The FHWA Geosynthetics Field Installation Notes Tracker mobile application.  This is a one-stop resource for using geosynthetic materials to improve road construction and maintenance programs.   Available via Google Play Store and Apple Store.   Enjoy lots of key features for note-taking, bookmarking, printing, key terms, glossary, introductory tour of the app and much more!

See mobile app features on FHWA's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr-gRj_LIbw

Visit FHWA Local Aid Support website for more information: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/geosynthetics/

This is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the information provided

Build a Better Mousetrap: Updating Google Street View

Dekalb County, IL

Caption: Car with Camera Attached Above. Photo Credit: Dekalb County, IL

Since it was originally driven by Google in 2007, the Google Street View of many roads in Dekalb County were not visible or outdated.  This led to problematic traveling as citizens were looking for old landmarks.  Realizing the outdated imagery was costing the public time and money, the County Planner and the County Engineer set out to come up with a solution.

The team decided to collaborate with Dekalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS) and collect their own data to submit to Google.  An 8K 360-degree camera was purchased and mounted on a vehicle to be driven for approximately 500 miles through Dekalb County.  Closely following the acceptance standards set by Google, the team was able to collect, process and upload new imagery in some of the rural subdivisions, that will for the first time have imagery on the Google Street View.  Dekalb County Engineer, Nathan Schwartz, PE. says, “When we started the Google Street View Update, we learned through trial and error of the strict requirements Google requires. The camera we used can correct the video if it is not completely horizontal and level. Some cameras can adjust the contrast to brighten the image if collected on a cloudy day. After filming several roads and uploading the data, we found Google only accepts raw imagery and will not allow modified data to be used. To account for this rule, we learned to be extra careful during equipment setup and not rely on technology to correct minor issues.”

The total cost of the project was $12,500 for the camera, tablets, accessories, and labor.  The public responded extremely favorably to the new updated Google Street View, viewing it 3 million times in the first six months.  Nathan’s advice to other agencies is do not let money stop you from going forward with innovation, “While not every agency has the budget or personnel to adopt innovations, those tools should not be completely ignored. Working with neighboring agencies through intergovernmental cooperation is a great way to accomplish goals without the full budget or personnel investment. It can also be difficult to commit to new technologies for fear of a learning curve and the time associated with it. Talking with neighboring agencies can be very beneficial for not only selecting new technologies, but also for support when questions or issues arise.”

Dekalb County plans to update Google Street View throughout the community on a regular basis.

For more information, contact Nathan F. Schwartz, P.E. at nschwartz@dekalbcounty.org or 815-756-9513.

Caption: Closeup of Camera atop County Car. Courtesy: Dekalb County, IL

Build a Better Mousetrap: More Sandbags with Less

Crow Wing County, MN

Caption: Image of Sandbag Filler. Photo credit: Crow Wing County, MN

In Crow Wing County, MN, filling sandbags was typically a two-person job.   One person had to hold the bag and the other used a shovel to add the materials.   Scott Flategraff, Crow Wing County Sign Worker described the process as “Slow and clumsy.   There was also a mess in the filling area from split sand.” Using scrap materials and a plastic sandbag chute, Scott created a funnel like process to fill the sandbags. The process called the Sandbag Quick Filler made the job manageable for one person and increased productivity of the number of sandbags filled per hour. Scott says, “The innovation saves a lot of time by quickly filling the bags with minimal effort. Its simple design kept costs low and assembly quick.”

The innovation helps the community more quickly prepare for an emergency flood event.  Scott encourages others with ideas to improve processes to not hesitate and make the change, “Innovation makes life easier and improves processes. Many people have great ideas on what could make things easier, they should try to implement their ideas to stay progressive. Innovation is so much better than struggling to do things the way they have for years. Innovation makes positive changes instead of just doing the same things we have done for a hundred years.”

To get in touch with Scott Flategraff, contact Jory.Danielson@crowwing.us or 218-820-9922

Build a Better Mousetrap: Snowplow and Salt Spreader Storage

White County, IN

Caption: Closeup of Salt Spreader with Chain. Courtesy: White County, IN

In White County IN, the process of removing and installing salt spreaders on snowplows was resulting in damage to the spreaders lights, hydraulic hoses, framing, and spinners.  To improve this process, the White County Highway Department welded two hooks and added a chain to hang the salt spreader to the front of the plow.  According to Mike Kyburz with White County, IN Highway Department, the greatest challenges were “finding the right length of chain per different sander models, changing the way employees think, and keeping plows and sanders together all the time.”

