DBR & Associates - Urban Transportation Consultants

Recent projects completed by DBR & Associates:

Project: Using an Unmanned Airborne Data Acquisition System (ADAS) for Traffic Surveillance, Monitoring, and Management.
Client: Federal Highway Administration (subcontractor to GeoData Systems, Inc.)
Period of Commission: June 2001 – February 2002
Description of Project:
This proposed program is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of using an unmanned airborne data acquisition system (ADAS) for traffic surveillance, monitoring, and management. ADAS is ideally suited for application in monitoring traffic flow, traffic congestion, and supporting ITS assets. The study team will use input from transportation agencies at the state and local level to fine tune the design of the ADAS application and the analysis and evaluation of the results. Areas where the ADAS can be applied effectively and efficiently will be identified. The end product will be a document that will indicate when it is cost-effective to use ADAS relative to other possible methods of data collection and analysis. The document will indicate, for purposes of comparison, typical resources required in terms of direct costs, manpower, and time for ADAS and for other possible methods of data collection.

Project: Commuter Lane Barrier Project in Buenos Aires
Client: U. S. Trade and Development Agency and Autopista Urbanas S.A.
Period of Commission: April 2000 – August 2000
Description of Project:
The purpose of the study was to identify all reasonable alternatives to decrease congestion on two major freeways in Buenos Aires, evaluate the alternatives and recommend the most appropriate alternative, and prepare a preliminary design of the preferred alternative.

Project: Using the Moveable Barrier System as a Moveable Median to Reduce Congestion on Route 78 in Atlanta
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: February 2000 – April 2000
Description of Project:
The placement of a moveable barrier as a moveable median on Route 78, a major arterial with at-grade intersections was investigated. Physical and traffic characteristics were obtained and analyzed. Appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to relieve congestion were developed. An analysis of traffic conditions including capacity analysis were performed. A benefit-cost analysis was conducted.

Project: Using the Moveable Barrier System to Reduce Capacity on I-66 and I-495 in Northern Virginia.
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Virginia Department of Transportation
Period of Commission: November 1999-January 2000
Description of Project: Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Investigate alternative ways of providing crossovers to allow traffic to access and egress the contraflow lane. This included fitting the contraflow lane through the existing major interchange of I-495 and I-66. This interchange is one of the major interchanges on the Capital Beltway (I-495). Capacity and traffic flow analyses were conducted. The total capital and operational cost associated with the project were calculated. Benefits realized as a result of the implementation of the project were estimated. A benefit-cost analysis was conducted. A strategy to incorporate the moveable barrier in the long terms plans for the I-66 corridor was developed.

Project: Guidelines for the Implementation of Moveable Barrier Technology in the U.S.A. Reports Produced to fulfill a requirement of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: May 1999-August 1999
Description of Project: Two reports were written and completed: Moveable Barrier Assisted Traffic Management To Mitigate Congested Highways, Bridges and Tunnels and Mitigation of Construction-Related Congestion Through the Use of Moveable Barrier Technology. The Federal Highway Administration in the U.S. has adopted both reports in fulfillment of a requirement in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). These reports were developed in response to a recognition that the efficiency of existing freeways can be increased significantly if there is a better balance between the prevailing traffic volume and available road capacity. If some of the underutilized road space on one side of a freeway can be "borrowed" and provided to the other, congested side (to form a reversible or contraflow lane), a more efficient use of the freeway will be achieved. This methodology can also be effective in reducing congestion and increasing safety during maintenance or construction with resulting benefits to highway users, including interstate commerce traffic. The value of this has been recognized in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21) legislation. In its section 1402(b): Traffic Flow and Safety Applications of Road Barriers, the following is stated: "The Secretary shall conduct a study on the technologies and methods to enhance safety, streamline construction, and improve capacity by providing positive separation at all times between traffic, equipment, and workers on highway construction projects. The study shall also address how such technologies can be used to improve capacity and safety at those specific highway, bridge, and other appropriate locations where reversible lane, contraflow, and high occupancy vehicle lane operations are implemented during peak traffic periods. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, uses of positive separation technologies related to (among other things) permanent use of positive separation technologies to create contraflow or reversible lanes to increase the capacity of congested highways, bridges, and tunnels."
In most applications of reversible or contraflow lanes, traffic travels in opposite directions in adjoining lanes. If the opposing flows of traffic are separated only by plastic cones or pylons, or are controlled by the use of overhead lights, there is no positive protection between the opposing flows of vehicles. From a safety viewpoint, this is unacceptable on high-speed highways.
The technology that makes it possible to borrow a lane in an acceptably safe way while applying positive separation is Moveable Barrier Technology (MBT).
The purpose of the first report was to identify the different applications of MBT, where and how MBT can be applied as a congestion mitigation and safety measure. The benefits realized through these applications were quantified by means of a detailed benefit/cost analysis for different operational and physical conditions. Recommendations are made for determining when MBT should be considered for application.
The purpose of the second report was to investigate the application of MBT at work zones and to make appropriate recommendations. This report shows that MBT has reduced construction-related delays significantly at many different types of work zone situations without compromising safety. The cost efficiency of MBT is investigated and the report finds that MBT becomes cost effective as soon as work zone capacity is lower than the traffic volume moving through the work zone.

