Vol 1 No 2 WVDOH RSS Newsletter

1 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015

Pages 1, 3 & 4 — The Future of Transportation

Page 2 — Letter from the Section Head

Page 5 — Overview of RP 293

Page 6 — Meet the Researcher

Page 7 — Marshall and West Virginia Universities Open New Engineering Facilities

Page 8 — Submitting Problem Statements

While connected and autonomous vehicles may seem like nothing

more than a great idea for sci-fi movies, they are quickly becoming

a thing of the not-so-distant future. These types of vehicles will

essentially drive themselves, without the real-time input of a

human driver sitting behind the steering wheel. Such technology

could prove significantly beneficial, but that doesn’t mean it comes

without risk.

Before diving deeper into the possibilities that come with auto-

mated vehicle technology, let’s take a moment to explore the levels

of automation and define what exactly makes a vehicle connected

or autonomous.

The NHTSA, SAE International, and a German expert group have

defined levels of automation that generally distinguish the

Insight A Bi-Annual Newsletter of the WVDOT-DOH Research and Special Studies Section

Continued on page 3

“Drivers” of the future in a concept car developed by Mercedes-Benz.

Connected Vehicles — Based on wireless

communication among vehicles of all types and

the surrounding infrastructure.

Autonomous Vehicles — At least some

aspect of a safety-critical control function (e.g.,

steering, throttle, or braking) occurs without

direct driver input.


the necessity for a human driver to be in control. This latest technological revolu-tion is different from those of the past, because it is being driven by technology giants like Google and Microsoft, rather than companies in the automotive industry such as the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, or Fiat-Chrysler. The auto-motive giants are, however, taking notice. In a Bloomberg Business article from January 2015, Ford’s CEO Mark Fields said, “that an automaker probably will introduce a self-driving vehicle within half a decade.”

The world of transportation today, is significantly different than it was only a generation ago. The feature story in this edi-tion is about the hottest topic in transportation research — Automated Vehicle Systems. It has many names, like driver-less cars, connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, etc., but the bottom line is that the future of automobiles will look very different from the auto-mobiles of today. The new technology in our vehicles will negotiate our transportation systems on their own, without

The Research and Special Studies Section is tasked with investigat-ing and learning more about potential changes in transporta-tion. In an effort to stay in front of the crowd, we are exploring this technology to learn more about how it will affect our infrastruc-ture, future planning, and possibly other facets of the WVDOT.

Sincerely, Donald “Donny” Williams

Research and Special Studies Section, Planning Division of Highways

WV Department of Transportation PO Box 6884 · 7th Floor

Chestnut Ridge Research Building 886 Chestnut Ridge Rd

Morgantown WV 26505 304.293.7387

The WVDOT-DOH Research and Special Studies Section is

located in Morgantown, West Virginia at the Chestnut Ridge

Research Building and is composed of a relatively small

group. With only two full-time state employees and one

contract employee, the Research and Special Studies Section

utilizes others from within the WVDOT, FHWA, contractors,

consultants, and industry specialists who serve on Technical Advisory Committees (TAC), or perform the role of Project

Monitor or Project Champion, sometimes conducting and directing a research project.


technical necessity for—and the amount

of—driver monitoring. For each level of au-

tomation, there are several different re-

search areas being followed that

address the challenges and opportunities

related to the increasing automation of

motor vehicles and the environments in

which they operate.

Human Factors and Human-Machine

Interaction

Automated vehicles must be designed to fit

drivers’ capabilities, limitations, and expec-

tations. At a minimum, to ensure safety,

researchers need to consider safety, mobili-

ty, and sustainability based around driver

characteristics and acceptance, function

allocation, and driver and vehicle interface

design.

Infrastructure and Operations

The potential to improve multiple transpor-

tation operations with automated vehicles

can be seen in:

Traffic management,

Mapping and positioning,

Infrastructure,

Accommodating mixed traffic,

Managed lanes,

Impacts on long-range planning, and

Value of connectivity.

Testing, Certification, and Licensing

As the use of automated vehicle systems

increases, it is essential that public safety is

protected when the new technology is

deployed in traffic. This means that

consistent measures will need to be put in

place to regulate the testing, certification,

and licensing of these vehicles.

Energy and Environment

When automated vehicles begin being

deployed in significant numbers, they will

begin influencing multiple aspects ranging

from vehicle operations and design to traffic

flow and patterns of land use. These factors

will have substantial impacts on energy and

the environment.

Shared Mobility and Transit

Automated vehicle systems may create new

models for public transportation as infor-

mation technology allows for more private

vehicle sharing, community pooled cars, and

distributed rentals, which have already

begun to blur the distinctions between

public transportation and private vehicles.

Liability, Risk, and Insurance

All current standards around the liability,

risk, and insurance standards assume that a

vehicle has a human driver. As the human

Paul A. Mattox, Jr. , P.E. Secretary of Transportation/

Commissioner of Highways Gregory Bailey, P.E.

State Highway Engineer

Robert Pennington, P.E.

