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Published Articles
Midwest Roadside Safety Guardrail Nationally Honored
Roadway Safety Foundation Website - November 5, 2009
The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration on Nov. 5 recognized UNL's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility's "Development of Midwest Guardrail System for Special Applications" program for its efforts to innovate by designing safer and lower cost new highway guardrails that keep motorists on roads during crashes.
Roadway Safety Award recipients were evaluated on three criteria – innovation, effectiveness, and efficient use of resources. Program categories included infrastructure improvements, operational improvements and program planning, development and evaluation. The award recipients were selected from 113 entries received.
The Midwest Guardrail System, in response to studies showing high rollover risks for traditional guardrails, worked to design new standards for the construction of guardrails on highways, creating a design that performs better in crash tests at lower costs than other systems. The system is currently under consideration for adoption by 12 states.
Roadway Safety Foundation Website - November 5, 2009
The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration on Nov. 5 recognized UNL's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility's "Development of Midwest Guardrail System for Special Applications" program for its efforts to innovate by designing safer and lower cost new highway guardrails that keep motorists on roads during crashes.
Roadway Safety Award recipients were evaluated on three criteria – innovation, effectiveness, and efficient use of resources. Program categories included infrastructure improvements, operational improvements and program planning, development and evaluation. The award recipients were selected from 113 entries received.
The Midwest Guardrail System, in response to studies showing high rollover risks for traditional guardrails, worked to design new standards for the construction of guardrails on highways, creating a design that performs better in crash tests at lower costs than other systems. The system is currently under consideration for adoption by 12 states.
Buildings, Bridges and Barriers: Engineering for K-12
CYFS Annual Report - September , 2009
"What is an engineer?" is a question that many middle and high school students cannot answer. A collaborative team of UNL engineers (Dr. Larry Rilett) and educators (Drs. Gina Kunz and Gwen Nugent), together with the Nebraska Department of Education (Tony Glenn), are helping middle and high school students and their teachers understand engineering and the real life math, science, and technology applications that are the essence of this field. When we approach a stop light, cross a street, drive across a bridge, or survive a car accident, we can appreciate the reality of engineering in practice.
The UNL Professional Development Science and Math Summer Institute, funded by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and the U.S. Department of Transportation, is advancing the knowledge and skills of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) middle and high school educators and their students.
Teachers participate in discussions with engineers about their research related to safety barriers, road design, and radiofrequency identification; visit various sites where the research has been put into action; and develop lesson plans that they use in classrooms with their students. Teacher and student participants have demonstrated increases in their knowledge of engineering, and students have shown increases in positive attitudes towards math, science, and engineering.
The success of the nation relies on future leaders in engineering fields. This project reaches out to teachers and students throughout Nebraska, with plans to expand efforts regionally and nationally, to promote such leadership.
CYFS Annual Report - September , 2009
"What is an engineer?" is a question that many middle and high school students cannot answer. A collaborative team of UNL engineers (Dr. Larry Rilett) and educators (Drs. Gina Kunz and Gwen Nugent), together with the Nebraska Department of Education (Tony Glenn), are helping middle and high school students and their teachers understand engineering and the real life math, science, and technology applications that are the essence of this field. When we approach a stop light, cross a street, drive across a bridge, or survive a car accident, we can appreciate the reality of engineering in practice.
The UNL Professional Development Science and Math Summer Institute, funded by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and the U.S. Department of Transportation, is advancing the knowledge and skills of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) middle and high school educators and their students.
Teachers participate in discussions with engineers about their research related to safety barriers, road design, and radiofrequency identification; visit various sites where the research has been put into action; and develop lesson plans that they use in classrooms with their students. Teacher and student participants have demonstrated increases in their knowledge of engineering, and students have shown increases in positive attitudes towards math, science, and engineering.
The success of the nation relies on future leaders in engineering fields. This project reaches out to teachers and students throughout Nebraska, with plans to expand efforts regionally and nationally, to promote such leadership.
IRF Essay Student Winner - Jeff Thiele
IRFNews - January , 2009
Congratulations to Civil Engineering graduate student Jeff Thiele, one of the five winners of the International Road Federation’s annual student essay competition. An international panel of judges graded essays submitted under five separate categories. Jeff Thiele’s essay won the “Innovative Financing” category.
Mr. Thiele’s essay, “Road Pricing to Reduce Congestion, Pollution, and Injury Accidents” suggests that road pricing can be used to reduce congestion, pollution, and accidents, resulting in fewer injuries on our nation's roads. The growth of demand for transportation in our country is consistently outpacing the increase in supply, a trend which is clearly unsustainable. Additionally, congestion and injury/fatality accidents cost the national economy over $250 billion in 2005, and whether or not climate change is a threat, reducing our nation’s consumption of (primarily foreign) oil would help our economy and improve our national security. Thiele’s essay discusses various types of road tolls and fuel taxes which could help in all of these areas.
