March 1, 2018
Innovation of the Month:
Data-Driven Safety Analysis
The Every Day Counts (EDC) innovation of the month for March is data-driven safety analysis (DDSA), which uses tools to evaluate future roadway safety performance so transportation agencies can target investments with more confidence and reduce severe crashes.
Traditional crash and roadway analysis methods rely mostly on subjective or limited quantitative measures of safety performance. DDSA employs evidence-based models that enable agencies to quantify safety impacts.
In EDC round four (EDC-4), the DDSA deployment team is helping States incorporate DDSA in policies and processes. One focus is on helping local agencies gain proficiency with DDSA tools.
Watch an Innovation Spotlight video on DDSA.
Contact Jerry Roche of the Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety or John McFadden of the FHWA Resource Center for information and technical assistance.
North Carolina Develops Deep Compaction Grouting Specifications
State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive funds helped the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) implement deep compaction grouting technology and develop specifications. NCDOT used deep compaction grouting—a subsurface soil treatment—to stabilize settling bridge approach slabs and restore the grade of the approach slabs for dual bridges over a railroad in Cary. Ongoing settlement of the approach slabs created maintenance problems and generated driver complaints about the “bump at the end of the bridge.” Monitoring showed that minimal settlement of the approach slabs occurred in the year after compaction grouting was used. Applying experience gained on this and three additional projects, NCDOT developed specifications for compaction grouting of bridge approach slabs and other ground improvement applications. As a result, NCDOT expects the use of compaction grouting to become common across the State. For information, contact Scott Hidden of NCDOT.
Send Us Your Every Day Counts Stories
Share your experiences using EDC innovations with EDC News readers. We’re looking for one-paragraph stories on the highway transportation challenge your agency faced, how you implemented an EDC innovation to address the challenge, and the impacts or results, such as improvements in safety, mobility, and quality and savings in time, money, and lives. Include a link to a web page or online report or a staff member’s name and contact information for readers who want more information. Stories can feature innovations from any EDC round. Send your ideas to innovation@dot.gov. Contact Jeff Zaharewicz with questions.
