News

The March/April 2022 issue of Innovator, the Federal Highway Administration’s bimonthly newsletter, showcased a number of exciting innovations from No Boundaries member states.

Connecticut and New York State DOTs were highlighted for their work to advance the use of ultra-high performance concrete for bridge repairs. Texas DOT won a 2021 National Roadway Safety Award for its Safety Scoring Tool, which uses predictive technology to show the outcomes of a project’s design before ground is even broken. And Colorado, Missouri and Texas DOTs were recognized for their use of State Transportation Innovation Council funds for a wide array of time- and cost-saving initiatives.

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Image source: FHWA

The Transportation Research Board will host the virtual webinar, “How Rough is Your Pavement? Measuring Pavement Profiles for Low-Speed Roads” on Tuesday, March 22 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

States are required to calculate road roughness as part of the federal Highway Performance Monitoring System, but unique features of low-speed and urban roads can make these difficult to assess. To help states with their estimates, this program will discuss the challenges and best practices for collecting accurate data.

Learn more and register.

Image source: Federal Highway Administration

To help restore the state’s native ecosystems and pollinator habitats, the Tennessee Department of Transportation initiated a research project to plot a roadmap for short- and long-term conservation along the state’s highways.

Researchers located and documented remnants of grasslands in the right of way, identified maintenance strategies for these sensitive areas and installed a highly visible prairie restoration project to increase public awareness.

Read the report: Developing a Plan to Restore and Enhance Native Habitats for Pollinators Along Tennessee’s Interstate and Highway Systems, September 2021

Image source: Tennessee Department of Transportation

Given Ohio’s significant recycled asphalt pavement stockpiles, the Ohio Department of Transportation wanted to determine whether the supply could be used in place of traditional virgin aggregates for chip seals and other pavement preservation techniques.

Researchers developed custom mix designs and tested the mixes’ performance in the field. They found that recycled content can be a suitable alternative to new materials, and may save costs as well as conserve natural resources.

Read the report: Design of Microsurfacing and Chip Seal Mixes with RAP for Local Roadway Application, August 2021.

Image source: Ohio Department of Transportation

Adding macrotexture, or grooves, to pavements improves traction by helping water drain from roadways. However, as the macrotexture changes over time it can become less effective, so measuring and monitoring macrotexture is critical.

While the Florida Department of Transportation has successfully used point-laser systems to assess the macrotexture of the state’s asphalt pavements, the strategy has not produced as reliable results for concrete. To improve the accuracy of measures taken for both types of pavements, researchers tested line-laser systems in the lab the and the field.

Read the summary: Macrotexture Assessment of Florida Pavements, December 2021

Image source: Florida Department of Transportation