Corrected: Trine prof, student present study on Angola Mound traffic

Please Note: Corrected name of organization in photo cutline.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - (05/05/2017) — Heavy vehicle traffic may have more impact on the Angola Mound and other roundabouts than previously thought, according to research presented by a Trine University professor and student.

Ryan Overton, Ph.D., associate professor in the Reiners Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Rick Perry, a junior civil engineering major and president of Trine's ITE chapter, spoke on "Evaluation of Heavy Vehicles on Capacity Analysis for Roundabout Design" at the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Great Lakes District meeting. The meeting was held April 19-20 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The pair collected traffic data at the downtown Angola roundabout to evaluate a commonly used equivalent for roundabout capacity, that one heavy vehicle has the effect of two passenger cars. After analyzing the data, they found that each heavy vehicle had the effect of about 3.5 passenger cars.

The project was funded through NEXTRANS Center at Purdue University, a U.S. Department of Transportation Regional University Transportation Center.

"Rick has shown interest in transportation engineering throughout his academic career and has worked on numerous transportation projects through his internships with Beam, Longest, and Neff in Indianapolis," said Overton, who also serves as advisor for Trine's ITE chapter. "Rick and I often discuss solutions for transportation issues we observe, which led me to offer him an undergraduate research position."

Perry said it was the first time he had given a research presentation to an audience of professionals.

"The research we did was just a pilot study; however, it generated an enormous amount of discussion," Perry said. "Following the program several professionals approached us to discuss the research. One gentleman even went as far as complimenting us, saying that, 'Your presentation was one of the best I have seen at a transportation conference.' "

Overton and Perry would like to evaluate other roundabouts with moderate truck traffic in the future to determine if they can get similar results.

The ITE serves the transportation industry by providing training, standards, research and accreditation to transportation around the world.

Join the conversation, #TrineU.

Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in programs for students in engineering, mathematics, science, informatics, business, teacher education, communication, criminal justice, golf management, social sciences and various other fields of study. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 21 varsity sports (introducing men's and women's ice hockey, bowling, esports and women's triathlon in fall 2017). Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Indiana, and education resource centers throughout Indiana, Arizona and Michigan.

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