About Us

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The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC) is the 2018 US DOT Region 1 (New England) University Transportation Center (UTC) located at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. TIDC’s focus is on extending the life and improving the durability of transportation assets. TIDC has six member Universities within the New England Region.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC) is to develop innovative, sustainable, next-generation solutions to improve the durability and extend the lifespan of existing and new transportation assets in New England and beyond.  We are committed to making dramatic impacts in the cost-effectiveness of transportation infrastructure through transformative research, education, outreach, workforce development, and technology transfer through four research thrust areas; 1) monitoring and assessment, 2) new materials for longevity and constructability, 3) new systems for longevity and constructability, and 4) connectivity for enhanced asset and performance management. 

TIDC Research Motive

Our research motive is to help DOTs extend the life of existing infrastructure as well as construct new, longer-lasting assets.  Member universities have an extensive record of accomplishments within the realm of research, education, and technology transfer as it relates to transportation infrastructure. TIDC aims to build upon these successes and continue to support current Region 1 state DOT initiatives while introducing new cutting-edge technology and information that will reduce cost and improve overall health of Region 1 transportation infrastructure with wide applicability throughout the U.S. TIDC is committed to gender and ethnic minority diversity in the composition of students and researchers engaged with this project. Our exclusive focus will make dramatic impacts in the cost-effectiveness of transportation infrastructure through monitoring and assessment, new materials and systems for longevity and constructability, and connectivity for enhanced asset and performance management while promoting workforce development in transportation. 

TIDC Research Capabilities

– Improving Transportation Infrastructure – Road, Bridge, Rail, Ports
– Advanced Monitoring and Assessment of Transportation Assets
– Composite Materials – Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and Thermoplastics
– Structure Analysis and Development of Novel Applications for FRP Composites, Concrete, Soils and Asphalt
– Additive Manufacturing – Novel Materials (carbon and bio-based), Structures, Tooling and Recycling
– Low Carbon Emission Concrete
– Life Cycle Cost Analysis, include Social Benefit
– Traffic-Connectivity, Safety Data, Roadway Maintenance
– Resiliency – Coastal, Climate, Infrastructure Inspection Techniques 
– UAV inspection and imaging – Visual, Infrared, LiDAR, Acoustic – AI Image Processing & Analysis
– Roadway Culvert Rehabilitation – Extending the Lifespan and Durability of Existing Culvert Structures Utylizing 3D Printing Techniques
– Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Electrification, Autonomous, Cyber Security, Demographic analysis and Accessibility with Physically Challenged Population Groups.
– Multisensory Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and Human Perception, Usability and Accessibility Analysis

TIDC Research Thrusts

Thrust Area 1:
Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring and Assessment for Enhanced Life

Managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing every country in the world. Research conducted in this area tackles this issue through the development and implementation of novel strategies for the assessment and health monitoring of highway bridges, rail structures, pavements and foundations. The resulting picture of health of these vital elements of our transportation infrastructure will provide the information required to prioritize repair and replacement, while advanced assessment will allow structures to remain in service longer.

Thrust Area 1 Projects

Thrust Area 2:
New Materials for Longevity and Constructability

This thrust area investigates new materials and technologies to improve durability and extend the life of transportation infrastructure. The materials and technologies investigated will improve multi-modal transportation connections. Managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing every country in the world. Research conducted in this area tackles this issue through the development and implementation of novel strategies for the assessment and health monitoring of highway bridges, rail structures, pavements and foundations. The resulting picture of health of these vital elements of our transportation infrastructure will provide the information required to prioritize repair and replacement, while advanced assessment will allow structures to remain in service longer.

Thrust Area 2 Projects

Thrust Area 3:
New Systems for Longevity and Constructability

This thrust area focuses on evaluation, development, and application of engineering systems to improve the durability and longevity of new and existing transportation infrastructure.  In these times of economic austerity, New England’s transit networks face challenges related to cold weather, aging, deterioration, evolving load demands, and construction efficiencies. Addressing these issues, applicable to both roadway and railway modes of transit, will alleviate existing and future financial strain on the region.

Thrust Area 3 Projects

Thrust Area 4:
Connectivity for Enhanced Asset and Performance Management

The system operational efficiency of transportation infrastructure can be improved by smart technologies that connect the infrastructure to information/management systems, vehicles and roadway users. These emerging, connected technologies, coupled with management systems can improve the durability of existing and new infrastructure. This is essential in the coming age of highly automated, connected vehicles and given the need to improve the performance of the existing infrastructure through more cost-effective and targeted assessments of asset vulnerabilities due to extreme weather events. This will increase system performance, lower the costs of maintenance and provide more timely notification of assets that need immediate repair or replacement. Managing infrastructure for performance, capacity and maintenance with connected technologies will become the standard expectation of the future. This thrust area applies to all forms of infrastructure including highway and railroad bridges and other fixed assets including roadways and ramps.

