U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
| Fiscal Year | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian | RIDOT Uncontrolled Midblock Crosswalk Enhancements - RIDOT will implement the findings of its Uncontrolled Midblock Crossing Evaluation and Plan and install Uncontrolled crosswalk enhancements including Rectangular Flashing Beacons, Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, Leading Pedestrian Intervals, medians and crossing islands to improve pedestrian safety on 25 state-owned crossings ($1,000,000). |
| 2016 | Construction Manager/ General Contractor, Early Contractor Involvement | The project will deploy the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) project delivery method for the design and replacement of the Park Avenue Bridge, located on Route 12 in Cranston, Rhode Island. RIDOT will build on this initial experience so that CMGC will become a regularly available tool in their project delivery method decision making. ($1,000,000) Read AID Demonstration 2016 |
| 2015 | Adaptive Signal Control | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) will install ASC controllers and associated technology at eight signalized intersections along approximately 1.5 miles of Airport Road, a busy (30,000 ADT) 4-lane arterial state roadway adjacent to T.F. Green Airport in the City of Warwick, RI. The RIAC will implement the deployment of the ASC technology as part of a locally administered project. The RIDOT will work in partnership with RIAC to coordinate and approve the design and purchase of the ASC technology. After construction RIDOT will be responsible for overseeing maintenance and operations as well as monitoring and assessment of the ASC system. The RIDOT intends use the experience it garners from this first-ever deployment of ASC in RI to help plan and program the deployment of the technology elsewhere across the state and to potentially adopt ASC as a standard practice. ($996,000) Read AID Demonstration Project Grant 2015 - Warwick |
| 2015 | Warm Mix Asphalt, Intelligent Compaction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will use Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA) additive and Intelligent Compaction (IC) on a highway improvement project. The RIDOT designed this project with the goal of encouraging greater acceptance of these innovations within the Rhode Island highway construction community. The project will highlight the comparative benefits of using WMA additive when compared to HMA as well as the benefits of using IC vibratory rollers equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology systems to measure and assess the properties of the compacted asphalt to ensure achievement of optimum compaction. The RIDOT expects that through this project the construction community will see that the technologies help achieve proper pavement density and improved pavement performance. ($1,000,000) Read AID Demonstration Project Grant 2015 - Route 102 |
| 2014 | Innovative Arch Construction | This project involves construction of two Innovative Arch Bridges as replacements for existing structures. The first bridge, Barbs Hill Road Bridge No. 844, is located in the Town Coventry and the second bridge, Railroad Avenue Bridge No. 354, is located in the Town of Burrillville. ($480,000) Read AID Demonstration 2014 |
| Fiscal Year | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Structures | Low-Cost Health Monitoring Sensors for Small/Medium Bridge Structures ($125,000) |
| 2024 | Digital As-Builts | Implement the use of Digital As-Builts to generate 3D models for State-owned Assets ($125,000) |
| 2023 | STEP | Create and manage a lending library for pedestrian and bicyclist safety demonstrations ($100,000) |
| 2022 | Targeted Overlay Pavement Solutions (TOPS) | Implement a Crack Attenuating Mix Trial and Comparison ($100,000) |
| 2021 | e-Ticketing | Implement an e-Ticketing Program ($50,000) |
| 2021 | Crowdsourcing | Develop crowdsourced data workflow and integrate into standard procedures ($50,000) |
| 2020 | UAS | Develop and implement a UAS Program for transportation and construction operations ($100,000) |
| 2019 | Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) | Evaluate and develop plan to improve RIDOT Uncontrolled Midblock Crosswalks ($100,000) |
| 2018 | Asset Management / Road Weather Management / GIS | Development of an Environmental Resiliency Tool ($100,000) |
| 2017 | Road Weather Management – Weather-Savvy Roads | Pilot the installation and oversight of road weather management sensors to advance an integrating mobile observation (IMO) system ($100,000) |
| 2016 | e-Construction | Implement the RIDOT e-Construction program, including workshops, training, software purchase and configuration, and purchasing electronic devices ($100,000) |
| 2015 | Adaptive Signal Control | Adaptive Signal Control ($100,000) |
| 2014 | 3D Engineered Models | Developing 3D/4D/5D Modeling Standards for Intermodal Projects ($20,000) |
| 2014 | 3D Engineered Models | Implementing 3D/4D/5D AutoCAD Infaworks 360 Program ($20,000) |
| 2014 | Construction Manager/General Contractor | Facilitating CMGC Training and Hosting a CMGC Workshop ($15,000) |
