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Of the many practices available to preserve asphalt pavement service life, crack filling and sealing treatments are among the most commonly used. Understanding which treatments are appropriate for different types of cracks, however, as well as best practices for applying the right treatment, can be challenging.

To help inform and simplify the decision-making process for its maintenance crews and other agencies, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minnesota Local Road Research Board published a compilation of several technical documents and interviews with industry experts into an easy-to-use resource.

Read the report: Asphalt Crack Treatment FAQs and Technical Resources, March 2023

Image source: Minnesota Department of Transportation

Several No Boundaries member states are featured in the May/June 2023 issue of Innovator, the bimonthly newsletter of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Colorado, Missouri and Indiana DOTs are featured for their use of crowdsourced data to improve transportation system operations. In Colorado and Indiana, vehicle probe data can be used to automatically post and update travel times on dynamic message signs to give travelers real-time traffic and safety information. Missouri DOT uses reports from a free public app to identify potholes quickly and efficiently.

Homegrown innovations from Maine, Mississippi and Utah DOTs – included as part of the virtual STIC Showcase in February – are also highlighted in the issue. Maine DOT’s telescoping pole with a phone attachment allows bridge inspectors to conduct visual inspections without the need for heavy equipment and traffic control. In Mississippi, new smartphone apps help the agency to more easily manage the extensive data required to comply with the state’s stormwater inspection program. And Utah DOT’s saddle lift tool allows maintenance crews to repair barrier-mounted signs without the need for a crane and lane closures.

Finally, a roundup of state innovations include digital-as-builts that help the California Department of Transportation with asset management, a new planning and environmental linkages study that helps Connecticut DOT improve operational decision-making and reduce congestion, and drones equipped with LiDAR that allow Mississippi DOT to conduct land surveys more quickly and safely than with traditional methods.

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Image source: FHWA

Highway maintenance practices can vary significantly by location, affecting the retroreflectivity of lane lines and other pavement markings in different ways. A new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule aims to standardize the quality of these markings across the country.

To discuss details and methods for complying with the new rule, TRB will host a webinar on May 24 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

Presenters will share a range of practical strategies, including ways to measure retroreflectivity and increase the cost-effectiveness of pavement marking operations.

View details and register.

Image source: Federal Highway Administration

The March/April 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 demonstrate the power of using data to improve safety, FHWA has developed case studies featuring 20 different states. Among these are South Carolina and Indiana DOTs, which have leveraged data to identify crash-prone roadways in need of improvement as well as appropriate solutions for making these areas safer. South Carolina DOT was also recognized for its innovative use of asphalt overlays to reduce hydroplaning on high-traffic roads.

The newsletter also featured the State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) of Ohio and Idaho for building relationships to address challenges. Ohio’s STIC has worked to diversify its membership and revise its project selection process as part of a larger program overhaul, while, Idaho’s STIC has created a workforce development program to attract and prepare workers for jobs in transportation.

Finally, Colorado DOT’s use of concrete overlays on interstates and rural roadways was noted as a cost-effective solution to increase pavement life.

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Image source: FHWA