Thrust Area 4 Projects

Key Personnel

Advisory Board & Technical Committee

Ensuring TIDC meets the needs and challenges of Region 1 within its designated FAST Act topic. They evaluate and recommend the disbursement of competitive funding through an open RFP process. The Advisory Board reviews TIDC’s annual performance metrics from each member university.
Technical Advisory Committee
The TAC is composed of technical experts and administrators within the New England region. The TAC works with the Advisory Board and TIDC administration to conduct and coordinate technical review of proposals submitted to the TIDC. TIDC administration plans to continue to grow the TAC to include a diverse group of technical experts from the New England DOTs and from regional transportation industry leaders.

Dale Peabody, P.E.
Dale Peabody, P.E.

TIDC Advisory Board Chair
Maine

Contact

Dale worked with the Maine Department of Transportation for 40 years, serving in different positions from Bridge Designer and Assistant R&D Engineer to his most recent position as the Director of the Research and Innovation Office. In that position, he managed the department research program including new product evaluations, experimental construction and innovation deployment.  He has been in numerous leadership positions within AASHTO most recently serving as the vice chair for the Special Committee on Research & Innovation and the chair of the Research Advisory Committee. He is the Advisory Board chair for the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center at the University of Maine.

Jeff Pulver, P.E.
Jeff Pulver, P.E.

Director of Research & Innovation
MaineDOT

Contact

Jeff Pulver is the Director of Research & Innovation at the Maine department of Transportation.

Andrew Mroczkowski
Andrew J. Mroczkowski, P.E., M.ASCE

Transportation Engineer III Research Unit
ConnDOT

Contact

Andrew Mroczkowski is a Transportation Engineer at the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Gregory Krikoris, P.E.
Gregory Krikoris, P.E.

Area Bridge Inspection Engineer
MassDOT

Contact

Greg graduated from the University of Lowell in 1988 with a BSCE and then in 1992 with a MSCE from UMASS Lowell.  He started working directly out of school in 1988 for the Massachusetts DPW (now MassDOT) in the Bridge section as an entry level bridge designer and then went into the inhouse ratings unit that the bridge section had. He progressed his way up and lead the ratings unit for about 12 years and then moved into and has been a part of bridge inspection since 2005.  He has had a very fortunate career at MassDOT that has allowed him to stay within the bridge section for 33 wonderful and fun years and he is looking forward to many more years that are ahead.

Dee Nash Headshot
Deirdre Nash, P.E.

Research Engineer
NHDOT

Contact

Deirdre Nash is an Assistant Research Engineer at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation

Christos S. Xenophontos
Christos S. Xenophontos

Assistant Director
RIDOT

Contact

Christos S. XENOPHONTOS, is the Assistant Director for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), a position that he has held since 2014. Christos brings more than 35 years of experience in the Transportation field as an Engineer, Project Manager, Administrator and innovator at the table. He currently leads RIDOT’s Research and Innovation initiatives, including the Little Roady pilot project on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Christos is active, both at the national and international level, and has a keen interest on the impact of emerging and disruptive technologies on the performance of transportation agencies and organizations. He serves as the chair of Technical Committee 1.1 Performance of Transport Administrations of the World Road Administration (PIARC), co-chair of TRB’s International Coordinating Council and as vice-chair of AASHTO’s the vice-chair of AASHTO’s Committee on Performance Based Management. In addition to these appointments, he is an active member of TRB’s Workforce Development & Organizational Excellence (AJE15) and Performance Management (AJE20) Committees and has served or currently serves on number of NCHRP Project Advisory panels.

Dr. Emily Parkany, P.E.
Dr. Emily Parkany, P.E.

Research Manager
VTrans

Contact

Senior level Professional Transportation Engineer with over 20 years of experience over a breadth of roles including state DOT research manager, research scientist/center director, management consultant, non-profit government contractor, assistant professor of civil engineering, and graduate researcher. Currently Research Manager at the Vermont Agency of Transportation since February 2017 with a $1.2M budget of external and internal research and research allocations.  Previously worked at University of Virginia (UVA).  At UVA, managed a University Transportation Center with six universities after serving as Associate Director of the UVA Center for Transportation Studies.  For seven years before UVA (at both Booz Allen and Noblis), worked on multi-disciplinary and multi-organization teams to support USDOT ITS Joint Program Office and FHWA research initiatives and decision-making. A former LTAP Director, have supported and led training programs and developed professional training materials over the past 12 years for Virginia’s LTAP, VDOT, and NHI.  Licensed engineer in Pennsylvania.

Loretta Girard Doughty, P.E.
Loretta Girard Doughty, P.E.

