UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 36, Page 6
July 9, 1992
Transportation Center studies state on the move

     The Delaware Transportation Center (DTC) is on the move and has
been involved in several research projects concerning the present and
future transportation needs of the state.
     A joint venture of the University's Department of Civil
Engineering and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT),
the center was established in 1988 and is directed by Shinya Kikuchi,
associate professor of civil engineering.
     John Davis, who was state director of highways from 1984-1991,
serves as chief engineer of the center. Ardeshir Faghri, assistant
professor of civil engineering, also serves on the center staff. There
currently are 12 graduate students involved in DTC research projects.
     Research into transportation needs will become increasingly
important, according to Kikuchi, given population growth, development,
environmental concerns, roadway congestion, and technological
advances.
     In one project, Kikuchi has been carrying out mathematical
modeling of left-turn lanes, determining how long they need to be to
accommodate traffic at different intersections. Factors such as the
amount of traffic in both directions and the length of traffic light
cycles figure into the calculations.
     He also is involved in evaluating the Intelligent Vehicle-Highway
Systems, a national effort to make highways safer and more efficient,
using advanced communications and control technologies, for use in
Delaware.
     Faghri has been creating a computerized Geographic Information
System (GIS) that can give different kinds of data about any given
area. The pilot program involves New Castle County, and a digitized
map is being created to give computerized information about
topography, traffic volume, accident rates, natural resources,
agricultural use and other pertinent facts. Maps used to be
hand-drawn, but GIS provides a faster, more efficient way of mapping
and of disseminating the information.
     In another project, Faghri is working out a method of estimating
the cost of construction before a project is put up for bid. By
feeding the computer data on construction items and bids from past
projects, DelDOT can get a more accurate estimation of what a project
should cost and can enter into the bidding process more knowledgeably.
     Davis has been involved in a project that examines traffic signs
and senior drivers, who are forming a larger segment of the driving
population. Some of the questions being addressed includes: do letters
need to be larger? Are signs too wordy? Does a proliferation of signs
confuse older drivers?
     He also is involved in creating a transit-friendly manual for
designers of shopping centers, developments and roads to encourage
them to think in terms of accommodating public transportation. The
manual will provide a nuts-and-bolts explanation of designing
park-and-ride facilities, pull-off requirements for buses and other
pertinent information. "Even if buses do not run in an area now, they
may later and making provisions for public transit initially can save
future problems," he said.
     The interdisciplinary center uses the expertise of faculty in
other fields. For example, Francis Tannian, professor, and Paul
Solano, associate professor, both in the College of Urban Affairs and
Public Policy, have been involved in a project to develop parking
policy and transit strategies for downtown Wilmington.
     Informing and getting input from the public and private sector
also are goals of DTC. Last year a video was made for civic groups to
give an overview-in layperson terms-of the concept of capacity and the
level of service of highways.
     DTC projects are determined by an 11-member policy committee.
Serving on the committee from the University are Davis; and the dean
of the College of Engineering and the chairperson of the Department of
Civil Engineering who both are ex-officio members. Thomas W.
Brockenbrough, professor emeritus of civil engineering, was appointed
by University President David P. Roselle to represent the public at
large.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure