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  • Autonomous Transport Innovation: A Review of Enabling Technologies

    Purpose: This document is the first of the technical note series under the Autonomous Transport Innovation (ATI) research program. The series intends to be an introduction on autonomous vehicles (AVs), their testing, and associated infrastructure. A review of technologies that enable vehicle autonomy is necessary to provide the basis for understanding vehicle performance in testing scenarios and in actual use.

  • Autonomous Transport Innovation: The Regulatory Environment of Autonomous Vehicles

    Purpose: This technical note series under the Autonomous Transport Innovation research program is intended to be a primer on autonomous vehicles (AVs), their testing, and associated infrastructure. A review of the regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles is necessary to define rules imposed on technology or operations of autonomous vehicles in various capacities. Acknowledging such regulation will aid in productive closed-course site development by structuring the course based on what autonomous vehicle developers and manufacturers must program their vehicles to adhere to in a given setting.

  • Environmental Life Cycle Assessment on CNTRENE® 1030 Material and CNT Based Sensors

    Abstract: This report details a study investigating the environmental impacts associated with the development and manufacturing of carbon nanotube (CNT)–based ink (called CNTRENE 1030 material) and novel CNT temperature, flex, and moisture sensors. Undertaken by a private-public partnership involving Brewer Science (Rolla, Missouri), Jordan Valley In-novation Center of Missouri State University (Springfield, Missouri), and the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (Vicksburg, Mississippi), this work demonstrates the environmental life cycle assessment (ELCA) methodology as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint the particular processes and materials posing the greatest environmental impact associated with the manufacture of the CNTRENE material and CNT-based sensor devices. Additionally, ELCA tracked the degree to which optimizing the device manufacturing process for full production also changed its predicted marginal environmental impacts.

  • Phytomanagement of Soil and Groundwater at the Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS) Using Hybridized Trees

    Abstract: The Manhattan Engineer District previously used the 191-acre Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS) in Niagara County, New York, to store radioactive residues and wastes from uranium (U) ore processing. At present, management practices will determine whether enhanced evapotranspiration rates produced by hybridized shrub willow cuttings planted in 2016 will affect groundwater hydrology. Two shrub willow varieties were planted in an approximately one-half acre area to examine growth performance along a U impacted sanitary sewer line. Additionally, control plots will compare the effectiveness of shrub willows to unplanted areas. Observations of the planted area after 18 months showed success of shrub willow growth with increasing biomass. Chemical analysis from tree tissue samples of the field study showed no significant uptake of U or thorium (Th) to date. A greenhouse study conducted in parallel to the field study tested the willows under controlled greenhouse conditions and evaluated their ability to grow and accumulate contaminants under controlled conditions. Results from the greenhouse study demonstrated that U accumulation was minimal. Thus, this study demonstrates that the shrub willows are not accumulators of U or Th, an advantageous characteristic that implies stabilized contaminants in the soil and no translocation of U into the aboveground biomass.

  • Leveraging Chemical Actinometry and Optical Radiometry to Reduce Uncertainty in Photochemical Research

    Abstract: Subtle aspects of illumination sources and their characterization methods can introduce significant uncertainty into the data gathered from light-activated experiments, limiting their reproducibility and technology transition. Degradation kinetics of methyl orange (MO) and carbamazepine (CM) under illumination with TiO2 were used as a case study for investigating the role of incident photon flux on photocatalytic degradation rates. Valerophenone and ferrioxalate actinometry were paired with optical radiometry in three different illumination systems: xenon arc (XE), tungsten halogen (W-H), and UV fluorescent (UV-F). Degradation rate constants for MO and CM varied similarly among the three light systems as k W-H < kiv-F < kXE, implying the same relative photon flux emission by each light. However, the apparent relative photon flux emitted by the different lights varied depending on the light characterization method. This discrepancy is shown to be caused by the spectral distribution present in light emission profiles, as well as absorption behavior of chemical actinometers and optical sensors. Data and calculations for the determination of photon flux from chemical and calibrated optical light characterization is presented, allowing us to interpret photo-degradation rate constants as a function of incident photon flux. This approach enabled the derivation of a calibrated ‘rate-flux’ metric for evaluating and translating data from photocatalysis studies.

  • USACE’s mobile Blue Roof sign-up vehicles in Tangipahoa, Lafourche, Terrebonne, Livingston parishes

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing the latest mobile locations for its Blue Roof program sign up starting Sept 23.

  • 21-054 Bennington Lake closed after toxic algae bloom discovered

    WALLA WALLA, WA – The Walla Walla Department of Community Health (DCH) was notified by the Department of Ecology that cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, was discovered on Bennington Lake in Walla Walla. Cyanobacteria can be harmful to people and fatal to animals. Due to toxicity levels, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in coordination with DCH, has closed the lake to the public.

  • Public comment period extended for West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District has extended the formal public scoping comment period through Oct. 31, 2021 for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

  • Corps of Engineers issues Northshore Mining Company permit

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District issued a permit to Northshore Mining Company today for discharges of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States resulting from its Tailings Basin Progression project.

  • USACE Vicksburg District Lake Ouachita low water conditions advisory

    VICKSBURG, Miss. – Due to warm temperatures over the last several months and low rainfall totals, Lake Ouachita water levels are low. Visitors are advised to exercise caution during all water based recreational activities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in and around the water. On Sept. 23, 2021, the lake level is 568.69 feet above mean sea level and falling. Boaters should use extra caution while navigating near shorelines, islands, points, and any unfamiliar areas. Standing timber, tree stumps, and gravel bars may emerge where they were previously undetected due to higher water levels.