Administrator, Bureau of Bridge Design NHDOT

Contact

Administrator, Bureau of Bridge Design, for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) and the first woman in NHDOT history to achieve this leadership position. Responsible to lead the Bureau of Bridge Design in the Department’s mission of supporting transportation excellence through stewardship of New Hampshire’s bridge network, designing and developing bridge projects that are innovative and resilient; and is a registered Professional Engineer – P.E.
The NHDOT is a $650 Million state agency of over 1,600 employees dedicated to providing safe and efficient transportation systems. The Department consists of 18 Bureaus and 5 Divisions with over a Century of Public Service.

Management Team

Made up of the Center Director, Program Manager, Institutional Leads, Thrust Leads, the Grants/Fiscal Manager, and the Communications, Education, Outreach, and Reporting Manager.

Dr. Habib Dagher
Dr. Habib Dagher

TIDC Director
University of Maine

Contact
James R. Bryce
James R. Bryce

TIDC Senior Program Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Dale Peabody, P.E.
Dale Peabody, P.E.

TIDC Advisory Board Chair
Maine

Contact
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E.
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E.

TIDC Research Area 1 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido
Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido

TIDC Research Area 2 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Aaron Gallant
Dr. Aaron
Gallant

TIDC Research Area 3 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Eric Landis
Dr. Eric
Landis

TIDC Research Area Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Jonathan Rubin
Dr. Jonathan
Rubin

TIDC Research Area 4 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Amanda Collamore
Amanda
Collamore

TIDC Education & Outreach Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Brianne Carter
Brianne Carter

TIDC Fiscal & Grants Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Aaron Schanck Headshot
Aaron Schanck

TIDC Communications Specialist
University of Maine

Contact
Genna O'Berin
Genna O’Berin

TIDC Administrative & Reporting Coordinator
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Ramesh B. Malla
Dr. Ramesh B. Malla

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of
Connecticut

Contact
Dr. Tzuyang Yu
Dr. Tzuyang Yu

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Massachusetts Lowell

Contact
Dr. Aaron Bradshaw
Dr. Aaron Bradshaw

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Rhode Island

Contact
Dr. Mandar M. Dewoolkar
Dr. Mandar M. Dewoolkar

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Vermont

Contact
Dr. Moochul Shin
Dr. Moochul Shin

TIDC Institutional Lead
Western New England University

Contact

Researchers

TIDC researches come from numerous academic disciplines across our six partner universities. Through research collaborations, TIDC researchers are able to pool resources, facilities, and expertise.

Dr. Habib Dagher
Habib Dagher
Contact
Bill Davids
Bill Davids
Contact
Roberto Lopez-Anido
Roberto Lopez-Anido
Contact
Aaron Gallant
Aaron Gallant
Contact
Jonathan Rubin
Jonathan Rubin
Contact
Kathryn Ballingall
Kathryn Ballingall
Contact
Kieth Berube
Keith Berube
Contact
Sunil Bhandari
Sunil Bhandari
Contact
Wilhelm Friess
Wilhelm Friess
Contact
Per Garder
Per Garder
Contact
Douglas Gardner
Douglas Gardner
Contact
Andrew Goupee
Andrew Goupee
Contact
Hosain Haddad Kolour
Hosain Haddad Kolour
Contact
Eric Landis
Eric Landis

Contact
Linfei Li
Linfei Li

Contact
Ali Shirazi
Ali Shirazi

Contact
Ramesh Malla
Ramesh Malla

Institutional Lead

Contact
Lesley Frame
Lesley Frame
Contact
Alexandra Hain
Alexandra Hain
Contact
Song Han
Song Han
Contact
Shinae Jang
Shinae Jang
Contact
Nalini Ravishanker
Nalini Ravishanker
Contact
Jiong Tang
Jiong Tang
Contact
Kaye Wille
Kay Wille
Contact
Jin Zhu
Jin Zhu
Contact
Wei Zhang
Wei Zhang
Contact
Dr. Tzu-Yang Yu
Tzu-Yang Yu

Institutional Lead

Contact
Dr. Susan Faraji
Susan Faraji
Contact
Farhad Pourkamali Anaraki
Farhad Pourkamali Anaraki
Contact
Dr. Xingwei Wang
Xingwei Wang
Contact
Jianqiang Wei
Jianqiang Wei
Contact
Aaron Bradshaw
Aaron Bradshaw

Institutional Lead

Contact
Chris Baxter
Chris Baxter
Contact
Rebecca Brown
Rebecca Brown
Contact
Sumanta Das
Sumanta Das
Contact
Mayrai Gindy
Mayrai Gindy
Contact
Joseph Goodwill
Joseph Goodwill
Contact
Michael Greenfield
Michael Greenfield
Contact
Abdeltawab Hendawi
Abdeltawab Hendawi
Contact
Stephen Licht
Stephen Licht
Contact
Nicole Martino
Nicole Martino
Contact
Vinka Oyanedel-Craver
Vinka Oyanedel-Craver
Contact
Paolo Stegagno
Paolo Stegagno
Contact
Mendar Dewoolker
Mendar Dewoolkar

