Improved Data Help Illinois Reduce Work Zone Crashes February 16, 2021 - To combat an increase in work zone crashes, Illinois DOT set out to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of collected data, annual trend calculations, and derived crash modification factors.
With more reliable data and refined models, the state is better positioned to prevent future work zone crashes and harm to construction and maintenance crews.
Read the report: Work Zone Safety Performance on Illinois State Routes, January 2020.
Image source: Michigan DOT
Webinar Addresses Road Maintenance Challenges in Washington State February 12, 2021 - Enjoy a free, hour-long virtual field trip through Washington's Olympic Region on February 17, 2021 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern to learn how the state's maintenance teams tackle a variety of challenges related to terrain and weather.
From heavy rains and mudslides to fog and snow, this mountainous highway corridor spans more than 1,000 miles and provides ample opportunity for transportation-related innovations. Ray Willard, State Roadside Asset Manager (pictured), will highlight the technologies and systems his crews use to keep the routes safe for all users.
Register to attend or to receive a link to watch the recorded presentation at a later time.
No Boundaries’ First Virtual Peer Exchange Begins This Month February 10, 2021 - Share ideas and learn from other agency members at No Boundaries' first virtual peer exchange of 2021!
Offering two-hour sessions over two days (Thursday, February 18, and Tuesday, March 2), the event provides opportunities for discussion and discovery on a variety of timely issues in the field of transportation maintenance.
Members can participate in all or part of the event, and are encouraged to invite their agency colleagues to attend as well!
Compost Blankets Help Reduce Erosion on Slopes in Massachusetts February 2, 2021 - Compost blankets promote effective slope stabilization when they're applied correctly on well-prepared roadside sites.
Massachusetts DOT has developed a series of recommendations that crews can follow to increase the likelihood that compost blankets will help establish vegetation for erosion control.
Read the report: Compost Blankets for Erosion Control and Vegetation Establishment, April 2020.
Image source: Massachusetts DOT
Missouri Compiles 20-Year Database of Concrete Overlay Projects January 26, 2021 - To improve its concrete overlay process, Missouri DOT documented and evaluated more than 40 bonded and unbonded overlay projects completed throughout the state over the last 20 years.
The result is a comprehensive database of important design, construction, and performance data from 1999 to 2019, which can be used to identify trends and factors that contribute to successful projects.
Read the report: Evaluating Performance of Concrete Overlays for Pavement Rehabilitation, November 2020.
Colorado Develops Decision Support Tool for Managing Low-Volume Roads January 19, 2021 - A new study provides Colorado DOT with guidelines and recommendations for optimizing pavement maintenance decisions on low-volume roads.
With improved decision-making abilities, stakeholders will be better equipped to identify future budget needs, funding allocations, and treatment policies and maximize limited pavement management resources.
Read the report: Supporting Pavement Maintenance Decisions of Low-Volume Roads In Colorado Using Optimization Analysis and Artificial-Intelligence Techniques, February 2020.
Maintenance Sessions and Papers for 2021 TRB Meeting January 13, 2021 - No Boundaries has prepared a listing of technical sessions and papers related to maintenance for the virtual 2021 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The compendium includes each presentation'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.
Download the compendium: 2021 TRB Annual Meeting: Technical Sessions and Papers Related to Maintenance.
Spring Certification Program Aims to Improve Pavement Preservation Treatments January 5, 2021 - Beginning this spring, the California Pavement Preservation Center will offer a certification program designed to help state and local agencies improve the design and construction of pavement preservation treatments.
Ohio Evaluates Options for Reducing and Removing Roadside Litter and Debris December 29, 2020 - Since roadside litter comes in all shapes and sizes, removing it from Ohio's highway drainage system has traditionally been a manual job.
Indiana Compiles Best Practices for Patching Composite Pavements December 22, 2020 - Reviewing other states' practices, researchers at Purdue University have identified a list of promising options to improve the identification, construction and performance of patches in composite pavements. Read the report: Best Practices for Patching Composite Pavements, January 2020.