ITRE Research and Technical Assistance Projects

Below is a list of research and technical assistance projects conducted through the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at NCSU.

Documents and external Web sites open in a new window for ease of returning to this page.

• Pedestrian Design Workshop Web site
• Bicycle Design Workshop Web site

Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrians With Visions Disabilities

The objective of this research is to produce recommendations for geometric designs, traffic control devices, and other treatments that enable pedestrians who are visually impaired to cross roundabouts and channelized turn lanes (CTL's) independently and safely. These recommendations should be suitable for inclusion in transportation-industry practice and policies, including the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets and the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Consideration should be given to the impact of the recommendations on all users of roundabout intersections, including occupants of passenger car and trucks, pedestrians (including pedestrians with vision impairments), and bicycles.

Study dates: February 2005 - July 2008

Design and Operations of Shared-Use Paths

Off-street paths used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users are becoming common in the U.S. To provide better and more cost-effective facilities, designers and operators need guidance on the quality of service offered by paths of different widths and configurations handling different volumes of users. The purpose of the project is to develop and validate a quantitative procedure for estimating that quality of service. This research builds upon a methodology recommended by the research team in a previous project for the Federal Highway Administration. A major work element in this research is the collection of operational data on paths across the U.S. The research team will also collect an extensive database of path user perceptions. Another important part of the research is the development of a plan to communicate the quality of service procedure to designers and operators across the U.S.

Study dates: October 2000 - September 2003

Emissions Reduction Through Better Traffic Management: An Empirical Evaluation Based Upon On-Road Measurements (pdf, 6.2 MB)

December 2001

Environmental Enhancement Program

Study dates: November 2003 - June 2005

Impacts of Global Climate Change on Transportation

Monitoring, Analyzing, and Reporting on Environmental Streamlining Pilot Projects: NCHRP 25-24

Study dates: 2001 - 2004

In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System

The key objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop a micro-scale predictor of energy use and emissions that is deployable at the individual vehicle level in real-time; (2) identify, compare and evaluate alternate energy use and emissions sampling/reporting schemes that are appropriate at the vehicle and network levels; (3) Develop and test a prototype In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System (IVEEIS); and (4) formulate and assess the utility of IVEEIS in developing transportation design and control measures aimed at energy and emission management policies.

Study dates: January 2003 - December 2005

Regional Development, Population Trend and Technology Change Impacts on Future Air Pollution Emissions

This research tests the hypothesis that smart-growth development patterns can significantly influence the quantity and location of direct and indirect emissions from mobile sources. The patterns of interest include the type of development and its location. We will develop a general method for exploring the leverage that smart-growth development patterns have on the spatial pattern and quantity of emissions from mobile sources. We will explore scenarios and chart the envelope of the effectiveness of smart growth as a means for reducing emissions. We will determine whether substantial emissions reductions are feasible with forecasts of the market penetration of smart growth

Study dates: November 2004 - November 2005

Support Services for the Domestic Scan of Successful Wetland Mitigation Programs

CTE is providing logistical support and report documentation for the FHWA domestic scan tour on successful wetland mitigation programs. The tour will include site visits of eight state transportation departments in the spring of 2005. The purpose of the tour is to observe and document innovations in wetlands banking and other mitigation strategies. CTE will prepare the final report for publication by FHWA and will help develop and implement a technology transfer plan for disseminating the scan tour results.

Study dates: August 2004 - September 2005

Workshop on Impacts of Global Climate Change on Hydraulics and Hydrology and Transportation

Study dates: September 2004 - September 2005

Enhancement and Advancement of a Geographic Information Systems Database and Analysis Tools for Relating the Spatial and Temporal Attributes of Truck-Involved Crashes to Commercial Motor Vehicles Enforcement Presence/Activity

Study dates: October 2003 - September 2005

Pavement Management System (PMS) Data Link to Centerline for the Town of Nags Head, NC

ITRE is proposing to link the resulting Pavement Condition Survey attribute data to the existing centerline file for the Town of Nags Head, NC. There are approximately 36 miles of roads within the town's street system. The scope of work for this project includes:

