Webinar Showcases Methods for Evaluating Unpaved Roads August 3, 2021 - The Transportation Research Board will host the webinar, “Evaluating and Rating Unsurfaced Roads” on Wednesday, August 25 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern.
The session aims to help agencies establish realistic budgets and cost-effective systems for maintaining unsurfaced roads, which comprise approximately a third of all roads in the U.S.
Learn more and register.
Image source: FHWA
FHWA Showcases Solutions for Managing Abundant Bridge Inspection Data July 27, 2021 - Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can make it easier and safer to inspect bridges, but managing the massive amounts of data collected during the process can pose a challenge.
To provide guidance and help those agencies weighing the benefits of incorporating UAS technology into their bridge inspection practices, the Federal Highway Administration has highlighted the successful strategies of some early-adopting states.
Read the technical brief: Effective Practices for Managing Bridge Inspection Data Captured by UAS, March 2021.
Image source: Michigan DOT
South Carolina Gathers Pavement Data at Traffic Speeds to Identify Needs July 20, 2021 - While the pavement quality index can effectively identify issues at the surface, it is not always a good indicator of a pavement’s underlying structural condition.
Analyzing nearly 1,000 miles of pavement condition data gathered with a Traffic Speed Deflectometer, South Carolina DOT used a new classification methodology to identify those roads in need of treatment.
Read the report: Utilization of Traffic Speed Deflectometer for Pavement Management, May 2021.
Image source: South Carolina DOT
California Quantifies Maintenance Operations to Improve Efficiency and Worker Safety July 13, 2021 - Road and asset maintenance work encompasses a wide array of individual operations that range in difficulty and potential risk to worker safety.
To help agencies better understand the time and hazards associated with typical tasks, the California Department of Transportation has devised both a Difficulty Index and Collision Risk Index. These indexes provide quantifiable data that agencies can use to improve scheduling efficiency and increase worker safety.
Read the report: Research to Develop Performance Measures for Maintenance of Roadside Features, March 2021.
Image source: Indiana DOT
Webinar Identifies the Real Costs of Asset Maintenance July 2, 2021 - The Transportation Research Board will host the webinar, “What is the True Cost of Infrastructure Assets Maintenance?” on Wednesday, July 7 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern.
This program will discuss decision-support tools such as life-cycle planning and maintenance management systems and how they can be used with actual data to make the most of limited budgets and resources.
Learn more and register.
Image source: FHWA
Upgraded Culvert Inspection Robot Offers Greater Access and Signal Range June 29, 2021 - The original Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer, or HIVE, was designed by Minnesota DOT to offer a lightweight and low-cost option for transportation agencies to inspect culverts and other hard-to-reach places.
Now, Vermont Agency of Transportation has developed and tested HIVE 2.0, which offers more powerful video transmission and improved maneuverability while keeping the device small and affordable.
Read the report: Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) Culvert Upgrade, April 2021.
Image source: Vermont AOT
New Federal Resources Increase Options for Assessing Pavement Condition June 22, 2021 - Evaluating pavement condition is a key part of road maintenance. Federal guidance allows states to use present serviceability ratings (PSRs) as an alternative to the more common International Roughness Index in some situations, but putting the PSR method into practice can pose a challenge.
To make it easier for state transportation agencies to use PSR ratings to evaluate pavements where appropriate, the Federal Highway Administration has developed a variety of guidance and support resources.
Read the report: Present Serviceability Rating Computation from Reported Distresses, March 2021.
Image source: FHWA
Ohio Identifies Safety Improvements for Mobile Maintenance Operations June 15, 2021 - In an effort to reduce the risks that highway maintenance crews face on the job, Ohio DOT evaluated its existing mobile operations and tested a variety of new practices and technologies that could be implemented to enhance worker safety.
The research resulted in a matrix tool that can be used to identify potential safety improvements for mobile maintenance operations on multi-lane highways, as well as the pros and cons associated with each method or device.
Read the report: Evaluate the Uses and Technology for Truck-Mounted Attenuators, December 2020.
Image source: Ohio DOT
Webinar Will Help Agencies Make the Most of Chip Seal Equipment June 8, 2021 - The Federal Highway Administration will host, “Chip Seal Equipment and Calibration” on June 17 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
The webinar will address how to ensure a chip spreader and distributor are applying at the correct rate, as well as a review of the components that should be routinely maintained for optimal calibration.
Learn more and claim your spot.
Image source: FHWA
California Develops Strategies to Keep Small Wildlife From Roadways June 2, 2021 - Maintenance staff often deal with animals whose habitats are on the right-of-way or cross roadways.
To reduce contact between creatures and moving vehicles, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed a guide of best management practices for constructing and maintaining road crossing systems designed specifically for amphibians and reptiles, such as turtles, frogs, snakes and salamanders.
Read the report: Measures to Reduce Road Impacts on Amphibians and Reptiles in California: Best Management Practices and Technical Guidance, March 2021.
Image source: Caltrans