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FHWA Home / OIPD / Accelerating Innovation / Every Day Counts / EDC News: March 7, 2014

EDC News

March 7, 2014

Innovation of the Month: Intelligent Compaction

The Every Day Counts innovation of the month for March is intelligent compaction. Compaction is one of the most important processes in roadway construction, one that’s needed to achieve high quality and uniformity of pavement materials to ensure long-lasting performance.

Intelligent compaction refers to the compaction of road materials - soils, aggregate bases, asphalt pavements - using a modern vibratory roller equipped with an integrated measurement system, onboard computer reporting system, GPS-based mapping and optional feedback control.

Not only can intelligent compaction improve the uniformity of road-building materials, it can also enhance operational efficiency by reducing the number of passes an equipment operator needs to make to achieve a specified density.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Intelligent Compaction Technical Support Service Center is designed to help highway agencies and other stakeholders get started with intelligent compaction. The center offers information, telephone and email support, and training for agency and contractor personnel.

Recruitment Starts for Warm-Mix Asphalt Study

Intelligent Compaction

FHWA is looking for warm-mix asphalt test projects for the Long-Term Pavement Performance program’s newest experiment. The recruitment period for test sites runs until May 2014. It’s an opportunity for highway agencies to learn about the long-term performance of various warm-mix asphalt technologies. FHWA is seeking projects that will be built in 2014 and 2015 for this national study. For more information on the nomination process, site requirements and highway agency responsibilities, contact Aramis Lopez at (202) 493-3145 or aramis.lopez@dot.gov.

Minnesota Mini-Roundabout Set for Summer Construction

Minnesota’s first mini-roundabout is scheduled for construction this summer in Shakopee, a suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The roundabout will be at an intersection near a school. Construction will begin in June after the school year ends and is scheduled to take three weeks. FHWA provided a preliminary analysis of the site and will include the intersection in its national study on the safety and operations of mini-roundabouts. Scott County, which is partnering with Shakopee on the project, developed a presentation that compares existing traffic conditions at the intersection to an animation of the mini-roundabout design.

Rhode Island Awards High-Friction Surface Treatment Contract

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has awarded its first contract for high-friction surface treatment installation. The seven locations included in the contract were chosen based on crash data and geometrics. The locations include curves and approaches to intersections on secondary roads where wet weather-related and roadway-departure crashes are prevalent. Construction is expected to be completed early this summer. FHWA and the Rhode island DOT will coordinate field visits during installation for interested highway professionals.

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Jeffrey A. Zaharewicz
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(202) 366-1325
Jeffrey.Zaharewicz@dot.gov


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