Project Updates

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.

No Boundaries members gathered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from May 7-9 for a peer exchange on maintenance issues. Hosted by the Louisiana DOTD, the event included a showcase and demonstration of the innovative maintenance tools and equipment developed by the agency’s field staff, as well as a visit to a state-owned bridge that’s being replaced by a Louisiana DOTD maintenance crew.

The peer exchange also featured roundtable discussions on hot-button transportation maintenance topics such as balancing vehicle idling with battery drain, and alternative ideas for configuring and maintaining a public right of way.

Featured presentations included an overview of the role of artificial intelligence in public works by the No Boundaries subject matter expert, while Indiana DOT shared insights for encouraging an agency’s culture of innovation.

Finally, No Boundaries’ always-popular Innovation Show-and-Tell provided a forum for members to share the new tools and practices their agencies have found for making maintenance work easier and safer in the field.

Additional information, photos and the full agenda are available on the meeting page. Details about No Boundaries’ next peer exchange, to be hosted in the fall of 2024 by North Dakota DOT, will be coming soon!

Image source: No Boundaries

No Boundaries members convened in Suffolk, Virginia last week from October 17-19 for the group’s fall peer exchange. Hosted by Virginia DOT, members shared their latest innovations and best practices and participated in demonstrations of tools and equipment designed to get maintenance work done faster, better and cheaper.

The peer exchange also featured roundtable discussions on shared maintenance interests such as strategies for fixing potholes during winter and how agencies determine whether their maintenance crews are appropriately staffed.

Guest presenters provided insight into Virginia’s transportation challenges and opportunities, including efforts to increase the safety and efficiency of the state’s tunnel system and a complex underwater expansion project that will reduce congestion on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and provide greater mobility for millions of users. No Boundaries members also learned about the exciting ways Virginia DOT encourages innovation, such as a number that state workers can call to share their ideas and a website that the public can use to submit suggestions.

During one of No Boundaries’ most consistently popular sessions, the Innovation Show-and-Tell, members shared the new tools and practices they’ve tried and tested to make maintenance work easier and safer in the field. Finally, a representative from Aquaphalt demonstrated how the product can be used to repair potholes quickly in any season.

Additional information, photos and the full agenda are available on the meeting page. Details about No Boundaries’ next peer exchange, to be hosted by Louisiana DOTD in spring 2024, will be coming soon!

Image source: No Boundaries

No Boundaries members gathered in Missouri on April 25 and 26 for the first peer exchange of the year. Hosted by the Missouri DOT, a visit to the agency’s annual Innovations Showcase allowed No Boundaries members to see demonstrations of innovative tools, materials and processes, and learn best practices for implementing similar programs in their home states.

The peer exchange also featured roundtable discussions on hot-button transportation maintenance topics such as strategies to recruit and retain workers and practices for safely deploying cones or barrels on state highways.

Featured presentations from Front Range Community College in Colorado highlighted opportunities for workers to gain course credits on the job, while Ohio DOT shared details on its One Red Lion program that has already exceeded its goal of saving $100 million in operational savings and efficiencies. Finally, representatives from the National Local & Tribal Technical Assistance Program discussed ways No Boundaries member states can share innovative solutions with agencies at the local level.

The Innovation Show-and-Tell, which is consistently one of No Boundaries’ most popular sessions, showcased members’ new tools and practices for making maintenance work easier and safer in the field.

Additional information, photos and the full agenda are available on the meeting page. Details about No Boundaries’ next peer exchange, to be hosted in the fall of 2023 by New York State DOT, will be coming soon!

Image source: No Boundaries

This week, No Boundaries members will gather in Missouri for the first peer exchange of 2023. Hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the two-day event offers an exciting variety of activities, presentations and round-table discussions.

Highlights from the full agenda follow.

Tuesday, April 25 – The peer exchange will kick off with a trip to Columbia, MO to attend MoDOT’s annual Innovations Showcase, where the group will learn about new and innovative maintenance solutions. A guest presentation from Front Range Community College, and our always-popular Innovation Show & Tell will round out the first day.

Wednesday, April 26 – The second day of the peer exchange will include guest presentations from Ohio Department of Transportation and the National Local & Tribal Technical Assistance Program, and two round-table discussions on best practices and strategies for addressing common challenges.

Image source: Missouri Department of Transportation

No Boundaries has published a listing of technical sessions and papers related to maintenance for the 2023 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The compendium includes each poster and lectern session’s title, authors, identification number, and a link to find the work on TRB’s Online Program portal. Note: TRB requires a login to access full papers. If you are having trouble accessing the papers, check with your DOT or other transportation library.