It is estimated that with a $200 investment in the hooks and chains, the county can save $17,500 annually on damage repairs to the salt spreader.   Mike’s advice to other agencies is to simply “think outside the box.”  He says, “the innovation saved lots of valuable storage space and makes us a better steward of taxpayer money by keeping equipment in good condition.”

For more information contact David Hurst, White County Highway Department at davidhurst8@yahoo.com or 219-984-5851.

Caption: Closeup of Chain that attaches spreader to plow. Courtesy: White County, IN

Successful EDC e-Ticketing and Federal Funding Opportunities using Hybrid Seminars during COVID-19 Era: Puerto Rico LTAP Experience

Dr. Benjamin Colucci, Puerto Rico LTAP Director
PUer

Photo: Courtesy of PR LTAP

The Puerto Rico LTAP coordinated a series of hybrid seminars that were offered during the summer and fall of 2022. These hybrid seminars were able to be offered thanks to an Executive Order of the Governor of Puerto Rico that provided flexibility to private sectors in a period where there was a significant reduction of COVID-19 cases in the island, according the CDC and the Puerto Rico Department of Health. This Executive Order opened a window of opportunity to return back to almost normal operations in their day-to-day activities, but with a reduced capacity.

In terms of training and capacity building, Puerto Rico LTAP was able to offer an initial two-day EDC e-Ticketing Peer Exchange hybrid seminar that was held in the training facilities of the theater of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR). This dual-training process assisted us in having 60% of the participants present in the theater, which were required to comply with strict protocols from the Department of Health and CDC, namely to provide evidence of vaccination, compliance with adequate spacing between participants, the use of masks, taking the temperature before entering the facility, and the use of hand sanitizing. The remaining participants, were able to take the training in a remote virtual mode. The participants, which were engineers and surveyors in good standing, that were present in the theater and in a remote location were able to receive continued education units that were applicable towards the renewal of their professional license.

The purpose of these hybrid seminars also had an added benefit mainly to give an opportunity to those that cannot physically attend the seminar due to a particular health condition had an opportunity to receive the training in their remote location and ask questions to the panel members.

Representatives from PennDOT and DelDOT shared their experiencein the implementation of EDC in their respective states. The FHWA Resource Center representative gave an overview of EDC, its benefits, and applications that have been implemented in other DOT’s.

Each EDC e-Ticketing session during these two days has a moderator/facilitator in the training facility and simultaneously, a staff member from Puerto Rico LTAP in charge of assembling all the questions from the participants that were in the virtual mode. Most of these questions that were received virtually were written in Spanish and the moderator of the session would translate them into English for the benefit of the English-speaking panelists. These questions were asked at the end of each session and the facilitator would translate them back into Spanish.

Caption: Speaker Cristóbal Afanador from FHWA.
Photo: Courtesy of PR LTAP

The second hybrid seminar, Federal Funding Opportunities available for municipalities, officials from the Federal Highway Administration of the Puerto Rico and the USVI division were present in the CIAPR training facility where the event was held, whereas other federal officials from Florida were connected in a virtual setting. The Puerto Rico LTAP director served as a moderator of the hybrid session. Two-way communication was coordinated to have an effective Q&A session. The most important contribution is that all the FHWA presenters from Puerto Rico, USVI, and Florida speak Spanish and were able to present all the pertinent documentation from the FHWA website that was in the English language and translate it verbally to Spanish for those present in the training room. This interaction of giving the presentation in Spanish made the audience more comfortable feeling at home and they felt comfortable in asking questions regarding the different federal programs that they were eligible to participate in.

A final thought; hybrid seminars that are highly technical require effective communication between the local host, moderator/facilitator, and the virtual mode, specifically in motivating the participants that are in virtual mode to be very active and to ask questions to help them get the most benefit from the seminar. If you add the diversity component, that includes the translation from Spanish to English and vice-versa, it makes the hybrid seminar a challenge, but also fun if you know you are helping our locals to get the most benefit from the FHWA training opportunities and funding available to improve the built highway infrastructure in a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable manner.

Visit the Puerto Rico LTAP's website at https://prltap.org/eng/.