| 2014 | Programmatic Agreements, Geospatial Data Collaboration | Implementing Geospatial Data Collaboration and Creating a Programmatic Agreement for historic resources ($45,000) |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 7/1/2022 | STEP | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) developed an uncontrolled midblock crossing evaluation tool that is enabling it to address safety at more than 900 State-owned midblock crosswalks. RIDOT used an app to streamline data collection and developed a dashboard to automate crash countermeasure selection for each inventoried crosswalk. Treatments included countermeasures promoted by FHWA's Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian initiative such as rectangular rapid flashing beacons and pedestrian hybrid beacons. RIDOT applied State Transportation Innovation Council funds toward developing the app and an FHWA Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration program grant toward installing some of these enhancements. Read about RIDOT's effort in FHWA's Safety Compass newsletter.
Read More |
| 1/1/2021 | Strategic Workforce Development | The SWD toolkit also has case studies from around the country detailing how others are working to solve their workforce shortages. States and cities have formed what FHWA calls Highway Construction Workforce Partnerships (HCWPs) to bring interested parties together to find solutions. Many HCWPs are finding that potential workers have the will to pursue highway construction but lack the practical means of doing so. In Rhode Island, case managers meet with individuals at the time they express interest in joining a workforce training program. They discuss employment barriers as well as career goals to determine what resources will help ensure success for each applicant. According to Andrew Cortes of Rhode Island's HCWP, their working group establishes a budget around helping people make the transition into the workforce. "We do a lot to remove barriers so individuals can go to work," said Cortes. "We'll help reinstate driver's licenses, provide health and nutritional benefits, or offer language support services." Cortes also emphasized the importance of continued support once individuals graduate from the training programs. "We'll hold alumni gatherings and have 200 people show up to connect with each other." Read More |
| 7/1/2021 | AID Demonstration | FHWA’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration grants will help seven States advance innovative solutions for mobility and safety for all road users. Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah are receiving more than $5.6 million in combined funding. Both New Hampshire and Rhode Island are incorporating pedestrian safety improvements promoted by the EDC-5 Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) initiative. The Rhode Island DOT is implementing the findings of its uncontrolled midblock crossing evaluation by installing enhancements such as rectangular rapid-flashing beacons, pedestrian hybrid beacons, leading pedestrian intervals, and pedestrian crossing islands to improve safety on 25 State-owned crossings. Read More |
09/01/19 | Programmatic Agreements | The Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, and FHWA collaborated on a programmatic agreement (PA) to streamline project delivery. As a result, the tribe is now better able to participate in the conservation, preservation, and protection of Native American cultural resources or human remains that may be impacted by Federal-Aid projects. Under the PA, the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office will observe archaeological fieldwork performed by the State and help identify archaeological and cultural resources significant to the tribe. The agreement helps integrate National Environmental Policy Act and permitting processes and expedite the consultation process under National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. |
05/01/19 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics (Roundabouts) | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) Apponaug Circulator project converted five intersections to roundabouts and realigned roadways to improve safety and redirect traffic from a historic village center to major roads. As a result, the number of vehicles going through the Apponaug village center dropped from 25,000 to 6,800 a day, reducing traffic congestion and making the area more pedestrian friendly. The Apponaug Circulator is one of about 20 roundabouts RIDOT has constructed in place of traditional intersections to enhance safety. Read Innovator Issue 72 |
03/01/19 | e-Construction | With e-Construction technology, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is saving time and enhancing partnering on the Route 6/10 interchange reconstruction project, the largest design-build project in agency history. RIDOT is using an electronic plan (e-plan) system for document management to handle the high volume of documents associated with design-build projects. The e-plan system provides a collaborative environment that enables the project team to access documents simultaneously. As a result, RIDOT expects to significantly reduce the amount of time spent on reviews. Read Innovator Issue 71 |
