When it comes to high-value transportation research in the U.S., the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proud to produce research products that are recognized by its colleagues for their contribution to the transportation community. For the second consecutive year, FDOT has won the High Value Research (HVR) award for Region 2 administered by the … Continue reading FDOT Wins High Value Research Competition
Category: Completed Research
A sense of freedom. The open road. Beautiful countryside. For those who love riding motorcycles, these benefits draw them especially to rural areas. But that freedom comes with a risk. “Motorcycle crash injury is like a hidden issue,” said Dr. Chanyoung Lee, program director of motorcycle injury prevention at the Center for Urban Transportation Research … Continue reading Freedom to ride … safely: Study examines motorcycle safety on Florida’s rural curves
Twenty-five seconds. That’s how long it takes for a train to arrive at a railroad crossing after the bells chime. While no driver wants to be caught on the tracks at any time, after making an incorrect turn, some have found themselves stuck in just that position during those perilous seconds. “That 25 seconds is … Continue reading Making the right turn at railroad crossings
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
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
Among the high-tech tools and innovations at FDOT’s disposal, sometimes a humble office supply may be the most valuable – the sticky note. If you have ever attended a public meeting for a transportation project in Florida, you may have seen your neighbor scribbling a note and sticking it on a map of your neighborhood. … Continue reading An Idea That Sticks: Taking Public Involvement Virtual
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
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
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
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
Florida Department of Transportation Research Showcase 