Eastern Tribal Technical Assistance Program Center Award

The Local Aid Support (LAS) team is pleased to announce the award of the seventh cooperative agreement under the Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Center Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Eastern TTAP Center to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison).  The Eastern TTAP Center serves sixty-five Tribal nations in thirty states. Given this large geographic service area, UW-Madison has partnered with Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University and New York State LTAP Center housed at Cornell University.  The UW-Madison plans to build on relationships, lessons learned and best practices to effectively deliver quality TTAP services to Tribal nations in the Eastern TTAP Center region. FHWA LAS and UW-Madison will be holding a kick-off meeting in the coming weeks to officially launch the Eastern TTAP Center. 

Western Tribal Technical Assistance Program Center Transition and Readvertisement of NOFO

In October 2022, FHWA awarded the Western TTAP Center to the National Indian Justice Center, Inc. (NIJC) serving Tribes in the Pacific and Western BIA regions.  However, the NIJC has requested to close out this agreement with FHWA due to challenges with restructuring and capacity to deliver TTAP services.  FHWA anticipates the closeout out of the agreement to be completed by August 2023, at the request of the NIJC.  FHWA LAS will be coordinating with other TTAP and LTAP Centers, State Departments of Transportation, other partners for support of Tribes in the Western TTAP region, during this period of transition, Online services remain free and available at no cost. 

FHWA LAS seeks to reestablish a Western TTAP Center as soon as possible with the readvertise the Western TTAP Center NOFO anticipated by the end of the 2023 federal fiscal year by October 2023 with an award anticipated by 2024.

TTAP Centers deliver at the 2023 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northwest Tribal Transportation Symposium

NW TTAP Center Director, Yinhai Wang sharing NW TTAP Center staff outreach activities with this photo of their booth at the national Life Savers Conference in Seattle, WA.
Photo credit: FHWA

TTAP Centers were well represented at the 2023 BIA Northwest Tribal Transportation Symposium. This event is held annually for Tribal nations in the Northwest BIA region where transportation professionals from the public and private sector provide training on a variety of transportation topics.

The Southwest TTAP Center Co-Director Todd Macalady presented on “Managing your Tribal Transportation Program” while the Northwest TTAP Center Director Yinhai Wang presented with the Washington LTAP Director Matthew Enders on LTAP and TTAP resources available to Tribal nations in the northwest.

The Northwest TTAP Center Associate Director Margo Hill covered, “Right of Way (ROW) Processes and Guidelines” providing case law examples to illustrate the uniqueness and complexities of every ROW scenario.  In this she highlighted the multi-jurisdictional coordination that is often required as result of the fractionality of Tribal lands.

Pictured Left to Right: NW TTAP Center Director, Yinhai Wang; TTAP Program Manager, Morgan Manning; NW TTAP Center Associate Director, Margot Hill
Photo Credit: NW TTAP Center

Colorado DOT standards for SUE DATA improves efficiency and effectiveness for utility accommodation and relocations.

Dr. Benjamin Colucci, Puerto Rico LTAP Director
PUer

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been successfully advancing goals for data standards with the use of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE).  The CDOT follow the newly released ASCE 38 Guidelines to accomplish the following data standard goals to assist them in the advancement of SUE data standards (Figure 1):

• Having attribute data about each utility enables more efficient and productive coordination with utility
• Knowing the location and depth of the utilities enables designers to change designs to avoid costly utility relocation and delays in project delivery.
• During construction, contractors can pull up mapping systems that accurately display the location and depth of the utilities, so the utilities can be avoided, and delays
• The ability to store data in a single platform can minimize the cost of data collection on future projects as

Another project where CDOT SUE data standards and innovation came together to improve efficiency and effectiveness of utilities management was the reconstruction of the I-70 and Horizon Drive interchange in Grand Junction, Colorado.  The reconstruction project brought about the relocation of some utilities, in addition the accommodation of new fiber conduit and cable.  The new fiber conduit was installed using trenchless technologies to efficient depth to avoid existing utilities and structural components of a water canal.  After installation of the conduit, a gyro mapping tool was used to measure the location and vertical profile of the conduit to within plus-or-minus 6”.  The gyro mapping tool also verified the bend radii of the installed conduit for any collapse or pinches in the pipe.  Figure 2 presents an image of the gyro mapping tool being inserted into the conduit and the respective measured conduit elevation.

