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Ken Maser, P.E.

A pavement management system (PMS) forecasts the remaining life of all pavement segments making up a network, and then projects rehabilitation activities and allocates resources based on these projections over the life cycle of the pavement.

A key element in projecting the remaining life of a pavement segment is the pavement structure, that is, the thickness and type of the pavement layers. Normally this information is recorded in the as-built drawings, but these drawings, if available, are often inaccurate and do not reflect the current pavement structure.

In addition, pavement segments in the PMS, which are supposed to be lengths of uniform pavement structure, are often not uniform at all. For example, some agencies have used “dynamic segmentation” which involves segmentation based on similar distress. Consequently, both the segment’s length and its starting and ending points change from year to year depending on variations in surface conditions.

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The proceedings highlight and document what transpired at the conference; summarize noteworthy issues and gaps in knowledge identified at the conference; and describe suggestions that were discussed there for possible future directions that the transportation health and safety community might pursue in these arenas.

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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has released a new report, Decision Making for Outsourcing and Privatization of Vehicle and Equipment Fleet Maintenance.

Developed by the AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance, the report represents a framework for conducting systematic analysis and making decisions on outsourcing and privatization of vehicle and equipment fleet maintenance. The framework defines a step-by-step decision process model that can be applied to a wide range of outsourcing decision alternatives, and which focuses on the unique features of state department of transportation fleet maintenance.

The 92-page report is available in print (Item Code: EFM-1) or as a downloadable PDF (Item Code: EFM-1-UL) from the AASHTO Online Bookstore. The price of the report is $60, or $50 for AASHTO member organizations.

Questions about this report should be directed to Tasha Johnson, staff liaison to the AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance, at tjohnson AT aashto.org, or Carolyn Toye, publications marketing and production specialist, at ctoye AT aashto.org.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the calm between the holidays, it’s time to consider what lies ahead in the new year for the transportation community – federal and state legislators, state departments of transportation, and the transportation industry at large. Many of these issues mirror the challenges facing the entire nation: job creation, funding shortfalls, integrating new technology into older systems, aging infrastructure.

From its vantage point as the voice of transportation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials offers this look at the top 10 issues that will be talked, written, or tweeted about and legislated in the year ahead.

Top 10 transportation topics for 2012

1. Enacting a long-term transportation bill: The eighth extension of SAFETEA-LU ends March 31. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has advanced Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP21), a bill reauthorizing the nation’s surface transportation system for two years; and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved the legislation’s four safety, freight, and research components. Action by the Banking Committee on the transit title is expected early in 2012. The legislation next awaits financing recommendations before moving to the Senate floor. In the House, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Florida, have pledged to move a multiyear reauthorization bill early in the year.

   “Enactment of a bill is a significant priority for state departments of transportation and the industry as a whole,” said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. “We know that transportation has both short-term and long-term benefits for our country – immediate job creation that fixes real problems facing drivers every day and benefits that also create stronger economic development opportunities while promoting a better quality of life in our communities. In 2012, let’s finish the job!”

2. Managing in lean times – how states address the problem of the nation’s aging bridges, highways, and transit systems with stagnant or reduced funding: The situation is obvious – the transportation system built largely in the 1970s and 1980s is deteriorating faster than our ability to keep up. The primary funding mechanism – the federal gas tax – has not been increased since 1993, and states are facing severe budget shortfalls that are adding pressure on their ability to match federal funds.

   Absent increased funding, State DOTs are using innovation, new technologies, smarter management practices, and a host of other tools to ensure their scarce resources address the key problem areas. Many are also refocusing their priorities on preserving and maintaining the existing system.

   In 2012, watch for more vehicle-to-vehicle communications, greater use of intelligent transportation systems, accelerated bridge construction, new paving techniques, and “practical design strategies” among other techniques. Also in 2012, AASHTO will issue a new report on the state of the nation’s roads and efforts to modernize the system.

