U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
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| Fiscal Year | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Freight | Development of an intelligent truck transportation management application for freight and fuel movement through route optimization, scenario analysis, and incident management. ($100,000) |
| 2022 | Operations, weather | Develop and implement an application to be used during maintenance of roadways to provide audible, real-time direction on maintenance routes to the operators ($100,000) |
| 2021 | Unmanned Aircraft System, Emergency Response | Avalanche Mitigation, Documentation and Emergency Response with UAS ($100,000) |
| 2020 | Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) | Streamline Horizontal Infrastructure Monitoring with Unmanned Aircraft and Machine Learning ($100,000) |
| 2019 | Virtual Reality / Virtual Public Involvement | Creation and implementation of a comprehensive, statewide, multi-division augmented and virtual reality program. ($100,000) |
| 2018 | Utility/GIS | Develop a manual and framework for implementation of an Alaska Utility Information Management System. ($100,000) |
| 2017 | Ground Penetrating Radar, pavements | Develop and implement a performance specification for acceptance of asphalt paving compaction based on continuous-full-coverage density data collected by ground penetrating radar. ($100,000) |
| 2016 | NEPA | Develop training courses and associated materials to implement quality environmental documentation and NEPA Assignment as standard practices for the State of Alaska ($100,000) |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 10/01/24 | UAS | Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology continues to play a vital role for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) crisis response team and their ability to share information and monitor changing landscapes. One of these technologies is a UAS docking station that facilitates remote deployment, offering a dependable infrastructure for autonomous flights... |
| 03/01/24 | RRFBs | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) installed rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at the crosswalks at the entrances and exits of the Dowling Road roundabouts in Anchorage... |
| 11/01/23 | UAS | The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has exploded in recent years as State and local agencies continue to find new and innovative applications for this versatile technology. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) recently expanded its UAS capabilities for critical infrastructure inspection with UAS docks and has approved UAS for a unique use-case–avalanche monitoring and mitigation... Read More |
| 09/01/23 | UAS | The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is expanding its use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assist communities during emergencies. The agency's Alaska Rural Remote Operations Work Plan (ARROW) Program is aimed at improving emergency response capabilities in rural areas of the State. Alaska DOT&PF will provide 10 communities with UAS and access to a shared geographic information system (GIS)... |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 7/1/2021 | STIC | The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities incorporated geophysical investigation methods into its in-house drilling program to obtain better data. The agency used capacitively coupled resistivity and ground penetrating radar equipment to locate subsurface anomalies during drilling programs by targeting borings more efficiently. This has resulted in cheaper and faster, but more thorough, geotechnical investigations, saving costs in design and reducing claims during construction. Read More |
| 9/1/2020 | Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME) | Across the country, agencies are using A-GaME solutions to identify subsurface conditions that could present challenges for projects. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has found that acquiring geophysical data while crews are in the field drilling traditional core samples adds little time to a project, but it provides data to fill in the blanks between holes and target holes more efficiently. Alaska DOT&PF has used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to pinpoint utility locations when conducting drilling investigations in urban areas. Alaska DOT&PF has also found it advantageous to use A-GaME techniques on projects in remote areas, where flying in people and equipment to conduct geophysical exploration is simpler and faster than mobilizing a drilling rig, which requires many days of work to justify the expense. In one example, the agency had enough recent drilling data to calibrate the geophysics data, and the continuous lines of new data were useful in identifying subsurface drainage patterns responsible for distress on a runway. |
11/01/19 | Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is using STIC Incentive funds to develop and implement a performance specification for acceptance of asphalt paving compaction based on full-coverage density data collected by ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Recent refinements enable GPR equipment to accurately measure and map compaction of freshly placed asphalt right behind the paving equipment. That means defects that could lead to development of potholes can be identified and fixed during the paving process. The GPR technology was demonstrated at a June meeting of the Alaska STIC, providing attendees with hands-on experience using the equipment. Alaska DOT&PF expects deployment of a continuous full-coverage compaction specification for asphalt paving to enhance project quality and pavement life. Better quality pavements can improve ride quality for travelers and reduce highway maintenance costs. For information, contact Rich Giessel of Alaska DOT&PF. |
11/01/18 | State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is using STIC Incentive funds to develop and implement a performance specification for acceptance of asphalt paving compaction based on full-coverage density data collected by ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Recent refinements enable GPR equipment to accurately measure and map compaction of freshly placed asphalt right behind the paving equipment. That means defects that could lead to development of potholes can be identified and fixed during the paving process. Read Innovator Issue 69 |
| 11/01/17 | Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities developed a 2D hydraulic modeling review guidance document with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The agency developed a 2D model for the Chilkat River for a road project. The model was used to verify the proposed locations of bank protection and habitat enhancement features. Read Innovator Issue 63 |
| 11/01/16 | National Environmental Policy Act | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is working on an Environmental Procedures Manual that incorporates IQED principles, including developing clear documents that tell the project story, keeping documents concise and ensuring that they meet legal requirements. Read Innovator Issue 57 |
| 09/01/16 | Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil - Integrated Bridge System | The Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in tribal nation, is building Alaska’s first geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system project. The project to replace a bridge over the Sucker River in Fort Yukon, 11 miles north of the Arctic Circle, will test GRS-IBS technology in a harsh environment with record temperatures of 100 F and minus 78 F. The project will improve access for area residents. Read Innovator Issue 56 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01/15 | Regional Models of Cooperation | The Alaska Department of Transportation is spearheading an initiative to improve coordination of transportation services among local and tribal governments, transit authorities and federal land management agencies. The agency plans to host a peer exchange to enable transportation stakeholders to discuss regional models of cooperation topics. Read Innovator Issue 51 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/22 | A-GaME | In a recent Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME) webinar — Outcomes: "Winning Your A-GaME" — the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), and Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) shared examples of state projects with winning outcomes. In the webinar, LADOTD shared how the agency used Cone Penetration Testing to troubleshoot unexpected problems with the pile design of a bridge widening project and saved $600,000 by eliminating the need for a new indicator pile. Additionally, DOT&PF shared examples of how electrical resistivity and ground penetrating radar are highly effective in the harsh Alaska conditions.
