News

Pothole repair is a critical and often-performed highway maintenance activity, requiring a significant investment in time and resources.

To identify ways to help repairs last longer, the New Jersey Department of Transportation launched a research project to evaluate innovative tools, technologies and materials for repairing potholes that form in asphalt pavements.

The American Association of State Highway Officials honored this project with a 2024 High Value Research Award in the supplemental category of Maintenance, Management and Preservation.

Read the report: Innovative Pothole Repair Materials and Techniques – Volume 1: Asphalt Pavement – Volume 1: Asphalt Pavement, January 2024.

Image source: New Jersey Department of Transportation

Bridge and tunnel strikes are serious hazards. When an oversized vehicle exceeds a structure’s vertical clearance, the impact can jeopardize public safety and cause significant property damage.

To mitigate the potential risks, the Illinois Department of Transportation launched a research study to identify the different technologies available for detecting vehicle height and issuing early warnings, as well as the costs and benefits of each option.                                                                                                                                      

Read the report: Review of Low-Clearance Early Warning Device Options for Illinois, July 2024.

Image source: Federal Highway Administration

Wildflowers planted along highway roadsides offer a number of environmental, safety and economic benefits. To ensure these species thrive, weed control is critical.

To identify chemical treatments that can effectively control weeds without harming the state’s wildflowers, the North Carolina Department of Transportation conducted an assessment of different herbicides on eight wildflower species.

Read the report: Implementation of Field Recommendations for the NCDOT Wildflower Program, April 2024.

Image source: North Carolina Department of Transportation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ have been in the news recently thanks to their prevalence in the environment and the dangers they pose to human health.

In a study from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), researchers surveyed state departments of transportation (DOTs) to learn how they identify and mitigate the impacts of PFAS during highway construction and maintenance operations.

Read the Synthesis: Practices to Identify and Mitigate PFAS Impacts on Highway Construction Projects and Maintenance Operations, 2024.

Image source: NCHRP

When a highway’s lanes need to be reconfigured, many state transportation agencies use hydroblasting or sandblasting techniques to remove the old markings. However, these methods can damage the pavement surface and leave residual or “ghost” marks that can cause driver confusion.

To assess how drivers behave when they encounter ghost lines caused by different removal techniques, the Oregon Department of Transportation conducted field and laboratory experiments and developed recommendations for improving driver response in a variety of conditions.

Read the report: Removing Residual Lane Markings to Reduce Driver Confusion, April 2024.

Image source: Oregon Department of Transportation

Clearing items from the roadway is important, but it can be a hazardous task for highway maintenance workers when frequent stops are required to load debris in and around moving traffic.

To increase the safety of its field crews, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration evaluated an innovative attachment that can be installed on the front of a vehicle to improve debris removal. Through a series of field tests, this research project assessed the equipment’s performance in a variety of conditions and identified potential benefits and challenges.

Read the report: Improving Roadway Debris Clearance for Chart Responders, March 2024.

Image source: Maryland DOT SHA