| 11/01/17 | Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil - Integrated Bridge System | Geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) technology is helping States like Rhode Island meet the demand for small bridges by delivering low-cost, durable structures that can be constructed with readily available equipment and materials. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation combined the use of GRS-IBS abutments and a bridge move to accelerate replacement of the East Shore Expressway and McCormick Quarry Bridges in East Providence. Using these innovations cut the closure times for each bridge from 1 year to 80 hours. Read Innovator Issue 63 |
| 01/01/17 | Accelerated Bridge Construction, Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System | Accelerated bridge construction, including geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system technology, enabled the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to save motorists a year of traffic delays on projects to replace two bridges in East Providence. One bridge was replaced during an 83-hour road closure between September 9 and 13, 2016. The other bridge replacement was even faster, with the shutdown lasting 65 hours from September 23 to 26. RIDOT plans to use accelerated bridge construction on 75 bridge repair projects by 2025. Read Innovator Issue 58 |
| 07/01/16 | Accelerated Bridge Construction, Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System, Self-Propelled Modular Transporters | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is using accelerated bridge construction techniques to replace the East Shore Expressway and McCormick Quarry bridges in East Providence. The agency will cut project construction time and traffic delays by building geosynthetic reinforced soil abutments and using self-propelled modular transporters to install new superstructures. The bridges—a vital link in Rhode Island’s highway system—are expected to be completed a year earlier than possible using conventional construction methods. Read Innovator Issue 55 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01/15 | Construction Manager / General Contractor | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will use an AID Demonstration award to deploy the construction manager/general contractor project delivery method and early contractor involvement technique when it designs and replaces the Park Avenue Bridge on Route 12 in Cranston. The agency anticipates that the innovative processes will accelerate project delivery while mitigating risks. Read Innovator Issue 51 |
| 01/01/15 | Alternative Technical Concepts | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation received fiscal year 2015 STIC funds to implement adaptive signal control technology. The Rhode Island DOT and FHWA are working with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and Federal Aviation Administration to install adaptive signal control on six signals on a congested road near T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. STIC funds are helping the partners hold a systems engineering workshop, develop contract documents and complete construction, as well as implement a monitoring plan to support development of adaptive signal control programmatic guidance. Read Innovator Issue 46 |
| 11/14/14 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics | Representatives of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation—along with federal, state and local officials—broke ground on the Apponaug Circulator project in Warwick. The $29.9 million project will introduce modern roundabouts and other traffic safety enhancements as well as realign roadways to relieve traffic congestion in the area. The project will convert five intersections to roundabouts to reduce crashes. It also includes 1,100 feet of new road that will serve as a bypass for through traffic, allowing the city to pursue long-range redevelopment plans. Read Innovator Issue 45 |
| 09/15/14 | High Friction Surface Treatment | A summer showcase highlighted the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s first high-friction surface treatment installation contract. Seven locations were chosen for inclusion in the contract on the basis of crash data and geometrics. The locations include curves and intersection approaches on secondary roads where wet weather-related and roadway departure crashes are common. The showcase featured site visits to observe installation of the innovative treatments. Read Innovator Issue 44 |
| 01/01/14 | Intelligent Compaction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation worked with the Federal Highway Administration to produce a construction specification for intelligent compaction for asphalt paving. The specification will be field tested as a special provision in a few contracts before it’s finalized as a standard specification. The first test is on a $1.4 million mill and overlay project covering about 2.3 miles of roads at five locations around the state: Coventry, East Providence, Narragansett, North Kingstown and West Greenwich. Read Innovator Issue 40 |
