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To better understand how pavement repairs are addressed by transportation agencies across the country, Illinois DOT thoroughly examined available resources to identify the materials, equipment, and techniques commonly used.

The result is a compilation of current pothole repair practices for dozens of state transportation agencies, and the researchers’ recommended steps for improving practices in Illinois.

Read the report: Current and Future Best Practices for Pothole Repair in Illinois, February 2021.

Image source: Illinois DOT

Properly maintained roadside trees improve air quality and beautify roadways. Whether trees’ canopies adversely affects pavement condition or motorist safety, however, has not been well understood.

Comparing shaded and unshaded road segments, researchers working with Ohio DOT did not find significant differences in the condition of pavements or in driver behavior/performance. They concluded that roadside trees should not be removed routinely, but instead individual trees and specific cases should be addressed.

Read the report: Effects of Tree Canopy on Pavement Condition, Safety and Maintenance – Phase 2, September 2020.

Image source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Accurate construction and maintenance work zone data are essential for all kinds of transportation-related operations, such as traffic management, emergency response, and even post-project evaluation and analysis.

To improve the accuracy of Iowa DOT’s data, researchers developed a work zone database that draws real-time information from a variety of sources and integrates it with the agency’s existing systems.

Read the report: Developing a Research-Grade Iowa Work Zone Database Final Report, December 2020.

Image source: Iowa DOT

After studying and classifying more than 2,500 images depicting concrete surface cracking, researchers working with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development applied complex mathematical formulas to create an improved digital modeling method to identify pavement cracks.

Together with visual imagery collected with drone or through other means, this could potentially change how roadway maintenance projects are identified and lead to improvements in the speed and accuracy of pavement crack detection.

Read the report: Deep Learning Based Multi-Sensor Integration for Pavement Crack Detection, July 2020.

Image source: Louisiana DOTD

Seeking to reduce polluted and contaminated roadside soils, Illinois DOT worked to develop effective on-site treatment options.

The remediation suggestions that resulted from this project are environmentally friendly and cost-conscious, and aim to minimize construction delays.

Read the report: Summary of Illinois Regulations and Review of Treatment Alternatives for Contaminated Soils in Right-of-Ways, September 2020.

Image source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency