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RESEARCH
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The coordination between the civil engineer and the electrical
engineer is not without discourse as construction drawings for
concrete airfield pavements are developed. The civil engineer
provides the pavement cross-section and jointing layout. The electrical
engineer provides the light spacing, distance from threshold,
conduit placement, anchoring, etc., usually based upon Advisory
Circular requirements and not respective pavement details. At
the time of construction, the details are usually worked out in
the field with compromise solutions.
The
outstanding question remains, for both new and existing pavements,
"How do you integrate conflicting requirements such that you have
a functional system that minimizes maintenance requirements?"
Published guidelines for the airport operator, design engineer
or the contractor on how to provide in-pavement lighting systems
do not exist.
A
"Best Practices" document that provides a summary of how it is
done and how it can be improved is required. "Best Practices"
is defined as not how to do it but a summary of practices that
result in satisfactory installations resulting in minimal maintenance
requirements. The document must clearly explain the pitfalls that
one can experience when constructing in-pavement lighting systems
for new and existing pavements as well as the rehabilitation of
concrete pavements that incorporate in pavement lights.
OBJECTIVES:
- The
document must be an education and training tool for the designer
and contractor. Attention must be drawn to the inconsistencies
between the two systems (pavement and lighting) in the form
of construction tolerance, performance requirements, load bearing
functions of the pavement and the lighting as well as the different
types of pavements and lighting systems. There should be discussion
about new technology and how lighting systems of the future
may impact airfield pavement construction.
- Develop
a best practices summary about the design and construction techniques
for the different lighting systems used in conventional construction.
The guide will not be a "this is the best way," but it will
be a descriptive guide on the ways to accomplish the function
with advantages and disadvantages of each technique described.
Standard drawings are not seen as a requirement but where details
are necessary an explanation about an existing Advisory Circular
may be appropriate.
- Develop
construction details and related specifications for light systems
for both new, existing and rehabilitation construction.
- Electrical
system conduit placement
- Drainage
(light system cans and fixtures)
- Setting
light cans for placing pavement
- Isolation
of lighting fixtures from pavement
- Lighting
fixture location with respect to pavement joints
- Regional
modifications because of climate and exposure
- Do
lighting fixtures carry aircraft load? If so, how are the wheel
loads transferred and to where? What are the details necessary
to assure that their load transfer function is effected?
PRODUCTS:
Provide
a best practices guide (in the form of an IPRF report), for use
by the pavement designer, contractor and the owner on placing
in pavement light fixtures in both new and existing pavement.
The use of the techniques and methods described in the guide should
result in reduced maintenance. The guide should also result in
a reduction of construction issues/delays and ultimately construction
costs.
The final document will present the findings of the research in
a format and presentation easily understood by the intended user
of products. At the conclusion of the research, there will be
a document(s) that the engineer, constructor or airport operator
can read, gain an understanding of the problem and approach design
and construction in a rational manner.
The
investigator will provide the original publication, in two copies,
in a camera ready format including artwork, graphics and photos.
The documents will also be submitted in an electronic format compatible
with off-the-shelf desktop computer publication software. The
investigator will not be responsible for the reproduction and
printing of the final document(s) but will assist with minor editing
requirements generated by the printing and reproduction process.
TASKS:
The
investigator will develop sub-tasks that when completed will result
in completion of the project within the time and budget available.
It is not necessary that the proposal reflect the exact budget
or the planned time. However, any deviation from the designated
resources must be justified and clearly explained in the proposal.
The following are the minimum tasks that are considered necessary
to complete the project.
Task 1 - Literature Review and Information Gathering.
A.
Examine existing literature to determine what documents are
applicable to this project and what information is available.
Determine "where are the holes" in the technology information.
Produce a summary document of the existing documents. FAA Advisory
Circulars are to be included in the review including AC 150/5340-30
and 150/5370-10a (Item P-501).
B.
Develop a list of airports where in pavement lighting is present
in airfield pavements.
IMPORTANT:
A
written survey will not be accomplished to determine where in-pavement
lighting systems exist or are being installed. A survey is defined
as the random distribution of a standard list of questions that
seek trends or forecasting information. The use of such surveys
must receive approval through the IPRF from the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB). That process requires a minimum of 90 days from
the date of application for the survey approval. The 90 day approval
period is not included in the time designated as the performance
period. The investigator is encouraged to use a means other than
"survey" to identify the candidate airport projects.