| 11/01/13 | Design-Build | The design-build process enabled the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to come in ahead of schedule and under budget on its $24.9 million multimodal transportation hub in Kingstown, which includes a new siding track, parking garage, drop-off area for cars and buses, bike parking and electric car charging stations. Design-build also resulted in project enhancements, such as the mill building façade, which was made possible by cost savings on alternative technical concepts offered in the design-build team’s technical proposal. Read Innovator Issue 39 |
| 01/01/13 | Accelerated Bridge Construction | Using accelerated bridge construction techniques enabled the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to open the Frenchtown Brook Bridge in East Greenwich a month earlier than planned. The agency received a Highways for LIFE grant to use innovation to replace the 57-year-old bridge. The scheduled closure was for no more than 65 days, but the Rhode Island DOT demolished the old bridge, assembled the new structure using precast concrete components, and opened it to traffic in 33 days. The agency included a $3,000-per-day incentive clause in the construction contract for opening the bridge early. Read Innovator Issue 34 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 08/24/22 | STEP | Throughout the United States, fatalities and serious injuries are on the rise among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. To help address these crashes, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) developed an uncontrolled midblock crossing evaluation tool that is enabling it to address safety at more than 900 State-owned midblock crosswalks. RIDOT used an application to streamline data collection, field visits, and to eliminate certain paperwork. The application geolocated signage, pavement markings, and the supplemental pictures of roadway elements that accompany the traditional field documentation. RIDOT also developed a dashboard to automate crash countermeasure selection for each inventoried crosswalk. Treatments included countermeasures promoted by FHWA’s Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian initiative such as rectangular rapid flashing beacons and pedestrian hybrid beacons. RIDOT applied State Transportation Innovation Council funds toward developing the application and an FHWA Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration program grant toward installing some of these enhancements. Read more about RIDOT’s effort in FHWA’s Safety Compass newsletter. Read More |
| 02/17/22 | SWD | Across the nation, there is a shortage of highway construction workers. To help address this challenge, FHWA partnered with other key national highway organizations and the Department of Labor Federal Employment and Training Administration to establish the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP). The partnership brings highway construction, education, and workforce interests together at state and local levels to identify, train, and place individuals into trade occupations to fill industry workforce gaps. In our last issue, we discussed the working groups that help make these HCWPs successful. Once these groups were established, the regional HCWPs quickly learned that many individuals identified as candidates needed additional support to launch their careers.
Individuals expressing interest in joining the highway construction workforce may face roadblocks obtaining the education, transportation, time, and cost requirements that can accompany job training. HCWPs offer help to support successful completion of training programs and provide a seamless transition into the workforce. This support can include everything from housing and rental assistance to protective clothing, tools, and transportation to and from training and the job site. In Rhode Island, case managers meet with individuals at the time they express interest in joining the program. They discuss employment barriers as well as career goals to determine what resources will help ensure success for each applicant. Rhode Island's HCWP working group establishes a budget around helping people make the transition into the workforce. The working group can help candidates reinstate driver's licenses, provide health and nutritional benefits, or offer language support services. The group also hosts alumni events for training program graduates to help build professional networks. Read More |
| 02/03/22 | SWD | Across the nation, there is a shortage of highway construction workers. FHWA partnered with other key national highway organizations and the Federal Employment and Training Administration to establish the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP). The partnership brings highway construction, education, and workforce interests together at state and local levels to identify, train, and place individuals into trade occupations to fill industry workforce gaps. The programs are managed by the partner working groups that identify workforce needs and resources. HCWPs in several locations—Alabama, Denver, Rhode Island, and Idaho—have launched successful working groups.
