No Boundaries

Transportation Maintenance Innovation

News

Virginia Evaluates Stormwater Management Systems

As traffic volumes rise and new roads are built or widened across the country, concern toward the increase in stormwater runoff – and its effect on the environment – are also growing. Low impact development (LID) stormwater management systems offer a sustainable option for treating this runoff in urban areas.

The Virginia Department of Transportation launched a research project to assess the effectiveness of four LID systems, as well as the costs and associated tasks required to maintain them.      

Read the report: Evaluating the Effectiveness and Maintenance of Low Impact Development Designs for Stormwater Management: A Case Study Along Lorton Road in Fairfax County, August 2024.

Image source: Virginia Department of Transportation

Illinois Develops Strategic Plan for Assessing and Maintaining Traffic Signals

Ensuring traffic signals and related infrastructure are in good working order is an important task for a transportation agency’s maintenance crews. However, evaluation processes and standards can vary depending on location and other factors.

To standardize its assessment procedures and criteria, the Illinois Department of Transportation conducted a research project that produced procedures for 34 different traffic signal components, as well as recommendations for putting the procedures into practice across the state.

Read the report: Optimum Traffic Signal Condition Assessment and Strategic Maintenance Planning, August 2024

Image source: Illinois Department of Transportation

No Boundaries Synthesis Explores Virtual Reality Options for Maintenance Training

Keeping an agency’s maintenance staff up-to-date on skills, procedures and policies is critical. Virtual reality (VR) technologies – including driving simulators, headsets and desktop computer applications – offer a range of options to ensure staff members have the skills and knowledge they need to safely and effectively operate heavy equipment or conduct maintenance tasks in the field.

The recently published report, No Boundaries Synthesis: Maintenance Training with Virtual Reality Technologies, details specific states’ experiences and interest in VR technologies for maintenance training, including the benefits and challenges. Four case studies provide additional detail of selected states’ experiences using these advanced training tools, with “points of practice” summarizing strategies or findings of particular interest.

Find this and other No Boundaries publications on the Publications and Presentations page.

Image source: No Boundaries

No Boundaries’ Activities and Achievements Highlighted at National Showcase

Last week, AASHTO’s Winter Weather Management Technical Services Program, Maintenance Committee and Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group held a virtual showcase to spotlight the various organizations dedicated to all aspects of winter and year-round maintenance. In all, 14 groups shared highlights of their activities over the past year during this session.

On behalf of No Boundaries, Jim Fox of Colorado DOT provided an overview of No Boundaries and its recent activities and accomplishments, including its online innovation database, recent peer exchange, and other opportunities members have to share maintenance innovations, strategies and best practices.

Watch the recording and download the presentation slides.

Image source: AASHTO Winter Weather Management Technical Services Program

No Boundaries Featured on Premiere Episode of New FHWA Podcast

On August 1, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) unveiled an all-new podcast devoted to research and technology activities. On the very first episode of R&T Now: Interchanges, FHWA Chief Scientist Craig Thor and FHWA Transportation Pooled Fund Program Manager Tricia Sergesondiscussed the benefits of pooled fund participation. During the episode, Sergeson praised No Boundaries for bringing members together to maximize the transfer of different technologies.

“One example is the No Boundaries Pooled Fund study, which holds biannual peer exchanges to discuss current maintenance challenges and explore innovative maintenance and operations practices,” Sergeson said. “These peer exchanges provide the opportunity to see technology and innovation practices first-hand and ask questions directly to the subject matter experts.”

No Boundaries’ new solicitation has just been posted! Learn more about our work and listen to FHWA’s newest podcast episode: Driving Change Together – the Impact of the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program.

Image source: No Boundaries

No Boundaries’ New Solicitation Just Posted

With its current phase coming to an end, the No Boundaries Transportation Maintenance Innovations pooled fund just released a new solicitation for members to join its next phase to begin in 2025.

The No Boundaries pooled fund is a community of practice dedicated to identifying and sharing innovations that help states save time and money on all aspects of their maintenance-related activities. The group promotes adaptation, implementation and broader use of successful tools, technologies and practices, and facilitates opportunities that encourage collaboration.

This new fourth phase will build upon No Boundaries’ previous work to support successful tech transfer. The group hosts two in-person peer exchange each year where member representatives can meet and discuss their challenges and innovative maintenance solutions. No Boundaries also supports a variety of additional opportunities for learning and exchanging knowledge, and maintains a searchable online database where maintenance innovations can be found and showcased by transportation agencies at all levels of government. 

A three-year commitment of $13,000 per year is encouraged, and single-year commitments are welcomed as well.  

Learn more at maintainroads.org.