Katie Johnson

A falling weight deflectometer (FWD) is the most commonly used device for  determining the structural strength of flexible pavements without taking core samples. However, the method can be time-consuming and disruptive, typically requiring lane closures and creating a potential hazard for workers. A relatively new alternative option is the traffic speed deflectometer (TSD), which promises to assess a pavement’s condition while moving with traffic for greater efficiency and safety.

To evaluate the reliability of data collected with a TSD, the Tennessee Department of Transportation partnered with a team of researchers to gather hundreds of miles’ worth of pavement performance data using traditional and traffic speed deflectometers. After analyzing the results, the team produced a list of recommendations for collecting and using TSD measurements.

Read the report: Evaluation of Traffic Speed Deflectometer for Collecting Network-Level Pavement Structural Data in Tennessee, May 2022.

Image source: Tennessee Department of Transportation

Looking for ways to integrate Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) into your agency’s bridge preservation and repair activities? Register now for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) free webinar, “Local Agency Implementation of Ultra High Performance Concrete” on Thursday, July 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central.

The event will begin with presentations from experts at FHWA and the University of Michigan, who will discuss practical issues for working with UHPC such as expenses, material availability and cost-effective applications. Representatives from three local agencies will then share their experiences with UHPC, including why it was chosen for their projects and lessons learned. Finally, a Q-and-A session will allow attendees to ask questions and gain even more insight.

Learn more and register.

Image source: Michigan Department of Transportation

Last week, AASHTO’s Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program (SICOP) and Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group held a virtual showcase to spotlight various organizations dedicated to all aspects of winter and year-round maintenance. Fifteen groups in all shared highlights of their activities over the past year during this session.

On behalf of No Boundaries, representatives Doug Gruver of Ohio DOT and Heath Patterson of Mississippi DOT provided an overview of No Boundaries’ recent accomplishments and resources, including its innovation database, a nearly-completed synthesis investigating staffing shortages and new federal CDL requirements, and the group’s recent peer exchange and technical sessions in Sacramento.

View No Boundaries’ presentation, which begins at 2:07:43. The complete slide deck shown during the virtual meeting is also available.

Image source: No Boundaries

The transportation sector has experienced rapid technological growth in the last 10 years.

To prepare its workforce for the demands of the next decade, the Michigan Department of Transportation conducted a research study to predict the transformational technologies on the horizon and the skills workers will need. With a better understanding of where efforts should focus, the agency will be better positioned to train existing staff and recruit highly skilled workers to keep the agency on the cutting-edge of transportation management and operations.

View the video and read the two-page brief to learn more about the project’s findings.

Image source: Michigan Department of Transportation

Chip seals are often applied to asphalt pavements to add skid resistance to the surface and increase the durability of the road. Many transportation agencies have found that adding crumb rubber to the mixture can increase performance, but the high temperatures required for application can pose a potential safety hazard for maintenance crews.

To achieve the desired performance results at a lower application temperature, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development conducted a research project to evaluate a modified asphalt emulsion using recycled tire rubber. With a cooler application temperature, the tire rubber emulsion may be a worker-friendly alternative to crumb rubber.

Read the report: Evaluation of Asphalt Rubber and Reclaimed Tire Rubber in Chip Seal Applications, April 2022.

Image source: Louisiana DOT

The Transportation Research Board’s Standing Technical Committee on Roadside Maintenance will host a free webinar, “Roadside Fire Risk and Prevention Strategies” on Thursday, July 7 from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Eastern.

Presenters will share roadway designs and vegetation management strategies that can significantly reduce the risk of fires from vehicles and discarded cigarettes without compromising stormwater quality or increasing erosion.

Learn more and register.

Image source: Caltrans