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Maintenance staff often deal with animals whose habitats are on the right-of-way or cross roadways.

To reduce contact between creatures and moving vehicles, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed a guide of best management practices for constructing and maintaining road crossing systems designed specifically for amphibians and reptiles, such as turtles, frogs, snakes and salamanders.

Read the report: Measures to Reduce Road Impacts on Amphibians and Reptiles in California: Best Management Practices and Technical Guidance, March 2021.

Image source: Caltrans

Accurate data is essential for assessing the conditions of pavement surfaces and then applying it in data-driven decision-making.

To help DOTs ensure that their information is reliable, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed a list of successful and budget-conscious practices that boost data accuracy.

From planning and preparation, equipment calibration and employee training to quality control, evaluation and data management, this study outlines the steps to take before and after data collection to achieve quality results.

Read the report: Successful Practices for Quality Management of Pavement Surface Condition Data Collection and Analysis, December 2020.

Image source: FHWA

Successfully sealing and waterproofing a concrete culvert’s joints and surfaces can significantly reduce intrusive damage from water over time.

Ohio DOT evaluated its current waterproofing and treatment methods, as well as those used by other transportation agencies, and compiled a list of recommendations and best practices for repairing and protecting precast concrete culverts.

Read the report: Division of Engineering Research on Call Task #9 – Exterior Protection of Precast Reinforced Concrete Culverts, March 2021.

Image source: Michigan DOT

Work zones for highway maintenance, repairs or construction can become unsafe when drivers fail to slow down.

Dynamic messaging signs are often used to alert drivers to the presence of work zones and foster slower traffic speeds, but whether the signs actually accomplish their intended goals has not been well understood.

In an attempt to verify the effectiveness of the signs, Kansas DOT collected and analyzed vehicle speeds and related data at three work zone sites. The study identified areas of improvement for future research to yield more conclusive findings.

Read the technical summary: Analysis of Speed Profiles and Evaluation of Dynamic Signs in Kansas Work Zones, March 2021.

Image source: Oregon DOT

In an effort to ensure long-lasting chip seals, Oregon DOT has developed quantifiable standards that can be used to objectively measure a chip seal’s performance over time.

With input from maintenance workers, designers, suppliers, consultants and other industry stakeholders, Oregon DOT’s proposed performance specification for chip seals aims to encourage quality workmanship and innovation. The proposed specification also includes a one-year maintenance provision.

Read the report: Implementation Phase of SPR 777 Study and Guidance for a Chip Seal Performance Specification, April 2021.

Image source: Minnesota DOT

Areas with tall grass can obscure hidden objects or even people, posing serious risk to maintenance crews. To reduce the risk, Minnesota DOT investigated remote sensing tools that could be used to identify dangers hidden from the naked eye.

The most promising tools offer a range of sensing capabilities, including infrared/thermal imaging, polarization filtering and radar. These are detailed based on applicability, availability, cost and more.

Read the research synthesis report: Remote Sensing in Maintenance Work, October 2020.

Image source: Minnesota DOT