Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology Research Center at UC Davis

The AHMCT Center investigates the application of advanced automation and robotics to highway maintenance and construction.

The AHMCT Center represents a partnership between the California Department of Transportation and UC Davis.

Our purpose is to extend the reach of Caltrans.

We help Caltrans access university and industry research, maintain a leadership position in maintenance and construction technology, access federal and pooled funds for research, test and evaluate new technologies, improve the Caltrans public image as a technology oriented organization, and train students and professionals in transportation operations and technology.

We find ways to:

enhance the safety of highway workers and the traveling public,
improve the efficiency of highway maintenance and construction activities,
improve the reliability of the highway infrastructure,
minimize congestion delays caused by highway maintenance and construction activities, and
minimize the environmental impacts of highway maintenance and construction activities.

Location

Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology Center

Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

University of California

One Shields Avenue

Davis, CA 95616

phone: 530-752-5981

fax: 530-752-6714

The reception office of the AHMCT Center is on the first floor of the Academic Surge Building in Room 1003.

Click here for instructions on how to get here.

Highway Maintenance Projects

The AHMCT Center has the following projects to improve highway maintenance:

Advanced Infrastructure

Diagnostic vehicle — diagnose problems with embedded components of an automated highway.

Structures

Aerial robot — inspect bridges using a robotic, aerial platform.

Video enhancement system — enhance video images of bridge structures.

Roadways

General purpose robot — perform highway maintenance operations, such as crack and joint-sealing, pavement marker and sensor placement, and pothole repair.

Crack sealing machines — identify and seal highway pavement cracks automatically.

Snow removal enhancement — provide driver information in harsh weather conditions.

Markers and Signs

Marker placement devices — install raised markers on highway pavement.

Striping system — provide laser guidance for lane painting operations.

Stenciling machine — robotically stencil roadway markings.

General purpose sign painting system — automate painting of any kind of signs on pavement.

Roadsides

Litter bag pickup system — automatically retrieve litter bags and debris from the side of a road.

Graffiti removal system — remove graffiti with laser irradiation.

Herbicide spraying system — apply herbicides precisely using image sensing and speed-compensated control systems.

Worker Safety Projects

The AHMCT Center has the following projects to improve worker safety:

Remote equipment operation — operate heavy equipment from a distance when conditions are hazardous.

Remote operated hazmat vehicle — remove hazardous substances spilled on a roadway from a distance.

Automatic traffic cone placement and retrieval — automatically place and retrieve traffic cones.

Crash protection system — protect vehicles from rear-end crashes.

Partners - Caltrans and UC Davis

Management

The AHMCT Center is jointly managed by the University of California, Davis, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The Center's Co-Directors are Professors Bahram Ravani and Steven Velinsky of the University of California, Davis.

While highway maintenance and construction methods have progressed considerably over the last several decades, these activities depend relatively little upon high technology equipment or procedures. They are labor intensive and can expose workers and travelers to the risk of injury.

Caltrans' commitment to California

Transportation system maintenance and construction is essential to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of people, goods, services, and information. However, many practices, procedures and equipment in common use today are comparatively inefficient. The application of technological innovation and systems improvement can make highways safer for their stewards and travelers, speed task completion, and reduce associated costs.

The AHMCT Center is a functional example of Caltrans' commitment to meeting California's transportation challenges. It is also an example of the University of California's commitment to the resolution of social and environmental issues that extend far beyond the borders of the State of California. Caltrans and UCD are leaders in their respective fields. Their collaboration in research and development through the AHMCT Center is clear evidence of diverse partners working effectively for significant public benefit.

Resources

Base funding is provided by Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration, UCD, and other public and private sources.

The AHMCT Center pursues additional financial support from federal research programs such as the Transportation Research Board's research and development programs. Private industry cost-sharing contributes to the success of many projects.

Caltrans and UCD maintain close cooperation with their research partners with each party contributing to all aspects of product development. This is particularly evident through the regular participation of end-users, most often Caltrans employees, who critically evaluate the products.

Participation by other state, local and federal government agencies and their private-sector contractors is an essential element in the success of projects and programs undertaken by the AHMCT Center.

Facilities

The Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Center is located in the Academic Surge Building at the University of California, Davis. This location includes approximately 6,000 square feet of integrated office and laboratory space.

The Center maintains a separate 3,000 square foot vehicle integration laboratory in the University's Walker Hall in addition to a 7,500 square foot off-campus large-vehicle integration and field test laboratory. The AHMCT Center uses a closed section of University roadway for highway maintenance equipment field tests.

Center facilities include a robotics lab, a rapid prototyping laboratory, and a computer facility. Laboratory facilities are equipped with industrial robots, fabrication equipment, and computers.

The Center operates several roadway maintenance vehicles for field-testing AHMCT-developed equipment.

Technical Areas

The AHMCT Center's research programs are intended to design and develop products and processes that improve the safety and efficiency of highway maintenance and construction operations.

The Center's innovations use emerging technology, including automation and robotics in order to convert many labor-intensive, time-consuming, and tedious operations to automated, safer, faster and more efficient processes. Automation and standardization made possible through technological innovation improves productivity and reliability, while concurrently reducing transportation system costs.

Project Selection

Research and development projects undertaken at the AHMCT Center are selected for their potential to resolve significant challenges that affect safety, efficiency, and cost savings.

The prototype development life cycle begins with user surveys of perceived need and recommendations for service, process, method, or equipment improvement and innovation. Selected projects must meet the test of broad application and demonstrate strong potential for commercialization.

Some projects may be pursued on their individual merit, provided the development is critically needed and independent, private research cannot be expected to bring the concept to commercial markets.

The pre-prototype research phase involves thorough feasibility studies, cost/benefit analyses, and literature searches. Prototype development includes periodic design reviews and intensive evaluation by transportation maintenance and construction personnel.

End-user observations are incorporated into prototype improvements until a field-operational engineering prototype is developed. The engineering prototype is tested extensively in all environments and by line staff. User comments and recommendations contribute to continued improvement until a reliable prototype is developed. Product manufacturers and marketing firms advance the product from its prototype stage to commercial marketability so that it can become a useful and cost-effective innovation of benefit to all public and private transportation organizations