Deputy State Highway

Engineer —

Programming and

Planning Richard Warner, P.E.

Director

Planning Division Donald Williams, P.E.

Section Head

Planning Division

RSS Section

[email protected]

304.677.4000 Michael Pumphrey, P.E.

Research Engineer

Planning Division

RSS Section

[email protected]

304.206.8625 Sabrina DeVall

Technical Writing and

Editing Contractor

WVU Research Corp.

[email protected]

The Future of Transportation (continued from page 1)

Level 0

No Automation No braking, throttle, or steering control (e.g., crash warn-ing systems).

Level 1 Function-Specific Automation Braking, throttle, or steering control (e.g., automatic brak-ing systems).

Level 2 Combined Function Automation Integration of braking, throttle, and steering control. Driver is able to retake control at all times.

Level 3 Limited Self-Driving Integration of braking, throttle, and steering control. Driver expected for occasional con-trol, but can cede full monitoring and control authority.

Level 4 Fully Self-Driving Automation Integration of braking, throttle, and steering control. Driver not expected to control vehicle. Responsibility for safe opera-tion rests solely with the vehicle.


As part of the WVDOT, the goals

of the RSS Section are to

enhance, protect, and improve

the multifaceted elements that

compose the transportation

system in West Virginia.

Research and Special Studies is

committed to improving safety,

efficiency, and cost effective-

ness while maintaining the

vision and integrity of the

WVDOT system to ensure that

appropriate research is

conducted to address State and

National concerns with results

capable of being implemented

safely and quickly.

Aeronautics

Highways

Motor Vehicles

Parkways

Public Port Authority

Public Transit

Rail Authority

role in driving changes, these aspects will need to change as well. Legislators, regulators,

courts, and private entities must all promote safety while encouraging innovation, taking

into account safety risks, the role of insurance, and policy making.

Cybersecurity and Resiliency

The use of automated vehicles that require and exchange data and depend on a digital

infrastructure opens the door to malicious attacks of unauthorized access. This was seen

recently when Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.4 million vehicles after hackers successfully took

control of a Jeep Grand Cherokee via its internet-connected entertainment system. To

prevent dangerous cybersecurity failures, researchers must:

consider the architecture of automated systems,

identify risks and threats to the security of automated vehicles, and

determine ways to consistently increase the resiliency of cybersecurity.

To learn more about this topic and read the full article from which some of this information

was taken, see TR News 292, May-June 2014, “Automated Vehicle Technology: Ten Research

Areas to Follow.”

The Research and Special Studies Section is currently in the early stages of developing an advisory committee to investigate possible changes to West Virginia’s transportation networks. The initial interdisciplinary committee has participants from Universities, the WVDOT and the WV DMV. Its goal will be to stay abreast of fast-moving developments related to the operation of autonomous and connected vehicles and to transfer that information to those involved in the transportation world while also serving as a liaison between the WVDOT and state legislators. A large part of the commit-tee’s role will be to provide education and information on various issues surrounding autonomous and connected vehicles, including legal, policy, insurance, technology, infrastructure, and enforcement.


The overall goal of RP-293, Evaluation and Recommendations to the WVDOH’s Seeding and Mulching Processes

and Specifications, is to develop a user-friendly process for selecting seed mixture, additives, and mulch for sites

in West Virginia through the following objectives:

Identify a list of factors affecting successful grass germination and sustained growth.

Evaluate and report on the existing seed mixtures,

fertilizers, and mulches used by the WVDOH. Review seeding specifications of states with soil and

terrain similar to West Virginia. Develop a standard process for the selection of seed

mixture, additive, and mulch based on given criteria. This process includes the following sub-objectives:

Divide the state into geographic regions as

necessary to apply seed mix. Develop recommendations for soil testing and

determine seed mixture, given constraints. Determine if seed mixtures include grasses that

are common food sources for deer. Identify needs for mulching and additives. Once processes and mixtures, etc. are finalized,

researcher submits to WVDOH procedures and locations for testing the combinations in the field.

Upon final analysis, provide comprehensive

specifications with worked examples on the use and a best management practice on the findings.

On October 20, 2015 representatives of WVU, WVDOT,

DNR, FHWA and Pennington Seed met in Canaan

Valley, West Virginia where the research team

presented their findings, thus far. After the presenta-

tion, field reviews of the three existing seed plots

along Corridor H were conducted.

WVU research students monitoring vegetation growth at the beginning of the growing season.

WVU graduate students measuring ground cover.

Field plots testing experimental seed mixtures.


Dr. Leslie Hopkinson, Assistant Professor, West Virginia University

Dr. Leslie Hopkinson is an Assistant Professor of Civil and

Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University. She teaches

courses in hydrology, fluid mechanics, and water resources engineering.

Dr. Hopkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological and

Agricultural Engineering from Louisiana State University. She earned a

Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, specializing in

natural resources management and ecological restoration. Her

research focus is in reclamation, erosion control, hydrology, and stream

restoration.

