WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recently published guidebook is helping transportation agencies understand the resiliency benefits and challenges of using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) as they consider introducing the technology to their road and bridge projects across the U.S.
The report, “Sprayable UHPC for Repair and Preservation,” is the latest in a long line of Transportation Research Board (TRB) and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) guidebooks authored or co-authored by WSP experts to help transportation agencies and professionals navigate myriad critical issues, including transit, highways, resilience, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), equitable transportation and safety for all.
Published in June, research was led by Michael McDonagh, vice president of structural engineering at WSP, exploring the success of sprayable UHPC in Europe, its advantages and its emergence as a practical, resilient option in the U.S. McDonagh was involved with the Delaware Memorial Bridge UHPC Deck Rehabilitation Project, for which WSP performed a detailed deck evaluation, studied the cost-benefits of UHPC versus conventional solutions and performed the design and construction administration for both a pilot project and the final project on the entire bridge from 2018 through 2023. McDonagh also served as a subject matter expert assisting the USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) educate and promote the use of UHPC through its Every Day Counts initiative in Cycles 3 and 4 (2016-2018) and Cycle 6 (2020-2022).
“When we say WSP is writing the book for some of the most important subjects facing the transportation industry today, we mean it literally,” said Paula Hammond, senior vice president and national multimodal transportation leader, and co-author of two recent TRB guidebooks. “These useful tools are being integrated by transportation agencies to help them become more proficient, increasing their capabilities to respond to and manage emergent issues.”
TRB mobilizes expertise, experience and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges and is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a congressionally chartered organization. TRB publishes research via four cooperative research programs and through consensus studies, which may be requested by the U.S. Congress: The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), The Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP) and The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP).
WSP has collaborated with TRB to lead the research and development of dozens of the organization’s guidebooks and reports. A few recent examples include:
- “Transportation Operations Manual (NCHRP 03-126),” led by Les Jacobson, WSP transportation consultant.
- “Federal Funding Uncertainty in State, Local, and Regional DOTs: Impacts, Responses and Adaptation (NCHRP 19-16),” led by Simon Mosbah, senior vice president and managing director of economic, finance and grants.
- “Deploying Transportation Resilience Practices in State DOTs (NCHRP 20-117),” led by Paula Hammond.
- “Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects (NCHRP 08-75),” led by Benjamin Perez, national infrastructure planning and finance director.
- “Implementation of Life-Cycle Planning Analysis in a Transportation Asset Management Framework (NCHRP 02-26),” led by Jagannath Mallela, PhD, WSP senior vice president and senior advisor for Advisory and Planning.
- “Geohazards, Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change Resilience Manual (FHWA-HIF-23-008),” led by Brian Zelenko, senior vice president, geotechnical and tunnelling engineering; and Chris Dorney, vice president, climate change.
- “Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Overlays: An Example of Lifecycle Cost Analysis (FHWA-HRT-23-012),” led by Michael McDonagh, vice president of structural engineering; and Suri Sadasivam, vice president of business transformation.
- “Design and Construction of UHPC-Based Bridge Preservation and Repair Solutions (FHWA-HRT-22-065),” led by McDonagh.
- “Guidelines for Risk-Based Inspection and Strength Evaluation of Suspension Bridge Main Cable Systems (NCHRP 12-115),” with contributions from Pete Sluszuka, vice president of structural engineering.
- “Building Information Modeling (BIM) Practices in Highway Infrastructure: FHWA Global Benchmarking Program Report (FHWA-PL-21-024),” led by Mallela.
WSP-led reports are currently in development and scheduled for release over the next 18 months covering the topics of unmanned aircraft systems, transportation systems management and operations integration with asset management, and implementation of the new transportation operation manual.
“WSP brings one of the broadest portfolios of expertise on emerging and leading transportation topics to TRB, researched by experienced professionals from all over the world,” Hammond said. “In fact, Les Jacobson’s Transportation Operations Manual was coordinated with the AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Committee on Transportation System Operations as a training guide for all state DOTs.”
TRB publications focus on advancing resilient infrastructure, exploring transformational technology, and caring for the public’s health and safety. In their 2024 critical issues update, the organization identified a dozen key issues in transportation for which guidance on best practices and policies are evolving and essential: movement of people and goods, building and sustaining a strong competitive economy, climate change, road safety, public health, equity and inclusion, infrastructure systems, governance, land use, funding and finance, workforce and innovation.
WSP is a Platinum Patron sponsor for TRB’s annual meeting and conference, Jan. 5-8 in Washington, D.C. U.S. and global WSP professionals with expertise in aspects of the most critical transportation issues identified by TRB will participate and lead numerous workshops and discussions on timely transportation topics.
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP. As one of the largest professional services firms in the world, WSP exists to future-proof our cities and our environment. It provides strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients seeking sustainable solutions in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water and mining sectors. With approximately 19,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP’s trusted professionals are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities it serves through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion. wsp.com