A critical first step in addressing the highway construction workforce shortage is bringing together various community leaders and stakeholders to form these working groups. From holding roundtable meetings to leveraging longtime professional relationships, forming a successful working group often means bringing industry, government, education, businesses, and non-profit stakeholders together to take action. In Idaho and Rhode Island, Department of Labor workforce councils with existing industry partnerships helped bring the HCWPs to life. In Alabama and Denver, Department of Transportation staff first connected business and highway construction industry leaders. From there, workforce councils and construction industry associations took the lead in expanding working groups as common hiring goals quickly united all partners into action working towards identifying, training, and placing individuals into highway construction jobs. Alabama also used longtime partnerships between business and industry representatives working with educational leaders to help form the HCWP. Engaging business and industry leaders in the community is very important to help tailor any workforce program to best meet local needs. The Denver HCWP kicked off its successful working group by holding roundtable discussions on how to meet local hiring priorities. Initial conversations involved nearly 50 business and community representatives. In time, Denver found that smaller working groups focused on individual action items and meeting common goals worked well in moving the partnership forward. Once a working group is established, keeping those common goals at the forefront through regular meetings and fluid communication is paramount. Like Denver, other program participants found that working together as a group proved to be effective, but in many cases, subcommittees organically formed to address a region's specific needs. Participants communicated frequently, meeting through in-person and virtual meetings, as well as more frequent email exchanges and teleconferences. In Denver, such communication led to a successful HCWP and ultimately 923 people were trained and 744 were placed in highway and vertical construction jobs. Creating a shared resource pool can also serve as a great benefit to workforce partnerships. The Denver HCWP created a project management portal to serve as a hub for the partnership, giving access to information and materials to all its participating members. Read More |
| 05/23/19 | Programmatic Agreements | FHWA’s Rhode Island Division, in collaboration with the Narragansett Indian Tribe, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RISHPO) developed a unique programmatic agreement (PA) to streamline project delivery. For years the Tribe sought opportunities to participate directly in the conservation, preservation and protection of Native American cultural resources or Native American human remains that may be impacted by Federal-aid projects. Under the PA, the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office (NITHPO) will observe archaeological field work performed by the State and provide assistance with the identification of Native American archaeological and cultural resources of significance to the Tribe. Read EDC News 05-23-19 |
| 02/28/19 | e-Construction and Partnering | With e-Construction technology, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is saving time and enhancing partnering on the Route 6/10 interchange reconstruction project in Providence, the largest design-build project in agency history. RIDOT is using an electronic plan (e-plan) system for document management to handle the high volume of documents associated with design-build projects. The e-plan system provides a collaborative environment that enables the project team to access and comment on documents concurrently. As a result, RIDOT expects to reduce the time spent on design reviews from months to weeks and receive resubmittals from the design-build team in days. Read EDC News 02-28-19 |
| 10/18/18 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics, Roundabouts | RIDOT's Apponaug Circulator project converted five intersections to roundabouts and realigned roadways to improve safety and redirect traffic from a historic village center to major roads. As a result, the number of vehicles going through the Apponaug village center dropped from 25,000 to 6,800 a day, making the area more pedestrian friendly and enhancing economic development opportunities. Elsewhere across the state, about 20 roundabouts are in operation including newly installed ones in Tiverton, Glocester, and Coventry, with more in the design pipeline. Read EDC News 10-18-18 |
| 10/18/18 | e-Construction and Partnering | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is conducting a pilot on seven construction projects to use tablets in the field to collect information and create daily activity reports. The projects include new bridge construction, bridge replacements, roadway paving, and guardrail installation. This new reporting process increases the amount of usable data collected and incorporates photos, notes, and videos directly into daily activity reports. Read EDC News 10-18-18 |
