New and expanding energy sector developments – oil, natural gas, coal, wind, biofuels, and solar – are occurring in numerous states throughout the country. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for crude oil and natural gas is expanding in many states. Extracting the sand used in the fracking process is underway in other states. Increased shipments of crude oil by rail and barges are occurring in still other states. Supply chains serving energy installations in one state often originate in another state. While states, counties, and communities are realizing economic benefits from these activities, the impacts from energy development on transportation systems are immediate and extensive. Rural roads and bridges are especially vulnerable to the increased volumes of trucks, but additional demands are also being placed on the rail, port, and aviation networks. State departments of transportation and other agencies are responding in numerous ways to increased truck traffic, infrastructure deterioration, and safety concerns. The influence of energy sector development on the transportation system is being examined by numerous states, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and other organizations. Examples of TRB activities include workshops and sessions at Annual Meetings, a policy session at the 2013 Executive Committee Summer meeting, and a May 2014 Workshop in Arlington, Texas. In addition, a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis on the topic is being finalized. Further, the recent ASCE Shale Energy Engineering Conference (SEEC) included numerous papers and presentations on topics related to the energy sector’s impact on the transportation system. One of the suggested follow-up activities from the Arlington workshop was the development of a Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) project. The role of this TPF project is to provide a mechanism for partner states to share information and experiences with each other and with experts in the field related to responding to energy sector development. The project will also identify areas for needed research that may be funded in future years of the TPF, through the NCHRP, or by other sources.

1. Provide communication and information sharing among member states related to proactive and reactive responses to energy sector developments, including industry engagement, infrastructure management, funding and financing, safety, planning and forecasting tools, and other related topics. 2. Provide a technology and knowledge exchange forum on the practical applications available to member states to better respond to ongoing demands on the transportation system from energy exploration, extraction, and production. 3. Conduct research on high-priority topics identified by the member states. Examples of possible research topics include methods to forecast future energy development and impact locations, improved asset management methods, infrastructure hardening and resiliency, estimating truck and rail traffic, and addressing safety and environmental concerns.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will serve as the lead for this TPF project and will contract with Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to conduct specific work tasks and activities. The major tasks are: 1. Survey, Interview, and Site Visit Representatives from State Departments of Transportation – This task will include developing, posting, and analyzing an online survey, conducting telephone interviews, and conducting site visits to obtain information from state departments of transportation and other transportation agencies on the methods, tools, and techniques being used to address energy sector development impacts on the transportation system. Information on research projects underway in the various states will also be obtained. The task will expand on the work conducted under NCHRP Synthesis 45-10, The Impacts of Energy Developments on U.S. Roads and Bridges, research conducted for TxDOT, and research undertaken by TTI’s Transportation Policy Research Center. Information will be obtained on the type and extent of impacts. Information will also be solicited on promising practices for responding to energy impacts, which includes industry engagement, infrastructure management, safety, funding and financing, planning and forecasting tools, and other topics. The results will be summarized in a PowerPoint presentation and a report. (Schedule – 4-6 months) 2. Workshop and Member State Meeting – A workshop and meeting will be held for member states to exchange information on the challenges and opportunities associated with energy sector developments and to hear from experts on the topic. The workshop and meeting, which is anticipated to be held approximately 5-to-6 months into the project, will be organized with input from the member states. It is anticipated that the workshop may be held in conjunction with another conference or meeting organized by AASHTO or TRB to facilitate participation. Information obtained from the online survey and follow-up telephone calls will be presented and member states will share additional information and discuss issues and approaches. Funding for travel and expenses for two (2) representatives from member states will be provided. Member state participants will also have the opportunity to identify and discuss research needs and technology transfer activities, which may form the scope of work for additional years of the TPF or projects funded by other sponsors. A workshop and meeting summary will be prepared documenting the key topics discussed, possible follow-up research, and other future activities. 3. State-of-the-Practice Synthesis and Initiate Identified Research – The final product from the interviews, workshop, and meeting will be a state-of-the-practice synthesis. This synthesis will include best practice examples on the issues identified previously, including forecasting methods for new energy developments and impact areas, rapid response techniques for addressing infrastructure damage, funding and financing mechanisms, addressing safety concerns, and other topics. In addition, problem statements will be prepared on these and other topics for NCHRP, AASHTO, and other funding sources. Based on agreement from member states and funding availability, specific research projects may be initiated during the course of the year. Possible research topics may address methods for forecasting new energy developments and impact locations, rapid response techniques to infrastructure damage, improved asset management techniques, financing methods, and addressing safety concerns.

Funding is desired at the start of the project to ensure that services can be provided as anticipated. We estimate the cost to complete this effort to be $140,000. Participation is requested to be $20,000 per state, which will fund travel and expenses for two (2) representatives to participate in the workshop and meeting. The location of the workshop is to be determined, but will likely be held in conjunction with another meeting or conference. A 12-month schedule is anticipated, with a December 1, 2014 start date and a November 30, 2015 end date. As noted, the survey and interviews will be conducted over a 4-to-6 month period, the workshop/meeting will be held approximately halfway through the project, and identified research will be initiated after the workshop. The State Response to Energy Sector Development TPF may be continued in future years, addressing identified research needs, as well as a providing ongoing information sharing and updates on best practices