3. Responding to and planning for natural disasters: From snow storms and 500-year floods, to massive tornadoes, rock slides, and earthquakes, state DOTs must respond – and quickly – to natural disasters. In 2012, more planning is in the offing for climate adaptation and smarter disaster response plans. States will also continue to use new technologies such as the snow tow-plow and increase use of their 511 systems and Twitter to keep the public informed.
4. Reducing traffic deaths: 2010 marked the lowest number of vehicle fatalities in the past 61 years. Although non-fatal crashes also declined, the number of injury crashes increased slightly. The number of people killed in crashes involving large trucks rose almost 9% from 2009 to 2010, and pedestrian and motorcycle-related fatalities also increased. In the year ahead, look for more bans or restrictions on texting and cell phone use while driving; new and improved safety features in automobiles and fleets; targeted investments in infrastructure to save lives; and continued public awareness campaigns about distracted driving. Next year, watch for action by stakeholders on the campaign “Toward Zero Deaths.”
5. Increasing the visibility of transportation as an issue in the upcoming presidential campaign: How will the candidates address the long-term transportation needs faced by the United States in the coming years? What role do they see being played by the federal government? What ideas do they have for reviving the construction industry – a significant sector of the economy?
6. Generating new ways to fund transportation: How to fund transportation will be a key consideration for many state legislatures in 2012, particularly as the cost of construction materials begins to rise after falling or remaining flat for several years. Issues on the table will include raising the state portion of the gas tax; automatically adjusting the existing rate for inflation; expanded use of tolling; and state infrastructure banks. At the federal level, TRIP Bonds and ways to generate more public-private partnerships could be considered. Studies on new user-fee mechanisms are also expected.
7. Advancing intercity passenger rail: States will move ahead on billions of dollars worth of construction and improvement projects. Increasing passenger ridership in key corridors will improve operating revenues. Work ranging from laying new track and rebuilding train stations to purchasing new “next-generation” rail cars is expected to boost employment, the nation’s manufacturing base, and economic development around key stations. In January 2012, AASHTO will issue a new report showing the significant impacts being felt by this investment in passenger rail.
8. Engaging the business community in support of transportation: In 2011, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce led the business community in voicing strong support for a more reliable transportation system. The business sector is quickly recognizing that American industry and the economy will falter without a strong, safe, and modern network of ports, railroads, and highways. Watch for companies to become more vocal in the year ahead about the linkage between transportation and staying competitive in a global economy.
9. Serving a growing elderly population, both rural and urban: 13% of the country’s population – about 40+ million people – is aged 65 or older. Almost one out of eight live in rural areas. Solutions to serving this population, such as increased transit in cities and rural areas, and educational programs for older drivers, will become more necessary in the year ahead to ensure that this segment of the population remains mobile.
10. Responding to new stormwater reforms and other environmental regulations: New federal rules and requirements will require state DOTs to find the best methods available to control stormwater and protect the environment, particularly wetlands, while expediting project delivery. Watch for increased sharing of best practices. In early 2012, AASHTO will issue Leaner and Greener, Sustainability at Work in Transportation, which will include practices and programs from a dozen transportation agencies.

Scientists at the University of California-Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology have received a $2 million contract for a first-of-its-kind study of hybrid construction vehicles.

The two-year project, which is being funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will allow researchers to evaluate the emissions-reduction benefits of two commercially-available hybrid construction vehicles: a Caterpillar dozer and a Komatsu hydraulic excavator.

“Hybrid construction vehicles are just now becoming available,” Kent Johnson, an assistant research engineer at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology and the principal investigator on the project, says in a written statement. “We have been asked to use our emissions-testing experience to quantify what their benefit is.”

Little is known about the potential benefits of hybrid technologies for construction equipment because of their unique and diverse duty cycles. Manufacturers say the hybrid vehicles reduce fuel needs by 20 percent and cut emissions by 30 percent, according to Johnson. Vehicles behavior will be characterized on a second-by-second basis during in-use operations at construction sites using portable emission-measurement systems. Researchers will design standardized tasks, such as lifting a heavy object.

The Maintenance Training Series was created to train individuals responsible for the maintenance of our Nation’s roadways. The series consists of 11 self-paced, Web-based trainings (WBTs) on various maintenance operations topics, ranging from the conceptual (pavement preservation) to the practical (management of underground storage tanks). The trainings included in the series are listed below and each will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

Participants who wish to complete all 11 trainings in the Maintenance Training Series should enroll in course 134109. Those who are interested in specific topics may enroll in each training individually.