Institutional Lead

Contact
Dr. Arne Bomblies
Arne Bomblies
Contact
Jeff Frolik
Jeff Frolik
Contact
Ehsan Ghazanfari
Ehsan Ghazanfari
Contact
Eric Hernandez
Eric Hernandez
Contact
Dryver Huston
Dryver Huston
Contact
John Lens
John Lens
Contact
David Novak
David Novak
Contact
Hamid R. Ossareh
Hamid R. Ossareh
Contact
Donna Rizzo
Donna Rizzo
Contact
Dana Rowangould
Dana Rowangould
Contact
Gregory Rowangould
Gregory Rowangould
Contact
Matthew Scarborough
Matthew Scarborough
Contact
James Sullivan
James Sullivan
Contact
Kristen Underwood
Kristen Underwood
Contact
Tian Xia
Tian Xia
Contact
Moochul Shin
Moochul Shin
Contact
Changhoon Lee
Changhoon Lee
Contact

Member Universities

UMaine is a Carnegie R1 Research Institution. The leadership of the TIDC resides within the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center(ASCC), a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development, encompassing material science, manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. The UMaine Composites Center is housed in a 100,000+ ft2ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratory with more than 260 full and part time personnel with expertise in the design and evaluation of multi-scale materials and structures, composite materials analysis and manufacturing, finite element analysis and multi-physics simulation techniques, and the repair and calibration of lab equipment and sensors. The lab includes a 235’ x 80’ reaction floor capable of large-scale bridge testing under static and fatigue loading and a three-story environmental test chamber for the durability evaluation of large structural components under both mechanical and environmental loading. The ASCChas successfully completed more than $240 Million in governmental, industrial and transportation research programs.

University of Maine
Advanced Structures & Composites Center

The University of Connecticut houses the Structural Engineering and Advanced Cementitious Materials and Composites Laboratories (CEE Department), Dynamics, Sensing, and Control Lab (ME Department), Cyber Physical System Lab (CSE Department), High Performance Computing facilities at Booth Engineering Center for Advanced Technology (BECAT); UTC Institute of Advanced System Engineering (IASE), facilities at UConn Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMIC), Connecticut Advanced Computing Center (CACC), UConn Storrs HPC clusters, and various lab facilities in the Institute of Materials Science (IMS) and in the Connecticut Institute of Transportation (CTI).

University of Connecticut

The facilities and resources to perform research within the University of Massachusetts Lowell are the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Electromagnetic Remote Sensing Lab (ERSL) and Non-Destructive Testing / Structural Health Monitoring Lab (NDT/SHML), and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Laboratory of Optics (LOO). The ERSL is equipped with an electromagnetic anechoic chamber, 100-lb capacity biaxial positioner, portable biaxial and uniaxial positioners, and vector network analyzers. The NDT/SHML includes ground penetrating radars, ultrasonic system, impact echo system, half-cell potential sensor, rebound hammer, and thermal infrared camera. The LOO has a Super 35 camera system, Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer (BOTDR), fusion splicer, tunable laser, optical sensing analyzer, nanosecond Laser, distributed temperature sensing, optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), tensile machine, temperature chamber, 90s+ splicer, and data acquisition system available for use by the UML research team.

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Rhode Island has a variety of laboratory, field, and computational facilities. The laboratory facilities include test equipment that can be used to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of civil engineering materials including concrete, asphalt, and soil. Field equipment includes a trailer mounted Cone Penetration Test (CPT) used for subsurface investigations. Dedicated computers and specialized software are available for numerical modeling and simulation. There are several URI labs including the Dependable Cyber-Physical Systems Lab, Rhode Island Transportation Research Center, the Water for the World Environmental Engineering Lab, Robotics Lab, and Marine Geomechanics lab.

University of Rhode Island

The University of Vermont has a variety of laboratory, field, and computational facilities. The laboratory facilities include test equipment that can be used to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of soils, concrete, and recycled materials. Specialty laboratory equipment include fully automated direct and reversal shear, permeability, consolidation and triaxial devices; cyclic triaxial, torsional ring shear, high-pressure-high temperature triaxial devices; fully automated and field hand-held surface permeameters; acoustic sensing devices and accessories; hole erosion and jet erosion devices; miniature piezocone and calibration chambers; X-ray micro-CT; 250 kip reaction frame with two actuators; 150 kip axial testing; concrete compression testing; monotonic and cyclic tension-compression 100 kip Instron; a uniaxial shake table; 6 m long recirculating flume; groundwater flow modeling tank. The fabrication facilities include an extensive machine shop and electronics shops are available to the UVM researchers. Additionally, FabLab for rapid prototyping of designs using 3D printing, laser cutting, and laser engraving is available.

