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As maintenance vehicles get older, it can be challenging for any transportation agency to balance the price of replacement with the increasing costs of maintenance and repairs. Taking a data-driven approach, researchers for the Utah Department of Transportation conducted life-cycle analyses for three common maintenance vehicles: loaders, sweepers and graders. Considering the vehicles’ acquisition price, depreciation value and estimated maintenance needs, the researchers’ recommendations can help agencies prepare for the substantial expense of replacing these vehicles.

Read the report: Analytical Framework for Life Cycle and Performance Assessment of Equipment Programs, May 2021.

Image source: Pennsylvania DOT

Unpaved roads are prone to stormwater runoff and erosion, which can have a variety of negative impacts on the quality of downstream waters.

Building upon its previous research identifying effective erosion-mitigation practices, Vermont Agency of Transportation documented erosion rates and soil-contamination at drainage sites and culvert outlets to estimate which practices have proven most successful.

Read the report: Quantifying Gully Erosion and Potential for Sediment and Phosphorous Pollution Reductions Achieved by Erosion Remediation Projects on Vermont’s Roads, July 2021.

Image source: Vermont Agency of Transportation

As floods and other extreme weather events become more intense and frequent, the risk and potential damage to roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure also rises.

Looking at historic damage, flood-prone areas, structural ratings and other measures, Iowa DOT developed a variety of methodologies to identify the most vulnerable pavements, structures and other critical assets across the state. The research findings will help the agency prioritize its maintenance and planning efforts and allocate resources efficiently in preparation for future natural disasters.

Read the report: Asset Management, Extreme Weather, and Proxy Indicators, February 2021.

Image source: Iowa Civil Air Patrol

Finding and keeping a committed maintenance workforce has become a challenge for transportation agencies nationwide.

To identify the successful strategies in both the public and private sectors, investigators for the Clear Roads winter maintenance pooled fund surveyed and interviewed more than 150 individuals representing state and local DOTs and private contractors.

The research resulted in a set of case studies and recommendations to help employers attract and keep a modern, committed workforce.

Read the research brief: Strategies to Find and Keep Highway Maintenance Workers, September 2021.

Image source: Colorado DOT

Vehicles powered with alternative fuels offer an attractive option for a transportation agency looking to address the carbon emissions of its maintenance fleet. However, deciding which vehicles and technologies to choose can be complicated from both financial and technical perspectives.

To make the process of replacing its maintenance vehicles easier, the Utah Department of Transportation developed a mathematical model that considers the lifetime costs of the vehicles. The result show which types of vehicles should be purchased and salvaged and in what year, maximizing the total fleet costs.

Read the report: Investigating the Feasibility of Introducing Alternative Fuel Vehicles Into a Maintenance Fleet, June 2021.

Image source: Rhode Island Department of Administration