Description: "Fatigue cracking is a significant form of pavement distress in flexible pavements. The properties of the sand-asphalt mortars or fine aggregate matrix (FAM) can be used to characterize the evolution of fatigue crack growth and self-healing in asphalt mixtures. This study compares the internal microstructure of the mortar within a full asphalt mixture to the internal microstructure of the FAM specimen. This study also conducts a limited evaluation of the influence of mixture properties and methods of compaction on the engineering properties of the FAM specimens. The results from this study, although limited in number, indicate that in most cases the SGC compacted FAM specimen had a microstructure that most closely resembled the microstructure of the mortar within a full asphalt mixture. Another finding from this study was that, at a given level of damage, the healing characteristic of the three different types of FAM mixes was not significantly different. This indicates that the healing rate is mostly dictated by the type of binder and not significantly influenced by the gradation or binder content, as long as the volumetric distribution of the mastic was the same. In other words, the inherent healing characteristics of the asphalt binder play a more ...

Description: This proposal extends the delivery of the recently developed graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning to a wider audience through the establishment of an Executive Certificate Program by distance (eCertificate). While the need for an interdisciplinary approach to transportation is widely recognized by the professional community, there are few educational programs that address the field of transportation in a truly comprehensive, interdisciplinary manner. Texas A&M University's (TAMU's) university-wide graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning was established in August 2008 to address this need. This program has proved to be very successful. A limitation of the existing certificate program is that it is available only to graduate students at TAMU in College Station. The eCertificate program extends the delivery of the existing certificate to a wider audience of professionals interested in transportation in selected metropolitan areas in Texas. Preliminary indications suggest that an audience for the certificate exists in major metropolitan areas in Texas, especially Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The certificate will increase access, expand Texas A&M's transportation curriculum, and enhance the university's position as a national leader in transportation education.

Description: "This project conducted initial testing to develop a method for quantifying plant and soil carbon sequestration capabilities under the controlled conditions of the Texas Transportation Institute's Environmental and Emissions Research Facility (EERF)."

Description: "This report focused on the evaluation of traffic sign sheeting performance in terms of meeting the nighttime driver needs. Using the luminance requirements derived from the study and market-weighted headlamp flux matrices, the researchers developed an approach to sigh sheeting specification that is based on nighttime driver needs."

Description: This research investigated the overhang and shear capacity of a precast overhang system for potential use during the construction of bridges with precast overhang panels. The research was performed in three phases: the Phase 1 research including work specifically for the Rock Creek Bridge in Parker County, Texas; the Phase 2 research for general precast overhang panels, and; the Phase 3 research investigating the shear capacity. Grout material characteristics were also assessed for possible use in the haunch; constructability issues were also addressed.