- Pavement Preservation Program (134109A)
- Shaping and Shoulders (134109B)
- Thin HMA Overlays and Leveling (134109C)
- Base and Sub-base Stabilization and Repair (134109D)
- Drainage (134109E)
- Outdoor Advertising and Litter Control (134109F)
- Roadside Vegetation Management (134109G)
- Weather-related Operations (134109H)
- Basics of Work Zone Traffic Control (134109I)
- Underground Storage Tanks (134109J)
- Cultural and Historic Preservation (134109K)

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Storm control is a major component of roadway maintenance in many areas of the country. State, municipal, and county agencies are responsible for providing safe, passable roadways even in severe weather. While the majority of the Weather-related Operations course concentrates on snow and ice storms, many of the elements apply to other weather events as well. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding all require coordination and dedication of maintenance personnel. In any weather event, agencies need to restore roadways and bridges and to ensure they are safe for motorists.

Participants learn about the planning requirements for an effective storm response, including scheduling and training personnel, identifying equipment needs, executing dry runs, and the additional requirements posed by a multi-day storm event. This training assists participants with planning and responding effectively to all weather-related operations.

This training was developed as part of the Maintenance Training Series. To access all the courses in the series, enroll in the 134109 course.

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The Nation’s underground storage tank (UST) systems consist of underground tanks and piping that store petroleum and other hazardous materials. This course, Underground Storage Tanks, addresses the procedures to install, operate, and remove USTs.

Developed specifically for maintenance personnel, this course provides participants with an understanding of the Federal laws and regulations that govern UST systems. During the course, participants acquire the knowledge needed to successfully oversee UST installations and closures. Specifically, the course explores the requirements of industry installation and closure codes, leakage detection, spill and overfill prevention, corrosion protection, and ensuring a “clean” closure.

This training was developed as part of the Maintenance Training Series. To access all the trainings in the series, enroll in the 134109 course.

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Drivers in Wayne County, Michigan now have a high-tech way to protect themselves from snow and ice on the roads. The county has unveiled a tracking system that gives motorists the ability to see the location of any of its 148 snowplows or salt trucks, where they are going and where they have plowed and salted in the last eight hours.

“It will definitely be an aid to both the county and to the commuters,” said Wayne County training manager Dennis Martin. “One bonus to the video cameras is that it might educate drivers when they see what drivers go through while trying to keep the roads open.”

The Wayne County Department of Public Works’ new automatic vehicle locator system is called Compass, and can be viewed at compass.waynecounty.com, with real-time information for commuters. The county has also installed video cameras on 18 of the trucks so viewers can see what the plow drivers are seeing, with just a two-minute delay. Compass utilizes truck GPS units, Google maps, Michigan Department of Transportation freeway cameras and cellular connection. It also gives the county in house information on its vehicles, including truck speed, salt and brine usage, lane location, spread patterns and whether the truck’s blade is up or down.

A new law in Wisconsin prohibiting counties from sharing personnel and equipment used for roadwork may be reversed under a proposal from a state lawmaker, who says the amendment is costing taxpayers. The state law approved over the summer prevents counties from contracting work in other regions unless the project extends into a bordering county. Supporters of the amendment said the measure was necessary because of contracts, which were unfairly resulting in private contractors bidding against crews subsidized by state funding.

“It just makes sense for counties to cooperate,” said Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, who proposed the bill change. “Road equipment is expensive; certain county workers have special skills and experience. Working together brings costs down for taxpayers.” She said the new law also prohibits counties from working for cities within the county if the city has a population above 5,000. “If my bill does not pass, all this cooperation will grind to a halt.”

The measure will be considered in the 2012 legislative session begins in January.

The report describes bio-fuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of bio-fuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate.

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The Sorenson family and friends established this scholarship in honor of James B. Sorenson, a noted leader and dedicated advocate in the field of pavement preservation.

Senior engineering student Alex Russeau is the 2011 recipient of the James B. Sorenson Memorial Pavement Preservation Scholarship, presented by the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP).

Russeau, an Eagle Scout with numerous academic honors in engineering and mathematics, will receive the award, which is given annually to a student accepted into the pavement engineering graduate program at Michigan State University.

With an overall academic GPA of 3.8 / 4.0 and outstanding athletic performances, Russeau has achieved an enviable balance between academic studies and athletic achievements.  His athletic achievements include participation on MSU’s cross country team, MSU’s indoor and outdoor track teams, Big Ten Male Runner of the Week Award, and 2010 Big Ten All-Conference Academic Honoree Award. He intends to pursue a Master’s degree in Michigan State University’s pavement engineering program.