Task
2 - Document a Research Plan. Develop an outline of the product
and specifically include in that outline those issues that the
research team defines as "issues." Develop a plan for doing research
that will fill the "holes" in available information. Define where
information will come from and propose a list of those airports
where "lessons learned" can be garnered about in-pavement lighting
system installation and performance (related to pavements) in
both new and existing pavements. Talk to the representatives of
regional FAA offices and select airport operators and determine
if there are recurring problems with in-pavement lighting construction
and maintenance. Submit the summary of the literature and information
gathering task. Submit an outline of the proposed product and
a plan for finding answers and/or validating those answers for
outstanding questions.
Task
3 -Airport In-Pavement Lighting Performance. Based upon the
list of airports develop a methodology to define how the systems
were installed and develop definitions of problems with pavements,
and/or the lighting systems, that developed as a result of the
installation. Where maintenance problems have not evolved, document
the differences between in-pavement lighting installations that
were successful and those where problems exist. Talk to at least
five (5) contractors, both pavement and lighting, and have them
define where improvements can be made in details or techniques
to be sure the intent of the construction is satisfied. Consultant
with at least five (5) design groups and discuss the recommendations
made by contractors as well as garner their perspectives on installation
and maintenance. Interview lighting system manufacturers and have
them define how construction should be accomplished and to forecast
the future as to where the technology is moving and what should
the industry be prepared to see in the way of systems and construction
requirements.
Task
4 - Advanced Final Report. When Task 3 is completed, fully
develop the outline that was approved by the IPRF after Task 2,
using the contractor interviews, airport performance evaluations
and information gathering into an advanced final report. The report
should quantify the problems that have been discovered or perceived
as resulting in maintenance issues and offer solutions in the
form of a "Best Practices" format. The document is to be prepared
and submitted for review by the Technical Panel. The research
team should define issues that need to be fully discussed and
resultant policy decisions made. Recommendations by the research
team are expected.
Task
5 - Draft Final Report. Make corrections to the 60% document
and submit the final documents to the IPRF. Further research or
information gathering may be required as a result of the 60% review.
Include in the report all artwork, graphical presentations, format,
etc. The document shall be in a form that for all intent is complete
with the exception of final comments made by the technical panel.
Task
6 - Final Report. Make corrections to the 90% document and
submit the final documents. Assist the IPRF with editorial changes,
minor format corrections or other editing necessary for publication
of the final report.
Products
Summary:
-
The final product will be a best practices guide (as an IPRF
Report) that includes descriptive and graphic elaboration
of the design and construction process for in-pavement lighting
systems for portland cement concrete pavement construction.
The report will be submitted as two original documents and
one report on electronic media compatible with conventional
desktop publishing systems.
- The
summary report of the literature search, a list of airports
that have pavements with in-pavement lighting and an outline
of the report. Submit 8 copies. This is defined as
the 20% level of completion. The airport list and the proposed
methods on obtaining information will be reviewed at an on-board
meeting at a location to be determined. The investigator will
host the meeting. Location will be determined in coordination
with the IPRF.
- Submit
an advanced final report (8 copies) for 60% review.
The review will be accomplished as an on-board meeting at
a location to be determined. The investigator will host the
meeting. Location will be determined in coordination with
the IPRF.
Other
Considerations and requirements.
SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
After
the technical panel completes the evaluation of proposals, each
of the proposals will be rank ordered. The organization, group,
or individual that is ranked as the first and second choice for
the recommendation to award may be asked to participate in a telephone
interview. The Principal Investigator, and one other person, representing
the entity ranked first and second choice by the technical panel
may be asked to participate in the interview to discuss the project
details, goals, and objectives. The interview will occur within
a 45-day window subsequent to the proposal submittal deadline.
IPRF
PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE:
Persons
preparing proposals are urged to review the following documents
to be sure that there is a full understanding of IPRF procedures
and requirements. Proposals must be prepared in the format specified
in the instruction documents. The proposal will be submitted
as one (1) original and 8 copies.
The
documents required as an aide to the preparation of the proposal
include:
FUNDS
AVAILABLE: $80,000
CONTRACT
TIME: 9 Months
PROJECT
DIRECTOR: Mr. Jim Lafrenz,
P.E.
ESTIMATED
NOTICE TO PROCEED DATE: January 17, 2005
PROPOSAL
DUE DATE: October 25, 2004 not later than 4:00 P.M. (Eastern Time)
DELIVERY
INSTRUCTIONS:
Proposals
will be delivered to:
Innovative Pavement Research Foundation
Cooperative Programs Office
1010 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 200
Washington DC 20001
(202) 842-1131 FAX:
(202) 842-2022
Attention: Research Proposal Log
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