No Boundaries has published a listing of selected papers related to maintenance from the 2019 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The compendium includes paper titles, authors, paper numbers, and links to the full-text documents.
Minnesota Develops Gravel Road Management Tool
Researchers for Minnesota DOT and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board have developed a spreadsheet tool to help local agencies effectively track and manage gravel roads. Designed to be flexible and customizable, the tool can be used to keep all maintenance and construction data about a gravel road system, as well as track costs.
See the project page: Gravel Road Management Tool, March 2019.
Ohio Evaluates Maintenance Procedures for Hard Shoulder Running
Ohio DOT is exploring using hard shoulders as additional traffic lanes to ease rush-hour congestion. Researchers evaluated procedures and equipment that would keep the shoulder clear of debris, assessing cost per mile, operating speeds, safety protocols, and operation during inclement weather.
Read the research report: Evaluation of Maintenance Procedures for Hard Shoulder Running, Phase 1, March 2019.
Minnesota DOT Investigates New Work Zone Intrusion Alarm System
The capabilities of a new work zone intrusion alarm system—Advance Warning and Risk Evasion (AWARE)—were recently demonstrated during a Minnesota paving project. The portable radar-based technology detects and tracks potential vehicle intrusion threats and worker locations to warn both workers and errant drivers. MnDOT gained insights about the technology, and the developer is continuing to field-test and refine the system.
Read the project summary: Personal Warning Sensor for Road Construction Workers, February 2019.
Iowa DOT Develops Guidance on Epoxy Repairs of Concrete Overlays
Iowa DOT has long used concrete overlays to restore bridge decks and extend their service life. Overlays delaminate over time, but they can be repaired through the injection of epoxy resins into cracks and voids. A recent study sought to learn the actual service life of epoxy repairs as well as the most effective methods and materials for injection. A field investigation and review of industry practices were used to develop specifications.
Read the research report: Investigation and Evaluation of Iowa Department of Transportation Bridge Deck Epoxy Injection Process, February 2019.
Buffalograss Blends Offer Best of Both Worlds on Kansas Roadsides
New varieties of buffalograss have shown promise as a low-maintenance roadside planting in the Midwest thanks to their excellent drought, cold and salinity tolerance. A recent Kansas DOT study showed that blending buffalograss with perennial ryegrass, which establishes more quickly, can provide short-term roadside stability while allowing time for successful buffalograss establishment.
Read the research report: Preliminary Evaluation of Perennial Ryegrass and Buffalograss Blends for Seeded Roadside Establishment to Comply with Storm Water Control Regulations, December 2018.