Completed Research

Caution: Slippery When Wet – Unless You Have This New Hydroplaning Prediction Tool

For a place called “The Sunshine State,” Florida gets lots of rain. Florida is the fifth wettest state in the U.S., averaging more than 53 inches of rain each year. All that rain means wet roads, and wet roads can potentially lead to hydroplaning. If you’ve experienced hydroplaning, you know how scary—and dangerous—it is. “Imagine … Continue reading Caution: Slippery When Wet – Unless You Have This New Hydroplaning Prediction Tool

Completed Research, Uncategorized

Sinkholes: Now You See Them, Now You See Them … Better

Florida leads the U.S. in the recorded number of sinkholes, thanks to its unique karst topography. This has obvious implications for roadways across the state. If the ground collapses under a roadway, the results could be tragic. Predicting where sinkholes might happen can potentially save infrastructure and lives. But is it even possible to predict … Continue reading Sinkholes: Now You See Them, Now You See Them … Better

Completed Research

FDOT Routs Soft Grout with New Remediation Technique

Imagine you are making pancakes. You separate the wet ingredients from the dry ingredients, then carefully mix. Somehow lumps still manage to form in your batter. Lucky for you, a lumpy mixture should not ruin your pancakes. But if, instead of pancakes, you were mixing grout to fortify a bridge tendon, following the recipe and … Continue reading FDOT Routs Soft Grout with New Remediation Technique

Completed Research

Investigating Low-Visibility Crashes in Florida

In January 2012, fog and smoke took over Interstate 75 outside of Gainesville, leading to a 19-vehicle pile-up, 11 fatalities, and 18 hospitalizations. Low-visibility road conditions due to fog and/or smoke are a major concern in Florida, as this crash was not the first or last incident to occur. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration … Continue reading Investigating Low-Visibility Crashes in Florida

Completed Research, I-STREET, Implementation

Smart Safety: Using Apps and Eye-Tracking Technology to Evaluate School Zone Beacon and Bicycle Detection

Florida Department of Transportation ranks safety as a top priority for the state, and it is listed as one of FDOT’s Vital Few focus areas. Despite the vision of having fatality-free roadways, crashes are still a reality today. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles noted an increase of total annual traffic crashes … Continue reading Smart Safety: Using Apps and Eye-Tracking Technology to Evaluate School Zone Beacon and Bicycle Detection

Completed Research, Implementation

Measuring While Drilling (MWD) Data Enlightens Engineers

Francesco di Giorgio Martini sketched what is believed to be the first mechanically accurate drawing of a pile driver in his 1475 treatise Trattato di Architectura. While it is certainly more rudimentary than modern devices, the basic goal is the same: use machinery to install deep foundations for supporting structures. Over the past 545 years, … Continue reading Measuring While Drilling (MWD) Data Enlightens Engineers

Completed Research

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Automatic Pedestrian Detection at Signalized Intersections and Midblock Crossings

In 2018, Florida was ranked as having the third-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrian safety is a nationwide issue, and it is a top priority in Florida being tackled by adding more safety features and improving facilities. Unfortunately, finding solutions is not as simple … Continue reading Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Automatic Pedestrian Detection at Signalized Intersections and Midblock Crossings

Implementation

A Winning Idea: FDOT Incorporates Horticulture for Better Asset Management

Every year the conservation organization American Forests publishes its National Register of Champion Trees. The National Register was first established in 1940 and documents the largest living tree of each species in the United States. In 2020 Florida took home 92 championships, making it the state with the most Champion Trees in the county. Suffice … Continue reading A Winning Idea: FDOT Incorporates Horticulture for Better Asset Management