Katie Johnson

Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published an updated Lighting Handbook for that offers guidance for enhancing nighttime visibility and maintenance activities that should be considered before and after a lighting system has been installed.

To discuss the publication and updated guidance, The FHWA’s Center for Accelerating Innovation will host a webinar on December 12 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

Presenters will share the importance of involving maintenance staff early in planning discussions, and how long-term maintenance and operational costs should factor into an agency’s decision-making process.

View details and register.

Image source: Federal Highway Administration

The November/December 2023 issue of Innovator, the bimonthly newsletter of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), recognized the efforts of a number of No Boundaries member states.

To coordinate with the FHWA’s Every Day Counts round 7 (EDC-7) initiative to reduce greenhouse gases, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requires metropolitan planning organizations to plan and invest in projects that make it easier and more convenient for community residents to choose public transit over driving their own cars.

Another outcome of EDC-7 was a showcase of innovations funded through the State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) program. Featured No Boundaries member state innovations include Caltrans’ BIM Execution Plan, which coordinates information related to the agency’s structures and data management, and a signals and lighting training facility created by the Missouri Department of Transportation to provide a safe environment for workers to gain hands-on education.

Image source: FHWA

Snow that accumulates in an agency’s maintenance yard can make it harder for vehicles to maneuver and reduces efficiency and productivity.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) typically removes snow from its maintenance facilities by loading it onto trucks and hauling it offsite, which can add up to significant time, labor and economic costs for the agency throughout a winter season.

To investigate the potential savings of an alternative approach, Caltrans evaluated a commercially available snow melter and calculated the costs and benefits compared with traditional snow-removal methods.

Read the final report: Evaluation of a Portable Snow Melter for Use in Caltrans Maintenance Yards, July 2023

Image source: Caltrans

Highway roadsides can offer valuable habitat for pollinators, but often lack the plant diversity required to attract a wide range of butterflies and insects.

To determine the seeding and mowing practices that effectively improve the health and variety of roadside plants, the Nebraska Department of Transportation implemented different treatments at sites in the southeast region of the state and monitored the results for two growing seasons.

The findings will be used to inform Nebraska’s land management guidance in the future.

Read the final report: Establishment of Wildflower Islands to Enhance Roadside Health, Ecological Value, and Aesthetics: Phase II, March 2023

Image source: Nebraska Department of Transportation

As dynamic and intelligent warning devices become more common, the need for routine maintenance will become increasingly important.

To help the state’s maintenance workers keep these different devices in good working order, the Minnesota Department of Transportation developed a reference guide that includes considerations for cleaning, testing and replacing various components.

Read the report: Guidelines for Using Intelligent Warning Devices, January 2023

Image source: Minnesota Department of Transportation