Location and elevation data was then stored in the as-built data files for the utility.  The data file standards meet ASCE/CI/UESI 38-22, Standard Guidelines for Investigating and Documenting Exiting Utilities.  The data is secure on CDOT’s Amazon Webservices Server (AWS).  Access and use to specific data are granted to designers, consultants, local public agencies, contractors, and others that may need the data.  The data files meet CDOT’s survey standards that can be exported to MicroStation field books for engineering design. Colorado DOT is advancing the use of ASCE 75 guidelines for the collection of Digital As-builts (DABs) for subsurface utility relocation work.

If you desire to learn more about this innovation, please contact Mr. Rob Martindale PLS.  If you would like to learn more about FHWA’s efforts in accelerating the deployment DABs, please contact Mr. David Unkefer PE, Construction and Project Management Engineer, FHWA.

Georgia DOT Pursuing e-Ticketing to improve construction efficiencies and safety by eliminating paper-based workflows and enhancing jobsite monitoring.

Submitted by: Bryan Cawley, Construction Engineer, FHWA Resource Center

The Georgia DOT (GDOT) began pursuing e-Ticketing in 2019 by piloting different processes and identifying needs in partnership with contractors.  The piloting began with asphalt, with the intentions of embracing the innovation with aggregates and concrete products in the future.  The value drivers for GDOT advancing e-Ticketing are:

Safety:  Removes DOT inspectors from harm’s way and reduces distractions for drivers.

Efficiency:  Realtime estimated times of arrival and project yields.

Information:  Identification of each load shipment, placement, and associated bid item.

Accuracy:  Fully integrated with scale house, GPS, times, and load material details.

In the early stages of embracing the e-Ticketing innovation, GDOT brought forward an electronic ticketing system that met their needs and the contractors brought forward a fleet management system.  This combination produced a powerful data system to start e-Ticketing.  In the beginning, GDOT contracts had two options:  using conventional paper tickets or using e-Ticketing systems.

Since April 2021, GDOT has required e-Ticketing for asphalt on all projects.  To date, there have been four systems approved for use in Georgia: DOTSlip by Haulhub, FleetWatcher, Mobile Tickets (contractor developed), and Truck-it. The contractor may select their preferred system that meets the specification.  The system selected must have offline capabilities and paper tickets are required for validation if no cell service.  The electronic ticket is the source document required for payment.  Project staff will download a PDF of each ticket, PDF summary, and a MS Excel spreadsheet summary from the application website.  These are stored in ProjectWise by product, material, and date placed. There is no central GDOT database for material, so the data is stored by project.  Quantities are entered into SiteManager or AASHTOWare Project for payment.  GDOT does not require continuous GPS.  Only the status is required: At Source, At Destination, or In Route, along with time of last status change.  Figure 1 presents a GDOT inspector, standing safely behind the sign, using her phone to accept the e-Ticket for the Hot Mix Asphalt being delivered.

Over the past 4 years, GDOT and Contractors have piloted, developed, and modified process that have led them to the successful practice used today.  Within the Georgia 2021 Standard Specification, Section 110, is their Electronic Delivery Management System (e-Ticketing).  The specifications require training, setup, and verification during the pre-construction phase of the project.  The specification then further defines the data to be collected as part of the submittals (i.e., delivery load information, real-time continuous data items truck status, and daily summaries).  The cost of the system “is included in the contract price for the material specified in the contract.”

If you would like to learn about GDOT’s accelerated deployment of e-Ticketing, please contact Mr. John D. Hancock, P.E., GDOT State Construction Engineer.  If you would like to learn more about or participate in FHWA efforts in deploying e-Ticketing please contact Ms. Kathryn Weisner, P.E., FHWA Construction and Contracts Administration Engineer.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Competitive Grant Programs:

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/grant_programs.cfm

The FHWA Local Aid Support Team has been actively participating in a series of FHWA Resource Center Peer Exchanges for FoRRRwD, which is an initiative to increase roadway safety in rural areas.  The purpose of the roadway safety peer exchanges is for transportation professionals from state and local agencies to collaboratively develop solutions that can adapted across the U.S.  The most recent peer exchange was in New Orleans with more planned in the near future.   Contact FHWA's Dick Albin if interested, dick.albin@dot.gov or 303-550-8804.

The FHWA Local Aid Support Team provided updates on our activities to the National Association for County Engineers (NACE) during their annual meeting in April.   The event was held in Orange Beach, Alabama.   The FHWA served as sponsor, presenter and exhibitor.   Hundreds of local officials participated.   Next year's event will be held in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California.

