Eric Donnell, Ph.D., P.E., Director

The Larson Institute is the locus for transportation-related research conducted by Penn State faculty from more than 14 colleges and research centers. Learn about Larson Institute’s current test facility, and the planned PennSTART new facility which is a collaboration with PennDOT, the PA Turnpike Commission, and Penn State.

Garth T. Donahue, P.E. (PA, VA, TN, TX), JMT

As our industry moves away from traditional paper construction documents and utilizes Civil Information Modeling (CIM) the use of Virtual Reality (VR) becomes a powerful tool.  The ability to use traditional survey, aerial drone data, and imagery combined with 3D models, enables us to see the end product before it is constructed.  

Anna Cullen, Director of External Relations, The Ray

The Georgia Public Service Commission (Georgia PSC) authorized the funding for Georgia Power to construct, own and operate a one-megawatt solar array on Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) property at Exit 14 off Interstate 85, which is known as “The Ray.” Georgia will be the third state in the nation to utilize the grassy shoulder of an interstate highway, to generate solar energy. This unique project will pilot the use of native flowering plants as ground cover in test plots within the solar array, making Georgia the first in the nation to pilot pollinator-friendly, right-of-way solar.

Scott DeStefano, Products Manager, Sika Corporation

This program is focused specifically on DOT applications for fiber reinforced structural strengthening. General overview of the design considerations, uses and practical installation techniques for both carbon and glass fiber structural strengthening. Conventional wet and dry-layup application methods will be discussed along with new product innovations such as factory pre-saturated fabrics. Unique non fabric strengthening systems such as CFRP rods, plates, biscuits, long filament cables will also be discussed. Live CFRP installation demo is also available in conjunction with this demo or as a separate program.

Jim Katsafanas, PE, PTOE, Associate Vice President & Assistant Program Manager, Emerging Transportation Technologies

The 33 Smart Mobility Corridor is blazing a new path on the road to becoming a connected corridor. The project is part of a $6 million USDOT Advanced Transportation Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grant to implement connected vehicle technologies along a 35-mile section of US 33 between the City of Dublin and City of Marysville near Columbus, Ohio. The US 33 corridor will offer a unique opportunity to deploy and test smart vehicle technology in various settings, including; urban, suburban, and rural and roadway types, including; local, arterial, and collector streets and multi-lane divided highway ramps. The project includes the installation of 61 dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) devices along US 33 with another 37 installed at traffic signals within the Cities of Marysville and Dublin, equipping nearly 600 vehicles with connected vehicle technology, and developing a network to manage the data and the infrastructure.

Mark C. Kopko, Special Advisor, Transformational Technology, Office of the Secretary, PennDOT

George Heck, Director Strategic Partnerships, Tenna LLC
Austin Conti, CEO, Tenna LLC

Asset management is becoming a larger focus for contractors in reducing unnecessary equipment/fleet expenses. Tenna, formed from a 113 year-old civil construction company in NJ, provides a software/hardware platform system to digitize and manage ALL company assets, from heavy yellow iron, trucks and cranes to steel road plates and other inventory assets. Our presentation focuses on taking the Asset/Fleet/Equipment Manager from “putting out the fires” on the jobsites to strategically managing an asset base with more “fire prevention”.

Thomas De Soo, Director, I&I Sling / Slingmax Rigging Solutions
Greg D’Elia, Director of Engineering, Slingmax Rigging Solutions

The presentation will show how the blocks used with Smart Sling Technology can increase production and ergonomics for the workers using the gear as well condition of the slings and overload indication alerts being emailed and texted if the situation were to arise.

Matt Stachel, Founder/CEO, TruckBlox

Science has proven, that humans make 80% of their decisions based on emotion. It’s a sub-conscious process that’s wired deep in our brain.  The thought process of a driver immediately changes when your work zone causes traffic to slow down, stop or change.  If we want to change driver behavior, we need to think about how and why drivers react behind the wheel.  Emotional marketing is used every day by businesses, so why haven’t we been using it to save lives on the road?