of neural network and

2Zg fuzzy logic had strong potentials where expert knowledge and opinion is required as it is in the

230 resourceallocationoptimizationprocess.

Z3I Wu et al. (O applied operation research techniques to enhance the preservation of

232 pavements consideiig -uttipt" åbjectives and chance constraints by developing Pareto optimal

233 set of solutions. A nyãria rnotti-oUj""tive optimization model was employed to enhance regional

234 pavement preservatión. The optimization model considered two main objectives of minimizing

235 the total preservation cost and maximizing the total network gain of service life and was applied

236 to a short term pavement preservation budgeting for a state Dor with nine maintenance districts'

Z3j Chan and Fwa (8) employed genetic algorithm optimization technique to solve the budget

23g allocation problem in multidlstrict highway rnanug.ment structure. Multiple objectives included

23g the overall goal of central agency ãrong with ãbjectives of different districts and regional

240 agencies ,"híe umong constraints were manpower, equipment required and budget availability'

241 Fwa et al. (5) formulated a hypothetical network-level pavement problem and developed

242 optimal pavement repair program adopting Pareto optimal solution set, rank-based fitness

243 evaluation, and geneti" uìgotittt*s. The iesearchers solved the problem considering two

244 objectives (minimization of total maintenance cost and maximization of maintenance work

245 pråduction) and three objectives (adding maximization of network pavement condition) and

246 lound optimal solutions for different budget levels'

247 These studies have shown the potential of the various soft computing and operation

Z4g research applications for optimizing the ãllocation of resources, and proposed various approaches

24g that are flexible and capabie of deal-ing with several objectives and constraints simultaneously.

250 Multi-criteriaconsiderations

Z5l When different indicators of infrastructure perforïnance are defined they can be translated into

252 mathematical formulas and introduced intã the optimization system as either objectives or

253 constraints. There are two approaches to handle this process. The first approach considers

254 different indicators within different domains directly as objectives or constraints. This means

255 that if there are m domains (such as environmental, economical etc.) defined for an infrastructure

256 and n indicators exists for each domain then, there are totally mxn obiectives and constraints to

257 be considered.

2Sg The second approach might be to define n indicators relevant to each of m domains and

z5g then combine those indicators aslsociated with each domain as a domain index' This method will

260 result in rn domain indices that will be considered as either objective or constraint. There seem to

261 be no major differences between these methods as the total objectives and constraint that exist in

262 the problem remains the same in either case (mxn) and the only difference seems to be the

263 n r-b", of these objective and constrains that will be introduced into the optimization program'

264 Allocating resources across asset types

26s Theoretically, a truly optimized way of allocating resources to different infrastructure assets and

266 systems should consider ".o.r-ur.åt

trade-offs. The resource allocation can be viewed as a



267 process of simultaneous operating, monitoring, and preserving different infrastructure asset or

26g systems in order to bring fh.i. p"iforrnunc" a. close as possible to the set objectives within the

269 given constraints. How&er, different infrastructure asset types (e.g., pavements and bridges) are

270 typically managed by different management systems. Although most agencies follow the same

271 big-picture philosophy of "preserviñg the infrastructure asset cost effectively and sustain it

Z7Z socially, economically and *uironmJntally", the measures, goals and criteria considered may

273 not be the same. A Ëey challenge is to oitimize the decision-making process across different

274 assets at the network (ãr strategic) level (9). Falls et al. (9) suggest that for supporting some

Z7S business processes, it ìs desired tá translate performance measures of different assets into one

276 index for optimization. Therefore, the effort to manage and operate different infrastructure

21,7 assets has become an important issue in recent years. This concept is expected to gain more

z7g attention as there are agencies, municipalities, and regional transportation planning authorities,

279 deal with more than one type of assets'

280 InterdePendencies

2gl Various infrastructure asset types, and their systems, are typically interdependent in several

ZgZ ways. Managing assets while tãn.iO".ittg their interdependencies and their impact on each other

Zg3 can enhance the achievement of the strãtegic goals and lead to more sustainable systems' To

zg4 maximize the achievement of the goals theinteidependencies between different domains within

zg5 an infrastructure type and among-various infrastructures must be considered. The former and

2g6 latter cases can be referred to as {nter-asset interdependency" and'ocross-asset interdependency"

287 respectively. For example, in economic domain, apolicy aimed at maximizing revenue can be

2gg obtained by raising taxes, which may have negative a social impact of user dissatisfaction' Thus,

2gg the decision-maker must balance thesJ conflicting potential _ impacts. Similarly,

2g0 underperformance of lightings in a roadway might affect the usage of the roadway because of

2gl decreased user safety, *frl"ft can be an e*ãmple of cross asset (electrical system and

Zg2 transportation) interdependency. The inclusion of these interdependencies in the asset

2g3 management process isã challenging issue that warrants further research'

294 CONCLUDINGR"EMARKS

2g5 Asset management in the context of multi-objective and multi-constraint domains is an emerging

296 paradigm that is getting more attention from both decision makers and engineers' The paper

2g7 reviewed current and imerging practices that are relevant to different steps in the asset

Zgg management process. Goals ãna pot"i"s are being increasingly linked to performance measures'

2gg Furthermore, the selection of appropriate performance measures with appropriate and relevant

300 characteristiós can help serve totir trre stakéholder and decision maker's interest. To simplify the

301 decision-mukirg pro"åss, different measures and indicators with different scales and associated

302 with different aãsàts, are increasingly merged into combined indices. Limitations in human, fund

303 and natural resources, the need ã-.onrid.t sustainability implications, and an increase trend

304 towards considering multiple objectives is reshaping asset management. Application of soft

305 computing and optimization tËchniques capable of simultaneously considering multiple

306 objectives and constraints has shown gieat potåntials to enhance the process. The integration of

307 more effective performance measures-and^multi-objective, cross-asset optimization techniques

30g should allow a more efficient use of the available resources, which in turn would help provide

309 more efficient and sustainable infrastructure systems.



Dehghani, Flintsch, and Medinø l0

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