| 11/30/17 | Adaptive Signal Control Technology | The American Council of Engineering Companies recognized Rhode Island’s first adaptive signal control technology (ASCT) system with an Engineering Excellence Award. The project installed ASCT at eight signalized intersections on Airport Road in Warwick, a busy corridor that posed safety concerns. Data from the system are used to adjust traffic signals in real time, reducing delays, enhancing safety, and decreasing fuel consumption and emissions. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Airport Corporation used Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration and State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive funds on the project. For information, contact Russell Holt of RIDOT. Read EDC News 11-30-17 |
| 05/12/16 | Accelerated Bridge Construction, Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is using accelerated bridge construction techniques to replace the East Shore Expressway and McCormick Quarry bridges in East Providence. The agency will cut construction time and traffic delays on the project by building geosynthetic reinforced soil abutments and installing new superstructures with self-propelled modular transporters. The bridges—a vital link in Rhode Island’s highway system—are expected to be completed a year earlier than possible using conventional construction methods. Read EDC News 05-12-16 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 11/25/15 | Construction Manager/ General Contractor | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is getting ready for a project that uses the construction manager/general contractor delivery method. The agency received Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration funds for the project, which involves designing and replacing the Park Avenue Bridge on Route 12 in Cranston. The Rhode Island DOT held a training session on CM/GC and early contractor involvement for agency staff and representatives of engineering firms and contractors. The agency chose CM/GC to accelerate project delivery by involving a contractor at the design stage to recommend schedule and cost savings. Read EDC News 11-25-15 |
| 08/06/15 | Adaptive Signal Control Technology, Warm-Mix Asphalt | An Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration award will support Rhode Island’s first adaptive signal control technology project. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Rhode Island Airport Corporation are partnering to install seven adaptive signal control devices on a 1.5 mile section of Airport Road near T.F. Green Airport in Warwick to improve safety and traffic management. Another AID Demonstration award will enable the Rhode Island DOT to use warm-mix asphalt and intelligent compaction on a 4.2-mile highway improvement project in Coventry and Foster, encouraging greater acceptance of these innovations in the Rhode Island highway construction community. Read EDC News 08-06-15 |
| 03/27/15 | 3D Engineered Models | FHWA representatives challenged members of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers to create a culture of innovation among the state’s civil engineers. They spoke at the chapter’s March 19 meeting. FHWA staff also discussed EDC-3 innovations, particularly those the Rhode Island Department of Transportation plans to deploy. One effort is transitioning to 3D engineered modeling. Read EDC News 03-27-15 |
| 02/27/15 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics | The Apponaug Circulator project to build five roundabouts in an urban setting is on schedule despite a stormy winter season. Project stakeholders from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, FHWA and construction firms discussed progress on the project at a quarterly partnering session on February 19. The project is designed to transform a congested and outdated urban circulator system into a safer and more efficient facility for the city of Warwick. The project is being partially funded through an FHWA TIGER grant. Read EDC News 02-27-15 |
| 12/05/14 | 3D Engineered Models | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation held a December 2 kick-off session for its effort to implement 3-D modeling throughout its practices. This and future sessions will enable the agency to assess current practices and plan for integrating enhanced electronic practices. It intends to use 3-D as a standard practice in system planning, project development, design, construction and all aspects of life-cycle asset management. It’s now piloting 3-D on a highway project and an intermodal project to build early capacity in its highway and transit business lines. Read EDC News 12-05-14 |
| 11/07/14 | Accelerated Bridge Construction, Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and FHWA hosted a showcase and workshop on the state’s latest project built with accelerated bridge construction techniques. The project will replace an 85-foot ramp bridge from Rhode Island Route 114 to I-195. The superstructure and substructure will be built within 30 days using prefabricated structural elements and a fully prefabricated superstructure. The superstructure will be prefabricated on-site and lifted into place over a weekend. Transportation professionals from Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts participated in the workshop and visited the construction site. Read EDC News 11-07-14 |
| 10/31/14 | Adaptive Signal Control Technology | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has been allocated $100,000 in fiscal year 2015 State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive program funds to implement its first use of and institutionalize adaptive signal control technology. The Rhode Island DOT and FHWA are working with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and Federal Aviation Administration to install adaptive signal control on six signals on a road next to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. A runway expansion project at the airport will significantly alter travel on the already-congested road. STIC funds will help the partners hold a systems engineering workshop, develop contract documents and complete construction, as well as implement a monitoring and evaluation plan to support development of adaptive signal control programmatic guidance. Read EDC News 10-31-14 |
