December 2018 Newsletter

December 14 - Connected Vehicles, Smarter Cities, & Modern Signal Timing - Register Now

INSTRUCTOR: Peter Koonce, P.E.

Purpose and Background
 
Recent advances in traffic signal system technology have led agencies to modify practices and adopt new ways of managing traffic. Traffic signals and the accompanying equipment enable more effective transportation solutions than the industry has seen in the past. The 2nd Edition of the Traffic Signal Timing Manual (STM2) has an increased focus on signal system users and their priorities. In addition to the STM2, there are state DOT manuals and other guidance materials that are changing the way engineers are managing the transportation system. Current signal timing models tend to provide a one-size-fits-all approach to signal timing, which often leads to the incorrect assumption that the model provides the optimum solution. A traffic analyst simply inputs the data required by the model, hits the optimize button, and gives the optimized results to the appropriate person for implementation. The results largely reflect the model's priorities (generally some version of vehicle delay) for system users, which may or may not fit the needs of the actual operating environment or users (including pedestrians, bicycles, and transit). New technology and data (for instance Google Traffic), put a variety of tools in the hands of engineers to solve problems. 

To this end, the use of an outcome based approach to signal timing allows the practitioner to develop signal timing based on the operating environment, users, user priorities by movement, and local operational objectives. Performance measures are then used to assess how well the objectives are being met. Once the objectives and performance measures are established, timing strategies and timing values can be chosen. The final steps of the process involve implementation and observation (i.e., determining if the timing strategies and values are working), as well as sustaining operations that meet the operational objectives through monitoring and maintenance. This webinar familiarizes transportation engineers/planners with the newest innovations in traffic signal timing. The presenter of the webinar discusses recent developments in available design guidance and considerations when designing signal timing and monitoring transportation system performance.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Overview of traffic signal timing concepts
• Emerging technology and how it can be incorporated into engineering design
• Innovative signal timing treatments and measurements
• Examples where unique signal timing strategies have been applied, measured, and managed

December 18 - Design of Slab on Grade for Light Buildings on Shrink Swell Soils - Register Now

INSTRUCTOR:  Jean-Louis Briaud, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, Dist.M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

The damage to houses built on shrink swell soils has been reported as being the most expensive disaster in the USA ahead of floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. While nobody dies, the structure deforms and cracks and the repairs can be very expensive. The best solution is to design a foundation which is stiff enough that the soil can deform while the deformation of the structure is limited to an acceptable level. In addition to this certain measures including good drainage will minimize the soil movement.

There are several types of foundation which are commonly used, some are good and some are bad. The good ones include the stiffened slab on grade for lighter structures and the elevated structural slab on piles for taller structures. The bad ones include the slab on grade and on piles and the thin flexible slabs. The stiffened slab on grade is the most economical foundation solution for houses on shrink swell soils.

This webinar presents a new design method developed at Texas A&M University over the last 15 years for stiffened slabs on grade. It includes the methodology to arrive at the final method, the design charts and how to use them, an example foundation design, a monitored case history, and an Excel spreadsheet to automate the design process. Participants will receive the Excel spreadsheet as part of the webinar.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Houses on shrink swell soils
• Shrink swell soils behavior
• House foundations solutions
• Design example
• Case history
• Dos and Don'ts for good house maintenance