Getting good ground cover on disturbed slopes in West Virginia is difficult for a variety of reasons, and each site is

different. Our work has identified some techniques that can increase the likelihood of successful vegetation germination

and sustained ground cover. One recommendation is that basic soil tests on disturbed samples are critical in defining soil

amendment and fertilizer rates.

The main goal for RP-293 is to develop new seeding and mulching guidelines to improve vegetation cover at right-of-way

locations. In the beginning of the project, we measured existing soil, vegetation, and physical characteristics at over 30 field

sites throughout West Virginia. I enjoyed experiencing new areas of the State that I had not yet visited and learning more about

West Virginia. Currently, we are developing and testing experimental seed mixtures and seedbed preparation techniques. We

have had considerable interest and support from WVDOT as well as from industry and other state agencies. Our project has

greatly benefited from the expertise of representatives from WVDOT, Profile Products, Arnold’s Custom Seeding, Ernst Conserva-

tion Seeds, Verdyol International, WVDNR, and others.

What did you enjoy most about working on RP-293?

What is one of the most important things to take away from RP-293?

The ultimate goal of the research is to provide recommendations that the WVDOT can apply for improved ground cover at

construction sites, and we are making progress toward that goal. We plan to provide a series of strategies and training

documents to improve vegetation growth and persistence. Through this project, two graduate and four undergraduate students

have been trained at WVU. The two graduate students, Eric Davis and George Hilvers, recently placed second and third in a

poster competition at the International Erosion Control Association’s annual conference. They were presenting research findings

of our work. This recognition shows that international experts value the type of research that is supported by the WVDOT, and

highlights the high quality research completed at WVU.

How has your research benefited both WVU and the WVDOT?

Photo courtesy of Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources


Marshall University: The new Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex is a state of the art facility at Marshall University that provides the resource capabilities to advance current and future research funding initiatives. The new building features advanced learning environ-ments, teaching/research laboratories, and resources to support undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, mechanical engineering and bioengineering, computational sciences, environmental sciences, transportation and applied digital/simulation technology.

As one of the largest academic buildings on the Marshall campus, the facility is a LEED Silver

building. The complex has wireless technology throughout and its interior incorporates the most modern de-signs and technology to provide a 21st century learning environment. The complex also includes an advanced materials testing lab where full-scale designs of bridges, building, and mining-related structures can be tested under real-world conditions. This lab contains a three foot concrete floor and adjoining L-shaped wall where the prototypes can be anchored for testing. The building itself is on the cutting edge of engineering and design.

West Virginia University: The Advanced Engineering Research Building, which opened on October 1, 2015 features learning spaces and laboratories where students and faculty from all disciplines can "come together to solve the technical problems of today and tomorrow," said Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Designed by Burt Hill/Stantec and constructed by Massaro Corporation, the AERB features 63,000 square feet of flexible and environmental-ly safe laboratory and research space, as well as an 8,000 square foot clean room to meet the

needs of high-technology learning and discovery in the new millennium. Offices, classrooms, a learning center and space for graduate students occupies 29,000 square feet of the building.

WVU’s President Gee noted the facility is more than just a brick and mortar structure, calling it a sanctuary for

ideas and innovations that will fuel the future of West Virginia University. "Students and faculty from across all

disciplines will unite under this one roof to solve the problems of our day," Gee continued. "Problems ranging

from energy, security, water, science, technology, the list goes on. This facility fits perfectly into our land-grant

mission, because the research conducted within these walls will benefit a greater good."

Marshall University’s Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex

WVU’s Advanced Engineering Research Building


The Research and Special Studies Section is always interested in hearing about the problems being regularly dealt with by WVDOT employees, our partners, outside agencies, and other organizations. We invite you to tell us about any issues the WVDOT may be facing that could be addressed and potentially solved through research. Please complete and submit a Problem Statement Submission Form to the RSS Section that details the issue. The RSS Section will review your completed form to determine if the problem has already been researched, is pending research, or does not qualify as research. If the problem is determined to be a good submission for research, it will be placed in one of the following categories: The Problem Statements will then be forwarded to review committees for evaluation and selection. Problem Statement response letters will be sent with notification of the submission status and the determination of whether to proceed with developing the Problem Statement into a research project or rejecting the Problem Statement. To learn more about the process, or to obtain a Problem Statement Submission Form, please contact Donny Williams at [email protected] or 304.677.4000.

The Daily Branch rail line in Elkins, West Virginia is being considered for economic development, but it must first pass inspections to ensure that several bridge structures along the line can handle current railroad loadings. Researchers from WVU, under the direction of Dr. Hota Gangarao, with input from the State Rail Authority and the State Rail Engineer are working to evaluate the capacity of each structure on the line.

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Construction Materials

Environmental Miscellaneous

Freight Planning/Transportation/Air Quality

Geotechnical Structures

ITS/IT Traffic Safety Review

Legal/Personnel/Civil Rights Transportation Finance

Maintenance

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Vol 1 No 2 WVDOH RSS Newsletter