| 10/03/14 | Construction Manager/ General Contractor, Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and FHWA conducted a value engineering workshop for the second phase of the I-95 Providence Viaduct replacement. The $120 million project, set to begin in 2016, will complete the replacement of the viaduct. It incorporates prefabricated bridge elements and systems, including prefabricated substructure units, prefabricated superstructures moved into place with the slide-in bridge technique and self-propelled modular transporters, and precast deck panels. It uses the construction manager/general contractor delivery method, which could result in potential savings of nearly $10 million. Read EDC News 10-03-14 |
| 09/05/14 | 3D Engineered Models | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is updating its database system and hardware to implement 3-D, 4-D, 5-D and design visualization innovations as standard practice. Read EDC News 09-05-14 |
| 09/05/14 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics | Representatives of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation—along with federal, state and local officials—broke ground on the Apponaug Circulator project on August 27. The $29.9 million project will introduce roundabouts and other traffic safety enhancements to the village as well as realign roadways to relieve traffic congestion in the area. The project will convert five intersections to roundabouts to reduce crashes. It also includes 1,100 feet of new road that will serve as a bypass for through traffic, allowing the city to pursue long-range redevelopment plans. Read EDC News 09-05-14 |
| 08/29/14 | Accelerated Bridge Construction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is using accelerated bridge construction on its project to rehabilitate the I-95 Barton Corner Bridge project in Warwick. The two halves of the bridge were built on land next to the overpass. In one phase of the project, self-propelled modular transporters were used to remove and replace the existing northbound bridge overnight. In two weeks, the old southbound bridge will be removed and the new bridge will be moved into place using SPMTs. It’s the first time the Rhode Island DOT has used SPMTs. Read EDC News 08-29-14 |
| 07/18/14 | Accelerated Bridge Construction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation replaced the Frenchtown Brook Bridge using a prefabricated superstructure, substructure and foundation systems. This approach increased safety and quality, got the job done during a 33-day road closure instead of the six months required for traditional construction, and saved road users about $2 million. Read EDC News 07-18-14 |
| 07/18/14 | High Friction Surface Treatment | A July 14 and 15 showcase highlighted the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s first high-friction surface treatment installation contract. Seven locations were chosen for inclusion in the contract on the basis of crash data and geometrics. The locations include curves and intersection approaches on secondary roads where wet weather-related and roadway departure crashes are prevalent. The showcase featured product and delivery discussions and site visits to observe installation of the innovative treatments. Local, state and federal transportation professionals from New England and New York signed up for the event. Read EDC News 07-18-14 |
| 07/11/14 | Geospatial Data Collaboration, Programmatic Agreements, Construction Manager/General Contractor | The Rhode Island DOT has been allocated $100,000 in State Transportation Innovation Council incentive funds, FY2014 monies for four activities: implementing Geospatial Data Collaboration and creating a Programmatic Agreement for historic resources ($45,000), facilitating Construction Manager/General Contractor Training and hosting a CM/GC workshop ($15,000), implementing 3D/4D/5D Roadway design software program ($20,000), and developing 3D/4D/5D modeling standards for intermodal projects ($20,000). The STIC incentive program provides resources to help make innovations standard practice in a state. The funding opportunity is $100,000 per state per year. Read EDC News 07-11-14 |
| 07/03/14 | Accelerated Bridge Construction | Accelerated bridge construction techniques are helping the Rhode Island Department of Transportation replace the Barton Corner Bridge. The bridge carries four lanes of I-95 plus two auxiliary lanes at a busy interchange in the Warwick area. The agency is building two halves of the bridge on land next to the overpass and will move them into place with self-propelled modular transporters. This approach will enable the Rhode Island DOT to minimize the project’s impact on interstate traffic and build the bridge much faster than with conventional methods. Read EDC News 07-03-14 |
| 06/20/14 | Intelligent Compaction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is advertising its second paving contract using intelligent compaction. The resurfacing project covers sections of I-95 in Warwick, Cranston and Providence. The work involves micromilling bituminous pavement, cleaning and sweeping pavement, placing asphalt emulsion tack coat and friction course and installing pavement markings. The state’s first paving project with intelligent compaction is now in construction. Read EDC News 06-20-14 |