University of Vermont

The College of Engineering at Western New England University has several laboratory spaces including the Concrete lab, Soil lab, Environmental Engineering lab, Biomedical Engineering lab, and Mechanical Engineering lab. The laboratory facilities include various equipment such as a backscattered scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, multiple universal testing machines to characterize mechanical properties of various materials, an accelerated corrosion chamber, different types of 3D scanners (structured light scanning and laser) and 3D printers (selective laser sintering, resin, and PLA). In addition, a portable LabSphere Lidar-based reflectometer is available for investigating the surface defects and roughness of transportation structures in the field.

Western New England University

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The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
is the 2018 US DOT Region 1 (New England) University Transportation Center (UTC) located at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. TIDC’s focus is on extending the life and improving the durability of transportation assets. TIDC has six member Universities within the New England Region.

TIDC Mission Statement

The mission of the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC) is to develop innovative, sustainable, next-generation solutions to improve the durability and extend the lifespan of existing and new transportation assets in New England and beyond.  We are committed to making dramatic impacts in the cost-effectiveness of transportation infrastructure through transformative research, education, outreach, workforce development, and technology transfer through four research thrust areas; 1) monitoring and assessment, 2) new materials for longevity and constructability, 3) new systems for longevity and constructability, and 4) connectivity for enhanced asset and performance management. 

TIDC Research Motive

Our research motive is to help DOTs extend the life of existing infrastructure as well as construct new, longer-lasting assets.  Member universities have an extensive record of accomplishments within the realm of research, education, and technology transfer as it relates to transportation infrastructure. TIDC aims to build upon these successes and continue to support current Region 1 state DOT initiatives while introducing new cutting-edge technology and information that will reduce cost and improve overall health of Region 1 transportation infrastructure with wide applicability throughout the U.S. TIDC is committed to gender and ethnic minority diversity in the composition of students and researchers engaged with this project. Our exclusive focus will make dramatic impacts in the cost-effectiveness of transportation infrastructure through monitoring and assessment, new materials and systems for longevity and constructability, and connectivity for enhanced asset and performance management while promoting workforce development in transportation. 

TIDC Research Thrusts

Thrust Area 1:
Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring and Assessment for Enhanced Life

Managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing every country in the world. Research conducted in this area tackles this issue through the development and implementation of novel strategies for the assessment and health monitoring of highway bridges, rail structures, pavements and foundations. The resulting picture of health of these vital elements of our transportation infrastructure will provide the information required to prioritize repair and replacement, while advanced assessment will allow structures to remain in service longer.

Thrust Area 1 Projects

Thrust Area 2:
New Materials for Longevity and Constructability

This thrust area investigates new materials and technologies to improve durability and extend the life of transportation infrastructure. The materials and technologies investigated will improve multi-modal transportation connections. Managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing every country in the world. Research conducted in this area tackles this issue through the development and implementation of novel strategies for the assessment and health monitoring of highway bridges, rail structures, pavements and foundations. The resulting picture of health of these vital elements of our transportation infrastructure will provide the information required to prioritize repair and replacement, while advanced assessment will allow structures to remain in service longer.

Thrust Area 2 Projects

Thrust Area 3:
New Systems for Longevity and Constructability

This thrust area focuses on evaluation, development, and application of engineering systems to improve the durability and longevity of new and existing transportation infrastructure.  In these times of economic austerity, New England’s transit networks face challenges related to cold weather, aging, deterioration, evolving load demands, and construction efficiencies. Addressing these issues, applicable to both roadway and railway modes of transit, will alleviate existing and future financial strain on the region.

Thrust Area 3 Projects

Thrust Area 4:
Connectivity for Enhanced Asset and Performance Management

The system operational efficiency of transportation infrastructure can be improved by smart technologies that connect the infrastructure to information/management systems, vehicles and roadway users. These emerging, connected technologies, coupled with management systems can improve the durability of existing and new infrastructure. This is essential in the coming age of highly automated, connected vehicles and given the need to improve the performance of the existing infrastructure through more cost-effective and targeted assessments of asset vulnerabilities due to extreme weather events. This will increase system performance, lower the costs of maintenance and provide more timely notification of assets that need immediate repair or replacement. Managing infrastructure for performance, capacity and maintenance with connected technologies will become the standard expectation of the future. This thrust area applies to all forms of infrastructure including highway and railroad bridges and other fixed assets including roadways and ramps.

Thrust Area 4 Projects

Key Personnel

Advisory Board & Technical Committee

Ensuring TIDC meets the needs and challenges of Region 1 within its designated FAST Act topic. They evaluate and recommend the disbursement of competitive funding through an open RFP process. The Advisory Board reviews TIDC’s annual performance metrics from each member university.
Technical Advisory Committee
The TAC is composed of technical experts and administrators within the New England region. The TAC works with the Advisory Board and TIDC administration to conduct and coordinate technical review of proposals submitted to the TIDC. TIDC administration plans to continue to grow the TAC to include a diverse group of technical experts from the New England DOTs and from regional transportation industry leaders.