Read More |
| 06/10/21 | VPI | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has found that social media is often the most effective way to reach the public, and they use a combination of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo and Instagram. They have found using video to be particularly effective; any social media post that includes a video receives many more views. They conducted a virtual public open house, with the option to participate in-person, for their Windy Corner project on the Seward Highway. In addition to the project website, the staff provided a project voicemail and inbox for telephone and email comments. Read More |
| 02/28/19 | Improving Collaboration and Quality Environmental Documentation | State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive funds helped the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) develop online training for environmental staff on the Alaska DOT&PF Environmental Procedures Manual. The manual outlines processes for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment program, under which Alaska DOT&PF assumes responsibility for most environmental reviews on federally funded highway projects. Alaska DOT&PF developed the training to support its efforts to implement quality environmental documentation and NEPA Assignment as standard practices to streamline project delivery. Read EDC News 2-28-2019 |
| 11/29/18 | Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering (CHANGE) | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is collaborating with partner agencies to use two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic modeling tools for hydraulic and scour analyses on bridges. For example, Alaska DOT&PF initiated a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to apply 2D hydraulic modeling on bridge projects. The agreement outlines the process for USGS to perform 2D hydraulic analyses for Alaska DOT&PF, use the modeling results to determine the scour risk of structures, and communicate the results. The process provides Alaska DOT&PF with the best available information to develop any needed action plans for its structures to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Read EDC News 11-29-2018 |
| 11/08/18 | State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is using State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive funds to assess ground-penetrating radar (GPR) as a potential technology for acceptance of asphalt paving compaction. Recent refinements enable GPR equipment to accurately measure and map compaction of freshly placed asphalt right behind the paving equipment. That means defects that could lead to development of potholes can be identified and fixed during the paving process, enhancing project quality and pavement life. Better quality pavements can improve ride quality for travelers and reduce highway maintenance costs. The agency demonstrated the GPR technology at the June meeting of the Alaska STIC, providing attendees with hands-on experience using the equipment. If practicable, the agency will develop and implement a performance specification based on full-coverage density data collected by GPR. Read EDC News 11-8-2018 |
| 12/21/17 | Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering (CHANGE) | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities developed a 2D hydraulic modeling review guidance document with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The agency developed a 2D model for the Chilkat River for a road project. The model was used to verify the proposed locations of bank protection and habitat enhancement features. Read EDC News 12-21-2017 |
| 02/23/17 | National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training | FHWA staff discussed the benefits of TIM responder training at the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association Leadership Summit on February 9 in Juneau. Several of the 60 fire chiefs attending the event noted that after they participated in TIM training, the result was quicker and safer clearance of traffic incidents in their areas. The fire chiefs encouraged colleagues from other localities to pursue TIM training for first responders. Read EDC News 2-23-2017 |
| 12/22/16 | Improving Collaboration and Quality Environmental Documentation | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is working on an environmental procedures manual that incorporates principles to improve quality environmental documentation (IQED). IQED principles include developing clear documents that tell the project story, keeping documents concise, and ensuring they meet legal requirements. Read EDC News 12-22-2016 |
| 06/30/16 | Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System | The Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in tribal nation, plans to start construction in July on Alaska’s first geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system project. The project to replace a bridge over the Sucker River in Fort Yukon, 11 miles north of the Arctic Circle, will test GRS-IBS technology in a harsh environment with a record high of 100 F and a record low of minus 78 F. The project will improve access for area residents. Read EDC News 6-30-2016 |
| 05/12/16 | Construction Manager/ General Contractor | A construction manager/general contractor workshop April 27 and 28 in Fairbanks helped the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities prepare for its next project using the delivery method. The project will replace a bridge on the Parks Highway through Denali National Park and provide safe paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. The workshop enabled participants to learn about the benefits of early contractor involvement in projects. Read EDC News 5-12-2016 |