“I spent a good deal of time preparing several drafts of the essay, and thought it had a chance of winning when I submitted it. But with the new school year and everything else going on, I hadn't thought about it in a while, so I was completely surprised,” said Theile. “I'm very thankful to the International Road Federation for this award, and I'm honored that my essay was selected as a winner.”
Ron Faller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Civil Engineering professor and Thiele’s supervisor is very proud of his student’s accomplishment: “It is a tremendous honor and achievement for Jeff to be selected by IRF’s review panel for writing the winning essay in the international competition. For this essay, Jeff’s dedication and approach is representative of the academic rigor that he has devoted to his engineering studies and graduate research. The students of the University of Nebraska, College of Engineering have continued to demonstrate that they are amongst the best around the world in writing creative, thought-provoking, essays on the real issues facing society today.”
IRFNews - January , 2009
Congratulations to Civil Engineering graduate student Jeff Thiele, one of the five winners of the International Road Federation’s annual student essay competition. An international panel of judges graded essays submitted under five separate categories. Jeff Thiele’s essay won the “Innovative Financing” category.
Mr. Thiele’s essay, “Road Pricing to Reduce Congestion, Pollution, and Injury Accidents” suggests that road pricing can be used to reduce congestion, pollution, and accidents, resulting in fewer injuries on our nation's roads. The growth of demand for transportation in our country is consistently outpacing the increase in supply, a trend which is clearly unsustainable. Additionally, congestion and injury/fatality accidents cost the national economy over $250 billion in 2005, and whether or not climate change is a threat, reducing our nation’s consumption of (primarily foreign) oil would help our economy and improve our national security. Thiele’s essay discusses various types of road tolls and fuel taxes which could help in all of these areas.
“I spent a good deal of time preparing several drafts of the essay, and thought it had a chance of winning when I submitted it. But with the new school year and everything else going on, I hadn't thought about it in a while, so I was completely surprised,” said Theile. “I'm very thankful to the International Road Federation for this award, and I'm honored that my essay was selected as a winner.”
Ron Faller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Civil Engineering professor and Thiele’s supervisor is very proud of his student’s accomplishment: “It is a tremendous honor and achievement for Jeff to be selected by IRF’s review panel for writing the winning essay in the international competition. For this essay, Jeff’s dedication and approach is representative of the academic rigor that he has devoted to his engineering studies and graduate research. The students of the University of Nebraska, College of Engineering have continued to demonstrate that they are amongst the best around the world in writing creative, thought-provoking, essays on the real issues facing society today.”
U.S. EPA’s Region 7 Awards $1M in Recovery Funding to University of Nebraska-Lincoln to Reduce Diesel Emissions and Create Jobs
EPA - August 11, 2009
(Kansas City, Kan., August 11, 2009) - In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions, and protect human health and the environment for the people of Nebraska, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Transportation Center (UNL/NTC) for the reduction of diesel emissions in the community. This clean diesel project will create jobs while protecting Nebraska’s air quality.
“These Clean Diesel grants provide an excellent opportunity to upgrade diesel fleets while improving local air quality,” said William Rice, acting Region 7 administrator. "They also allow local businesses needed work, thus increasing regional economic stability."
The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Under this funding competition, EPA Region 7 alone received more than 34 grant applications requesting almost $92.2 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects. The award announced today was chosen to both maximize economic impact and emissions reductions.
The Nebraska Transportation Center requested federal funds to conduct a subgrant process to retrofit approximately 187 vehicles with EPA-verified idle reduction technologies. Not only will these technologies reduce harmful diesel emissions, but the project will serve as a model for others who may be considering any of the technologies. This project will create and preserve jobs with truck drivers, dealerships, body shops, equipment installers, manufacturers, and the university.
In addition to helping create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects will help to reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.
The Recovery Act allotted the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) a total of $300 million, of which the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program received $156 million to fund competitive grants across the nation. The Recovery Act also included $20 million for the National Clean Diesel Emerging Technology Program grants and $30 million for the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program grants.
In addition, under the act’s State Clean Diesel Grant program, a total of $88.2 million has been provided to states for clean diesel projects through a noncompetitive allocation process.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at http://www.recovery.gov/.
For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Region 7, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recovery.
