News

Ohio DOT is exploring using hard shoulders as additional traffic lanes to ease rush-hour congestion. Researchers evaluated procedures and equipment that would keep the shoulder clear of debris, assessing cost per mile, operating speeds, safety protocols, and operation during inclement weather.

Read the research report: Evaluation of Maintenance Procedures for Hard Shoulder Running, Phase 1, March 2019.

The capabilities of a new work zone intrusion alarm system—Advance Warning and Risk Evasion (AWARE)—were recently demonstrated during a Minnesota paving project. The portable radar-based technology detects and tracks potential vehicle intrusion threats and worker locations to warn both workers and errant drivers. MnDOT gained insights about the technology, and the developer is continuing to field-test and refine the system.

Read the project summary: Personal Warning Sensor for Road Construction Workers, February 2019.

Iowa DOT has long used concrete overlays to restore bridge decks and extend their service life. Overlays delaminate over time, but they can be repaired through the injection of epoxy resins into cracks and voids. A recent study sought to learn the actual service life of epoxy repairs as well as the most effective methods and materials for injection. A field investigation and review of industry practices were used to develop specifications.

Read the research report: Investigation and Evaluation of Iowa Department of Transportation Bridge Deck Epoxy Injection Process, February 2019.

New varieties of buffalograss have shown promise as a low-maintenance roadside planting in the Midwest thanks to their excellent drought, cold and salinity tolerance. A recent Kansas DOT study showed that blending buffalograss with perennial ryegrass, which establishes more quickly, can provide short-term roadside stability while allowing time for successful buffalograss establishment.

Read the research report: Preliminary Evaluation of Perennial Ryegrass and Buffalograss Blends for Seeded Roadside Establishment to Comply with Storm Water Control Regulations, December 2018.

To help plan future bridge deck maintenance, researchers for Minnesota DOT analyzed inspection data for nearly 500 bridges that were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s using mixed rebar decks—epoxy-coated rebar in the top layer of the concrete deck and uncoated rebar in the bottom layer. Investigators made inspection and mitigation recommendations based on their analysis of deck deterioration rates.

Read the research report: Deterioration of Mixed Rebar and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks, February 2019.

Researchers for Ohio DOT evaluated the use of catch basin inserts to remove suspended solids from runoff in post-construction areas. Based on performance and cost considerations, the use of catch basin inserts was determined not to be a post-construction stormwater best management practice in Ohio.

Read the research report: Catch Basin Inserts for Ohio Roadways, September 2018.