Dale Peabody, P.E.
Dale Peabody, P.E.

TIDC Advisory Board Chair
Maine

Contact

Dale worked with the Maine Department of Transportation for 40 years, serving in different positions from Bridge Designer and Assistant R&D Engineer to his most recent position as the Director of the Research and Innovation Office. In that position, he managed the department research program including new product evaluations, experimental construction and innovation deployment.  He has been in numerous leadership positions within AASHTO most recently serving as the vice chair for the Special Committee on Research & Innovation and the chair of the Research Advisory Committee. He is the Advisory Board chair for the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center at the University of Maine.

Jeff Pulver, P.E.
Jeff Pulver, P.E.

Director of Research & Innovation
MaineDOT

Contact

Jeff Pulver is the Director of Research & Innovation at the Maine department of Transportation.

Andrew Mroczkowski
Andrew J. Mroczkowski, P.E., M.ASCE

Transportation Engineer III Research Unit
ConnDOT

Contact

Andrew Mroczkowski is a Transportation Engineer at the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Gregory Krikoris, P.E.
Gregory Krikoris, P.E.

Area Bridge Inspection Engineer
MassDOT

Contact

Greg graduated from the University of Lowell in 1988 with a BSCE and then in 1992 with a MSCE from UMASS Lowell.  He started working directly out of school in 1988 for the Massachusetts DPW (now MassDOT) in the Bridge section as an entry level bridge designer and then went into the inhouse ratings unit that the bridge section had. He progressed his way up and lead the ratings unit for about 12 years and then moved into and has been a part of bridge inspection since 2005.  He has had a very fortunate career at MassDOT that has allowed him to stay within the bridge section for 33 wonderful and fun years and he is looking forward to many more years that are ahead.

Dee Nash Headshot
Deirdre Nash, P.E.

Research Engineer
NHDOT

Contact

Deirdre Nash is an Assistant Research Engineer at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation

Christos S. Xenophontos
Christos S. Xenophontos

Assistant Director
RIDOT

Contact

Christos S. XENOPHONTOS, is the Assistant Director for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), a position that he has held since 2014. Christos brings more than 35 years of experience in the Transportation field as an Engineer, Project Manager, Administrator and innovator at the table. He currently leads RIDOT’s Research and Innovation initiatives, including the Little Roady pilot project on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Christos is active, both at the national and international level, and has a keen interest on the impact of emerging and disruptive technologies on the performance of transportation agencies and organizations. He serves as the chair of Technical Committee 1.1 Performance of Transport Administrations of the World Road Administration (PIARC), co-chair of TRB’s International Coordinating Council and as vice-chair of AASHTO’s the vice-chair of AASHTO’s Committee on Performance Based Management. In addition to these appointments, he is an active member of TRB’s Workforce Development & Organizational Excellence (AJE15) and Performance Management (AJE20) Committees and has served or currently serves on number of NCHRP Project Advisory panels.

Dr. Emily Parkany, P.E.
Dr. Emily Parkany, P.E.

Research Manager
VTrans

Contact

Senior level Professional Transportation Engineer with over 20 years of experience over a breadth of roles including state DOT research manager, research scientist/center director, management consultant, non-profit government contractor, assistant professor of civil engineering, and graduate researcher. Currently Research Manager at the Vermont Agency of Transportation since February 2017 with a $1.2M budget of external and internal research and research allocations.  Previously worked at University of Virginia (UVA).  At UVA, managed a University Transportation Center with six universities after serving as Associate Director of the UVA Center for Transportation Studies.  For seven years before UVA (at both Booz Allen and Noblis), worked on multi-disciplinary and multi-organization teams to support USDOT ITS Joint Program Office and FHWA research initiatives and decision-making. A former LTAP Director, have supported and led training programs and developed professional training materials over the past 12 years for Virginia’s LTAP, VDOT, and NHI.  Licensed engineer in Pennsylvania.

Loretta Girard Doughty, P.E.
Loretta Girard Doughty, P.E.

Administrator, Bureau of Bridge Design NHDOT

Contact

Administrator, Bureau of Bridge Design, for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) and the first woman in NHDOT history to achieve this leadership position. Responsible to lead the Bureau of Bridge Design in the Department’s mission of supporting transportation excellence through stewardship of New Hampshire’s bridge network, designing and developing bridge projects that are innovative and resilient; and is a registered Professional Engineer – P.E.
The NHDOT is a $650 Million state agency of over 1,600 employees dedicated to providing safe and efficient transportation systems. The Department consists of 18 Bureaus and 5 Divisions with over a Century of Public Service.

Management Team

Made up of the Center Director, Program Manager, Institutional Leads, Thrust Leads, the Grants/Fiscal Manager, and the Communications, Education, Outreach, and Reporting Manager.