The James B. Sorenson Memorial Pavement Preservation Scholarship, worth $1,500 per semester, is intended to encourage students interested in pavement preservation who have demonstrated the capacity and motivation to achieve educational and professional goals and who possess the initiative to seek opportunities to further those goals.

The Sorenson family and friends established this scholarship in honor of James B. Sorenson, a noted leader and dedicated advocate in the field of pavement preservation.

Jim devoted his entire life to service — first as a Vietnam veteran — and then for several decades in the Federal Highway Administration. His passion for preservation left a lasting mark both nationally and internationally. Jim was instrumental in the landmark establishment of the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP), before which there was no single academic center promoting pavement preservation.

Please contact the NCPP at <email hidden; JavaScript is required> or (517) 432-8220 for more information about the scholarship. Please consider supporting this worthy cause with a contribution. To contribute to the James B. Sorenson Memorial Pavement Preservation Scholarship, please send your donation to:

James B. Sorenson Memorial Pavement Preservation Scholarship, Office of Development, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, 3536 Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824. Please make your check out to MSU and place either James B. Sorenson or A30329 in the memo field of the check.

By Larry Galehouse, P.E.

All roads will lead to Nashville, Tenn., when the 2012 National Pavement Preservation Conference convenes Aug. 27 to 30 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in the heart of “Music City.”

The conference will offer pavement practitioners across the country an opportunity to hear from experts in the preservation field, and to observe several pavement preservation treatment strategies in dynamic placement
demonstrations.

Leaders from the preservation industry, government, and academia will be on hand to lend their individual perspectives about the need to protect our roadway investment through preservation.

Designed to serve as a forum for the AASHTO TSP•2 Regional Pavement Preservation Partnerships, the
conference will draw representation from all the state DOTs and many Canadian provinces. Although the partnerships typically conduct their annual meetings at different times and locations throughout the country, this unique gathering will offer an inter-regional networking opportunity to share major preservation issues affecting today’s agencies.

Seven exciting session tracks are being planned by the Conference Technical Committee, covering all aspects of
pavement preservation. Sessions will run concurrently, giving each conference participant the fl exibility to attend
topic areas of greatest interest.

Presentations will be geared to specific tracks, and limited by invitation to ensure relevant high quality subject
matter adds value to the conference.

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By John Ryynanen, Editor
Center for Technology & Training

A 2.65 mile asphalt paving project on a twisting two-lane road in Ada Township, Michigan in early July generated attention from local, state and federal transportation officials. The occasion was the first use of the Safety Edge paving technique in Michigan. The Safety Edge technique, developed jointly by the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal highway Administration (FHWA) based on a research concept, creates a 30 degree taper along a pavement’s edge to eliminate dangerous drop-offs. It is not intended to replace regular shoulder maintenance; rather, when shoulder gravel settles or is worn away, the Safety Edge provides a gradual and safer transition between the pavement and the shoulder until maintenance can be performed. Local road agencies in Michigan have been hesitant to use this new paving technique because of concerns about reduced durability and the perception that it may be difficult to maintain shoulder gravel on the tapered edge.

First-hand experience
Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) owns the road on which the Safety Edge was installed in Ada Township, and they coordinated its installation. Managing Director of KCRC, Jon Rice learned about the Safety Edge initiative through his involvement with the National Association of County Engineers (NACE), where he serves as Northeast Region Vice President and is involved on several committees that deal with roadway safety and pavement preservation. “When I volunteered through NACE to participate in the Every Day Counts meetings with FHWA, I learned they were promoting the Safety Edge,” Rice explained. “Since we are sensitive to the issue of edge drops and also had concerns about the potential problem with maintaining gravel at the safety edge joint, I wanted to try a section here so we and other local agencies could find out more for ourselves.”

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(WASHINGTON, DC) – Accelerating the implementation of innovative solutions to speed project delivery and save precious resources are just some of the top priorities for AASHTO President for 2012, Kirk T. Steudle, P.E., director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Also high on the President’s priority list are utilizing asset and performance management solutions to generate data-driven decision making, and working for the passage of a new surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Steudle takes over the presidency of the 97-year-old Association during one of the most difficult periods facing transportation since the creation of the Interstate Highway System 50 years ago. In a new Presidential Profile video released today by Transportation TV, Steudle discusses both his priorities and the challenges that lie ahead for AASHTO, the industry, and state departments of transportation.