Caption: Collage of images of Local Aid Support team during the NACE Conference. Source: FHWA

The FHWA Center for Local Aid Support sponsors 24/7 access to hundreds of ‘need to know’ transportation topics for local and tribal agencies at no cost. Please use your government email to register for courses. If you have questions, please contact us at CLAS@dot.gov.

Local Aid Support
A series of no-cost online training modules available via the Local Aid Support webpage
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/ttap/online_training.aspx

LTAP/TTAP Centers
Check with your local and regional LTAP/TTAP Center for available online training
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/ltap/; https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/ttap/

National Highway Institute
Over 180 web-based courses available
https://bit.ly/nhitrainings

AASHTO TC3
Over 190 web-based courses
https://bit.ly/tc3trainings

Institute of Transportation Engineers
15 online modules for smaller jurisdictions
http://bit.ly/itetraining

Federal Aid Essentials
Online library of 112 informational videos
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials/indexofvideos.cfm

Innovation Exchange
FHWA’s bi-monthly webinars on innovative market-ready technology
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/training_tools/webinars.aspx

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 2023

June 7 and 13, 4-6 hours each day, Digital As-Builts Peer Exchange, Virtual, Kansas DO

If interested contact David.Unkefer@dot.gov

June 15, 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET – Digital As-Builts Webinar #7 FHWA Engage Digital As-Builts Stakeholders for Better Solutions.  

Registration

June 20 & 21, All Day Digital As-Built Peer Exchange, Virtual, Maine DOT

If interested contact David.Unkefer@dot.gov

June 26, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET – FHWA Non-Destructive Evaluation Webinar Series - Overview of FAA’s Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation Program. 

Zoom Meeting Room 

July 2023

July 24, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET – FHWA Bridge Non-Destructive Evaluation Webinar Series

Zoom Meeting Room

July 31, 3:30 – 4:30 pm ET – FHWA Digital As-Builts Forum, Digital Project Delivery for Structures with Caltrans Ms. Lynn Hiel, Transportation Engineer, Bridges and Structures, California DOT

Registration

August 2023

August 10, 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET – Digital As-Builts Webinar #8 Mainstream Digital As-Builts: Statewide and Programmatic.

Registration

August 28, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET – FHWA Bridge Non-Destructive Evaluation Webinar Series

Zoom Meeting Room

September 2023

September 25, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET – FHWA Bridge Non-Destructive Evaluation Webinar Series

Zoom Meeting Room

September 25, 3:30 – 4:30 pm ET – FHWA Digital As-Builts Forum, Digital Project Delivery for The City of Lincoln, NE, Mr. Marc Rosso, Senior Construction Engineer.

Registration

October 2023

October 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET – FHWA Bridge Non-Destructive Evaluation Webinar Series

Zoom Meeting Room

October 24 & 25, All Day, Digital As-Builts, Regional Workshop, Virtual, Minnesota

Contact: David Unkefer, david.unkefer@dot.gov

Other items:

e-Ticketing virtual and in person peer exchanges are available.  If interested please contact Ms. Kathryn (Kat) Weisner, FHWA, kathryn.weisner@dot.gov or 202-823-2267

Digital As-Builts virtual workshops are available.  If interested please contact Mr. David Unkefer, FHWA, david.unkefer@dot.gov or 404-764-7498

July 9 -11, 2023 
Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) Annual Conference
Wilmington, DE

July 11-13, 2023
ARTBA Public Private Partnerships (P3s) in Transportation Conference
Washington, D.C.

July 17-20, 2023
2023 NLTAPA Annual Conference
Columbus, OH

July 23-26, 2023
13^th TRB International Conference on Low Volume Roads
Cedar Rapids, IA

Aug 13 - 16, 2023
National Rural ITS Conference
Portland, OR

Aug 13 - 16, 2023
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Portland, OR

August 15-18, 2023
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) Midyear Meeting
Chicago, IL

August 27-30, 2023
American Public Works Association PWX 2023
San Diego, CA

September 10-13, 2023
American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) National Convention
La Jolla, CA

September 11 - 13, 2023
Intermodal Association of North America Intermodal Expo 2023
Long Beach, California

September 24-28, 2023
National Transportation in Indian Country Conference
Anchorage, AK