| 03/07/14 | High Friction Surface Treatment | 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. Read EDC News 03-07-14 |
| 01/17/14 | Intersection and Interchange Geometrics | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and FHWA have executed a TIGER V grant agreement for the Apponaug Circulator Long-Term Improvements Project. The project, located in a congested commercial corridor, consists of five roundabouts as well as pedestrian and bicycle improvements. The project is expected to start construction in June 2014 and be open to traffic in late 2017. The $34.1 million project cost includes TIGER V grant funding of $10 million. Read EDC News 01-17-14 |
| 10/11/13 | Intelligent Compaction | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and FHWA have produced a construction specification for intelligent compaction for asphalt paving. The specification will be field tested as a special provision in a few contracts before it’s finalized as a standard specification. The first test will be on a $1.4 million mill and overlay project covering about 2.3 miles of roads at five locations around the state: Coventry, East Providence, Narragansett, North Kingstown and West Greenwich. Read EDC News 10-11-13 |
| 06/07/13 | 3D Engineered Models | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation used three-dimensional (3D) modeling on a project to reconstruct a 7-mile stretch of Route 165 from Route 3 to the Connecticut State line. Workers used a laser to scan the road section in 53 setup positions over 4 days, collecting a total of 190 million points with coordinate and elevation values. This information was used to create a 3D surface model of existing road conditions to within 4 millimeters of accuracy and generate a grading surface model to build the new road. Read EDC News 06-07-13 |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Road Weather Management – Weather-Savvy Roads | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is equipping its snowplows with weather sensors that provide temperature and road condition data along with dashboard camera images that show precipitation and road conditions in real time. At the end of the 2018-2019 winter season, RIDOT plans to compare the data with information from previous winters to identify trends it can apply in future decision making on weather event response. Read EDC-4 Final Report |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3D Engineered Models | The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is exploring the integration of 3D models and bridge information modeling into the engineering process for post-construction and asset management activities. The agency is developing a work platform to address the full life cycle of projects from design through operations. Integrating visualization and mapping in the project life cycle will help RIDOT prioritize maintenance activities in the future. Read EDC-3 Final Report |
| 2017 | Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil - Integrated Bridge System | RIDOT decided to use accelerated bridge construction methods to reduce the impact on the public when it replaced the East Shore Expressway and McCormick Quarry Bridges in East Providence. The bridges, which carry traffic between the East Shore Expressway and I-195, needed to be replaced because they were structurally deficient. RIDOT combined the use of GRS-IBS abutments and a bridge move to reduce the closure times for each bridge from a year to 80 hours. Using GRS-IBS allowed RIDOT to construct the abutments under the existing structures at the same time it built the new bridges in an adjacent lot. Once the two pieces were completed, RIDOT closed the roads while crews demolished the existing structures and assembled the prefabricated pieces. RIDOT is considering replacing other structures using accelerated techniques. Read EDC-3 Final Report |
| Date | Innovations | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3D Engineered Models | The Rhode Island DOT used 3D modeling on the Apponaug Circulator bypass, Magnolia Bridge removal and Central Bridge replacement projects. The 3D approach assisted with stakeholder involvement, reduced costs and construction time, and minimized traffic-related construction conflicts. RIDOT also received STIC Incentive program funding to develop and implement 3D standards for its highway and transit business lines. Read EDC-2 Final Report |
| 2015 | Accelerated Bridge Construction | The Rhode Island DOT replaced the 57-year old Frenchtown Brook Bridge using a prefabricated superstructure, substructure and foundation systems. The new bridge was prefabricated away from the construction site before installation. This innovative approach increased safety, enhanced quality and allowed the contractor to replace the bridge during a 33-day road closure instead of the six months required for traditional methods. A comprehensive economic analysis including user costs shows that the project saved road users about $2 million. Read EDC-2 Final Report |
| 2015 | National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training | The Rhode Island DOT’s 40 trainers trained more than 660 people from 100 agencies, including 43 cities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. To reach new recruits, traffic incident management classes are now part of the municipal police and fire academies. Read EDC-2 Final Report |