| 02/11/16 | National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training | A traffic incident management pilot training class was held in Juneau, Alaska, on January 26 with instructors from the Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire and Rescue. Participants represented the police and fire departments and Juneau citizen’s patrol. The course covered a process to detect, respond to and clear traffic incidents safely and quickly. Future classes will be offered to additional first responders in the capital area, including dispatchers, tow truck operators and Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities staff. Read EDC News 2-11-2016 |
| 02/04/16 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics | Construction is scheduled to start this spring on a diverging diamond interchange project in Anchorage, Alaska, the first DDI for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The project at Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road is expected to reduce crashes and increase traffic capacity. FHWA provided technical assistance for the project, including engineering and simulation analysis. Watch a video that shows how the DDI will work. Read EDC News 2-4-2016 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 08/06/15 | STIC | Alaska is the 47th state to charter a State Transportation Innovation Council to serve as a forum for overseeing the rapid deployment of innovations. According to the charter, signed on July 15, the Alaska STIC will act as a catalyst for implementing proven technologies and techniques “to ensure smart, efficient investment in Alaska’s highway infrastructure.” The group includes members from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Local Technical Assistance Program and FHWA. In the future, it plans to add representatives of industry, university transportation centers and other stakeholder groups. Read EDC News 8-6-2015 |
| 02/20/15 | National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training | The nation’s cadre of emergency responders trained in techniques to clear roadway incidents safely and quickly continues to grow. Alaska more than tripled the number of responders knowledgeable about traffic incident management best practices through a series of six training sessions in January. The state’s more than 140 trained responders include tow operators, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and emergency medical services workers. Alaska is poised to meet its goal of training 10 percent of the state’s responders in traffic incident management techniques by May 2015. Read EDC News 2-20-2015 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Unmanned Aerial Systems | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has begun deploying UAS across the State to aid in design, construction and monitoring of large scale projects. The Sterling Highway MP 45-60 is one of the first projects in the State to use data supplemented from UAS. By augmenting traditional survey acquisitions, DOT&PF is able to fill in the gaps with UAS data. ADOT&PF has been using fixed wing and multirotor systems to collect Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Imagery, and environmental documentation since 2019. DOT&PF’s ability to quickly acquire imagery and LiDAR and distribute to the project team, not only saves time, but allows for the public to be kept updated on project development through an online web portal. |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Data-Driven Safety Analysis | The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has started a review of Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) data elements to identify elements deemed essential for an Alaska-specific, robust systemic safety process, intended to improve Alaska’s Highway Safety Improvement Program. The systemic process will be based on FHWA’s Systemic Safety Project Selection Tool. Input from regional personnel is being used to develop cost estimates from data collection. When the review is complete, DOT&PF will collect roadway data necessary to make improved decisions for selection of systemic safety projects, using the process laid out in FHWA’s Systemic Safety Project Selection Tool. Read the EDC-4 Final Report |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Regional Models of Cooperation | Regional cooperation among diverse stakeholders in a large State with a dispersed population can be challenging, so the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) identified stakeholders and schedules regular virtual meetings to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Discussion topics include data collection, transportation modeling, national performance goals and targets, and changing rules and regulations at the Federal and State levels. The Alaska DOT&PF virtual peer exchanges support multijurisdictional and multiagency planning and facilitate cooperation among State, local, regional, and tribal governments and Federal land management agencies. Read the EDC-3 Final Report |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Construction Manager / General Contractor | The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities used CM/GC on the Parks Highway Riley Creek Bridge replacement. The project crosses a seismic fault, so having the contractor involved in the design phase enabled the agency and contractor to evaluate alternatives for costs, functionality, safety and seismic stability. CM/GC also helped save a year of construction time in a state where the construction season is limited to May through September. Read the EDC-2 Final Report |
| 2015 | Design-Build | The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is using D-B to deliver the Glenn Highway Eagle River Bridge replacement project. ADOT&PF is also developing two D-B projects on the George Parks Highway, one to build two railroad overpasses and another to replace the Sheep Creek and Montana Creek Bridges. Read the EDC-2 Final Report |
| 2015 | IQED | The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities revised the Alaska 6004 Program Environmental Procedures Manual to make it easier to read while spelling out process and legal requirements. ADOT&PF also revised the Alaska FHWA Program Environmental Procedures Manual to incorporate IQED principles for streamlining and improving environmental documents. Read the EDC-2 Final Report |
