Katie Johnson

Maintaining the gravel material along a road’s shoulders to reduce drop-off and mounding is critical for safety, but identifying where maintenance is needed often requires a manual inspection, which can be time-consuming and costly.

To determine whether remote and automated detection of these areas might be feasible, the Ohio Department of Transportation evaluated a prototype system of different sensor technologies and analysis software designed to identify the existence and extent of defects in road shoulders and other highway assets.  

Read the report: Shoulder Drop-Off/Mounding Severity Determination, August 2025.

Image source: Ohio Department of Transportation

When crashes and other incidents occur in highway work zones, traffic barriers and limited shoulder access can make accessing the area difficult for first responders.

To improve access in and around work zones and ensure emergency services are available to all who need them, the Virginia Department of Transportation initiated a research project that developed guidelines and best practices for quickly detecting, responding and clearing incidents.

Read the final report: Incident Management in Interstate Work Zones, October 2025.

Image source: Virginia Department of Transportation

Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are a cost-effective solution for stabilizing slopes along highway roadsides.

A recent highway reconstruction project provided an opportunity for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to remove an MSE wall built more than 30 years ago, analyze the components, and identify maintenance practices to extend the service lives of similar walls built in the future.

Read the final report: Investigation of MSE Wall Corrosion in Wisconsin, June 2025.

Image source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Older concrete roads can suffer from chemical reactions in the concrete mix that was used, which can result in deterioration and reduced performance over time.

To identify preservation techniques that will keep the state’s concrete roads in safe and usable condition and defer the cost of replacement, the Minnesota Department of Transportation evaluated a variety of strategies, including diamond grinding, chip seals, asphalt overlays, and concrete overlays.

Read the two-page Research Summary: Strategies for Addressing Deteriorated Concrete Roads, June 2025.

Image source: Minnesota Department of Transportation

Highway roadsides prone to landslides and rockfalls must be regularly maintained to minimize the likelihood of hazards and road closures, particularly in rural areas where access to essential services and resources is critical. However, mountainous routes without telecommunications can be especially challenging to monitor.

To explore possible new technologies and detection systems that could be used in these rural areas, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) conducted a research synthesis to identify current practices and pilot projects in place at other transportation agencies across the country.

Read the report: Slide Detection, Monitoring and Alerting Preliminary Investigation, June 2025.

Image source: Caltrans

Regularly maintaining the green spaces along highway roadsides is important to ensure that roads are clear and visible, and safety hardware like guardrails and barriers perform effectively.

To discuss the new tools, technologies and strategies that can be used to maintain vegetated areas with less mowing and with fewer chemicals, the Transportation Research Board will host a webinar on October 6 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Central.

Learn more and register

Image source: Texas Department of Transportation