Project: A Capacity Enhancement Study To Reduce Congestion on I-80 in Sacramento by Using Moveable Barrier Technology
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: September 1999
Description of Project: Conduct traffic operational and capacity analysis. Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Conduct a benefit-cost analysis.

Project: Using the Moveable Barrier System as a Moveable Median to Reduce Congestion on I-4 in Orlando
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: April 1999-August 1999
Description of Project:
The replacement of the existing median by a moveable barrier was investigated. Physical and traffic characteristics were obtained and analyzed. Appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion were developed. Median crossovers were located and designed. An analysis of traffic conditions including weaving analysis and capacity analysis were performed. A benefit-cost analysis was conducted.

Project: A Capacity Enhancement Study To Reduce Congestion on I-15 in Salt Lake City, Using Moveable Barrier Technology.
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: August 1998 to August 1999
Description of Project: Conduct traffic operational and capacity analysis. Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Conduct a benefit-cost analysis.

Project: A Capacity Enhancement Study To Reduce Congestion on I-595 in Miami, Using Moveable Barrier Technology.
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: May 1999
Description of Project: Conduct traffic operational and capacity analysis. Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Conduct a benefit-cost analysis.

Project: A Capacity Enhancement Study To Reduce Congestion on West 6^th Avenue in Denver, Using Moveable Barrier Technology.
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: January 1999- February 1999
Description of Project: Conduct traffic operational and capacity analysis. Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Conduct a benefit-cost analysis.

Project: A Capacity Enhancement Study To Reduce Congestion on I-680 in the San Francisco Metropolitan Area.
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Rio Vista, CA
Period of Commission: November 1998-January 1999
Description of Project: Conduct traffic operational and capacity analysis. Determine appropriate alternatives for applying a moveable barrier to create a contraflow lane to relieve congestion. Conduct a benefit-cost analysis.

Project: Assist in Preparation of Transportation Plan for the Year 2004 Olympic Summer Games Bid
Client: City of Cape Town, South Africa
Period of Commission: May 1996-December 1996
Description of Project: Examine how transportation planning was constructed and implemented for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. Research and obtain relevant information. Review and assess the success of the transportation plan.

Project: Assist in Preparation of the Transportation Plan for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic games
Client: Public Planning and Policy Studies, Inc., Tokyo, Japan.
Period of Commission: August 1996-December 1996
Description of Project: Determine how transportation planning was done for the Atlanta Olympic Games. Obtain relevant information. Preview and assess the success of the transportation plan.

Project: Development of Dynamic Capacity Techniques
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Sausalito, CA
Period of Commission: January 1996-Present
Description of Project: Develop and document techniques whereby the moveable barrier system can be used to increase vehicular capacity in restricted right-of-way corridors. Also investigate the cost-effectiveness of the moveable barrier system in the provision of high occupancy toll lanes. Investigate associated financing strategies.

Project: Telecommuting in Texas
Client: Texas Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy
Period of Commission: August 1992-April 1993
Description of Project: Implement new pilot telecommuting projects in Dallas and Houston. Quantify travel reductions achieved by telecommuters. Produce a manual for telecommuting in Texas for future use by Metropolitan Planning Organizations and other organizations.

Project: Benefits/Costs of Using a Moveable Barrier
Client: Barrier Systems, Inc., Sausalito, CA
Period of Commission: November 1990 - November 1992
Description of Project: Evaluate applications of the moveable barrier system thus far in terms of traffic safety, congestion reduction, and labor and other costs. Particular attention is given to work-zone traffic control.

Project: Development of Dynamic Capacity Techniques
Position: Project Manager
Client: Barrier Systems Inc., Sausalito, CA
Period of Commission: June 1989-December 1989
Description of Project: Developed and documented techniques whereby the moveable barrier system can be used to increase vehicular capacity in restricted right-of-way corridors.

Project: Evaluation of Park and Ride Study
Position: Project Manager
Client: Fort Worth Transportation Authority
Period of Commission: October 1990
Description of Project: Evaluated techniques used by staff of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority to determine the location and demand of future park and ride sites.

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Recent Projects Completed by DBR & Associates

Curriculum Vitae: Daniel B. Rathbone, P.h.D., P.E.