• Linking of the Town of Nags Head's Pavement Condition Survey attribute data to the Town's centerline file. Appropriate attribute data, maps, and required digital files will be provided by the Town of Nags Head.
• Begin and end descriptions will reflect existing Centerline break points.
• Both pavement condition survey field attribute data and PMS-ITRE generated data will be attached directly to each segment using ESRI software products supplied by ITRE.
• A finalized shape file will be provided to the Town of Nags Head containing all pavement data and PMS-ITRE generated information (PCR's, recommended maintenance activities, and cost information) attached.

Study dates: May 2004 - May 2004

Analysis of the Governance of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the United States for Potential Application for North Carolina (pdf, 643 KB)
Final Report, December 2001.

Benchmarking for North Carolina Public Transportation Systems

Benchmarking is a process to establish standards, targets and/or best practices in regard to performance measurement. Performance measures are of most use when they can be compared to something else. In benchmarking, comparisons are usually made with one or more of the following:

1. some kind of industry standards;
2. appropriate organizational goals or targets;
3. the performance of a peer group; or,
4. the “best practices” of other similar organizations.

This research study will provide three primary products:

1. A set of selected benchmarks for public transit systems, particularly efficiency and effectiveness benchmarks that are commonly used by other transit systems or benchmarks that specifically relate to important customer satisfaction factors identified as part of the study;
2. A recommended benchmarking process that can be used by public transit systems in North Carolina to identify areas of low performance and then institute steps to improve it; and
3. Implementation of an Internet listserv that will provide a communications method to share and disseminate information on, and questions about, benchmarking activities and best practices.

Study dates: January 2005 - December 2005

2006 Benchmarking Final Guidebook (pdf, 660 KB)
2006 Benchmarking Final Report (pdf, 994 KB)

Cross County Transit Study: Out-of-County Non-Medical Transportation Coordination

Determining Representative Sample Size for Maintenance Condition Assessment Data Collection

Study dates: June 2005 - December 2005

Develop Distance Learning Materials-Phase IV

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2005

Development of an Administrative Policies and Procedures Handbook, Accessible Raleigh Transportation (ART)

Study dates: December 2003 - May 2004

Development of an Earth Pressure Model for Design of Retaining Structures in Piedmont Soils

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2006

Division Street and Driveway Access Handbook Training

Study dates: December 2003 - June 2004

The Equity Formula for Allocating Highway Construction Funds in North Carolina (pdf, 93 KB)

August 1998

Larry R. Goode, Ph.D., PE

Facilitate North Carolina Department of Transportation Research Administration

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2005

Incident Management and Assistance Patrols: Assessment of Investment Benefits and Costs (pdf, 20 KB)

Study dates: July 2002 - June 2003

Integrating Systems Planning and Project Development

Study dates: October 2003 - December 2004

Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)

Ongoing

Multimodal Level of Service for Urban Streets (NCHRP 3-70)

Study dates: March 2003 - 2007

National Community Impact Assessment Course Delivery

Study dates: April 2005 - December 2006

North Carolina Level of Service (pdf, 20 KB)

Study dates: July 2002 - June 2004

Outreach Support Activities for Research Projects

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2005

Professional Enhancement Program

Study dates: July 2004 through June 2005

Reducing Aggressive Driving through Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Economics (pdf, 667 KB)

Study dates: October 2000 through September 2001

Technical Assistance Services for the North Carolina Department of Transportation

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2005

Technical Training Needs Research and Implementation Support

Study dates: July 2004 - June 2005

Benchmarking for North Carolina Public Transportation Systems

Benchmarking is a process to establish standards, targets and/or best practices in regard to performance measurement. Performance measures are of most use when they can be compared to something else. In benchmarking, comparisons are usually made with one or more of the following:

1. some kind of industry standards;
2. appropriate organizational goals or targets;
3. the performance of a peer group; or,
4. the “best practices” of other similar organizations.

