Intersection Upgrade at State Route 32 & 345

Fall 2022, Sharing Day Presentation

Checkerboard Engineering is dedicated to prioritizing safety, sustainability, and mobility while providing high-quality engineering design work. Checkerboard Engineers will work to achieve all the wants and needs of the client while ensuring the prosperity and growth of the surrounding environments. Our ambitions align with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) grand challenges. Specifically, we aim to improve urban infrastructure in our communities while considering its societal, cultural, economic, and environmental impact. To achieve these goals, Checkerboard Engineering strictly abides by all American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) standards and regulations. Through teamwork, leadership, and continuous learning we aim to put forth engineering design work that improves our communities.

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"Designing as a professional, attitude of a Volunteer"

NAE Grand Challenges

The NAE Grand Challenges serve as a useful tool for all engineers to focus on the desired outcomes and goals of their work. After reviewing the Grand Challenges Checkerboard Engineering found that restoring & improving urban infrastructure along with advancing personalized learning aligned with our mission. With these challenges guiding our decisions, we have put ourselves in the best position to be successful. Everyone learns and works differently, so our team has made it a point to allow each individual to work the way they need to in order to achieve our goals. This has benefited our team dynamic and has let us successfully complete tasks. Knowing why we are doing the work we are is of the utmost importance, improving infrastructure for everyone. With this in mind, our team has had to consider how our design works, whom it will affect, and ultimately if it will be beneficial. The NAE Grand Challenges are a vital part of engineering and have been essential to the Checkerboard Engineering team.

The ASCE Body of Knowledge

The ASCE Body of Knowledge consists of a multitude of outcomes split into four categories (Foundational, Technical, Engineering Fundamentals, and Professional). To provide the highest level of product each member of Checkerboard Engineering has identified the most relevant outcomes themselves. Each team member has their own outcomes which have helped focus our goals for our championed work. By recognizing why we work, we can help better develop skills for the future. This means our team members should get better at what we do and emerge from each project with complimentary skills.

GSCEE Awareness

Global, Social, Cultural, Economic, and Environmental factors are something that affects every industry on the planet. Since our industry literally changes to the physical landscape in which our communities reside these factors are extremely important. In every step of the pre-design, design, and construction of a project engineers must consider these elements. Our team has made a point to evaluate how the projects we build will affect the community directly impacted as well as how our work can affect the world. True awareness of these factors also means watching projects around the globe to analyze techniques and considerations we may be overlooking. By being conscious of the world around us Checkerboard Engineering strives to have a positive impact on all we affect.

Community Engagement & Forums

In an effort to engage with the community near the Intersection between State Route 32 & 345 Checkerboard Engineering has hosted multiple public forums. The purpose of these forums was not only to inform the public of the upcoming changes to their community but to also obtain information about the area we may not consider. Our top priority is to ensure that the intersection upgrade benefits the community and these forums provided us with valuable information.

After these forums, our team recognized many valuable details that will affect the design of this project. These details include but are not limited to:

Utilities: How to minimize the impact on existing utilities and how to accommodate if affected
Right of Way: Railroads, Historic Sites, TVA Property, Personal Property, acquiring access
Future Development: How will the surrounding area change and make sure the new intersection can serve the area
Design Criteria: Which vehicles are we designing for, what speed, and will an increase in traffic conflicts affect the safety of the intersection?

"From a preliminary perspective, you all gave a great perspective... and give the locals a good insight into what's happening."

~ Mr. William Weaver

Project Consideration

With consideration of the previously mentioned factors, Checkerboard Engineering has successfully divided the work into three categories based on the scope of this project. While the team will work together collaboratively, dividing the work will increase the quality of our product at the end of the service-based learning experience. Overall, Checkerboard's goal is to design a roadway for the Client (TDOT) with that can handle the increased truck traffic from the nearby industrial park, specifically upgrading the turn lanes, and adding pedestrian-friendly infrastructure while minimizing impact to the local residences and earthwork on the nearby slopes.

Construction:

This design aspect of the project will be handled by team members Brett Burns & Brandon Pittman. The major items this group handles include, erosion control, utilities, quantities & pricing, phasing/scheduling, safety, etc.

This team's design work will immediately impact the community when the project breaks ground. By analyzing the current and future sites, local businesses, and popular routes, they aim to minimize the negative impact on the community during construction and maximize the positive impact after completion.

Transportation:

Transportation services for the project will be handled by team members Hayden Rogers & Grace Whitehouse. Hayden will be concentrating on Traffic safety while Grace will be concentrating on road design. This concentration will focus on the geometric alignment, sight distances, and signal timing to account for the added turn lanes. Grace & Hayden will account for the design vehicle, the common tractor trailer (AASHTO WB-67), and design speeds to adequately design the turn radii and signage for the project.

Geotechnical/Water Resources:

All aspects of drainage and runoff for this project will be handled by team members Brian Wacker & Michael Puryear. This concentration consists of revising the current drainage system and creating new structures including silt fences and sediment tubes. These new plans will help provide support for the turning lanes that will be added. Environmental concerns are in consideration as we strive for maximum sustainability within our design. Our team guarantees that safety and quality of work is the utmost importance for the project.