Clear Roads has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an additional research project in the 2021 funding cycle: Efficacy, Cost, and Impacts of Non-Chloride Deicers: An Educational Primer and Product Information Sheets—Proposals due September 17 As a reminder, Clear Roads is also soliciting investigator proposals for the following research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and … Read more
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for six new research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and Salt Applications Best Practices for Protecting DOT Equipment from the Corrosion Effect of Chemical Deicers (Update to CR 13-04) Training Module Development for CR 18-03: Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Technologies and Alternative Fuels for … Read more
Pre-wetting road salt helps keep the salt on the road’s surface, which makes winter maintenance more efficient and cost-effective. While pre-wetting practices are used by many agencies, they have not been extensively studied. A recent Clear Roads research project took stock of the current state of the practice for pre-wetting salt and other solid materials, … Read more
South Dakota DOT’s implementation plan for its Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) and Iowa DOT’s study of corn-based deicers recently captured national attention as two of AASHTO’s Sweet Sixteen high-value research projects for 2021. The award recognizes the nation’s top high-value research projects as chosen by state DOT research directors in each of the four AASHTO regions.
In South Dakota, statewide deployment of the MDSS is already yielding operational and safety benefits, with researchers estimating a six-year benefit-cost ratio of 3.25 (including projected reductions in crashes and fatalities).
In Iowa, innovative research identified three promising blends of corn-based deicers that merit further evaluation as environmentally friendly materials that could reduce the use of salt.
The two projects were honored last week at the annual AASHTO Research Advisory Committee meeting, where Michigan DOT also received a Supplemental Award in the Safety category for its study of green strobe lights for improving conspicuity of winter maintenance vehicles. For more on these award-winning projects:
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Image source: South Dakota DOT
For maintenance professionals who are looking to expand their qualifications, this summer may be a good time to explore the online associate’s degree program in Highway Maintenance Management offered by Front Range Community College in Colorado.
Unique in the nation, the online program is designed for current highway maintenance professionals who are interested in advancing to a management role. Students can enroll full-time or part-time, and can cut the time and cost of their degree by receiving credits for skills, training and experience accumulated over the course of their career. FRCC awarded its first degree in the program this spring.
Learn more: Program website and podcast (May 2020 episode of AASHTO’s “SICOP Talks Winter Ops” podcast).
Image courtesy of Front Range Community College
Road deicing is a major cause of chloride impairment in Minnesota’s urban waters. Aiming to reduce these impacts, Minnesota DOT researchers partnered with the City of Edina to test an adaptive management approach to deicing.
Through adaptive management—repeatedly checking the effects of actions and making adjustments—the researchers found that most of the chloride movement in a residential watershed occurred during a small number of winter events, which allowed maintenance staff to make targeted adjustments to their deicing operations. Researchers created a training manual on using adaptive management for deicing and a spreadsheet tool to help agencies improve their deicing operations.
Visit the project page and read the final report: Adaptive Management to Improve Deicing Operations, Minnesota DOT, March 2021.
Image courtesy of Minnesota DOT
LED plow headlights have several potential advantages over traditional halogen bulbs, including longer life, reduced susceptibility to damaging vibrations, and improved visibility and reduced eye fatigue for operators. To compare the two bulb types, New Hampshire DOT tested LED lights on 17 plow trucks and surveyed operators about their experiences. Operators overwhelmingly preferred the LED … Read more
Advanced technologies like mobile sensor systems, video analytics and enhanced maintenance decision support systems (MDSS) have the potential to help transportation agencies advance the state of winter maintenance operations.
A recent Clear Roads research project developed a guide to implementing eight emerging and recently developed winter maintenance technologies. By understanding the options and their benefits, agencies can make informed decisions about which technologies to invest in.
Download the final report: Integrating Advanced Technologies into Winter Operations Decisions, December 2020.
Image source: Nebraska DOT
Check out these two new episodes from AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast:
Image source: “MnDOT Minute” video, Minnesota DOT
The Clear Roads Technical Advisory Committee met April 13-15 to select research projects for 2021 funding. The TAC selected seven new projects:
More information about these projects is available in the 2021 All Proposed Projects summary. Requests for investigator proposals for the seven new projects will be posted this summer.
The agenda, budget and minutes from the spring meeting are available on the Clear Roads Meetings page.
Image source: Minnesota DOT