Breaking Down Project Complexities
The Washington State DOT is using a SHRP2 product to manage a multimodal ferry terminal replacement in downtown Seattle.
Public Roads
What's in Your Asphalt?
Recently, State highway agencies and FHWA were amazed by a discovery: The clandestine use of re-refined engine oil bottoms in asphalt is widespread.
Getting A Grip on Risks
The Pennsylvania DOT is conducting a structured approach for managing threats and opportunities on a bridge replacement—and it is proving to be useful.
What's New Today Is Mainstream Tomorrow
The third round of Every Day Counts produced record milestones in the number of States incorporating innovations, creating momentum for the next round.
Watch for Me
North Carolina has established a promising program to reduce the number of bicyclists and pedestrians hit by automobiles. Could your State try something like this?
Public Roads - September 2017
Monarch butterflies like these two are among the pollinator species that are in decline. The eastern population of the iconic monarch butterfly has declined by more than 80 percent since 1996. Loss of the monarch's breeding habitat - milkweed - is a significant factor contributing to this decline. To learn more, see "Save the Bees and Butterflies!" on page 4 in this issue of Public Roads.
Leaves Are Falling, and Holiday Driving Is Not Far Away
What a year it has been. The Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation have made great strides toward improving the safety of the transportation system, shortening project completion times, and adopting time-saving permitting practices–all of which are critical to keeping the Nation moving.
Looking Out for Innovation
Innovation is critical to the transportation industry for many reasons. New processes and technologies can speed project delivery, improve safety, increase the durability of roads, better protect the environment, and help optimize the use of scarce financial resources. But introducing new processes and technologies comes with risk. Transportation agencies face an ongoing challenge to balance the benefits that new innovations can bring against the possible risks–financial, organizational, political, or otherwise.
Bringing International Experience To Performance Measurement
Globally, funding limitations and competition for resources require that transportation agencies increasingly focus on performance measurement in support of investment and policy decisions. In the United States, measuring performance has been in the forefront of recent transportation priorities. Recent Federal legislation has accelerated transportation agencies’ efforts to develop and emphasize performance outcomes.
Technical News
Along the Road is the place to look for information about current and upcoming activities, developments, trends, and items of general interest to the highway community. This information comes from U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sources unless otherwise indicated. Your suggestions and input are welcome. Let’s meet along the road.