EPA - August 11, 2009
(Kansas City, Kan., August 11, 2009) - In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions, and protect human health and the environment for the people of Nebraska, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Transportation Center (UNL/NTC) for the reduction of diesel emissions in the community. This clean diesel project will create jobs while protecting Nebraska’s air quality.
“These Clean Diesel grants provide an excellent opportunity to upgrade diesel fleets while improving local air quality,” said William Rice, acting Region 7 administrator. "They also allow local businesses needed work, thus increasing regional economic stability."
The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Under this funding competition, EPA Region 7 alone received more than 34 grant applications requesting almost $92.2 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects. The award announced today was chosen to both maximize economic impact and emissions reductions.
The Nebraska Transportation Center requested federal funds to conduct a subgrant process to retrofit approximately 187 vehicles with EPA-verified idle reduction technologies. Not only will these technologies reduce harmful diesel emissions, but the project will serve as a model for others who may be considering any of the technologies. This project will create and preserve jobs with truck drivers, dealerships, body shops, equipment installers, manufacturers, and the university.
In addition to helping create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects will help to reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.
The Recovery Act allotted the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) a total of $300 million, of which the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program received $156 million to fund competitive grants across the nation. The Recovery Act also included $20 million for the National Clean Diesel Emerging Technology Program grants and $30 million for the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program grants.
In addition, under the act’s State Clean Diesel Grant program, a total of $88.2 million has been provided to states for clean diesel projects through a noncompetitive allocation process.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at http://www.recovery.gov/.
For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Region 7, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recovery.
Kimley-Horn Scholarship for Graduate Students
NTC News - November 14, 2008
The Kimley-Horn Scholarship in Civil Engineering is a graduate scholarship established by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. by an annual gift to the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Its intent is to recognize and reward outstanding students in transportation systems engineering who have an interest in a career as an engineering consultant. The Nebraska Transportation Center would like to encourage all of our current Graduate Students to apply for this prestigious award.
NTC News - November 14, 2008
The Kimley-Horn Scholarship in Civil Engineering is a graduate scholarship established by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. by an annual gift to the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Its intent is to recognize and reward outstanding students in transportation systems engineering who have an interest in a career as an engineering consultant. The Nebraska Transportation Center would like to encourage all of our current Graduate Students to apply for this prestigious award.
Lincoln Math Teacher Receives Presidential Award
Lincoln Journal Star - May 01, 2008
http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/05/01/news/local/doc481a6b1cf413d368816700.txt
Lincoln Journal Star - May 01, 2008
http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/05/01/news/local/doc481a6b1cf413d368816700.txt
Youth Zone: Safer walk to school is grants' goal
Omaha World Herald - February 29, - Living
At Omaha's McMillan Magnet Center, it's common for eighth-graders to start thinking like civil engineers.
Omaha World Herald - February 29, - Living
At Omaha's McMillan Magnet Center, it's common for eighth-graders to start thinking like civil engineers.
Celebration Announces National Academy of Sciences Grant for Bridge Research
UNL Today - February 4, 2008
University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering researchers aim to find ways to make the nation's bridges last longer and to design new ones that last a century or longer with funding from a new $2 million grant.
UNL Today - February 4, 2008
University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering researchers aim to find ways to make the nation's bridges last longer and to design new ones that last a century or longer with funding from a new $2 million grant.
UNL Professor Awarded National Medal of Science
Lincoln Journal Star - July 28, 2007
Among medal recipients in technology was Dean L. Sicking for his innovative design and development of roadside and race track safety technologies.
Lincoln Journal Star - July 28, 2007
Among medal recipients in technology was Dean L. Sicking for his innovative design and development of roadside and race track safety technologies.
For the Record
Scarlet - July 26, 2007 - Faculty, Staff and Students
The White House announced June 12 that Dean Sicking, professor of Civil Engineering, received the nation's highest honor for technology.
Scarlet - July 26, 2007 - Faculty, Staff and Students
The White House announced June 12 that Dean Sicking, professor of Civil Engineering, received the nation's highest honor for technology.
Rilett to Guide New Center for Transportation
Scarlet - February 22, 2007
The university has established a new state transportation center to better coordinate and fund transportation research and to strengthen the state's economy and infrastructures of the future.
Scarlet - February 22, 2007
The university has established a new state transportation center to better coordinate and fund transportation research and to strengthen the state's economy and infrastructures of the future.
Nowak Receives Poland's Top Engineering Award
Scarlet - February 9, 2007
Civil engineering professor Andrzej S. Nowak has received the most prestigious award given by the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland's top engineering school and Nowak's alma mater.
Scarlet - February 9, 2007
Civil engineering professor Andrzej S. Nowak has received the most prestigious award given by the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland's top engineering school and Nowak's alma mater.
