Maryland’s Plan for Pink Plows Featured on New Podcast Episode September 19, 2023 - Snowplows have traditionally been operated by men. But as recruiting and retaining qualified operators becomes more challenging, No Boundaries member states and transportation agencies across the country are getting creative to change this occupational stereotype.
To market the profession and encourage more women to consider driving plows, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is hoping to paint the blades on its women-driven snowplows a bright shade of pink.
Evaluating “Smart Pedal” Systems for Vehicle Fleets September 12, 2023 - Rapid acceleration and deceleration reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy.
“Smart pedal” devices promise to smooth out a driver’s acceleration patterns and minimize the amount of fuel that’s wasted in the process.
To evaluate the effectiveness of these devices and identify potential fuel savings, the California Department of Transportation installed the technology on six fleet vehicles and monitored their performance.
After nearly two months of use under real-world conditions, researchers compared the fuel economy of the vehicles with “smart pedal” systems and those without. The findings could potentially help transportation agencies reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by their fleets.
Illinois Evaluates Smart Technologies for Work Zones September 5, 2023 - Despite advancements in signage, traffic-control measures and public awareness campaigns, highway work zones are often hazardous environments for maintenance crews. Inspired by recent research that showed that in-vehicle warning systems […]
Utah Pilots Pollinator Habitat at State Rest Area August 29, 2023 - Butterflies, bees and other pollinator populations are in decline, potentially affecting the quality, health and production of the United States’ agricultural resources.
To support these critical populations, increase the recreational and educational value of state-owned property and reduce the need for maintenance, the Utah Department of Transportation established a pollinator habitat at a rest areas as part of a pilot research project.
Ohio Evaluates Driveway Assistance Devices for Work Zones August 22, 2023 - When a work zone corridor includes driveways or other low-volume roads, accommodating vehicles entering the one-way flow of traffic can be challenging and potentially hazardous for maintenance crews.
Temporary traffic signals have historically been used in these scenarios, but as these devices stop mainline traffic they can add significant travel delays. Another potential option is driveway assistance devices, or DADs, which direct vehicles to join the existing traffic queue.
Mississippi Investigates Landslide Causes and Mitigation Strategies August 16, 2023 - Extreme precipitation can result in flash floods and erosion that can compromise roadside slopes, embankments and other areas integral to transportation infrastructure.
To better understand how soil, climate and other conditions can lead to landslides and slope failures, the Mississippi Department of Transportation used high-tech strategies to evaluate failed sites across the state.
Minnesota Evaluates Roadside Turfgrasses and Selection Process August 8, 2023 - In addition to making roadsides more attractive, turfgrass can help control erosion, provide road base stability, reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
But not all grass varieties perform equally, roadside conditions may change over time and vendors sometimes introduce new selections. To ensure its list of approved seed varieties is consistently up to date with high-performing options, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) initiated a research project to evaluate seed varieties and improve the agency’s processes for adding and removing options from the list in the future.
California Investigates Effects of LED Lighting on Wildlife August 1, 2023 - Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are brighter, more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than traditional bulbs, making them a cost-effective choice for many state departments of transportation. However, how these lights affect animal behavior is not well understood.
To better understand how insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and other wildlife are affected by LED lighting, the California Department of Transportation initiated a research synthesis of published literature. With more than 300 relevant studies identified, the results offer a valuable compendium of resources highlighting the known or probable effects of LEDs on wildlife.
No Boundaries Featured at National Showcase July 25, 2023 - Earlier this month, AASHTO’s Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program (SICOP), Maintenance Committee and Maintenance Operations Technical Working Group jointly held its 4th National Briefing on Winter Maintenance and Road Weather to showcase the activities of the various organizations dedicated to winter and year-round transportation maintenance.
FHWA Highlights Innovations from No Boundaries Members July 18, 2023 - The July/August 2023 issue of Innovator, the bimonthly newsletter of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), recognized the efforts of a number of No Boundaries member states.