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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.
2 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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.
3 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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
304.677.4000 Michael Pumphrey, P.E.
Research Engineer
Planning Division
RSS Section
304.206.8625 Sabrina DeVall
Technical Writing and
Editing Contractor
WVU Research Corp.
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.
4 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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.
5 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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.
6 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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
7 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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
8 Research Insight, Vol. 1 No. 2, Fall 2015
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