This research study will provide three primary products:

1. A set of selected benchmarks for public transit systems, particularly efficiency and effectiveness benchmarks that are commonly used by other transit systems or benchmarks that specifically relate to important customer satisfaction factors identified as part of the study;
2. A recommended benchmarking process that can be used by public transit systems in North Carolina to identify areas of low performance and then institute steps to improve it; and
3. Implementation of an Internet listserv that will provide a communications method to share and disseminate information on, and questions about, benchmarking activities and best practices.

Study dates: January 2005 - December 2005

2006 Benchmarking Final Guidebook (pdf, 660 KB)
2006 Benchmarking Final Report (pdf, 994 KB)

Bicycle and Pedestrian Maps

City of Monroe, North Carolina Transit Study

Study dates: September 2003 - February 2004

There is a need for consistent standards against which to measure the performance of North Carolina public transportation system operators. Therefore, this research study addresses two primary questions:

1. What are appropriate performance measures to use?
2. Should performance measures be used to determine the allocation of funding, and if so, in what way?

To be effective, performance measures must reflect state and local goals, respond to the variety of types and sizes of public transportation systems, address the multitude of services operated, account for constraints outside the control of the transit system, and accommodate differing local needs and conditions.

The second question, "Should performance measures be used to determine the allocation of funding, and if so, in what way?" has at least two important sub-questions that are addressed by the study:

1. If performance measures are used to determine funding allocations, should that be for all or just part of a system's funding? If part, what part?
2. How can the potential conflict between funding need and system performance be resolved? Often a system with the most urgent need for funds is also a system that is performing poorly.

Study Period July 2003 - June 2004

Strategies to Increase Coordination of Transportation Services for the Transportation Disadvantaged: Transit Cooperative Research Program Project H-30

Study dates: 2002 through June 2004

Study of Taxicab and Wrecker Licensing for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (pdf, 725 KB)

The Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at North Carolina State University has been contracted by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to study its regulation of taxicab and wrecker services. Specifically, ITRE has been asked to analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations on the following elements of this regulation as performed by the Metropolitan Government's Taxicab and Wrecker Licensing Board:

1. How do taxicabs and wreckers fit into the current transportation systems in the Nashville
   Metropolitan area?
2. How can the current organization and functions of the Taxicab and Wrecker Licensing
   Board be improved?
3. What should be the staffing levels, qualifications, and administrative accountability of the Board and its staff?
4. What are the training requirements for the Board's taxicab and wrecker regulatory staff?

It is important to emphasize that this study focuses on the above questions. ITRE was not asked to perform an analysis of the quality or quantity of taxi and wrecker services but rather to focus on the role of the Board in regulating these services. To the extent that specific regulations--such as taxi inspection requirements--impact the work load of the Board, we did include them in our analysis. However, our study is not an assessment of the performance of either the taxi or the wrecker industries.

February 6, 1996

TCRP B-17: Advanced Rural Transportation Systems, Where Do We Start? How Far Should We Go?
(pdf, 1.1 MB)

June 2001

TCRP B-16: Analysis of the Private-For-Hire Vehicle Industry and Its Role in Public Transit (pdf, 645 KB)

July 2001

TCRP J-7: Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems
Strategic Planning and Management in Transit Agencies (SH-04)

Strategic planning is a process used to define an organization's vision, mission, challenges, and opportunities; establish long and short range goals; guide business processes; and measure performance. It helps an organization anticipate the future rather than just reacting to it. It helps to integrate the organization's various activities and programs and to better align the organization with stakeholders. For example, when strategic planning is linked with stakeholder interests, budgeting, service deployment, and performance measurement, it can be a very powerful method for effective and efficient strategic management of an organization.

This synthesis project will examine the use of strategic planning in the transit industry. Is it being used? How is it being used? What forms does it take? Has it been effective? What were the reasons it was or was not effective? What are the related training and research needs?

