Infrastructure Impacts of Iowa's Changing Economy (TR-593)
Researcher(s)
Principal investigator: Konstantina Gkritza, 515-294-2343, nadia@iastate.edu (project list)
Co-principal investigators:
- Shashi Nambisan, 515-294-5209, shashi@iastate.edu (project list)
- Duane Smith, 515-294-6704, desmith@iastate.edu (project list)
Project status
In progress
Start date: 08/15/08
End date: 01/15/10
Sponsor(s)/partner(s)
Sponsor(s):Iowa Department of Transportation
Iowa Highway Research Board
About the research
Research objective: There are 5 major objectives proposed for this research effort:
Objective 1: Develop a reliable set of traffic and fiscal assessment tools to understand the impact of the development of the biofuels and wind power industries on Iowas highway transport infrastructure, particularly the secondary road system.
Objective 2: Inventory the types of large and heavy vehicles likely to be used as the cellulosic biofuels and wind power industries develop in rural Iowa. Develop turning movement templates and typical axle loading characteristics/specifications for these vehicles.
Objective 3: Document the current physical and fiscal impacts of Iowas existing bio-fuels and wind power industries. Assess the likely physical and fiscal impacts (and infrastructure needs) of the further development of the biofuels and wind power industries in Iowa in the next 15 to 20 years using a multi-county, case study approach.
Objective 4: Develop a brief set of public policy recommendations given the need to provide adequate roadway and bridge infrastructure to support the biofuels and wind power industries during the next 15 to 20 years in Iowa.
Objective 5: Develop a Road Map for technology transfer for this issue, which could lead to additional outreach activities in the future by CTRE and other organizations should additional resources become available.