Dr. Habib Dagher
Dr. Habib Dagher

TIDC Director
University of Maine

Contact
James R. Bryce
James R. Bryce

TIDC Senior Program Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Dale Peabody, P.E.
Dale Peabody, P.E.

TIDC Advisory Board Chair
Maine

Contact
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E.
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E.

TIDC Research Area 1 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido
Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido

TIDC Research Area 2 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Aaron Gallant
Dr. Aaron
Gallant

TIDC Research Area 3 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Eric Landis
Dr. Eric
Landis

TIDC Research Area Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Jonathan Rubin
Dr. Jonathan
Rubin

TIDC Research Area 4 Lead
University of Maine

Contact
Amanda Collamore
Amanda
Collamore

TIDC Education & Outreach Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Brianne Carter
Brianne Carter

TIDC Fiscal & Grants Manager
University of Maine

Contact
Aaron Schanck Headshot
Aaron Schanck

TIDC Communications Specialist
University of Maine

Contact
Genna O'Berin
Genna O’Berin

TIDC Administrative & Reporting Coordinator
University of Maine

Contact
Dr. Ramesh B. Malla
Dr. Ramesh B. Malla

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of
Connecticut

Contact
Dr. Tzuyang Yu
Dr. Tzuyang Yu

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Massachusetts Lowell

Contact
Dr. Aaron Bradshaw
Dr. Aaron Bradshaw

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Rhode Island

Contact
Dr. Mandar M. Dewoolkar
Dr. Mandar M. Dewoolkar

TIDC Institutional Lead
University of Vermont

Contact
Dr. Moochul Shin
Dr. Moochul Shin

TIDC Institutional Lead
Western New England University

Contact

TIDC researches come from numerous academic disciplines across our six partner universities. Through research collaborations, TIDC researchers are able to pool resources, facilities, and expertise.

Dr. Habib Dagher
Habib Dagher
Contact
Bill Davids
Bill Davids
Contact
Roberto Lopez-Anido
Roberto Lopez-Anido
Contact
Aaron Gallant
Aaron Gallant
Contact
Jonathan Rubin
Jonathan Rubin
Contact
Kathryn Ballingall
Kathryn Ballingall
Contact
Kieth Berube
Keith Berube
Contact
Sunil Bhandari
Sunil Bhandari
Contact
Wilhelm Friess
Wilhelm Friess
Contact
Per Garder
Per Garder
Contact
Douglas Gardner
Douglas Gardner
Contact
Andrew Goupee
Andrew Goupee
Contact
Hosain Haddad Kolour
Hosain Haddad Kolour
Contact
Eric Landis
Eric Landis

Contact
Linfei Li
Linfei Li

Contact
Ali Shirazi
Ali Shirazi

Contact
Ramesh Malla
Ramesh Malla

Institutional Lead

Contact
Lesley Frame
Lesley Frame
Contact
Alexandra Hain
Alexandra Hain
Contact
Song Han
Song Han
Contact
Shinae Jang
Shinae Jang
Contact
Nalini Ravishanker
Nalini Ravishanker
Contact
Jiong Tang
Jiong Tang
Contact
Kaye Wille
Kay Wille
Contact
Jin Zhu
Jin Zhu
Contact
Wei Zhang
Wei Zhang
Contact
Dr. Tzu-Yang Yu
Tzu-Yang Yu

Institutional Lead

Contact
Dr. Susan Faraji
Susan Faraji
Contact
Farhad Pourkamali Anaraki
Farhad Pourkamali Anaraki
Contact
Dr. Xingwei Wang
Xingwei Wang
Contact
Jianqiang Wei
Jianqiang Wei
Contact
Aaron Bradshaw
Aaron Bradshaw

Institutional Lead

Contact
Chris Baxter
Chris Baxter
Contact
Rebecca Brown
Rebecca Brown
Contact
Sumanta Das
Sumanta Das
Contact
Mayrai Gindy
Mayrai Gindy
Contact
Joseph Goodwill
Joseph Goodwill
Contact
Michael Greenfield
Michael Greenfield
Contact
Abdeltawab Hendawi
Abdeltawab Hendawi
Contact
Stephen Licht
Stephen Licht
Contact
Nicole Martino
Nicole Martino
Contact
Vinka Oyanedel-Craver
Vinka Oyanedel-Craver
Contact
Paolo Stegagno
Paolo Stegagno
Contact
Mendar Dewoolker
Mendar Dewoolkar

Institutional Lead

Contact
Dr. Arne Bomblies
Arne Bomblies
Contact
Jeff Frolik
Jeff Frolik
Contact
Ehsan Ghazanfari
Ehsan Ghazanfari
Contact
Eric Hernandez
Eric Hernandez
Contact
Dryver Huston
Dryver Huston
Contact
John Lens
John Lens
Contact
David Novak
David Novak
Contact
Hamid R. Ossareh
Hamid R. Ossareh
Contact
Donna Rizzo
Donna Rizzo
Contact
Dana Rowangould
Dana Rowangould
Contact
Gregory Rowangould
Gregory Rowangould
Contact
Matthew Scarborough
Matthew Scarborough
Contact
James Sullivan
James Sullivan
Contact
Kristen Underwood
Kristen Underwood
Contact
Tian Xia
Tian Xia
Contact
Moochul Shin
Moochul Shin
Contact
Changhoon Lee
Changhoon Lee
Contact

Member Universities

TIDC consists of 6 member universities in New England. This section includes an overview of the research capabilities of each member university and a link to their website.