Key research issues will include:

• Is there a formal plan or some other element of strategic management?
• How was the plan developed and implemented?
• What were the drivers for creating the strategic process?
• How does the structure of the organization relate to the strategic process? Who is responsible for the strategic process? What is role of the oversight board?
• What are the linkages to other management tools and processes?
• Are there any measures of plan effectiveness?

A review of relevant literature in the field will be combined with a survey of selected transit agencies to report on the state of the practice. Based on survey results, several in-depth case studies will be developed to profile innovative and successful practices, as well as lessons learned and gaps in information.

Study dates: January 1 through June 30, 2004

Technology Plan for NC Transit Systems (pdf, 283 KB)

June 1999

Transit Grant Information System (TGIS)

Study dates: July 1, 2003 through June 5, 2005

2004 Update for North Carolina Alternative-Fueled or Low Emissions Bus Purchase Plan

Study dates: August 2004 through June 2005

Use of Performance Standards and Measures for Public Transportation Systems (pdf, 1.1 MB)

Study dates: July 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004

Regionalizing Public Transportation Services

Final Report (pdf, 2.4 MB)
Executive Summary (pdf, 1.9 MB)

October 2002

Rail Intern Program 2004-2005

Study dates: July 2004 through June 2005

Best Practices Managing School Campus Circulation (Carpool)

August 2002

A Cooperative Program to Reduce Incidents of Vehicles Passing Stopped School Buses in Coastal Region of NC (pdf, 1.3 MB)

October 2000

Development of Standardized Urban/Suburban School Bus Driving Cycle

This school bus driving cycle project will develop a velocity profile of typical school bus activity operating in urban/suburban school districts. The velocity profile is referred to as the "Driving Cycle" and is used for emission simulation or testing.

Study dates: August 2004 through November 2004

Evaluation of Three-Point Restraint School Bus Seats in North Carolina

Study dates: March 2005 through September 2006

Identification of North Carolina School-Related Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries

According to the National Academies’ study on the relative risks of school travel, 800 school-age children are killed in motor vehicle crashes during school travel hours each year. This accounts for 14% of the 5,600 child deaths that occur on the nation's highways. The School Transportation Group set out to research how safe school travel is among 100 North Carolina counties.

Using data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles, Traffic Records Section, the School Transportation Group developed a Web site that allows users to query school-related crashes by county.

North Carolina School Bus Safety Education Support for 2004-2005

Study Dates: December 2004 through August 2005

North Carolina Training and Technical Assistance Support for Child Transportation and Children with Special Needs

Study dates: October 2004 through September 2005

The School Transportation Research Initiative (Word doc, 24 KB)

October 2002

A Study of Guidelines and Criteria for Establishing School Walk Zones (pdf, 2.2 MB)

November 2001

Transportation and Cost Impacts of School Locations and School Travel

Study Dates: July 2005 through June 2006

Using Global Position System to Improve School Bus Routing and Scheduling (pdf, 120 KB)

Presented to: Transportation Research Board
TRB Paper No. 01-3050
July 24, 2000

Technical Assistance to the State Board of Education in the Support of the Transportation Information Management System (TIMS)

Study Dates: November 2004 through October 2005

Assessment of I-40 Hurricane Evacuation Plans

Study Dates: March 2005 through June 2005

An Evaluation of the Safety Effects of Speed Enforcement Cameras

Study Dates: October 2003 through September 2005

Final Report for the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program, October 2005 (pdf, 1.7 MB)

Analysis and Testing of a Bridge Deck Reinforced with GFRP Rebars

Study dates: July 2004 through June 2006

Complex Computer Models Evaluation

Study dates: August 2000 through July 2004

CSS Training for Construction, Operations and Maintenance

Study dates: January 2005 through December 2005

Economic Impact of Traffic Incidents on North Carolina's Interstate Facilities

Study dates: July 2005 through December 2006

Emissions Reduction Through Better Traffic Management: An Empirical Evaluation Based Upon On-Road Measurements (pdf, 6.4 KB)

December 2001

Evaluation and Application of Pedestrian Modeling Capabilities Using Computer Simulation (pdf, 1