Katie Johnson

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

New York State DOT has been working for more than a decade with internally cured concrete and has a specification for its use on all of the state’s multi-span bridge decks. A 2015 performance review revealed that the state’s bridges that used the technology have 70% less cracking than those that did not.

And in an effort to reduce their greenhouse emissions, both California and Minnesota DOTs are implementing policies that require suppliers of construction materials – such as cement, concrete, asphalt, and steel – to provide environmental product declarations (EPDs), which can help agencies make informed purchasing decisions by listing the amount of embodied carbon that is contained in the materials. Colorado DOT is even taking EPDs a step further by using them to monitor and limit the agency’s contributions to global warming.

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Snowplows have traditionally been operated by men. But as recruiting and retaining qualified operators becomes more challenging, No Boundaries member states and transportation agencies across the country are getting creative to change this occupational stereotype.

To market the profession and encourage more women to consider driving plows, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is hoping to paint the blades on its women-driven snowplows a bright shade of pink.

Sandi Sauter, Maryland SHA’s Deputy Director of Operations, discussed the strategy and the importance of diversity in the workforce on the new episode of the popular Talkin’ Winter Ops podcast.

Learn more best practices for recruiting and retaining transportation workers by listening to Episode 92: Why’s that snowplow pink?

And check out other practices No Boundaries member states are using to attract and keep maintenance staff in the No Boundaries Synthesis: Responses to Staffing Shortages.

Image source: AASHTO’s Winter Weather Management Technical Service Program

Rapid acceleration and deceleration reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy.

“Smart pedal” devices promise to smooth out a driver’s acceleration patterns and minimize the amount of fuel that’s wasted in the process.

To evaluate the effectiveness of these devices and identify potential fuel savings, the California Department of Transportation installed the technology on six fleet vehicles and monitored their performance.

After nearly two months of use under real-world conditions, researchers compared the fuel economy of the vehicles with “smart pedal” systems and those without. The findings could potentially help transportation agencies reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by their fleets.

Read the two-page research brief: Evaluating the Effectiveness of “Smart Pedal” Systems for Vehicle Fleets, February 2023

Image source: National Center for Sustainable Transportation

Despite advancements in signage, traffic-control measures and public awareness campaigns, highway work zones are often hazardous environments for maintenance crews.

Inspired by recent research that showed that in-vehicle warning systems may effectively enhance driver response, the Illinois Center for Transportation initiated a research project to evaluate the effectiveness of sensors placed on the road that can connect to vehicle communication systems and deliver automated warnings as drivers approach a work zone.

The project highlights the potential of this technology and offers recommendations for optimal sensor configurations.

Read the report: Enhancing Construction Work-Zone Safety by Passive Pavement-to-Vehicle Communication, August 2023

Image source: Illinois Center for Transportation

Butterflies, bees and other pollinator populations are in decline, potentially affecting the quality, health and production of the United States’ agricultural resources.

To support these critical populations, increase the recreational and educational value of state-owned property and reduce the need for maintenance, the Utah Department of Transportation established a pollinator habitat at a rest areas as part of a pilot research project.

Signs and other educational materials were developed to enhance visitors’ experience, and a manual outlining site selection criteria and guidelines for designing, establishing and maintaining similar areas can help the state implement similar projects in the future.

Read the report: Pilot Pollinator Habitat at UDOT Rest Area in Perry, Utah, June 2023

Image source: Utah Department of Transportation

When a work zone corridor includes driveways or other low-volume roads, accommodating vehicles entering the one-way flow of traffic can be challenging and potentially hazardous for maintenance crews.

Temporary traffic signals have historically been used in these scenarios, but as these devices stop mainline traffic they can add significant travel delays. Another potential option is driveway assistance devices, or DADs, which direct vehicles to join the existing traffic queue.

To evaluate whether DADs are a viable alternative to temporary traffic signals, the Ohio Department of Transportation installed both types of devices at four work zones along State Route 60. Researchers then compared the costs, benefits and effectiveness of both types, as well as a list of recommendations for implementing DADs in the future.

Read the report: Evaluation of Driveway Assistance Devices in Signalized Work Zones, March 2023

Image source: Ohio Department of Transportation