UMaine is a Carnegie R1 Research Institution. The leadership of the TIDC resides within the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center(ASCC), a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development, encompassing material science, manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. The UMaine Composites Center is housed in a 100,000+ ft2ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratory with more than 260 full and part time personnel with expertise in the design and evaluation of multi-scale materials and structures, composite materials analysis and manufacturing, finite element analysis and multi-physics simulation techniques, and the repair and calibration of lab equipment and sensors. The lab includes a 235’ x 80’ reaction floor capable of large-scale bridge testing under static and fatigue loading and a three-story environmental test chamber for the durability evaluation of large structural components under both mechanical and environmental loading. The ASCChas successfully completed more than $240 Million in governmental, industrial and transportation research programs.

University of Maine
Advanced Structures & Composites Center

The University of Connecticut houses the Structural Engineering and Advanced Cementitious Materials and Composites Laboratories (CEE Department), Dynamics, Sensing, and Control Lab (ME Department), Cyber Physical System Lab (CSE Department), High Performance Computing facilities at Booth Engineering Center for Advanced Technology (BECAT); UTC Institute of Advanced System Engineering (IASE), facilities at UConn Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMIC), Connecticut Advanced Computing Center (CACC), UConn Storrs HPC clusters, and various lab facilities in the Institute of Materials Science (IMS) and in the Connecticut Institute of Transportation (CTI).

University of Connecticut

The facilities and resources to perform research within the University of Massachusetts Lowell are the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Electromagnetic Remote Sensing Lab (ERSL) and Non-Destructive Testing / Structural Health Monitoring Lab (NDT/SHML), and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Laboratory of Optics (LOO). The ERSL is equipped with an electromagnetic anechoic chamber, 100-lb capacity biaxial positioner, portable biaxial and uniaxial positioners, and vector network analyzers. The NDT/SHML includes ground penetrating radars, ultrasonic system, impact echo system, half-cell potential sensor, rebound hammer, and thermal infrared camera. The LOO has a Super 35 camera system, Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer (BOTDR), fusion splicer, tunable laser, optical sensing analyzer, nanosecond Laser, distributed temperature sensing, optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), tensile machine, temperature chamber, 90s+ splicer, and data acquisition system available for use by the UML research team.

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Rhode Island has a variety of laboratory, field, and computational facilities. The laboratory facilities include test equipment that can be used to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of civil engineering materials including concrete, asphalt, and soil. Field equipment includes a trailer mounted Cone Penetration Test (CPT) used for subsurface investigations. Dedicated computers and specialized software are available for numerical modeling and simulation. There are several URI labs including the Dependable Cyber-Physical Systems Lab, Rhode Island Transportation Research Center, the Water for the World Environmental Engineering Lab, Robotics Lab, and Marine Geomechanics lab.

University of Rhode Island

The University of Vermont has a variety of laboratory, field, and computational facilities. The laboratory facilities include test equipment that can be used to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of soils, concrete, and recycled materials. Specialty laboratory equipment include fully automated direct and reversal shear, permeability, consolidation and triaxial devices; cyclic triaxial, torsional ring shear, high-pressure-high temperature triaxial devices; fully automated and field hand-held surface permeameters; acoustic sensing devices and accessories; hole erosion and jet erosion devices; miniature piezocone and calibration chambers; X-ray micro-CT; 250 kip reaction frame with two actuators; 150 kip axial testing; concrete compression testing; monotonic and cyclic tension-compression 100 kip Instron; a uniaxial shake table; 6 m long recirculating flume; groundwater flow modeling tank. The fabrication facilities include an extensive machine shop and electronics shops are available to the UVM researchers. Additionally, FabLab for rapid prototyping of designs using 3D printing, laser cutting, and laser engraving is available.

University of Vermont

The College of Engineering at Western New England University has several laboratory spaces including the Concrete lab, Soil lab, Environmental Engineering lab, Biomedical Engineering lab, and Mechanical Engineering lab. The laboratory facilities include various equipment such as a backscattered scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, multiple universal testing machines to characterize mechanical properties of various materials, an accelerated corrosion chamber, different types of 3D scanners (structured light scanning and laser) and 3D printers (selective laser sintering, resin, and PLA). In addition, a portable LabSphere Lidar-based reflectometer is available for investigating the surface defects and roughness of transportation structures in the field.

Western New England University