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.
Texas Explores Methods to Remove Pavement Stripes July 11, 2023 - Common techniques for removing stripes from roadway surfaces, such as hydroblasting and flailing, can damage surfaces and leave residual marks that may confuse drivers.
To discover alternative methods, the Texas Department of Transportation surveyed other states about their current practices and developed and tested a new device that uses lasers to remove stripes without damaging pavement surfaces.
Missouri Investigates Bat-Sensitive Maintenance Strategies for Bridges and Culverts June 27, 2023 - Many bat species, including those that are threatened or endangered, make their homes in bridges and culverts, which can affect maintenance and repair activities.
To learn strategies for detecting, deterring and relocating bats from these structures temporarily, the Missouri Department of Transportation initiated a research study aimed at better understanding sensitive management tactics. The research compiled knowledge about the habits of different kinds of bats, and the tools, technologies and best practices that other states and federal transportation agencies use when performing maintenance on structures with bat populations.
Louisiana Evaluates Materials for Reducing Roadway Edge Drop-Offs June 21, 2023 - Frequent road-edge maintenance is critical for preventing ruts and drop-offs that can be unsafe for the traveling public.
To identify materials that are stable, durable and widely available for use along a road’s edge, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development evaluated a variety of reclaimed asphalt mixtures and additives.
The research resulted in cost-effective material recommendations and strategies for improving the performance of road shoulders, as well as a method for identifying problematic areas so they can be proactively addressed to increase safety.
Oregon Investigates Effects of Centerline Rumble Strips on Pavement Durability June 13, 2023 - Rumble strips milled into the centerline of a roadway provide an audible and vibratory alert when a driver crosses into oncoming traffic, reducing crashes and injuries. While rumble strips have an established record of increasing safety, pavements that have them are more likely to develop cracks.
To improve the performance of pavements with centerline rumble strips, the Oregon Department of Transportation initiated a research project to develop better installation methods as well as innovative maintenance strategies to reduce cracking and increase the long-term durability of these pavements.
Minnesota Develops Decision Tool for Pavement Markings June 7, 2023 - When applying new or replacement pavement markings, maintenance crews have a variety of issues to consider such as marking materials, surface type and location.
To help Minnesota’s state and local transportation agencies understand their options and make informed decisions, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Local Road Research Board developed an online pavement marking decision tree.