AASHTO Domestic Scan Proposal Form

AASHTO is soliciting topic proposals for a FY 2010 US Domestic Scan Program (NCHRP Panel 20-68A). Each selected scan topic will be investigated through site visits to three to six locations over a one or two week period, conducted by a group of eight to 12 transportation professionals with expertise in the selected topic area. Proposed topics should meet the following criteria:

·  Address an important and timely need for information by transportation agencies;

·  Are of interest to a broad national spectrum of people and agencies;

·  Are complex and also “hands-on,” meaning they lend themselves particularly well to exploration through on-site visits; and

·  Are sufficiently focused that the tour participants are able to investigate and understand key issues in the limited time available on the tour.

Proposals should be returned no later than November 14th, 2008.

Proposal Contact Information
Name: Kevin J. Thompson
Title: Deputy Division Chief, Structure Design (State Bridge Engineer)
Agency/AASHTO Committee: Highway Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures (HSCOBS) Technical Committee on Tunnels (T-20).
Address: California Department of Transportation, Division of Engineering Services, Structure Design, 1801 30th Street, P.O. Box 1168041, Sacramento, CA. 95816-8149
E-mail:
Telephone number: (916) 227-8807
Date of submission: Nov 1, 2008
Title of Proposed Scan
Best Practices for roadway tunnel design, construction and maintenance of tunnels on the national, state and local highway systems in the United States.
Problem Statement (What topic is to be examined? What drives the need for the scan? Why now?)
The need to develop national standards for roadway tunnels is partly based on recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), following the ceiling collapse of the Central Artery Tunnel in Boston Massachusetts. One of the recommendations involves the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), to develop specific design, construction, and inspection guidance for various tunnel systems. The AASHTO Technical Committee on Tunnels (T-20) recognizes the benefits of extending the focus on tunnels to include various tunnel attributes that improve the safety and security of roadway Tunnels.
The domestics scan would facilitate the development of a national inventory on tunnels, and combine with current research (NCHRP 20-07, Task 261) already underway in developing best practices for roadway tunnel design, construction, and maintenance of existing and new tunnels.
Scan Scope (What specific subject areas are to be examined? Which cities and states might be visited? Which agencies/organizations (including specific departments or types of staff if applicable)?
The national tunnel scan will include tunnels on the state highway system as well as those carrying local streets and roads. The scan will focus on tunnel inspection practices, safety (emergency response capability), and design and construction standards practiced by state DOT’s and local agencies. Consideration will be given to fire suppression, traffic management, incident detection, maintenance and safety inspection, incident management, and security features in place. The scan will also include forensic inspection, analysis, design, and construction repairs with respect to existing tunnels.
The scan will focus on key coastal states (New York, etc.), and other states such as Colorado and Pennsylvania, with significant tunnels in their inventory.
Scan Objectives (What key information is to be gained? What information is to be shared after the scan? Who would the audience be for this information?)
The domestic scan will augment information already identified in the 2005 International Tunnel Scan, which considered tunnel operations, incident detection, response and recovery planning. One of the objectives will be to identify specialized technology and standards (such as NFPA 502 standards, and others) used in monitoring or inspecting structural elements and operating equipment to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime during maintenance or rehabilitation.
The scan findings will be essential in developing a national tunnel inventory of design, construction, maintenance and emergency response practices. The scan findings will be published and made available for AASHTO consideration in advancing tunnel guidance and standards.
Benefits Expected (Including potential impacts on current technology or procedures)
The domestic tunnel scan will facilitate the development of AASHTO guidance and standards for roadway tunnels in the United States. With a national inventory on tunnels, and better information on existing tunnel attributes, we will be in a better position to identify tunnel infrastructure needs with respect to safety and security.
We will have better information to assess programmatic needs (such as program level cost, scope and schedule) for improving tunnel security, traffic and emergency operations, maintenance and inspection best practices, that will likely go along with future design and construction standards. The scan will include cost estimating for both new tunnel construction and existing tunnel maintenance and repairs for planning purposes.